Mug Rug Exchange - Do it yourself style!

[Nancy R.]

Terrie, I'll be thinking of you on Friday! I'm sure things will go well!

Mathew - You have a LONG way to go! I'm to the point where I might have to replace my furniture with piles of fabric! Enjoy!!

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

Matthew, those fabrics are a great start! I remember when my stash looked about that size.....

Everyone, the mug rugs are fantastic and I'm finally convinced to join in if I can, but probably better I wait until I'm safely arrived in TX, so after the new year. I worry that the mug rugs would cross in the shipping if I ask people to send them now, as we're drawing just close enough, and the mail is just unreliable enough, that I might be gone before the mug rugs would get here.

But -- anyone who feels like a January swap with me, I did buy some fun fabrics that represent Brazil so I could make some up for you guys and then send on later

Terrie, going to check the prayer list and catch up on why you are having surgery, but adding my kind thoughts/prayers for a success on Friday as well.

And Renata, truly, your work is great! Your sense of color is fantastic. All these little mug rugs (from everyone) are fantastic! Renata, your work makes me think of a blog I read, Exuberant Color. Very very similar!! Here is a link; I imagine you would enjoy her stuff very much. http://exuberantcolor.blogspot.com.br/

[Renata L.]

Thanks, Heather! Somewhere in my head, whenever I think of making something I keep thinking composition and color are the most important background elements--don't often get it right but I always try to think about them. Thanks for the blog link--never saw it before but love it, already added it to my favorites!

Maureen, I've put my batting/wadding on hangers and hung them over doors and windows too but when I put them over windows (which are just right for holding the size design wall I need), I cut myself off from valuable light source... I'll figure this out. :? :lol:

[E.M. T.]

I met a quilter a few yrs ago who used an old style projector screen for her portable design wall...
she sewed and taped flannel to the roll-up screen and the whole thing stored in a small space.
I'm sure some of you remember the days of vacation slides and 8mm home movies !! Anyway, the
apparattus is frequently seen in 2nd hand stores and the like....for a few dollars.

Heather..I'm sure some of us will be out here in January looking to trade Muggies !!

[Jane R.]

Hi Renata -

I actually don't have a design wall, either. Not enough space. So I move things around and lay the blocks out on the floor and take pictures there. That's why you guys see my feet so often! I can't leave the blocks down there because of the pets, so I have to either sew everything together quickly or organize them into piles that I can put back into position with the help of my photos. We all learn to work with what we have, don't we?

So, if you lay out the blocks sometime, I'd LOVE to see pictures!

Nancy

I'm lucky that I have the space for a design wall, but like fat quarters or potato chips, one is never enough. Saw an ad a few years ago for the one that is like a window shade--pulls down when you need it and rolls back up into its storage shelf when not in use. I puchased it unfinished (less expensive that way) and painted it to match my room. Installed it over a door frame and since the door is open 99% of the time, I just duck under it when its in use.



Like now with the beautiful mug rug I received from Charae last Friday. Polka dots are one of my favorites along with the pineapple block. Thank you Charae very much...nothing left of the goodies--they were gone within minutes :lol: :lol:



No idea why these are sideways but I'm sure you get the idea.

[Jane R.]

[quote="Learning-As-I-Go"]But -- anyone who feels like a January swap with me, I did buy some fun fabrics that represent Brazil so I could make some up for you guys and then send on later ]

Heather,
When you get back to TX, I'd be more than happy to swap muggies with you. I'll send an email with my address so you'll have it as a reminder in January--Happy Holidays and safe trip.

[Renata L.]

Thanks Jane, I have seen that idea and I'm bent on a more permanent design wall as my primary--I just have to figure out how to rearrange things in my very small room and just don't have time for that right now. However, I can see the possibility of not having enough design wall space so I would definitely consider the pull-down shade as a second wall option.

[Rita C.]

Renata, I just saw this online and though it's pricy it is also very fold-away-able which could be convenient for those who might have to turn their sewing room into a guest room occasionally.

http://www.cherylannsdesignwall.com/

And here are some more ideas:
http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilt...gn-wall-ideas/

There are loads more if you google design wall.

I received two mug rugs in the post today. Both beautiful. The first one is from Lorchen. I am honoured to be in such esteemed company Lorchen. I can't believe you went to all that trouble for me. Look at all the musical notes. It's fabulous.Thank you.

Lorchen suggested in her card that the kitty with the flower in her hair might be me. :lol:

The second mug rug I received was from Charae. A beautiful California blue bird. It's gorgeous Charae, I love it. I also received a few goodies - grape fabric from grape country and....I think they are wine glass rings, but my son thinks they are earrings. :lol:


I have enjoyed exchanging with so many of you and thank you all so much for such beautiful mug rugs. They are such great mementos from the TQS community. However, I am going to have to call a halt to my mug rugging for now because I am about to receive the Chinese Whisper quilt and I am thinking that it will take up all of my quilting time for a while. But I haven't done too badly have I?

(Sorry about the quality of this photo. There was not enough light left and my hands were shaking with delight!)

[E.M. T.]

Beautiful display !! Done good !! CW will be easier than you think...it's the anticipation that
gets to ya !! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Nancy R.]

More beautiful mug rugs to admire! You gals are just so talented!!

I just sent a little mug rug off to England for Rosemary. Hopefully, it'll help fill the gap in her life that will be left after the Chinese Whispers quilt goes on its merry way!

Nancy

[Jane R.]

Thanks Jane, I have seen that idea and I'm bent on a more permanent design wall as my primary--I just have to figure out how to rearrange things in my very small room and just don't have time for that right now. However, I can see the possibility of not having enough design wall space so I would definitely consider the pull-down shade as a second wall option.

My other one is two 4'x8' pieces of 2" insulation board (from home bldg supply store). I covered each one with inexpensive white flannel. They're stacked one in front of the other in a corner until I need them. Then, I pull the one out and stand next to the other, leaning against the wall. Good enough size for everything but a king-sized quilt and they're not permanently attached to any wall. A little bulky to move from room to room if necessary but not at all heavy.

[Jane R.]

Thanks Jane, I have seen that idea and I'm bent on a more permanent design wall as my primary--I just have to figure out how to rearrange things in my very small room and just don't have time for that right now. However, I can see the possibility of not having enough design wall space so I would definitely consider the pull-down shade as a second wall option.

My other one is two 4'x8' pieces of 2" insulation board (from home bldg supply store). I covered each one with inexpensive white flannel. They're stacked one in front of the other in a corner until I need them. Then, I pull the one out and stand next to the other, leaning against the wall. Good enough size for everything but a king-sized quilt and they're not permanently attached to any wall. A little bulky to move from room to room if necessary but not at all heavy.

now this is a great idea!! I will have to do this when I'm back in the US; would be great even for laying under the quilts when I lay them on the floor.....no pet hair!! Standing on the wall, even better. Thanks for posting this idea!

[Renata L.]

Jane, your other design wall is exactly what I'm looking to do. Marianne Haak has a blog (The Quilting Edge) and she explains how she put hers together, very similar to yours, except that I think she puts them on the wall with Command strips, that way, when removed from the wall, they don't leave a mark. Since the design wall elements are sufficiently lightweight, they don't seem to fall off the wall either, Command strips support them well. Her explanation can be found at http://www.thequiltingedge.com/search/label/Design_Wall. Thanks so much for all the advice and references, everyone. I'll get there, eventually... :lol:

[Deborah W.]

Thanks, Deb - I love your new picture.

Thanks Terrie.

[Maureen A.]

I received this beautiful mug rug today from Nancy. I love it Nancy, the colours are wonderful. Thank you so much. I also loved the goodies. I am looking forward to trying the tea from Bolder CO.