I love a good swap!

I love quilting swaps! I've signed up for mini quilt swaps, charm square swaps, postcard swaps-I'm a sucker for a swap. So when the Quilting Gallery had a Mug Rug swap, I decided to join in. I thought the concept was cute and handy for me and my DH since we love a nice cuppa and cookies while watching TV. Plus I had some super cute novelty fabric which has been kicking around for years and was perfect for this swap. For those unfamiliar with mug rugs, they are like quilted coasters but longer about 10 x 6, just big enough to put your coffee mug on plus some space for a couple of cookies.


I received my swap partner's name and decided last Saturday to spend the afternoon making mug rugs. IDEALLY, you are talking about a couple of FQs worth of fabric and some batting for pair of mug rugs which was the swap and I figured I'd whip up a couple of extras for myself. A nice little project, maybe a couple of hours.


However, HERE'S THE REALITY !!!

ROUND ONE:

My initial idea was to make two blocks framed side by side. This fabric was too dark so I ditched it.

ROUND TWO:

I liked this combo! The red and white check gives it a diner feel~but of course I cut the novelty fabric too small and the frame too wide and the two block idea was dropped. The red and white check was overwhelming the novelty print. This ended up in the Orphan Block bin.

ROUND THREE:

This next size worked out great! But it had been a week since I had read the requirements of the swap and I went ahead and zigzagged the edges which was a no-no. The edges had to be bound or enclosed. So I decided to try to add bias tape all around. A DISASTER!! Did not like the finished look of that. So I took it off and decided the zig zagged mug rugs would live with me.

ROUND FOUR:

Finally, after approximately SIX hours, here is the finished mug rug ( there are two) which will go to my partner who lives in Florida this weekend with some added goodies.

Oh, and here is the pile of scrap from making FOUR mug rugs.

It seemed so simple! LOL~