Mug Rug Swaps

So, have you been bitten by the mug rug bug yet? Since I first posted about mug rugs a few months back, I am now able to type out the full name without giggling like a grade schooler. I've also participated in a few mug rug swaps that I heard about over on Twitter.

First, I joined the Mug Rug Madness swap where I received this adorable little mat from Alissa (alissadumont). So simple in its design, yet so effective with its color combination, its adorable prints, and its white binding -- seriously, I would NEVER think to do that!

And Alissa really spoiled me with all of the goodies that she included with the mug rug. I haven't participated in an all-out swap like this in a while, so it was fun to both send and receive a package filled with fun extras.

Then, Jacqueline (who blogs at Handmade with Love) started a Muggy Ruggy Swap on her blog and I couldn't help but jump in. I was extremely lucky to receive this beauty from Hilde Klatt, who blogs at Ildicolor. Hilde is a new-to-me quilter, and her work is just amazing.

Even more amazing was the thoughtful package she sent that included some extra special gifts. See those cute little mouse ribbons? Hilde sent one for each of my children!

Oh, and I guess I should show what I sent in return. Here are my two mug rugs, both variations on the same pattern.

For the Muggy Ruggy Swap, I sent this guy to the swap organizer herself, Jacqueline. I used one of my favorite new lines, From Little Things by Sarah Fielke, and featured some of Sarah's little partridges up top. It's kind of long for a mug rug, I guess ... though I prefer to think of it as just some more room for cookies.

And here's the one I sent to Amy (needled.fig) for the Mug Rug Madness Swap. I made this one from Jessica Levitt's fantastic new line, Kingdom.

And the pattern? I called it the Ziggity Mug Rug and wrote it up for a little guest post over on the Sew Mama Sew blog. If you make a Ziggity Mug Rug, I'd love to see it!

May Quilting Bee Blocks

I don't usually venture into circular territory, but the do. Good Stitches quilting bee has been pushing me into somewhat uncomfortable territory the past few months. And I think that's a good thing.

I made these 5 striped circle blocks to help Angela realize her vision for her charity quilt. I followed her tutorial which (quite cleverly) results in these CD-sized blocks having the sticky side of some fusible interfacing exposed on the back. Angela's going to fuse all of these circles onto a solid background for a fabulous quilt inspired by Kristen's.

May was the kick-off month in the Bee Tweet bee, and Erin asked us for colorful scrappy blocks in kind of a 5-sided log cabin style (loosely based on Aneela's block tutorial). I had a lot of fun playing with some of my favorite scraps here without too much thought of matching or coordinating. This block finished out HUGE -- about 17.5" square -- and I'm so excited to see how Erin's quilt turns out.

I expect someone will ask, so I hunted down a link to the fox fabric that I used in the center of my block here. It's called "Flora Fox" from Farbenmix, and I got mine as a present from the ever-fabulous Katy.

LouLouThi Giveaway from the Fat Quarter Shop

There's a big giveaway of Anna Maria Horner's new line, LouLouThi, over on the Fat Quarterly blog today. Are you coveting this fabric as much as I am?? Be sure to jump over and enter, and BIG THANKS to Kimberly and her team at the Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway.

See you over on the Fat Quarterly blog!

Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along

OK, so by now I totally embrace the fact that I'm a little bit crazy. The latest bit of proof? I decided to jump in to the Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along, being hosted by Amanda and Angela. The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt is the basis of a book by Laurie Aaron Hird that features 111 6" block patterns. Every block is made by templates, which are found on the CD in the back of the book. You can check out Laurie's website to learn more.

I really wanted to jump in to the project because I am always so inspired by Amanda and Angela and the beautiful things they make, so I thought it would be fun to join them -- and a bunch of other Twitter buddies -- in this long-term project. The plan is to make 2 blocks per week, encouraged by all of the other quilt-along members.

The sampler quilt in the book is made from more traditional fabrics in muted tones, but I wanted to put a more contemporary spin on the quilt. I was lucky enough to get a FQ bundle of Terrain, Kate Spain's upcoming new line for Moda, at Quilt Market last month. (Thanks, Katy, for braving sample spree for me!) I decided to use these amazing colors and prints as the jumping off point for my blocks -- not sticking to this line exclusively, but including at least a bit of the line in each block.

I was so eager to get started this weekend that I made 4 blocks. No, I'm not an overachiever -- I just know that the next few weeks are going to be crazy here in the Quilt Dad household so I thought I'd get a bit ahead while I can.

Here's block #2, called "Autumn Tints", featuring some Terrain, Habitat by Jay McCarroll, and some Heather Ross horses:

This is block #21, called "Contrary Wife". I used Terrain, Moda Bella solid in a deep blue called "Terrain Iris", and a pink woodgrain from Joel Dewberry's original Aviary line:

Here's block #9, called "Box". It features a Moda Bella solid called "Terrain Cactus", a brown print that I don't know the name of (!), and a center square from Modern Workshop by oliver + s:

Finally, I decided to make block #48, "Homeward Bound", with more of the Aviary woodgrain, Terrain leaves, and 2 prints from Lizzy House's Castle Peeps line:

I'm having a great time already with these blocks, and it'll be fascinating to see how everything starts coming together over the next year.

Want to join us in the quilt-along? It would be great to do this along with all of you! Be sure to join the Flickr group, and leave me a comment if you decide to jump in. I'd love to see your blocks!

My "Cover Quilt" on Spincushion

So yesterday I asked what you think I have in common with Taylor Swift. You guys are hilarious (and I'm particularly lookin' at you, Jackie!) Some of my favorite responses:

• You're both strongly influenced by Shania Twain?
• You can really rock a minidress?
• You're secretly a singer/songwriter in Nashville?
• You've been interrupted by Kanye West while accepting an award?
• You both have long legs?
• Who's Taylor Swift??!
  

Well, it's not really me that has anything in common with Ms. Swift -- except maybe the long legs? -- but one of the quilts I recently featured here on the blog shares her sense of style.

Let me introduce you to Leigh Ann, the creative mind behind my favorite new blog, Spincushion. Leigh Ann recently contacted me to see if I would mind if one of my quilts was featured on her blog as part of her Cover Quilts series. I replied "of course" (because I am always flattered when others want to feature my photos on their blog), but I must admit that I wasn't very familiar with the Spincushion blog.

Well, one peek and I was hooked. The Cover Quilts series is only one of Leigh Ann's ingenious creations. Color Cues, If a Quilt Lived Here, and Swatchtower are just a few of her other series of posts. High on style and beautiful imagery and low on a lot of unnecessary words -- I can probably take a few tips from Leigh Ann on this one -- her blog is pure eye candy for the fabric lover. I hope you'll check it out.

Here's my Cover Quilt. First, the cover ...



... and then the quilt photo that so magically complements the magazine cover. Isn't it cool how the colors and style can be presented in two totally different -- yet surprisingly similar -- ways?

What a fun game. Do you have any Cover Quilts in your collection?

Fabric Winner & a Free Tutorial

Hi, everyone! Hope you're having a great week. There's been a LOT happening here in the Quilt Dad household -- the types of things that might cause much upheaval for us over the next couple of months. All good things, though! I'll share more as it all unravels ...

In the meantime, I wanted to announce the winner of my Mother's Day fabric giveaway. The leftover blocks will be going to Bailey, who said:

"I just ordered the bundle - I love the fabrics! As comment #4 says - "hey, it's Mother's day right?" Thanks for the chance to win some extra fabrics to go along with it!"

Congrats, Bailey! I can't wait to see what you make. I'll email you shortly for your mailing information.

Also, I wanted to point you to a new tutorial that I wrote up as part the Fat Quarterly team's guest series on the Sew Mama Sew blog. I made two cute little mug rugs for some swaps recently and decided to share the pattern with you all. Click over to the post on the SMS blog to access the tutorial. Enjoy, and please let me know if you make one!

Ziggity Mug Rug tutorial

Until my next post, I will leave you with a riddle: what do I have in common with Taylor Swift??

April Quilting Bee Blocks

I hope you enjoyed the Bella Solids parade! Now, back to regularly scheduled programming. It's time for my monthly round-up of my quilting bee blocks...

First up is my block for the do. Good Stitches { Charity Bee }. April was actually my month in that bee, which means I determined the blocks I wanted the other bee members to make. I am also responsible for assembling and finishing the quilt top and making sure it gets donated for charity.

I decided to ask each member to make 4 shoo-fly blocks using Malka Dubrawsky's pattern (free pattern here), because I was so inspired by the gorgeous quilt she made that is featured in her book, Color Your Cloth. I asked everyone to stick to shades of green, blue, and purple. It's been great fun seeing everyone's fabric selection as the blocks roll in.

Here's my contribution to the quilt:

Can't wait to see this one come together.

In my other bee, Buzz Cuts, Sudi-Laura asked for large (15.5") square-in-square blocks. It's my absolute favorite block, so I had no trouble whipping up this one for her:

With this month, sadly, Buzz Cuts is coming to a close. The group has been a rarity -- two years going strong with little to no flaking or major issues. The Buzz Cuts gang included some of the most reliable and highly inspirational quilters that I've met on my quilting journey so far. Thanks to everyone in the group for all of my wonderful blocks and for letting me stitch with you. Special thanks goes out to our fearless leader, QuiltinKimmie. Love ya', Kim!

But you know what they say: when one door closes, another one opens. And as Buzz Cuts draws to an end, Bee Tweet will be getting started in May. I'm excited to join some old friends and get to know some new ones as this bee gets up off the ground.