MUG RUGS!!!!

Who out there has any clue what a Mug Rug is? Anyone?

Ok so I was so clueless on what these were, and honestly thought they were a carpet rug of some sort that everyone was going crazy over. Well, I was soooo wrong!

What are mug rugs?
     They are small, rectangular quilts, or hand sewn designs, simply made for your morning (or evening) coffee/tea and or snack. I see them as large coasters.

Why would they be so popular?
     I think they are popular because people are obsessed with having personalized items, small whimsical items, and hand made products. I also think they are popular because everyone loves to work on an instantly satisfying project that you can make with in a day or two, or even a few hours.

How do I get one/make one?
     They are all over Etsy, and other shops. They also are tons of ideas and tutorials on pinterest, that are easy to find. If you are one to make your own, kind of person, then think of these little guys as a quilt block. You basically make one block, and then quilt and bind it. Done!

Ok so where do I get inspiration to make one (or buy one)?
     Look no further, here you go:

Found this Halloween themed one over here on Flickr.

and heres another Halloween one, also on Flickr.

Another holiday one, except for Christmas. I am always a sucker for vintage Christmas.

and yet another more simple Christmas themed mug rug.

and just a few that I like:

Check this out over here:

and this one is so adorable, here:

and can't leave this one out:

Ill wait while you pick your jaw up off the ground.....

.......

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OK, you ok now?

Great so back to what I was saying.... Now its time for us all to sew! I am so ready to make one like the little camper, ahhh, its just so cute. I also love the idea of using everyones hobby, and making a mug rug for each person I can think of. That way I can make mug rugs for days!

So, have you made any mug rugs? If so what?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Get Inspired,
Sarah

Diaper Cake

Diaper cakes are fun. I have now had a chance to help with one, and make another. I helped make the diaper cake for my baby shower (for my second child) and made this one for my sisters baby shower. I only helped with the one for my shower (the green one), but I made the one for my sisters all on my own (blue colored).

I used this technique:

      You simply lay a few diapers stacked a half inch or so apart, and roll them up. I did about 4-5 diapers at a time and tied them with ribbon (the cheap stuff, almost like twine). I used less as I got closer to the top. I used about 10 or more bundles of the 4-5 diapers for the base, and just took a bundle or two out for each layer I went up.

      I also wrapped loose diapers around each layer on the outside to hide the bundles. You do the same technique as before, layering the diapers, and this time just tie them to the round with some decorative ribbon as you see in the photos. You can use tape or glue to place the two pieces of ribbon together (don't forget to place that in the back).

      I was transporting mine, from one house to the other so I was not using any structural support inside the diaper cake. If you are hanging things or placing stuff from the top to the bottom that you can not do on sight; you can simply purchase wooden rods from any craft store or hardware store and place those on the inside of the diaper layers. Simply slide it into the bottom base (about 3 or so), place your second layer on top making sure the rods slide between the diapers, and then either place new rods or continue stacking, depending on how long your rods are.

The finished product should look something like this:

Just finish it up with some cute toys, candles, rattles, bows, letters, spoons, or even travel size formula!

Heres the diaper cake from my shower, that I helped put together:

Happy Diaper Cake Making,
Sarah

St Patty's Day Ideas

Alright, its almost that time of the year, where we celebrate the Irish, luck, green everything, and four leaf clovers. I need some fun ideas for the kids (2 years old and an 8 month old), so the hunting begins. I wanted to find things we could do during the day, and things I could put together with very little money and give to the kids as gifts. Heres my list of ideas:

Rolos are a great idea! They are gold, not a huge amount of chocolate with caramel, and small in size. This idea is brilliant, small cup (painted gold/or wrap some paper around a cup), add tissue paper, a hand full of Rolos and a hand made rainbow!

Next up is gold coins. I usually find these at a party store or even some times at a craft store. You can purchase these cute banners, or just make (use something around the house) to put them in. If I did this, I might grab a mason  jar (which I have tons of) and place some in that. I can make a small sign myself, cut out some construction paper and ta-da, you have a cute gift!

Licorice is another great option. You can purchase these, slide them in a small bag, or jar, or even a clear cup and, oh look, you can add Rolos or even gold coins to top it off! You know, the gold at the end of a rainbow!

This is probably what Ill do for my oldest, for breakfast. I saw you can get these small personalized sized cereals at Target for a buck or two, and of course just make a small sign! Super easy, and super cute!

Unless you want to go all out, and make a cool breakfast. You can always make these:

Just add some food coloring to the batter and you have these magical pancakes!

Sticking with breakfast items, you can also use these great Fruit Loops for a small fun activity and snack:

Great for my 8 month old and using his little hands to practice grabbing!

Or a healthier snack with lots of color can be as simple as a few pieces of fruit.

I like this idea and just doing a few for the older kids!

I always love a great project to do with the kids, and a fun one I know both kids could enjoy is some colored marshmallow fun.

They even glued them down, but just laying them out is fun enough!

If you like to do fun activities with the kids (I love to bake), then heres a few great ideas.

Cookies can be fun to make, these are really well, professionally done, cookies. However, they can always help roll the dough and use the cookie cutters.

The icing is royal icing, just look up an easy recipe online.

See, the kids can always do the gold cookies!

 Or an even simpler idea, take your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and have the kids add green food coloring to the dough!

Ok, so we all know I am a sucker for cupcakes. These cupcakes would be a ton of fun. Make vanilla cake batter, separate it out in to different bowls, have the kids add food coloring to the different batters, and add a small spoon full into each cupcake tin. Once they are done cooling, make some frosting (or buy it), and add some colored sprinkles. You can even make gold icing, green icing, or get gold sprinkles, or green sprinkles. They even have the St Patty's Day cupcake toppers (usually in the holiday section of your store, or the baked goods section) and you can top them with those!

This is the same idea, just individually colored cupcakes!

If you are more the crafty type and like to do a small basket or bucket for the kids; I love the idea of using these candies to add color and excitement! (Skittles or even M n Ms).

Next time you make spaghetti or use a jar, save it and wash it out for a fun gift like this!

Great use of the cake push up pops. You can buy these at any local craft store (Micheals or Joanns).

 Keeping with a colored theme, you can use Nerds, which are my favorite candy!

These are rope nerds. Glued down to a licorice rope, and easy to bend or manipulate for other projects (like a rainbow on a cupcake!)

At the end of the day, a little dessert for dinner might be just the cherry on top! So head out and grab some Rainbow Sherbet and keep your eye out for some gold!

Well, thats all the food fun ideas I could come up with. Thanks to all the blogs, webpages, and other such internet sites that helped me out! Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any other brilliant or fun ideas for this years St Patty's Day!

Happy St Patty's Day Everyone,
Sarah

Quilters, Calling All Quilters!!!

I am a huge pinner on pinterest, and I am big on following as many quilt blogs, website, and or facebook pages I can find! I want to know all the new designs, and hip quilt patterns that are out. I find that sometimes I can get lost in the internet for hours just looking at new fabric and quilts, and even reading up on tutorials or magazines. I love to just dive into everything quilt and fabric related.

I found that it can be a little overwhelming or annoying at times. I even find that I will start with one tab open and end up two hours later with 12 or even 15 tabs open. Its so overwhelming and exciting, and I just wanted to find a group, page or something that helps get all the info into a one stop shop!

This is where facebook comes in. I decided why search and search and search; why not just make a quilting group page on facebook and let our voices be the ones to talk about whats hip, informational, new patterns, and whatever else! So, here it is, the group that will hopefully become a world wide hit, and help us all!

Quilters Unite!    The link is no longer available, but feel free to add yourself to this group: SEW CRAFTY!  Click on it, add yourself to the group, add your friends, tell your friends, and share the group. Help get the word out and then join in on the conversations, add your photos, ask questions, and so much more! Come join us!

Heres your chance to help others, or help yourself! I would love to get everyones input as to what they want to see in the group, and fun contests or games we could do on the page.

Hope to see you on the page,
Sarah