As has become my usual habit of late my Sunday morning was taken up putting together Barbara Brackman's latest BOW. Another easy one! I wait gingerly hoping it won't be one that will make my head spin with math calculations!
This one was a no brainer!!
The girls in my Quiltbee group have been making small bags to put their cups in. A mug-bag! It can be any small draw-string affair, padded or not to bring your own mug to class or sew-in!
I have been wanting to make a mug-rug for the longest time and this provided me with the excuse to make one to go with the bag!
I first had to decide what size to make it, but then I wanted it to fit into the bag and cradle my mug, so that sort of determined the eventual size! I wanted a block of a 'cup' or 'sewing machine'. I checked EQ first and there it was! a great block of a sewing machine so I printed off the foundation pattern at 5"x5".
I then found some flying geese which I had to stretch long-wise to go on the sides. I used some of the fabric ("Zen floral") from the mug-bag plus a few from the same line (Makower UK) and some solids that matched! Finished size: 9 1/2" x 5 1/2". The batt I used is a fairly dense, stiff batt especially for bags or table runners, place-mats etc. Easy to sew through!
I decorated my little draw-string bag with some beads (they are fixed to a ribbon and used for lamp-shades), which I thought would cheer it up a bit!
Now of course I couldn't use just any old mug LOL! so off I went to the local kitchen-ware store and took with me a swatch of fabric (as you do!!! LOL) to find a mug that would go with the fabric - makes perfect sense to me!! I found a dear little mug (by Australian designer Nicola Cerini) that matched perfectly!
So now I can take my own mug to our next Quiltbee group and carry it safely!!
Last week I visited Teresta's blog. http://allthingsvintage-teresa.blogspot.com/
She featured some beautiful old wedding photos from her family - great-grandparents. I wrote and told her I had an old wedding photo of my great-grandparents as well, and that my G/G-M wore a black wedding dress. She had not heard of that before. Neither had I really, but a little bit of research revealed that white wedding dresses did not become a popular option until around 1840. Apparently prior to the Victorian era brides married in any colour, it seems that black was popular in Scandinavia. Black was also a practical colour as it was easier to keep a black dress looking clean, especially around the hem edges.
My great-grandparents were married in New Zealand, they are my mother's paternal grand-parents!
The photo was obviously black and white and has been hand painted!
While on the subject of old photos, this next one is a picture of my mother's maternal grand-mother, my other great-grandmother!
Oh my! those corsets!!! Sure glad we don't have to string ourselves up in these before we go to work of a morning!!! LOL!
I'm still working on another UFO, hopefully we'll see some light at the end of the tunnel soon!!!
Have a great week everyone, keep those fingers busy!!!
Merilyn
13 comments:
Wow... thanks for posting the photos. I love the black wedding dress and you're right, it is way more sensible. I'm so glad we don't have corsets either... you wouldn't be able to breathe. Just love your mug rug, bag and new mug. So stylish. Going to check out that block of the sewing machine .. it's wonderful. xx
Charming mug rug and bag! I think I'd be afraid to use them, they're so pretty. And the mug goes perfectly! So, do you prefer coffee or tea? Thanks for sharing the photos.
I am quite envious about your steadfastness in completing the CW BOW every week. And very prettily and accurately done too. If only I had half of your 'get it done' trait ... sigh ...
My only consolation is I'm better off than Elyte! LOL!!
A mug rug with a mug bag? What will you think of next??? :)
The sewing machine is very clever! I made 3 mug rugs lately, all will be revealed when the recipients get them this week. One for a birthday present and 2 are RAKs.
And the old picture? ... a treasure indeed.
Your stripe in the CW block came out so perfect. Did you piece it a differently than the instructions?
I think you are on to something with the mug rug in a bag! Clever.
I recently brought some Nicola Cerini mugs on special and plan to make mug bags to match. Now that you have started a trend I might have to add a mug rug. Although if I read Barbara's cheeky little reference to my "get it done trait" no-one will get these gifts for a very long time!
I like all the colours that you have chosen for your CW blocks, they will look wonderful together.
Beautiful photos.
Your CW block is lovely Merilyn..isn't it great doing these week by week..love your colours.
Love your mug bag, keep meaning to make one for myself, and I love the mug mat to go with it.That bit of beading really adds a lovely finish...what girl doesn't like a bit of "bling"
Julia ♥
Love the wedding photos of your great-grandparents! My great-grandmothers also married in black. It was more practical and I've read that they often continued to wear their dresses to church.
I'm definitely glad I don't have to be laced into a corset. If I had to be though, there'd be quite a bit of tugging and pulling to get me into an hour glass shape!!!
Fabulous block this week and the mug rug is very cute. Also, wonderful photos.
I love seeing your blocks, your fabric choices are wonderful
I LOVE that mug rug it is just adorable
wow am I impressed!
Kathie
Great use of a stripe in the block. What an adorable set for coffee! Thank you for sharing!
Merilyn, your little mug drawstring bag is simply adorable as is the mug rug. btw i would've done the same thing when searching for a matching mug..of course it makes perfect sense to take a fabric swatch lol!!
you know after seeing your BB quilt blocks, which are beautiful btw..i'm tempted to print off the designs just in case lol!!
Wishing you a lovely Easter break :) Marian
Hello Merilyn, I enjoyed your post...love your mug rug....not so sure about the colours of some of my CW blocks....Warm Regards, Lyn
Hi Merilyn, WOW ..... love your mug rug and the caring bag..... never heard of the caring bag before now ..... think it's a great idea to protect and transport a cup.
The old photos are great. I have a photo of my grandparents. It has a brownish hue to the photo which gives it a soft glow-ee edge.
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