Sipping the mug rug kool-aid
February 17th, 2011
For THE longest time I’ve hated the word “mug rug” for those cute little quilts everyone is making. Not only would I never put a mug or food on a quilt… just the name alone sounds like something that would be on George Carlin’s word list. I’ve given this gem other names… but they’re far worse than it’s current name. And then something happened… the word was so bad, that I began to like it. Kind like the Real Housewives of [insert your favorite city here] - I H A T E D those shows at first… now they’re my favorites shows on tv. And I’m now a fan of the Real Housespouses of Mugruglandia.
Tonight at Portland Modern Quilt Guild we’re doing a mug rug swap. I mean… we’re doing a MUG RUG SWAP (I’m sayin’ it loud, I’m saying it proud). I’m not sure if there’s a standard size for a mug rug, but mine measures at 9″ x 11″.
I used Amanda Jean’s easy and clever rectangle method from her zig zag tutorial, and married orange 30’s repo fabrics and new aqua fabrics (Sweet Broderie by Rosalie Quinlan). My little quilt is what my opinion of what modern quilting is - making something old… new again. Cherishing the past - celebrating the now. Not to mention nifty new ways of doing things (thanks AJ!).
I added my quilt’s birth certificate and now I’m all ready for guild tonight. And I’ll have my eyes locked on Elizabeth when she puts her mug rug onto to the swap table. Something tells me ALL EYES will be on Elizabeth and there’s going to be a mad dash to the table. There could possibly be injuries.
Note to self. Bring band-aids, crutches, slings and ice packs to guild tonight.
Posted in Quilty n Crafty, I Heart Oregon |
Farting around with needle & thread and then blogging about it.
Well I’m going to be watching YOU! This is so charming. I feel the same way about this mug rug phenomenon but if the guild is doing it then like you I’ll play along too! See you tonight!
February 17th, 2011Monica I LOVE the colors you chose. If I were at the swap, I’d be running for your…(ready??) MUG RUG.
By the way, I agree, it does sound a bit…strange. Something my 11 yo son would say and giggle to himself for hours about.
Be one with your new found love of Mugruglandia.
February 17th, 2011I love this pattern! I’ve been making the silly little things too and it is so quick and addictive I plant to keep on making them. It’s a great way to try out a new block or pattern.
February 17th, 2011As usual, your colour choices are fabulous! I think I might like orange and aqua even better than red and aqua….
February 17th, 2011SO true. I feel the exact same way about that term, but cannot for the life of me come up with something better. Surely you can? Love your, um, cup quilt?
February 17th, 2011I KNOW!!! I feel kind of gross about saying “mug rug” but I sure love yours (dying here, just dying)! I’m so glad to be validated and hopefully I’ll overcome this aversion soon. It kind of reminds me of the time my daughter said “I just hate spelling the word fuchsia. It makes me feel bad.”
February 17th, 2011Whatever you call it… I call it beautiful!
February 17th, 2011Destined to make some body’s cuppa a whole lot tastier!
Looks like yours will be in high demand as well. Have a wonderful, and safe, time! ~Kelly
February 17th, 2011Brilliant little tag there. How’d you get your handwriting so neat? Mine is messy anyways but worse when I write on fabric.
February 17th, 2011That zig zag tutorial was interesting. Some people are so clever! You are right about the “mug rug” name. I thought Elizabeth’s name of snack mat sounded good.
February 17th, 2011First, your “Snack Mat” (does that sound nicer?) is so cute! 2nd, you are cracking me up! I think it sounds weird, too, but they are pretty darn cute little mini quilts!
February 17th, 2011I agree, the name’s awful and I wouldn’t put anything messy on it either. Your color choice is vibrant and exciting. The Quilt Guild sounds like fun. I’m not so much a quilt maker, as someone who has made quilts and has one in the works now. Does that make sense?
February 17th, 2011O.M.G. That is just too cute! I think even I might be sucked into mugruglandia over this one. Ok, it’s not too cute — it’s the cutest one I’ve seen! You’re brilliant as always. And I don’t think you have to worry about getting hurt tonight — unless, of course, you’re clutching your own mug run, in which case you’ll be flattened like a pancake!
February 17th, 2011Better have 911 on speed dial;)
February 17th, 2011I agree (about the name), but also about the purpose. What are they used for, anyway?
Question: What do you use to write the “tag” on your quilts? What happens when you wash it?
February 17th, 2011Ick, I hate that mugrug phrase, I just can’t get comfortable saying it…mugrug, makes me think it has something to do with toupee’s. Love the little quilt though, I’d write mugrug on a board 100x to get one of the little quilts! Confession time - I do love real housewife of fill in the blank, more than anything though…I love me some Andy Cohen!
love you too!
February 17th, 2011it’s great! in my limited quilting and sewing experience, i have actually made quite a few mug rugs (in fact, two of mine made the inspiration mosaic on the PMQG blog, which i was amazed by!), and i just finished up another this morning. i like how quick and easy they can be. and i also like how you can experiment with an idea that you’re thinking of for a quilt, on a teeny tiny scale.
February 17th, 2011I love it! Bright and fresh!
February 17th, 2011Snack. Mat. :-) Yours is adorable! Of course.
February 17th, 2011I don’t think I would ever risk messing up something so adorable by putting food or beverage on it. That color combination is so refreshing. I love it! And you did hand quilting on it! There’s no end to your talents, lady. Be careful out there.
February 17th, 2011OH MY how wonderful. Love the colors.
February 17th, 2011OMGOMGOMGO.M.G.
February 17th, 2011So seriuosly cute. Love all those 30’s oranges. Now just tell me you didn’t press those seams open. Please.
p.s. I love that all your points are there.. I looked at the tutorial and that was the one thing traditional me needed to feel comfortable. Love the technique can’t wait to try it. MAYBE TOMORROW.
February 17th, 2011I haven’t made one of these mug rugs but I have to admit that I think the name’s pretty cute. Plus they’d make a nice gift along with a pretty mug filled with a variety of tea bags and maybe a couple biscotti. :-)
February 17th, 2011i love your color combination. such a cute mug rug.
February 17th, 2011Oh have fun at the guild meeting - i wish i could go. You might just find that other people might be injuring themselves to get to your ‘mug rug’ as well! Seriously - have fun!!!It looks fabulous!
February 17th, 2011So cute Monica! See you tonight, and good job conforming to the quilting society :P
February 17th, 2011Pretty cool mug mat - even though you hate the name and/or idea of putting any food items on a quilt - no matter how small.
Although I did make a Flat Matt out of the little Gnoma Claus fabric, I’ve never had the nerve to plant a coffee mug on him. Just can’t do it - he’s too cute.
February 17th, 2011Cue Twilight Zone music… I just heard the term mug rug for the first time this afternoon, on twitter. And now I pop in here and you’re all about the mug rug! Its all too weird.
February 17th, 2011My mom calls them muggles and thinks the word should be stolen back from Harry Potter. I shudder to see people put beverages on my muggles… that is why I wont make one for myself but then again I havent even made placemats or anything non-snuggleable for myself but I have for other people.
February 17th, 2011Im glad you embraced the craft, regardless of the word, yours is beautiful!
I….want….it. Hand….it….over….and….no…one…gets… hurt!
February 17th, 2011Mug rugs… I thought the SAME THING. Yours turned out lovely!
February 17th, 2011You should’ve seen my hubbies face the first time I mentioned mug rugs to him, priceless. :-)
February 17th, 2011I love your mug rug, very cute! I just made a couple for a swap too. One was made using you tutorial for hourglass blocks!
LOL … you are “like totally awesome dude!!” …. some fads do fade, thank the good Lord!! What a picture you paint, man I wish I could be a fly on the wall watching your m’GRug swap…. see, if you say it all at once, (giving it a smidgen of a Scottish flair) you can actually spit it out … kinda. LOL Report on breaks and bruising from swap, ‘kay? Love your zigzag m’GRug!! and thanks for the tutorial link. I’m gonna have to check it out. You done did good!
February 17th, 2011Lovin’ how those oranges and aquas go together - vintage and modern. Maybe you can use your new mug rug to rest any injuries on that you might suffer tonight.
February 17th, 2011Well I think it looks cute.
February 17th, 2011However when I first heard the term “Mug Rug” it reminded me of “Mug” being Aussie slang for a fool or silly person and “Rug” being a male hairpiece/wig, so you can visualise the picture of this!!
Now McRug - sounds a whole heap better!
I just made my first one tonight!! I so suck at the quilting part and my binding is something to be desired but oh well, I kinda liked it!! Yours turned out super cute, seriously!! Thanks for sharing!!
February 17th, 2011Great pattern. Great fabric. And the colors are oh-so-perfect for somebody we both know and love!
February 17th, 2011I’m w/Sal on this one….
February 18th, 2011I LOVE your “rug”…but I agree, the word is odd!!
Good luck @ the throwdown!!
Even with my aversion to orange, I think your little quilt is adorable–and is it hand quilted???!!!! There will be a lot of people stampeding to get their hands on that baby–wish I could be one of them.
February 18th, 2011Karen in Breezy Point
I love it. I’ve not made one yet and hated the whole mug rug thing but I have to say it’s growing on me. I really like your colors.
February 18th, 2011I am a curious person and so I just had to investigate…..Where did the name originate.
February 18th, 2011I found one article from 2003 for making mug rugs or coasters…
I also found a business which is called Mug Rugs. They are drink coasters.
Where have I been? I thought the name was something very new….
Just thought I would share….
am loving your “mini” and the colors - the size is perfect. everytime i hear mug rug i think bearded felon.
February 18th, 2011Amanda Jean’s zig zag method rocks Mugruglandia with your color choices and the hand-stitched embellishment! I made a large throw with Amanda’s method last year and immediately set aside some fabrics to make another one for a charity quilt (they are awaiting their turn). Can’t wait to see who you crushed while sprinting for Elizabeth’s!
February 18th, 2011darn it…i’m definitely living in the wrong city! that m** r** is over the top gorgeous! i just love it…!!!!
February 18th, 2011i always thought that i don’t like orange…how wrong i was! just love the soft orange & aqua…!
i wish i could participate the guild swap *sigh*.
hugs, julia
Just love this!
February 18th, 2011OMG (I’m way too old for OMG!) but I love this mug rug! Like I’ve said before ~ your color combinations are so fresh and new and I love them…enough to copy ;) but I’ll give my “happy zombie” all the credit!!
February 18th, 2011Blessings!
De
That’s gorgeous, Monica! I didn’t have time to make a snack mat/mug rug/cute tiny quilt to swap but it was fun to get peeks at everyone’s… yours is absolutely lovely :)
So, so nice to meet you last night! I had so much fun at the meeting.
February 18th, 2011LOVE the color combo. Did you hand-quilt your mug rug? Now I’m going to think of George Carlin whenever I hear that! Ha ha! I’m thinking I have to move to Portland to join this fun club.
February 18th, 2011This is one of the cutest “mugrugs” I’ve seen so far. I love your fabric choices and AJ’s pattern. Awesome!
February 18th, 2011My fav MR ever…I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the name “M–R–”…but I see I’m in good company…and yours is the best!
February 18th, 2011Love the one you made - look forward to seeing the one you get in exchange!
February 19th, 2011I don’t like the term “mug rug” either.
February 19th, 2011But your little mug rug is beautiful. I like the fabrics you chose.
How ’bout calling it a MUG BUTT CUSHION?? Would that be better? Or how about HOT BEVERAGE RECEPTACLE PROTECTIVE DEVICE, or CUTE LITTLE QUILT THAT PROTECTS FROM HEAT DAMAGE FROM YOUR HOT DRINK THAT YOU PUT ON THE TABLE! hahahahahahahahahahahaha
February 19th, 2011Oh, AND just btw, I love your little quilty project…whatever you wanna call it. :)
February 19th, 2011i too have been intrigued by the mug rugs. I think they are adorable but I would hate to see hot chocolate spilled all over it! I LOVE yours! I’d probably hang it on the wall.
you always pick the greatest colors!
February 19th, 2011Mug rug. Worst name ever for something so cute. Yours is ESPECIALLY cute.
February 19th, 2011Now that is really cute……yeah I’m knocking down ladies to get to that mugrug.
did you survive?
I have to laugh….I felt the same way when I first saw them…..oh that’s dumb!
they are adorable and really grow on ya right? Made some for Christmas gifts :0)
Happy Sewing
February 19th, 2011Thanks for sharing the sweet tutorial for that technique. LOVE the colors you used. I just joined a new Modern Quilt Guild, too, in my area. If there are any survivors, please report back on how the swap went. Good luck!
February 19th, 2011sooo cute! I love the colours you chose. I’m betting yours will be snatched up right away.
February 20th, 2011love love LOVE the colour combo here. Would never have thought of it, but it looks so fresh and lovely :)
February 20th, 2011I hope no one lost an eye trying to snag your mug rug! I’m so sad I missed the meeting. I’ve been sick for THREE weeks now, and wallowing in self pity.. I’ll make it there eventually if it’s the last thing I do, aaand it may be at this point. Miss you! xomofo
February 20th, 2011I have an orange zigzag on my “to do” list. Yours is super, duper pretty with the aqua.
February 24th, 2011Love your mug rug. I drank the kool-aid in December. I used fabric selvedges and love them. The binding was not fun, too small and tight. I have since learned to sew a half inch strip on the edge and create a faux binding. I believe the idea came from the Confused Quilter.
March 14th, 2011sorry about the email I just sent you, then I read you suck at email…was wondering what size strips you used to make your zigzag mug rug…thanks!
April 27th, 2011