Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Mood Mug Rugs (Giveaway!) - April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hop Stop

Welcome April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hoppers!  First, I would like to thank Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt for putting together all these marvelous blog hops.  They are so much fun!  And Erin at Sew at Home Mummy for being our cheerleader for the Hop.  I have felt inspired every day.

As I understood it, I was challenged with creating a mug rug, with anything that "April" brought to mind.  While yes, April showers bring May flowers.  April in general, makes me think of spring and spring flowers.

I should explain first....I grew up in South Florida, which didn't really have seasons (unless you count "snowbird season").  Also, despite its name meaning land of flowers, Florida didn't really have the kind of flowers that I wanted to see in springtime.  I loved the flowers that sprouted from bulbs in particular.  Tulips, lilies, iris (technically a rhizome), and especially daffodils.  Oh, how I yearned to have daffodils cheerfully showing their faces in our yard.  But Florida is too hot, too many bugs, too hungry squirrels....you get the point.   Luckily, my grandparents lived in Connecticut in an adorable little woodsy cottage.  The perfect place to have all these beautiful spring flowers nestled around the stone foundation.  I was still in school in the spring, so there is no way I could actually be there to see all these glorious flowers, but I could live vicariously through my grandparents.  And being the economical child that I was, it only made sense to get as many beautiful bulbs as I could for my $money.  I only realized once I got a little older more mature, why my poor grandparents were never really delighted to unwrap a bushel of 200 daffodil bulbs that would need to be planted in the rocky soil.  Never-mind that is was also a gift that they would have to wait another 6 months to actually get to see the benefits of.

Well Gram, here is a daffodil that doesn't have to be planted and can still herald the coming of spring!  I made it using a FREE pattern  at Craftsy made by Beth at Piece By Number.  Yes, I did say "Free", it is one of my favorite words in the English language!

Daffodil mug rug

My second favorite words are "on sale", and for my next few mug rugs, I used a pattern that I got on sale at Connecting Threads called "Let it Rain" by Jo-Lydia's Attic from The Joy of Sewing.

I decided to make these "mood mug rugs", because while I find little umbrellas cute and spring-like, every storm runs out of rain.  I am usually in a much sunnier mood after finishing my morning cup of coffee.  So, I made these reversible with suns on the back.  You get to choose which mood you are in - drizzly or sunny!

Mood mug rugs front

Wake up in a funk?  Need a little brightness in your morning?  Flip it over for a little sunshine.  Way too perky barista a little too bright for your morning?  Making you feel like you need a parasol? - flip it back to the umbrella side and breathe a little.

Mood mug rugs back

The Giveaway is now closed.

Did I mention a giveaway?  Yes!  I am giving away all of my mood mug rugs - one mug rug each for four lucky winners.  All you have to do to enter is:
  • Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite FREE or on sale pattern is right now
  • If you are follower of mine, you get a bonus entry!  Just leave me another comment telling me how you follow me (Bloglovin', Google Friend, etc).
That's it!  I will randomly draw 4 winners on Friday, April 19th around 9 am PST, and notify those winners by email.  International entries are welcome - I love to surprise those guys at the post office with interesting destinations.

****Please note!  IF you are a "No-Reply Blogger", I am not going to try to track you down, I will just draw another winner.  Wordpress people - this is usually you, I don't know why.  If in doubt, please leave your email address in you comment!****

Don't forget to visit all the other stops on the blog hop today.  There have already been some amazing mug rugs throughout the hop, and I know there will be more tomorrow too.

Here's the rest of the schedule:

Wednesday, April 17

Marjorie @ Marjorie's Busy Corner
Elita @ A Pieceful Perspective
Green @ So Sew Green
Mara @ Greco Mara
Wendy @ Why Knot Kwilt?
Gmama Jane @ GrandMama's Stories
Debby @ Debby Kratovil Quilts
Britt-Inger @ Hill Valley Quilter
Connie @ Freemotion by the River
Beth @ Words and Stitches
Kathy @ iHeartSquishy
Thursday April 18
Merry Gay @ Merry Gay in Stitches
Mary @ Sew Maybe I Can
Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt
Linda @ Buzzing and Bumbling
Mary @ NeedledMom
Sherry @ Peanuts Patchwork
Fredrika @ Feltfree på Åsly 
Shauna @ Welcome to Shauna's World
Sharon @ Dancing thru Threads
Madame Samm @ !Sew WE Quilt!

Thanks for reading today and good luck in the giveaway!

Jen

125 comments:

  1. Sunshine and showers bring forth the flowers, very pretty I would love to win one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your mug rugs are sew cute, all of them. My favorite is the umbrella mug rugs. Thanks for sharing your creativity

    ReplyDelete
  3. What great mug rugs Jen - I love the way you quilted them all differently!
    The free pattern I've used most is the 'friendship bag' from psiquilt.com
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a happy follower via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love these mood mug rugs, They are awesome! (dreadful word, but it is right here!)

    favoutite free pattern? So many! The free bag pattern from Sewmama sew, for a handbag. I have made and adapted it a few times now!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your mood mug rugs and that daffodils is lovely. My favourite free pattern at the moment are the ones I received for the 'stitch me up' blog hop. I used one for the hop and I am now slowly stitching the rest.

    ReplyDelete
  7. very cute and very clever. Love the mood rugs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amazing! I love how you quilted them all differently. So very creative. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the idea of the two-sided mood. Free patterns - Quilter's Cache - Marcia has a huge selection of block patterns with great directions. And a wonderful information, tips, etc... area on her site - great help for beginners.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jen. Those umbrellas are awesome. Their origin (as a pattern) is from a 1953 Kansas City Star pattern called Patty's Summer Parasol (I like block history). What caught my eye is your AWESOME quilting in each one. You did a fabulous job and I love them all! Thanks for sharing your creativity!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice mug rugs! My favourite free pattern at the moment is the hello Moon quilt along patterns from http://aprilmaedesigns.com/hellomoon/

    ReplyDelete
  12. ohhh those mug rugs...what a delightful quilting too...love to include them on our pinterest board but you have that feature blocked...if you want them added...let me know if you have a board...and I will get them from there...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great mug rugs! My favorite pattern for the time being is 'Technique Tablerunner' by Sue Daley. I will attend a class with her this coming weekend and learn how to make it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your mug rugs - thanks for sharing (not entering the giveaway).

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love your mood rugs and your dafodil rug story! This dafodil will last forever! Love all of the different quilting patterns too. Thanks for sharing it all!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful daffodil! And all those other ones are so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very creative. Love them all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Daffodils are my favorite spring flower too and SO worth the wait after planting those bulbs! You did such a cute job with your "mood" mug rugs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Such beautiful work! I really love the daffodil one.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fun mug rugs. I love Moda Bake Shop patterns that are free!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your rugs very much. I embroider a lot lately and there are tons of free patterns.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love your mugrugs. They are beautiful what a great job.
    Thanks for sharing
    Frederika

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your daffodil mug rug is precious! While you may not be able to grow daffodils where you live...you do have lovely hurricane lillies! Which I wish grew here in my red clay! [I'm a Fl native now living out of state] I don't really have a go to place for free patterns, I usually sketch out something for days to get it 'right' and go from there. Thanks for sharing! Beulah

    ReplyDelete
  24. They are fab Jen! As always your FMQ is sensational. My fave free patterns are Tula Pink's recent releases.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good morning. What a great assortment of very creative mug rugs... Wow you defintily have me impressed with all fo them. Your blog is brand new to me. But I am now officially following you via Bloglovin. My curretnly favorite free pattern is the fact that I just discovered a ton of freebie quilting patterns on craftsy....Boy what a load of them they have over their. Something for everyone even paper pieced freebies. Also thank you for a chance to be in your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love daffodils - beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your mug rugs and that daffodils is just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I absolutely LOVE your mood rugs! What a wonderful idea and you did a great job on them! (I am a follower, too!)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really enjoy the spring (bulb) flowers, also. The daffodil is beautiful! Also, such lovely quilting on your mood mug rugs. I love free and sale products, also. I bought a Craftsy class o n sale on FMQ feathers that I am really enjoying.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love that daffodil and the idea with the suns and rain reversible is brilliant...I am enjoying Lee's free QAL here:http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/04/bloom-bloom-pow-lets-start-piecing.html as well as the free Kate Spain In from the Cold on Moda's site.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love that daffodil and the idea with the suns and rain reversible is brilliant...I am enjoying Lee's free QAL here:http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/04/bloom-bloom-pow-lets-start-piecing.html as well as the free Kate Spain In from the Cold on Moda's site.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow! I love your mug rugs! I totally understand about not being able to grow the flowers you want. We spent 6 years living in Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic, and we could very little. For three years I forced tulips, which involves keeping the planted bulbs in the fridge for three months! My favourite free patterns right now are the Double Irish chain, which I have always loved (but never actually made!) and Leah Days many free motion designs.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like the daffodils and thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love the mood mug rugs, one of these would save my marriage, put the sunny side up if I want my husband to talk in the mornings or if I want quiet I put up the umbrella, I need to make a mug rug just like this. By the way if you still like to buy massive amount of bulbs I will take them, lol, just kidding but they are my favorite plant also, so easy, just plant and watch them grow. Check out this cute and FREE pattern for a turtle pincushion http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/04/sewing-tutorial-turtle-pincushion-with-pattern.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great mug rugs! I love the ones with the sun on it. I love several BOMs, Regina Grewe has great free paper piece patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Those are very cute and so clever to have reversible according to mood. My favorite free patterns right now are the wonderful PP Forest friends QAL.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your mug rugs are really cute. I Love the mood mug rugs. The sun made me smile-a great way to start the day. You did a very good job with these. Thank you for sharing.
    Jenny at www.elefantz.com has some really cute stitchery patterns that are free and she shares new ones all the time.I love her designs.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Your mug rugs are great. I really like how you quilted each one different!I like this free block, Molly Flanders Makery (How to make that block) The story of your Grandparents planting all those bulbs is funny, and I can relate !

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm glagly following you on Bloglovin !

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love your "free" mug rug. Paper piecing is fun. As for the things I'm working on that's free...that would be free clipart always makes great mug rugs.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am a "FOLLOWER" via Google something. Sorry I'm not sure if it's Google+ or what.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great rugs! I love the quilting variations. Favorite free patterns right now are ITH stuffed animals for my grandkids.

    ReplyDelete
  43. How clever of you to make them reversible! The patterns are cute but you took them to a "whole nother level" The quilting is phenomenal!

    My husband would be with your grandparents on planting bulbs. We are up here in Alabama and I don't think I have to tell you what a challenge red dirt is to dig in, thinking yours in Florida is the same stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Following on Google Friend Connect and in Mozilla Sage Feeds, my favored feed reader.

    You also asked about fav free pattern. I did see some cute candle mats on Connecting Threads early this morning and those seem to be on a calendar theme. BUT this is one that has captured some attention around here---two of my quilt groups after they saw the one I had made up. http://www.craftsy.com/project/view/thread-catcher/3856

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love the mood rugs. They are great. My fav pattern that I've been eyeing lately is the Texas tear drops by oh so logical - on sale now for 1/2 price on Craftsy during the sew along looks like a great pattern to me. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity in the draw.
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. your mug rugs are adorable. very clever. I get free patterns from Block A day.com sometimes they are just blocks, sometimes paper piece blocks.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Favorite pattern right now? Too many to pick one! I'm doing the blocks for Grandmother's Choice and Dixie Diary from Barbara Brackman and I am planning to do the row quilt from Lori Holt. I'm also doing a strip quilt from a free pattern on the Andover site--love free patterns!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. THese are all great. thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  49. hmm my favourite for the time being (my favourites tend to change by the hour):

    http://ellisonlane.blogspot.ca/2011/04/starflower-block-tutorial.html

    ReplyDelete
  50. Following - yes I follow(ed?) through GFC, well I used the handy "move" button on bloglovin, so I guess I'm following there too now.

    ReplyDelete
  51. So many lovely mug rugs. I love how you did the different kinds of rain on the umbrella ones.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love that free word too. ALthough a nice sale is wonderful too. My favorite free pattern right now was through SewHooked.com, Jennifer's blog. She is part of a spring hop and there are several free patterns available. Hers is a bunch of peeps and everyone I know really loves those marshmallow peeps or bunnies. It is a very cute pattern.
    Your mug rugs are very cute and I love the double sidedness of them. Thanks for sharing such lovely inspiration. One of my daughters loves daffodils so I think I will need to make at least one of those.

    ReplyDelete
  53. What great mood rugs. I like this idea, and your sun and umbrellas. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your daffodil is lovely and cheerful and I enjoyed the story :) I'm also awed by your amazing quilting on the rain and sun designs.

    ReplyDelete
  55. So pretty and creative! I hopped right over to Craftsy and snagged the daffodil pattern... I so miss mine from our old house. Love your story about the bulbs!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Andover strip quilt. I alway wanted to make one. Love your mug rugs babscorbitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am a follower and was wowed with your quilting on your sun mug rugs. I must get brave and try that, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Yes I love free patterns, I am always amazed with colors and it sure inspires me. Moda bake shop has a variety and quilters cache and now craftsy have hours of browsing for free inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Oooh they are all lovely - its not related directly to this hop but I was teaching in a local craft store this morning and they had some sizzix dies on sale! Obviously I needed three of them....... thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Your mug rugs are wonderful! Thank you for sharing and the great giveaway. I follow you via email. jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  61. OMGosh....I love your rug mugs....they just make me smile....the free blog I like is fat cats....she has some nice designs....

    ReplyDelete
  62. I've been reading your blog for a while now....I have not signed on as a follower, but I do enjoy your blog....

    ReplyDelete
  63. Love all of your mug rugs. So creative. I love Bonnie Hunters free patterns. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  64. My favorite FREE pattern right now "Hello Moon" which can be found at www.aprilmaedesigns.com/hellomoon. Before this she did "Hello Sun" which was cute as it can be. I missed the last couple of months though due to computer problems.

    LOVE your umbrella mats! While I hate rain I love umbrellas. No idea why...

    I am a Wordpress person, but you can get me at info@hookedonquilting.com in the event that I'm one of the lucky winners. Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I don't currently have a favorite free pattern. I have just fallen in love with all these mug rugs so much inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Oh my goodness...such fun mug rugs! I love them all and the idea of matching my mood with a mug rug is so cool. :O)

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm loving the patterns in the Forest QAL on Flicker.

    ReplyDelete
  68. That is the cutest idea for a mug rug, EVER! And your quilting is so superb and totally makes them! :D

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love your mood mug rugs, sew cute. My favorite free pattern is And Sew On BOM by Kristi at Quiet Plat http://quietplay.blogspot.com/p/and-sew-on-paper-pieced-bom.html

    ReplyDelete
  70. Love your neat idea for the mug rugs. I forgot to say I'm on Google Friend in my last comment. I like to get Fons and Porter's free patterns.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Absolutely beautiful mug rugs - you most definitely captured the essence of Spring!
    Thank you for participating with us!

    ReplyDelete
  72. All your mug rugs are delightful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Nice use of FMQ. I love all the various patterns you used.

    ReplyDelete
  74. The daffodil is gorgeous. The quilting on the sun mugs is amazing. And, the umbrellas are darling. Such talent.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Everyone needs a free pattern for a spring blouse! http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/spring-blouse-pattern/24249

    ReplyDelete
  76. I use a lot of online blocks for inspiration - but I don't use patterns. I love all of the mug rugs you made, especially the ones with umbrellas.

    ReplyDelete
  77. I follow you on google friend connect.

    ReplyDelete
  78. What beautiful mug rugs! They are all great. I love the word - Free- also, I don't have a favorite at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Your mug rugs are fantastic! I love the reversible mood ones - made me smile the second I read your description and saw the pictures!
    Alas, I can't point to a favourite free pattern. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  80. Your mug rugs are adorable, you are so creative. I don't have a favorite pattern, I love them all and anything free is good.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Your mug rugs are too cute! I love free patterns too. Unfortunately I'll never have enough time to make them all !

    Here's one I really like... http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/spring-time-bloom-quilt-block/11934

    ReplyDelete
  82. As part of the Spring Fling blog hop, check here [http://www.trilliumdesign.blogspot.com/] for an AMAZING free rainbow pp block. So far, all the pp blocks have been marvelous but this rainbow one is outstanding.
    Your rugs are so creative and I love that the umbrella ones are reversible. You did a fantastic job of the quilting stitches - just perfect. Some of my daffodils are getting ready to bloom. I can see the buds standing there just waiting for some warmth and some sun cuz right now we've been having lots of rain.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Lone Starburst paper is an awesome free pattern that is on my to do list:)

    ReplyDelete
  84. Your mug rugs are SO cute!!!!!
    I am an email follower at louster388@......

    ReplyDelete
  85. I love the umbrellas. We use those a lot here in the northwest. Mug rugs are so fun to use, I will have to make a few to cheer up some folks I know. Thanks for sharing your creativity with all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Love these. Very cute. My current cute free pattern is actually for crocheting. A very cute kitty.
    http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/purr-fect-mini-kitty

    ReplyDelete
  87. My favorite free pattern at the moment is the milky baby blanket on how does she? With 4 babies on the way (that would be 3 of my friends all having kids!) I'm looking for quick and easy baby patterns :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be MINKY, not milky. Silly auto correct!

      Delete
  88. I really like those rainy/sunny mug rugs! Very clever. :)

    My current favorite free quilt pattern is on the McCall's Quilting website -- "For Someone You Love". It's a pretty pattern and I even like the colors that they used.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Your mug rugs are so cute,love the umbrella's. I'm currently working on a free pattern from MSQC called Falling Charms so that's my favorite today.

    ReplyDelete
  90. My favorite free pattern is UFO to go. I love your mug rugs.

    ReplyDelete
  91. These are wonderful! I really like the daffodil pattern! Thanks for sharing your creations with us today.

    ReplyDelete
  92. These mug rugs make me smile! Wonderful design, color choices, quilting, and whimsy! Here is a free pattern for a clutch purse. I recently made one and plan to make more - it's cute, useful, and uses up scraps! http://www.cloverandviolet.com/2013/01/the-bella-clutch-free-pattern.html

    ReplyDelete
  93. this is such a great piece of work!!! i love the designs, the idea of reversing it depending on the mood, the colors, the quilting patterns, everything! truly inspirational, i might make some of those myself!! great work!!! well done dear!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Your mug rug is lovely I've always like daffodils. I have not looked for any patterns lately but I love anything with owls or a fox!
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Great mug rugs. Your stitching is fantastic! Everything I like right now is not on sale...bummer!

    ReplyDelete
  96. I am following you on Bloglovin. Thanks for the giveaway chance.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Absolutely awesome mug rugs! I love the daffodil and the fabric you selected for the border is very fun! I love the idea of the reversible and your quilting is fantastic! I'm a follower and always enjoy your post. Thanks for participating and inspiring us!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Hi Jen! Sorry I`m a day late. Yesterday was going to town day. You did a wonderful job with your mug rugs. The colors are great and the sun patterns are just divine! Well done.

    My favorite free pattern is The Perfect Points Pattern at Connecting Threads. My points are pretty good but practice never hurts!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Love the mood mug rugs! Right now I like some of the paper pieced
    kitchen patterns on Craftsy. Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I am a follower of your blog. thanks!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  101. wow you did a great job,
    lovely mugrugs, so very cute!

    ReplyDelete
  102. I love your mug rugs. Daffodils and tulips are among my favorite flowers. The most recent free pattern I saw that I would love to make is this one at the Moda Bakeshop: http://www.modabakeshop.com/2013/04/kissing-stars-quilt.html

    ReplyDelete
  103. I am now following! Your umbrella/sun mug rugs are just wonderful and it is so generous of you to give them away. I follow via GFC.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Cute mug rugs! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Love your cute rugs,, I really like the little free pattern for the triangle shaped little thread catchers..

    ReplyDelete
  106. I love your mug rugs! The quilting is so well done! I like the Sulky 2013 BOM, a sewing themed wall hanging. http://www.sulky-international.de/scripts/clsAIWeb.php?seite_id=319

    ReplyDelete
  107. I'm a follower ;-)
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  108. wow great work!! Thanks for sharing!! I also just realized that I am not a follower...i totally thought I was!! now to play catch up

    ReplyDelete
  109. Nice ideas and the quilting is fabulous! Love the rain!

    ReplyDelete

I had to shut off comments for a long time because I was just getting spammed. I'm going to try moderation for a while and see if that helps. Please leave me a comment.