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Pluggin Away

I’ve been plugging away at my BOM’s and I’ve completed a few small projects, too!

I made my Polar Bear Block for the Classic Meets Modern Sew Along at Sew at Home Mummy.  I love this block!  It definitely has that modern feel in a traditional setting.

Polar Bear Block made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Polar Bear Block, made by Julie Cefalu

I thought I would share my January BOM(s) for The Quilt Show’s A-Z for Ewe and Me.  Here is the traditional segment from January using the kit which was provided for me so that I could make tutorials for the show.

Month 1 of A-Z for Ewe and Me, made by Julie Cefalu
Month 1 of the TQS 2014 BOM, made by Julie Cefalu

And I’m making another sample using my own stash which is more bright and modern:

Month 1 of A-Z for Ewe and Me, made by Julie Cefalu
Month 1 of the TQS 2014 BOM, made by Julie Cefalu

I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought that I should make two of these quilts, but I’m enjoying the color therapy of making my own version.

I’m also working on a BOM sample for The Granary Quilt Shop where I am co-teaching a monthly BOM class using the book, Quilts from El’s Kitchen.  I’ll show you pictures when it’s finished, but I can tell you that it’s super cute and all 30’s fabrics!

I made three mug rugs this month using my own idea of a center hexagon.  One of them was for a gift exchange (no picture) and the other two were birthday gifts.

Hexagon Mug Rugs made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Hexagon Mug Rugs made by Julie Cefalu

I stitched 1 1/4″ strips of fabric around the hexagon in the middle (which I fussy cut).  Here is the owl version:

owl mug rug copyAnd here is the lady bug:

lady bug mug rug copy

I used double fold binding for the lady bug version and it’s really too thick for such a small thing.  So, I went with a single fold binding for the owl and it turned out much nicer.  This was my second attempt at single binding and it worked!  (The first attempt was a complete failure).  Plus, I got super lucky with the lettering on the binding lining up just right along the edge:

Mug Rug Binding copyI know you’re going to ask where I got the fabric, and I don’t have enough selvage left to get the manufacturer’s information.  I know that I bought it online and it was fairly recent.  I’ll keep looking, because I’m going to want some more!

Two hex mug rugs copyI’ll be making a new mug rug tutorial soon; it’s still in the sketching phase.  I think one can never have too many mug rugs and they make the best gifts!

Lastly, on a personal note, I have wonderful news to share with you.  My daughter, Nicole, got engaged!  We’re really excited that she found “the perfect man” and looking forward to planning the perfect wedding!

Nicole's Engagement RingNicole & John SmallerEnjoy the rest of your week!

Julie

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35 Comments

  1. Hi Julie…….Love those mug rugs. Happy thoughts on the coming wedding. Our only daughter,our youngest, found her perfect man 13 years ago and is now sharing with us her three perfectly wonderful children.

  2. Love the mug rugs (especially the binding with the words!!). I made a similar one for my girlfriend’s birthday. Still have to get my SIL to take a picture for me. Actually I want to keep it for myself! I’m confused what you mean by single and double fold binding. I just took a 2.25 inch strip (I think it was that size) and folded it in half lengthwise. Would that be considered single fold?

  3. Your fabric for the ladybug and owls looks like the Urban Zoologie lines put out by Robert Kaufman. I have a ton of it, along with the coordinating remixes for a few boys quilts I’m working on. I love it!!

  4. i adore your new mug rugs. cant wait to get your tutorial. i call them tea mats because i give them to my tea drinking friends! keep your ideas coming.

  5. All of your projects are so pretty! I like the fabrics you used for your polar bear block. Just lovely. And the mug rugs they are just way too cute. Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement.

  6. Love those hexies! I think your binding fabric might be wordplay? I have a lighter grey in that. Thanks for all the inspiration and congrats on the engagement. You’re going to be a busy mamma

  7. Hi Julie! Thanks for the link to BOM. I subscribed and can’t wait to receive the next block! I love the bear claws. I will definately try that block. Also, please post the directions for the mug rugs. They are sooo adorable and such a great idea for gifts any time of year. I am thinking of making a couple for co-workers who drink tea. A beautiful mug, some tea, cookies and a mug rug would make a beautiful birthday present or Christmas gift!! Love your posts!! Cheryl acrafterforallseasons.blogspot.com/‎

  8. I love those mug rugs, particularly the owl one. How big are they? I actually just bought a pack of hexagons for some paper piecing. You just given me more ideas…

  9. Congratulations Nicole…that is some kind of ring your intended gave you…….you look like a very cute happy couple congratulations also to the mother of the bride to be…..I guess you will be doing lots of quilting for your daughter for her new home. hugs

  10. Congratulations on being the mother of the bride-to-be. I love your mug rugs, especially the owls. I’ve never thought of making them hexagon shaped. And the fussy cutting really makes them extra cute.

  11. Oh my gosh Julie – where do you find time to do all that you do?? I have been debating on the BOM at the Quilt Show… in your samples, the blanket stitch? Is that by machine? The one on my machine doesn’t look that nice lol. Hope you have a great rest of your week too!

  12. The bear paw block colors are so refreshing and I do love when modern meets traditional. I especially love the hexagon mug rugs– soooo cute with the fussy cut center and congratulations on your daughter’s engagement!

  13. Hi Julie,
    Firstly let me congratulate your daughter on her engagement, a beautiful happy couple, what fun for you all!
    As for your sewing, it’s fresh and accurate, as is your style…..love the polar bear block, but it’s your colour choices that make it shine.
    Your own TQS blocks are lovely too, I especially love the pinwheel colours! The mug rugs are really cute, but I agree on a double binding being too thick, I’ve had that problem before too.
    Have a great week and thanks for sharing!

  14. Great news all the way around! Congrats to your daughter and the lucky man! Love those mug rugs and thanks for the tip on single fold binding. You are right…. Love that text print!

  15. Congrats to you and your daughter and her future husband.Your mugs are super cute and a tutorial would be welcome.Any of your blocks look fabulous.I`m doing the first BOM too.Have a great week!!

  16. Congrats on your daughter’s engagement! And I can’t wait for the mug rug tutorial—I may have to go try it on my own. They are very cute!!!

  17. I love your mug rugs and have been thinking of making some for our boutique for this years quilt show. I love the hexagons and believe I’ll make some in those shapes with a fussy cut in the middle. Love your blog and am following the alphabet quilt on TQS also. Muchos congrats to the beautiful couple.

  18. Julie: Congrats! Also, a big thank you for showing the 1st set of blocks for The Quilt Show BOM. I did not purchase the kit but have some of the fabrics used in the kit/original Janet Stone quilt. Your photo allows me an excellent view of the fabrics so I can match the other ones that I need by finding something similiar in my stash. Your picture is a better view than anything I found on The Quilt Show site. I hope you continue to do this.

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