Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mug Rug Madness, and TWO GIVEAWAYS!


Wow, today is a BIG day! First of all, you can find me over at Sew We Quilt today. Pop over and check out my tutorial and enter to win the great GIVEAWAY! Not registered yet or unsure of how things work in the Wantobe Quilter campaign? You can find out all you need to know right HERE.

Today is my turn for MUG RUG MADNESS: The Holiday Edition!

When do you get your Christmas tree? We always get ours the first weekend of December but I start thinking about the holidays as soon as fall arrives.

Fall is my favorite season, and I don't like to rush it, but it also makes me think of Christmas.  I like to do my holiday shopping (or at least planning) early.

When Erin from Two More Seconds asked me to be a part of the Mug Rug Madness Holiday Edition, I was so flattered and immediately said yes. Honored to be among such a talented group!

The Fat Quarter Shop graciously provided festive holiday fabric for us to use while creating our mug rugs. You know I love them (they are an ELQ sponsor) and appreciate their wonderful selection of fabrics, great FQ bundles and super fast shipping. They also have a new pattern line that you should check out.

So it was a lot of fun working with the jolly Ready, Set, Snow! fabric from Moda. I wasn't sure what I was going to make until I laid all my fabric out on my table and the graphic prints of the stripes and squares jumped out at me. A quick sketch and wha-la, I knew what I had my idea.
Mug Rug Madness


Mug Rug Madness

It's simple but effective and showcases the holiday fabric without being over the top. If you would like to make one too, here's how:

Supplies Needed:
4 Fat Quarters of Ready, Set, Snow!
The top piece is an example.
1. Cut out 3 red squares, .25" on the outside of the red border. Your squares should be 2.5" x 2.5".

2. Cut 3 strips of green stripe fabric, 3.25" wide x WOF (using a FQ).

3. Cut a 3" strip off the end of the green stripe pieces. From your reserved green stripe fabric, cut 6 pieces 1" x 2.5." Pay attention to the direction of the stripes!


4. Sew the small green stripe strips to 2 sides of the red squares. Press seams open.

5. Center and sew on your red square strip onto the long green striped strips. Then reattach the 3" strip you removed previously.

6. Press seams open.

7. Trim up the sides of your strips so they are 3.25" wide.

8. Line up your strips in a layout you like, pin and sew them together (right sides facing.)

9. Press your seams open and trim your mug rug to 7.5" x 8.5."

10. I spray basted my mug rug and then quilted it in straight lines outlining the red squares.

Then I bound it as I would a regular quilt.


I hope you enjoyed my little holiday mug rug tutorial. Be sure to pop over the the Mug Rug Madness Giveaway page at Two More Seconds to enter to win holiday charm packs and this little mug rug.

If you missed any of the previous installments of Mug Rug Madness the Holiday Edition, you can find all the posts here.

If you make a holiday mug rug or a mug rug for any occasion, we would love to see them! Post pics in the Mug Rug Madness Flickr Group and the Ellison Lane Flickr Group.

Now hurry over to Erin's and enter to win then be sure to head over to Madame Samm's at Sew We Quilt for that giveaway too!

87 comments:

Lee said...

Adorable! I love that squares print—I used it on the back of mine. : )

Gail's Card Cafe' said...

I found you from Sew We Quilt. Love these mug rugs! I have got to make some for Christmas gifts! Fall is my favorite season too. Love to bundle up and wear cute boots and the fresh smell of cold :) Your tutorial on Madams blog is wonderful! so is this mug rug one :)

Suze said...

I signed up to follow you. I found you on Sew We Quilt. Thanks for the great tutes!

Editfolt said...

I follow you. I love sewing demonstration. I'd like to win nice fabrics!

Sue said...

Hi! I read your tutorial on Sew We Quilt - it was really well done, so easy to follow! and the finished star looks so pretty and bright. I have become one of your Followers too now, as you have some great ideas! Hugs n Blessings from Sue in Oz xx

Flying Blind... said...

Superb Mug Rug - pinned it xx

Grammasheri said...

Ohhh...your bright star blocks are so pretty and cheerful! Thank you for a super tutorial! And now I see your sweet mug rug and want to make that, too. Perfect for a hot mug of cider and some ginger snaps!

The Nifty Stitcher said...

Hello from your newest follower - I came here via Madame Samm. Love the look of your blog - your work is so colourful and vibrant.

Karen said...

Your post at Sew We quilt is good fun. You have combined 2 favourites of mine - stars and bright colours.Great photos and clear steps. I have enjoyed looking through your posts. I am delighted to now be a follower.

pricillaprecise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pricillaprecise said...

Found your blog through Madame Samm - she certainly knows how to pick great blogs! Your starflower block tutorial is easy to follow... am thinking it should look good for Christmas in various prints too. ...Margaret

Wendz said...

Madamme Samm sent me ... and I'm so glad she did. What wonderful tuts, pics, patterns and I may just succomb to making a few crosses. [Adding to the To-make list]. I'll definately be following eagerly.

charlotte said...

Nice job on both the mug rug and your post at Sew We Quilt. Girl, you sure are busy these days.

Vicki ♥ said...

Hi :) I read your tutorial on Sew We Quilt and had to come over and have a look at your blog....its lovely and I have become a follower too as I know I am going to enjoy visiting your blog. Thanks for a fabulous tutorial on Sew We Quilt too...it was great :) hugs Vicki x

upstateLisa said...

love all your color choices. Came from Madame Samm's and now I will get your posts in my email!

hafza said...

I come over from Sew We Quilt... your tutorial for the Starflower Block and Mug Rug are fantastic. I love the bright fabric that you choose for the Starflower. I become a follower and hope to learn more on how to make quilt blocks.. Thanks.

Michele said...

I sew need to make one of these. Hubby isn't liking it when I steal his yarn one to take to my sewing room. Once I jumped over here from SWQ I knew I'd love your blog because you seem to love all the bright colors as I do.

Stitchin' time said...

Visiting from Sew We Quilt. I'm a follower of your blog now. Love the colours you use and great tutorial at SWQ.
Cheers,
Robyn

Barbara said...

I loved this when you first posted it - you just have too many cute projects !

harleywife57 said...

visiting from Sew We Quilt ; but I already follow your blog ! I started your quilt along , but have fallen behind ( too many distractions !) I will finish , but NOT by Oct 3 ! thanks for the fun !!

Marie said...

I found you at Madame Samm's this morning and have now become a follower! I LOVE those stars, they're adorable and easy too, can't wait to get started.
Now that I'm here I see there is a mug rug holiday edition I'm missing out on...no more. I'm heading over there for the details ASAP!
p.s. I see you're an addict of Pinterest too...I keep telling myself I could be addicted to something much worse;-)

Nancy said...

I am a New follower from Madame Samms! I think there is too much fun going on in this Blog!! Loved it!

Huggs, Nancy

Gilli said...

Count me in! Just signed up. Great site.

Carol C said...

Just found you through Madame Samms. What a great tutorial. I think I'll be a follower of yours for a long, long time. Great job!

Megan said...

Hi Jennifer--I stopped by from Madame Samm's, and how wonderful to find another great tutorial. I've enjoyed being a part of the Wannabe Quilters. I discovered so many wonderful blogs about quilting. I'm now a follower here. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Quilter in the Gap said...

Great mug rug! Thanks for sharing. and btw you did a great job at Madamm's house today! Thanks for sharing.

Elaine said...

JUst found your blog for the first time this morning...and will become a follower. Appreciate the colors you use, as well as the projects along the way. Hope to win!! Thanks.

Katy Cameron said...

Cute way to use that fabric, love the squares

Jacque. said...

Came here for the Sew We Quilt giveaway...LOVE your blog...definitely a follower.

Cfrosty said...

Thank you for the Starflower Tute. I think I can do that one. I've had that problem about not matching up and have ripped out more than once, now I know it's normal!

Thank you again and have a great day!

Janet said...

Love the colors!

Sharon said...

Hi Jen wanted to thank you for your tutorial on the starflower at Madame Samm's. I have also signed in to follow your wonderful blog...love your chirstmas mug rug...The fabric is awesome.

barbara said...

Love your starflower block!! I am in need of a couple more blocks for a sampler quilt I'm making and this one just fits the bill!! Thanks for posting over at Mama Samm's.

Carrie P. said...

I just came from Madame Samm's. Great tutorial you did. A great block.
So that is what that little tree fabric goes to.
A very cute mug rug. great use of the fabric.

Snoodles said...

I already follow you through my google reader...just popped over from Madame Samm's to say "thanks for a great tutorial!" And this mugrug one is great, too!

Shannon said...

Hello! I am hopping over here from Sew We Quilt. I loved your block tut. Great block!! I love color so that block hits the spot!! I am now a follower of yours!! I am also doing the Mug Rug Madness so I will be back later to make your mug rug. Thank you!

Courtney said...

Saw your lovely starflower tute on Madame Samm's and entering the giveaway. Your mug rug is darling, too!

Brenda said...

So glad that I found you from Madame Samm. You make quilting so easy to understand for some of us that are relatively new to the quilting arts. I love the rainbow colors in your block and the mug rugs. They are so cool! Will going back through your blog posts today. I am so excited to find your site!! :)

Linda said...

Hi, Jennifer! I'm a new follower over from your guest post at Sew We Quilt. Thank you for the tutorials!

Sheila said...

Very nice Mug Rug Tutorial. I think it would make a nice hot pad or pot holder. I have visited your blog before and was happy to see you do a wonderful guest post at Stash Manicure today. Love lots of color :D

Impera_Magna said...

Hi, Jennifer!

Love your mug rug AND your star tutorial over on Stash Manicure! I'm going to have to make me one of each!

I'm a new follower, too!

Miz Karen said...

I love the rainbow look of the Starflower and the tutorial. Also love the Mug Rug info. I've just recently been bit by the Mug Rug.

I came over here from SWQ and am a follower on both.

creativedawn said...

I hopped over here from Madame Samms....thanks for that spectacular tutorial...loving the brilliant colors of your block!!! Makes me want to go make one...yummmmeeeeee!

hugz

Kathy H said...

found you over at sew we quilt today. such a great tutorial on that star. I have avoided making them because of the diamonds but the half square triangles solved those awful Y seams.

Jean said...

I'm a new follower from the Wantobe quilter campaign. I'm so glad I caught you just in time. I need to make a mug rug for my real estate agent, who will be closing a sale on our house soon (yay!).

I like this one. Going to take a masculine earth tone approach instead of Christmas. So cool!

Madame Samm said...

Hello sweetie..you are all about sew much well everything... enthusiasm, vitality, energy, laughter, color and talent..let's not forget talent..great tut today, timely and bright...and your mug rug..well adorable as you..
!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Put me on that train with all the commenters up above cuz I found you via Madame Samm also. Love the bright cheerful colors you use, and can't wait to get my updates now that I've been introduced to you and have become a follower.

pinsandneedles said...

Hopped over from Sew We Quilt! Thanks for the tutorial! I love your use of bright fabrics! Thanks for sharing! I'm a new follower!

Rosa said...

I love see tutorial and yours are great.Love your stunnig color.Thanks for sharing.I becamoe a new follower

Connie said...

Loved your star at Sew We Quilt and your little mug rug is adorable!

Char said...

Great post on Stash Manicure today Jennifer!

Marie said...

Loved the post on Stash Manicure. Thank you.

Marcia W. said...

I enjoyed your post at sewwequilt for the stars, and the mug rug too. I like the way you fussy cut the squares in the mug rug. And, signed up to follow you AGAIN (blogger is so undependable for following).

Marsha said...

I found you on Sew We Quilt, thanks for the great tutorial, the Starflower block is so bright and cheerful! I'll be back to see more about the mug rugs, too.

Donna~~ said...

I'm visiting from Sew We Quilt. You have a very pretty website--so colorful! I'm now a follower and look forward to seeing all the lovely things you make!

Katherine said...

Hey Jennifer!
Great tutorials - what a treat to see you over at Sew We Quilt today. Wahoo!
Especially love the rainbow starflower block, a great idea for using charms from the colour wheel swap. Yay.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

Hello, a new follower just popping in to look around and loooove your colors! I'm going through a "color change" and this is what I'm wanting to work toward--so bright and cheery--but I'm making myself use up a good portion of what I have first. I'm going to have to file these ideas away for now but hopefully soon....

Valerie said...

Loved your guest post on Sew We Quilt. Happily following you now. Your tutorials are so clear and colorful. Love it.

Kathleen said...

I saw your post on SM..it was a really great tut and I love the one here, the mug rug...I am now a follower..you have so many nice things on your blog...

Jansie said...

Hi there, found you through Sew We Quilt. Great tutorial!! You have a wonderful site. Can't wait to peruse some more!

Quilting with Jannette said...

Hi Jennifer,
Just found your blog, courtesy of Madame Samm. I was so excited to see your tutorial for mug rugs! I spent far too much time yesterday looking for a great one to make to go with some Christmas gifts, as part of a gift exchange - and I think I've found it! thanks so much!
Can't wait to see what other goodies are lurking here!

Manda said...

Two great posts in one day!

paulette said...

I enjoyed both tutorials!! Thanks you so much!!
Paulette

sandra said...

Hi Jennifer I found your blog from Madame Samm and love it because you use so many beautiful bright colors. Thanks for the tute and I am a new follower. Blessing Sandra

Dana Gaffney said...

Fun tutorial here and an excellent one over at Madame's. Thanks for both

MoeWest said...

Thanks for the tutorials. I'm a new follower :-)

LJ said...

Hi, Jennifer,
Read your tut at SEW WE QUILT today. Wonderful! I look forward to using the tut. Also, looking forward to following your blog.

JoAnne said...

Thank you! I had heard of mug rugs but wasn't quite sure of what they were. Now, I can make one.

chefpa said...

I'm a follower...thanks for the starflower tutorial...I like that the trend is to press seams open these days, the back of the block looks so neat! Thanks for the opportunity to win the beautiful fabrics.

Grams said...

Dropped by via Sew We Quilt. Love your blog. Two great tutorials today -one here and one there. I'll definitely be back to visit.

vail in tn

Renea said...

I wanted to be a follower of your blog but I can not get the computer to allow me to follow. Thanks for the great tutorial.

elle said...

What a beautiful rainbow of star flowers. LUV them! A colour wheel spread is so cool!

KWILEY said...

Loved your tutorial.....and loved your color selection in fabric. THanks for sharing - hoping to win the giveaway too - so I can make a new project

evelyn said...

Jennifer, great post over on Stash. I just looked through your finished quilts. All are so bright and cheerful! I just finished 3 tops using Cenral Park. Great fabric, love what you did with it.

njquilter said...

I am a follower...so many great projects so little time....work really interferes with my quilting time..ha ha

WandaFish said...

How exciting! Great mug rug and so lovely to see you with a fab tutorial over at Madame Samm's too :)

Donna said...

fab tutorial at sew we quilt - I love your star blocks! I also love mug rugs! thanks!

Nancy B said...

I'm a new follower. Loved your colorful star and tutorial at Sew We Quilt. Fab job.

Cindi said...

Great job on both tutorials! You make it look easy

Ariane said...

Wow, two tutorials in one day!!! They are great. I love the star block you shared at Sew We Quilt, and the mug rug is so cute!!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!

LJ said...

I just read your tut on the t-shirt applique. I've never used Heat and Bond. Does it make the applique rather stiff? Does it wash out? If you have any other tips about using it, I would appreciate your help. Thanks.

Linda K said...

Thanks for the great tutorial over at Sew We Quilt! Love the bright fabrics for the stars- out of my box, but I'm getting the urge to go BOLD!!

slfranks4 said...

I just found you via Sew We Quilt and am so glad I did! You have a lovely site and I can't wait to take a look around. Thanks for the lovely tutorial, too :)

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

I found you thru' Sew We Quilt! Great Tutorial there and here! I am new to following you too!

Annie of Blue Gables said...

I love your tutorial on Stash Manicure!
~a

SueB said...

Love the tutorial on the mug rugs. I am making some now for gifts.

Valerie said...

This mug rug turned out so cute! What a clever use of fussy cutting the wonky squares. Thanks for sharing!