April Showers Mug Rug

Yeeeeeha! It's Day 5 of the Hop!

Madame Samm (the inspiration behind it all) and Erin (the head cheerleader) are hosting a fantastic Mug Rug - April Showers Blog Hop!
 Many thanks to them for inviting me to join in all the fun!!
Hip, Hip Hooray!

International viewers, bloggers, "Followers" and the Internet world are welcome here!


 

Make sure to click on the following blogs to see what others are doing & giving away today!!



http://www.fromthistothatbybobbalou.blogspot.com/ = Bobbie
http://lesquilts.blogspot.com/ = Leslie
http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.com/ = Kristen
http://zellerwear.blogspot.com/ = Lavonna
http://www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com/ = Lynn
http://www.sewincrediblycrazy.blogspot.com/ = Amy
http://livinglife-martha.blogspot.com/ = Martha
http://creativeinspiraciones.blogspot.com/ = Shawn
http://www.quiltingadventuresofagingerblogspot.com/ = Toye
http://ravelly1-quiltzblog.blogspot.com/ = Ravelly1 Rhonda (you're here at my blog)

Oh boy, oh boy, it's my turn for April Showers Mug Rug Hop and boy do I have loads of things to show, tell and give away.

First....
Let me show you how I make my mug rugs.....

My concept , the word Spring, for example.

 I found a font that I liked, printed it off, placed it on my light-box face down and traced the letter onto my favorite adhesive - Steam-a-Seam. BTW, I should buy stock in that adhesive, I use so much.

I have chosen six springy fabrics to press the letter onto the wrong side.

After cutting letter out, I chose a beige background that will show off the feeling of spring.

These needles are the best, I've found, for narrowly stitching around the edge of the letters. I have the needles in bulk.....LOL

This is an open-footed foot and I've moved the needle to the far right. I love this foot because it allow me to see where I sewing.

Now I stitch the letters down about a sixteenth of an inch or less from the edge.

Letters are now sewn down, the backing is a floral red and I've pinned everything so it's ready to meander around.

All sewn, meandered and trimmed

 

Next comes the binding. I'm doing the binding in the background red floral...very smart on my part because I'm not so good with this part. Sometimes I do use fabrics like muslin as a backing.

I usually hand hem the binding but on occasion I machine stitch it.

All finished!!!

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Secondly......

As a big thank you for stopping by,

here's what's in my first 

give-away package.....

Yes there are 2 give-aways in my hop!

 

This mug rug is just waiting for a hot cup of coffee or tea or a glass of your favorite beverage to shade it from all those April Showers.

I love the green/blue/red/yellow fabric I used. It reminds me of "SPRING" one of my favorite seasons.

This Tea-towel is included in this give away. It will look great in the kitchen. I used the same fabric and notice that it matches the strips of the Tea-towel. That just happened, I really didn't plan it.

 

  Still more goodies .........

 

This is a great book to add to your library. Nancy Zieman walks you through several fun and decorative projects to dress up or brighten a room.

See that blue container....there's a little something extra for one luck commenter. Also, I've added some plastic bags. These are always welcome when on retreat,

at a sew-in or to use in your sewing area.

A great little stress ball or hand exerciser to squeeze. It's so soft, can't you just see

how soft it is..... ;-}

 

And finally in this photo are

twenty 10 inch blocks

 and

 twenty 5 inch blocks of fabrics.

These wonderful fabrics are just waiting to be loved and used in someone's project!!

To receive all the wonderful items just leave a comment & Mr. Random will do all the work.

 By the way, I'd love for  you to become a "FOLLOWER,"

& stick around for all the "whacky" fun and happenings at Ravelly1. You would

certainly brighten my life 

but

 it is not a requirement.

 

International viewers are welcome to participate in the give away.

I'll announce the winner on April 13th after Mr. Random picks a number.

 

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 And Third............

 

Remember this little mug rug???

Well, this is my second  smaller give away.

It needs a home to brighten someone's coffee/tea/beverage time.

I will be using Mr. Random to pick another number from the commenters.

I'll announce the winner on April 13th, as well.

 

 

Remember you're visiting Ravelly1 - Rhonda

http://ravelly1-quiltzblog.blogspot.com

Visit anytime to read about my "whacky" world of fabric, BOM, quilt blocks, farm animals and life in general!!

 

 

 

 This LINK gives you a full listing for all the April Showers Mug Rug Hop participants!

Hooray and a big Whoop!