Tuesday, March 25, 2014

A new mug rug for Easter and a tour of my new "studio"

It's almost April! Spring is here, more or less, but by Easter this year spring gardens should be starting to bloom. I wanted to make at least one Easter mug rug, so I went to the Craftsy site and searched for Easter mug rug patterns. I needed to know what was there so I wouldn't be repeating something done over and over.

Lots of patterns with bunnies, chicks, and eggs, but not a single mug rug with a lily was to be found. Good! I love making flowers! And lilies don't have to be white and they don't have to be relegated to Easter. A simple change of color and an Easter lily becomes a day lily or a tiger lily. So I made one, of course.


Did it all go perfectly from the start? No. This time, though the problem was with fabrics and thread rather than the actual pattern. Much easier to fix. 
There wasn't enough contrast in value in the first attempt. The greens ran together and the blue thread faded almost completely away. I brightened it up in the mug rug that I finished.

My New "Studio"

If you've been following my blog, you know that a change was coming to my house. We almost never use the guest bedroom and my daughter needed twin beds for her new house. Fantastic news! I have suddenly acquired a nice big room for my sewing mess! Not only that, but when my hubby uses his office he won't have to squeeze past the ironing board or clear fabrics off his desk.

Here's a little photo tour of my new space. 

The door as seen from my desk.  The 1905 treadle works like a charm.
There's my lovely Craftsy bag hanging from the doorknob.
My new cutting board and space to leave my ironing board set up.
Also a new white design board on the back wall.
I made it from a $13 piece of styrofoam insulation covered with a piece of an old sheet. 
Thread. Lots of thread. 
Wonderful light coming through a south window. I'll miss my view of the park, though.
My hard working black Singer 201 sits under the window in it's cabinet.
The smaller design board across from my desk.
I had to have 3 feet cut off the insulation board to get it into my Jeep, so I put the excess to good use.
Lots of drawer space for my fabrics. 
Color on the big design board behind my desk.
The quilt and mug rugs are bright, cheerful, and so fitting for spring.
I didn't spend a bundle either. The biggest expense was the cutting table that was on sale for half price at Joann's.

That's it! 

Now, I need to get to work! There's a yellow purse that has patiently been waiting to be be completed.








8 comments:

  1. This Easter mug rug is my new favorite. It's really beautiful.

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    1. I'm glad you like it, but I don't know if you'll get it quite yet. I may need a few days to enjoy it first. :)

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  2. All finished and ready to be enjoyed..very happy for you as I have my own space and it's so much fun to work or play in. Look forward to what comes out of your new space..Enjoy.

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    1. Thank you. It's been quite a journey and I have plans to put it to very good use.

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  3. Karen, as always, I love your mug rugs. Fun little projects to make us happy :) AND your studio is beautiful. So clean and neat and organized :) Congratulations.

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    1. I'm so glad you like the little quilties, Edi. They are delightfully fun to make. As for clean and neat and organized ... definitely temporary. lol

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  4. It looks wonderful and i am sure you'll spend many happy, productive hours in your new studio! Love the new mug rug also!

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    1. Thank you so much! Now that the room is finished, I finally had a really good night's sleep. Hope today is productive for both of us.

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