MUG RUG SWAP ADVENTURE FINISHED!

I joined the Mug Rug Swap Adventure a while back, then got very sick with gall stones.  I didn't sew for months!  Which is obvious if you read my blog -- no posts for a LONG time.

My partner in the swap doesn't like colors that are common in my stash, so I searched for quite a bit before finally finding something I liked that I thought she would.  Apparently, I made a bit of a boo-boo.  She said no black, brown or purple.  I didn't take my list with me, and thought it was no black, brown, or pink.  So there's some purple in it.  Thankfully, she indicated on Flickr that she liked the fabrics, so hopefully she won't hold it against me!

Above is the front.  I wanted something simple so I could show off the fabric.  It's Tina Givens' Haven's Edge.  I sent scraps to my partner and kept some for myself.  Lovely!

Above is my version of a label.  I'm not big into the fabric labels with all that info on them.  I want to see the fabric.  All of it!

My favorite square!  The birdies!  It was accidental, though I was trying to make it happen.  Just didn't have to try too hard!  Whew.

And the backing.  I LOVE this fabric.  It's gorgeous!

NICKI'S PRIZES

I spent the entire weekend sewing!  I was in class Saturday from 10:30 a.m., till 4:30 p.m.  Needless to say, I was pooped.  But I learned some cool tricks with Regina Bernina, so I'm really excited!

Sunday, I made Nicki's prizes from the blog giveaway.  Since she was the only person who signed up, I made coasters and my first mug rug.  Still not digging the name "mug rug."  Just sounds weird.  How about "snack coaster?"  Or "mug mat?"  Anyway, the giant coaster/mini placemat turned out REALLY cute.  Totally going to have to make more of those!

Here are the coasters, front and back.  I switched it up a little and used different fabrics for the backs.  Usually, you use one of the fabrics you make the coaster fronts out of, but I ended up with five coordinating fabrics, and I totally had to use them all!

I used gray thread to do the quilting, and this time I used a longer stitch.  It turned out really well!

The backs are so cute!  I love these stripes!  So fun!

And now to the mug mat.  Sorry, just can't do that rhyming thing.  At least not in this case.  Anyhow, I used the two stripes as backing and binding.  Nicki's initials are NH.

Now no one else can walk off with it and claim it's hers!  Nicki really likes the backing.  Love it!

I really enjoyed making this mini quilt.  So easy and so cute!  It was great.  I'm totally going to make more of these.  I think my momma would like one.  And Nicki absolutely loved it all.  She said the fabrics will coordinate PERFECTLY with her living room decor.  She goes, "I can't wait to take them home!"  Yay!