Now that I am feeling more like myself, it was great to have a day to work on the next project. I had one more mug that needed a mat for the guild gift shop. The mug was purchased at a Chimney Rock merchant after the hurricane, but it has sat unused. We already have too many coffee mugs. So, I thought I would put a North Carolina motif on a mat for it. I selected a design and then selected threads and arranged them in order in an egg carton.
The design stitched out nicely. I did change the colors in the dogwood blossoms to match the ones on the mug and the fabric for the finishing. The original design called for dark pinks, but the mug and fabric have white with just a hint of pink.
Here is the fabric with a dogwood blossom print I’ll use to finish it. Previously, I had made sure the embroidery background would work well with it.
I trimmed the embroidery to 5-inches for the left side of the mat, and cut a piece of print the same size. They were sewn together without sashing.
I quilted both sides with straight lines in rays from the center.
Then it is bound by machine in the same print.
The dogwoods on the mug coordinate nicely with the mat. I used red for the North Carolina lettering to mirror the red on the mug.
Next, I went back to the longarm to continue quilting on this Quilt of Valor. Halfway through the next pass, the machine just shut off. After some investigation, we determined that a fuse had blown. So, I had to order a couple from the manufacturer. I hope that solves the problem, but we’ll know when they get here.
So, back to the domestic machine, and another new project. I have done several embroideries that I wanted to use together in a larger tote suitable for carrying quilts. I pulled fabrics to go with them. But, there is too much here, so I decided to break these up into two projects instead of one.
The ‘pretty things’ embroidery will be paired with the larger of the sewing machines, and this lovely Japanese inspired print. Unfortunately, I only have a fat quarter of this print, so an additional fabric will have to be used.
I dug around in my notions, and found purple webbing for a handle and 2 zippers that match well. Now I just need to settle on a design.
I pulled out several black background fabrics that are in my stash with gold accents. I tried other prints, but everything else became too busy. When I found this one with the ginkgo leaves, it was perfect in tone and complemented the floral print well.
So, that is where we are now. I’ll work on figuring out the design later this week. I entered a Silver Arts competition too, and I’ll show you more on that later.
From My Carolina Home 
Who knew there were fuses in the machine?! Always good to pivot when things aren’t going your way. That would be the day I’d find purple webbing in my stuff LOL. The mug & mug rug look fantastic. People will be asking for more.
I’d love to know where you got the North Carolina embroidery design. My daughter live in NC and I’d love to make her a mug rug similar to yours!
It came from EmbroideryDesigns.com. No affiliation.
You have quite the array of projects going! I love how you are creating ways to use your machine embroidery into sewing projects. I know all that embroidery didn’t happen in a single day!! I can’t wait to see what bags you have come up with. Isn’t it fun finding just the right fabric in your stash! Happy Stitching. Glad you are on the mend!
You are definitely back in the swing of things Carole. That is wonderful. Enjoy your week. The mug rug is sweet!
Lynn
What a perfect fabric match for the dogwoods in your embroidery design. I really like how you organize your colors in the egg carton.
Your mug rug is perfect to go with the cup, love the embroidery. I have never made a bag, and I look forward to you sharing the process with us. I have done zippers in clothing so that would be doable. We have had torrential rain, with hail and tornado sirens this past week. We needed the rain, but it came so quickly that we now have flooding. My daffodils are popping up, so that is a good sign. I’m teaching a class this week at Guild on using the Cake Mix Recipe cards. It’s a great way for lots of us to sit n sew on one project and have all the squares come out the same size. We are doing a Quilt of Valor project. I have taught this to Girl Scouts working on their sewing badge and for new sewers who want to learn how to use their machines. So glad that you are feeling better and wishing you a easy fix on your long arm machine.
Thank you. It will probably be substantially the same as my Lemon Purse Project – click HERE for that one. Also, put the words tote bag or purse in the search box on the sidebar and you’ll find several more tutorials.
Send some of that rain our way!
Thank you for the link to some more info on purse making, I appreciate it.
So glad to know you’re feeling so much better! That is a pretty mug rug – I love the embroidery and the companion fabric is perfect to go with it. I think you’re on your way to a pretty tote bag, too!
Carole, the mug project is lovely. I like the Starburst quilting. The fabric for your tote is beautiful. I hope the fuse will fix your machine. I didn’t know sewing machines have fuses. I don’t have room for a long arm, so don’t know much about them. Glad you are feeling better and back to creating. I am working on a Christmas tree real hanging for my sister. She saw one at a craft fair, took a picture and asked me to make it. I found a pattern and it’s going well so far.
thanks for sharing your projects. Niki
Your projects look beautiful. I’m so glad you are feeling better. Hope your machine is fixed soon. Have a good week.
I’m so pleased you are feeling better. Ooops, fuse blown on your quilting machine, as someone else mentioned who knew there were fuses?
That’s a nice assortment of projects that will meet any sewing mood!
Glad you are feeling better and back to sewing. I am about to clean up from my last flurry in the sewing room…which I don’t think I even documented!
You have so many pretty projects in the works. I am glad you are feeling better to work on them.