Mug Rug Tutorial: Using a Printable Image or Picture

I will say that I am super jealous of you who can print pictures. The color ink on my printer went kaput and I cannot print anything with color. Well, and have it look good. So color images for me is out. But I can still print in black. I decided to give it a try for gifts of the members in my MOPS Discussion Group that I led this past year.

I loved the theme, "Be You, Bravely". It spoke to me. I needed to be brave, and I needed to be me. So I decided to make the ladies mug rugs (I love Mug Rugs) using the theme. At first I wanted to make zipper pouches (hense the zipper pouch round-up a couple weeks ago) but decided to go with mug rugs instead.

So, printable mug rugs was born! You can use your own colored images. and make them especially personal.

First, cut down some fabric into 8.5" x 11" rectangles and an 8.5" x 11" rectangle of freezer paper, this helps the printer grab the fabric, and print cleanly.

Select the image and the size you want, I chose 5" x 7" images, and print. Using paper printer and the best printer quality will result in the best images.

Remove the freezer paper (you can reuse it, in my case I reused it 5 times!) and soak in a vinegar bath to set the ink. I let them sit about 10 minutes (some up to 20 because I forgot... oops). Then let dry (it wont smell really once it is done drying.)

Trim down to your preference. I trimmed down prior because my rectangle pan was dirty so the round one was the only clean one I had.

I was rushing to finish, so I missed the pictures of these steps :(

Frame the images in strips of fabric. In this case I used 1.5" x wof (width of fabric) left overs and scraps. This is a great scrap buster!
Sandwich with backing and batting

Quilt, I just did straight lines so the focus was the print.
Bind... check out the faux binding using the backing over at Made by Rae... it really is easier and quicker for a project like this!

Voila! A beautiful, personalized Mug Rug! Use with coffee or tea and enjoy!

Check out more mug rug inspiration on my Mug Rug Pinterest board...

Happy sewing!

Be Sew Busy: A Zipper Pouch Roundup

Have you experienced the amazing-ness that is the zipper pouch yet? They are incredibly handy, great for organization, and they are super easy to sew.

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I have had a fascinations with zipper pouches for a while. I carry one for coins in my purse all the time. I have several lying around the house with their contents in constant rotation.

You can take any zipper, any shape of fabric, almost any pattern, and turn it into a zipper pouch! I think my favorite is like the Quilted Pencil Zipper Pouch I did for One Thimble.

I have a new fascination with feathers since the MOPs theme for the year and the messenger bag I made to carry my discussion group leader stuff. I wanted to do some type of feather and turn it into a zipper pouch but I decided to do something different... Stay tuned!

Here are some cool ones I have found floating around the web!

Teeny Tiny Zipper Pouch By So Sew Easy

Patchwork Heart Zipper Pouch by Radiant Home Studio

Cat Eye Zippered Pouch by Thread Riding Hood

Open Wide Zipper Pouch by Noodlehead

Side Zip Coin Purse with Sew Me Happy

Little Round Pouch by MiineMost

Quilted Open wide zipper pouch by Pink Stitches

Ribbon and Vinyl Zipper Pouch on Sew Can She

Double zipped open wide pouch by Sew French

2-Sided Zip on Sew Can She

Quilted Patchwork Pouch

See Through Zipper Purse Pouch by Positively Splendid

Circle Earbud Pouch by Dog Under My Desk

Techniques for making the perfect zippered pouch

Trouble with the Zip? Tutorial on Sew Delicious

Oh Fransson's quilted panels for a structured bag

Check out some more on my pinterest page for zipper pouches... Sew Busy: Zipper Pouches

2015 Finish-Along: Quarter 2: Goals {2015 FAL Q2}

I had a finish last quarter! That was so exciting! Now if I can do that again, it would be fantastic!

So... Here is my goal list (minus 1) for this quarter!

1. Labyrinth Lap Quilt... I am still debating the backing for this, if I really want to use it...but I have nothing else...

2.  My band shirt memory quilt... I found a backing by andover fabrics! It's perfect! There is no reason for this not to get done now! Ha!

3. This is baby girl's baby shower quilt.  No extra signers. I think it is time to just sew it up. She needs a momma made quilt. The blocks are back into the box I got them in... :( Poor thing. By this time I was finishing up Nikolai's first quilt.

4. The Dinosaur quilt that was *supposed* to be Little Man's birthday present (in 2013). At least I have started the quilting! At least he says he is not scared of dinosaurs anymore. Now if I can get the motivation to finish it! 

5. This circle quilt. It was supposed to be for a fabric challenge.... But it'll be cool when it is done! I am not sharing what it is going to look like when it is done, but you are more than welcome to guess! ;) I just hope it looks as cool finished as it does in my head! LOL

6. These are supposed to be some Peasant Tops pattern by Tie Dye Diva Patterns (affiliate link) for Baby Girl. I was working on them, then got carried away with something else and I hadn't gone back to them and now, sitting in a manilla folder in the craft room. Better finish them before she cannot wear them! 

7. This is going to be Little Man's Going to Grandma's/&or/Grandpa's over night bag. It is going to be the Dorothy Day Tripper by Swoon Sewing Patterns (affiliate links) ... 

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8. If I have enough left over I also want to make a Tiny Explorer Backpack by Diedelbug Handmade for him when we go to MOPs meetings, the Zoo, and anything else that seems to fit with learning and fun. ;)

Linking up to On the Windy Side!

2015 Finish Along: Quarter 1 Finishes {2015 FAL Q1}

I did it! I had some finishes! That's right, not 1 but 2! I actually finished 2! Hooray!!!!

The finishes from my first quarter goals

Chess Quilt: I had some extra motivation to help me with the Mystery Challenge group. The theme I was given really pushed me to get it done.

2. Jelly Roll quilt Yeah for 2 finishes! This one had me reeling. I ripped the row seams and inserted sashes instead, but I am super excited about how it turned out... Now to just decide what to do with the silly thing. Sell it? Keep it? Donate it? We'll See...

Only 2 finishes but that is better than nothing! I am so excited about how they look too! Love them both! The Jelly roll quilt is going to be hard to get rid of! It's the best binding job I have done so far! :)

Linking Up

Happy Sewing!