Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Monday, April 8, 2013

Today is my day !

I am soooo excited to be participating in the April Showers blog hop! Thanks for joining in all the fun. Madame Samm and Erin are our inspiring cheerleaders. A big thank you to you both for getting this together and for all the help too! Here are the creative ladies for today.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9th


Be sure and stop by each one, you won't be disappointed.
Here is my mug rug. I love the rain which is always a treat in Southern California since we do not get lots of it and I love flowers, all kinds of flowers. This is my first attempt at thread painting of sorts. There is room for improvement but ya gotta start somewhere, right?


I drew this with the image of when I ran through the pasture of my great uncles' dairy farm, barefoot, and rain coming down. It is a scant 8 by 10 inches in size.

My future son in law told me his family has used mug rugs since he was a child. He grew up in a country with heavy British influence so they have afternoon tea, daily. That is when they used them.  I had no idea they had been around for so long.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are inspired even a bit to try something new. I am giving away four bright fat quarters that I hope will help with your inspiration.



To be eligible for the give away, just be a follower and let me know in a comment. For a second chance, in another comment, tell me about something new you are going to try or have just tried.


Scrappily,
    Susan

176 comments:

  1. Susan,
    I am so very glad I came back by! My first visit earlier this morning your post was not showing up!!! Yikes!!! I think you are on to something with your thread painting! I want to see more! :) I love the big oversized unbrella...reminds me of when we used to play with our grandpa's giant umbrella as kids. Like you, I thought the idea of mug rugs was relatively a 'new' thing...
    Beulah

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  2. What a beautiful mug rug! Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Susan. Your project is so cute. That umbrella is awesome! Thanks for sharing today.

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  4. Sew cute. Love her umbrella and the meadow is beautiful. I am following you with bloglovin'.

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  5. I am trying to make a quilt with lots and lots of curved seams. Slow going, but it's working so far.

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  6. Very lovely! It's interesting about your son-in-law's family using mug rugs for afternoon tea. I wonder if mug rugs are a British influence and how far back in history do they go?

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  7. Oh I love your mug rugm, so sweet! I follow you through bloglovin and look forward to read more from you!

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  8. I just tried raw edge applique on my mug rug., but by hand. I really want to try it by machine too.

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  9. Susan, I love your mug rug. You are very talented. I am going to try to make some fir my adult children with their names on them.

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  10. Thanks for sharing your lovely mug rug. I'm a new follower.

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  11. One of my goals this year is to try hand quilting. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  12. Lovely job! I didn't know mug rugs were around for awhile. Thought it was a fairly recent thing.

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  13. I really like the perspective of showing the umbrella from behind. Nice!

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  14. I'd never heard of a mug rug until just a few years ago, but they certainly are fun to play around with. Your sweet little mug rug is beautiful and I love the umbrella and stitching you added. Thanks for hopping with us!

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  15. I am about to start a fishing lodge theme quilt for a customer. fingers crossed.

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  16. Your umbrella rug is darling with that sunbonnet Sue.

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  17. What a happy, spring scene..... I can smell the flowers! Thanks for sharing and I'm a follower!

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  18. Something that I'd like to try is thread painting from a picture..... like take a picture, print it on fabric, then thread paint the whole thing. someday....

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  19. I love your mug rug...it so cute and inspiring...thanks for sharing and for being so generous with your give-a-way.

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  20. Susan your art mug is wonderful. And you did a wonderful job with your thread art. I am a beginner in that field to so kudos to you. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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  21. Hi Susan. I need to do more hand embroidery. Thanks for sharing your lovely mug rug!

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  22. Beautiful - love your attention to detail - and love words:)

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  23. I am just trying some embroidery for the first time - about to try french knots!

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  24. Thread Painting sounds interesting, very pretty, I am a follower.

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  25. I try new things all the time, just learned the blanket stitch yesterday to put a felt duck together.

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  26. Who knew that about mug rugs? Interesting! I am going to be working with some wool for piecing a little something and also a candle mat.

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  27. Following on GFC till that doesn't work anymore. Silly Google.

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  28. Your mug rug is very dainty looking. Beautiful. I am a new follower.

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  29. As for something new...I just put a zipper in my first project ever. I'm pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't as complicated as I thought!

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  30. I am a new follower through Gfc. Love your little girl with the umbrella. We loved using umbrellas when we were little. It was so much fun to go out in the rain and try and keep dry. I think it didn't work too well as we would be twirling our umbrellas all the time.

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  31. You did a great job with your thread painting--that field looks like many I've also run through barefoot! And how cool to find out that the mug rugs have been around so long. I really thought they were a recent innovation in the quilting world. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. I am going to try the cheater method of binding. I have never tried it before but I thought the small size of the mug rugs might be the perfect size to try.

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  33. Love the little saying on your mug rug! Great job!

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  34. Love your rug, so glad you shared with us!!

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  35. Hi Susan, I just became a "FOLLOWER"... yea me!!

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  36. I'm trying to make smaller quilts as in mini-quilts. It's a challenge to downsize from the king sized quilts I'm use to making.

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  37. Very nice mug rug. I love the idea of using them too. It's much nicer than a magaizine or something under your cup.

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  38. Hi Susan. Love you mugrug. It is so pretty and springy. I would love to try thread painting but am still a bit intimidated by it. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  39. How pretty, Susan! You did such a great job!
    I had no idea mug rugs had been around so long either!!

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  40. I love all projects with stitched sayings, and this one is gorgeous!

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  41. Absolutely beautiful Susan! Totally captures Spring. :)
    Thank you so much for participating in our hop with us!
    Cheers,
    Erin

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  42. Wow, Susan! I can't believe that this is your first time thread painting. You did a great job on your mug rug. It looks wonderful. I am a new follower through Bloglovin. Thanks for sharing and for the great giveaway.

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  43. Very cute. Love your little girl!

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  44. Something new that I would like to try is FMQ. I have been a little intimadated by quilting with this method. Thanks again for the giveaway.

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  45. I am a follower! I am always starting something new. I do a new to me technique every week on Mondays, if I have time to sew

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  46. What a lovely mug rug. Great job
    Thanks for sharing.
    Frederika

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  47. I'm a new follower! your mug rug is beautiful! I didn't know mug rugs were around here for awhile either. I thought they were something new!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  48. I'm about to try an appliqued dinosaur quilt for my granddaughter! I have done small items with applique but never a large quilt! Wish me luck!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  49. Your thread painting is very lovely. I had no idea mug rugs have been in use for so long. I am a new follower. Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

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  50. I am always trying new ideas when I am sewing. I love these blog hops as they are sew inspiring. I have been learning to make shaped mug rugs recently in these hops and have a new shape to share on Thursday which is my day in the hop ... :) Pat

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  51. Your mug rug is very cute. Thanks for sharing

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  52. Your mug turned out really sweet! I can see you running the field:)
    I also did not know Mug Rugs have been around for so long:) Learn something new every day!
    Something new...... well I am sewing curved blocks...fun!

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  53. Thanks for sharing your mug rug. I also didn't realise they had been here very long. Love finding out interesting things. After following these mug rugs I think I am hooked and I have so many ideas to try. I also enjoyed reading about you. We are 2 peas in a pod. Hey there's an idea for my first mug rug. Thanks again.

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  54. Your mug rug is so cute with lots of detail. I'm from So Cal so I too appreciate the rain and I get lots of it now that I live in No Cal!

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  55. Good for you for trying thread painting! Sometimes it is intimidating and you just have to jump in. Nice job.

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  56. I'm delighted to be follower. :) This little rug is just adorable. :)

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  57. I'm going to try making a wonky butterfly block. Love the look but have never tried it. :)

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  58. love the interpertaion of your memory! you did a great job! I am a follower

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  59. I'm a new follower and looking forward to it!

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  60. I am about to try curved piecing for the 1st time... fingers crossed! I LOVE your mug rug - it looks like an impressionist painting!

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  61. Very sweet! I had no idea that mug rugs were something old. Ah well everything old is new again, so they say.

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  62. I am a new follower.

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  63. I'm going to try Dresden plate.

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  64. I'm a new follower ... Thanks for sharing :) I tried something new for my mug rug, too. (I'll be sharing tomorrow.) I'm also learning to do hand-piecing and its so much fun!

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  65. Wow! I love your mug rug! You did a wonderful job on the thread painting! I am following! Thanks for participating and inspiring us today!

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  66. Love your thread painted mug rug! Thank you for sharing.

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  67. That is so pretty..it makes me want to go walk in a meadow. :) I am a follower via email. Thanks for the giveaway and for sharing. vickise at gmail dot com

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  68. I would like to try cross stitch some time in the future. vickise at gmail dot com

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  69. I like your mug rug - my family are dairy farmers too and I grew up on a dairy farm!
    I want to try thread painting - any tips??

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  70. I am a new follower via bloglovin babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  71. A good friend recently got me addicted to paper piecing babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  72. Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

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  73. Your mug rug is adorable. Love to thread paint too! Beautiful work!

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  74. You made a darling mug rug. Mug rugs are going to make great gifts! Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  75. You made a darling mug rug. Mug rugs are going to make great gifts! Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  76. Very sweet. Great hand stitching.

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  77. I think you did a fantastic job for your first try. Thank you for sharing. I love your mug rug, it is so cute and springlike. I am going to have to try to make a mug rug for my own. I haven't made one yet, but with all of this inspiration it makes me want one too. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  78. I forgot to mention that I am a new follower.

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  79. I am already a follower with GFC. Thank s for sharing your work and the fabric too.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

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  80. For my something new it has to be a mug rug. I have just never got round to it, and I even have a couple of patterns that I bought ready to do one.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

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  81. Very cute mug rug...thanks for sharing :)

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  82. That is an absolutely wonderful mug rug! Just perfect!

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  83. What a lovely mug rug and beautiful saying..Thank you for sharing. I am a new follower..

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  84. How beautiful! I just tried putting an inset zipper pocket in a tote bag- and it worked- not perfectly ( I sewed the pocket shut at one point and sewed the handles on the inside) but it worked!

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  85. Beautiful job! I had no idea mug rugs had been around for so long either! Go figure....something "old" is "new" again!

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  86. I just signed up to receive emails. Looking forward to more post. Thanks

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  87. What I've been trying lately is applique and I'm really having a fun time with it. Love your background fabric in your mug rug. So fitting and a lovely lady too.

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  88. HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU VIA BLOG LOVIN'!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  89. This is sweet, the fabric in combination with the quote, just wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  90. HELLO! NEW FOR ME: I'M GOING TO TEACH MYSELF TO DO FREE MOTION MACHINE TOP STITCHING+I'M STARTING ON SMALL THINGS AND HOPE TO MOVE UP TO CRIB SIZE QUILTS,WHICH I DO FOR CHARITY!

    msstitcher1948@yaho.com

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  91. I love your mug rug! The pastel colors give a special touch, sweet and delicate, I love it.
    I just discovered your blog through this blog hop and now I'm following you via bloglovin and GFC, my day to participate in this blog hop is on April 15, now I will continue to visit the other participants.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Marisa from
    http://passionetcouture.blogspot.ca/

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  92. Sweet mug rug! Thanks for sharing Susan and I am a happy follower...Judith, Texas

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  93. Great mug rug project. Very pretty. I am following via BlogLovin.

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  94. I am working on my very first string quilt. Which is very new to me. Useing a bunch of recycled scraps from my Moms alterations shops. Thanks for the chance to enter your giveaway.

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  95. -your mugrus ist so gorgeous, such a beautiful work.
    Thanks for sharing an thanks for the chance to win.
    I´s a pleasure to follow your blog!
    See you!
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente in Germany

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  96. You mug rug is very sweet and especially because it is a design from the heart. Very interesting how long mug rugs have been around!! I am a new follower! Thanks for your sweet inspiration!

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  97. Something new? That's easy for me to answer. Quilting is fairly new for me and making a mug rug may be the perfect choice for my first project.

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  98. Sweet mug rug... love the details! I am now following you via Bloglovin' - thanks for the chance to win some 'spring' fabric!!

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  99. Well done on your mug rug, so pretty. I want to make mug rugs and practise machine quilting them, machine quilting is new to me

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  100. Love your mug rug. Didn't realise they'd been around for so long. I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance to win such pretty fabric. lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

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  101. Very nice interpretation of the theme. Love your Painting.

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  102. I've never done thread painting myself; I think your design is a wonderful first effort. I've recently begun to sew my bindings on by machine, front and back. I'm not perfect but I'm getting better with each effort. Thanks for sharing.

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  103. I am a new follower. Thanks for the chance at some cheerful fabrics.

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  104. Thank you for giving me a fabulous birthday present idea. My best friend is from England.....I'm going to have to make her a mug rug for her birthday! I think she is going to love it!

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  105. Your mug rug is so pretty. It reminds me of a Monet. I am a new follower

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  106. Something new I am going to try-as in making a new quilt? I am going to be trying that a lot! LOL

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  107. Love your mug rug, great job. I'm following you via Bloglovin'

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  108. My next quilt is a log cabin quilt. I've never done one before and can't wait to see how it turns out.

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  109. I love your mug rug! It really represents spring so well! I am a follower.

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  110. I have been working on my birdie projects and have tried several new things. Applique, machine quilting(I hope), and a few new patterns. I am having so much fun!

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  111. Very pretty mug rug. I have never tried thread painting. Kudos to you.

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  112. I just joined your blog. Love the "I spy" quilt from March 2nd post.

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  113. Your mug rug is wonderful! It looks like a little painting.

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  114. Not a follower but just wanted to tell you how cute I think your mug rug is! Thanks for sharing it!

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  115. I have become a follower. I look forward to getting to know you.

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  116. I want to try combining stitching with quilting sometime soon for something new.

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  117. Very pretty mug rug, it's gives me a happy peaceful feeling. I think you did great at thread painting. I am a follower.

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  118. I'm going to take a stained glass class this summer. Don't know if I'll like it or not but I won't know unless I try.

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  119. I am currently trying a pieced quilt.

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  120. Your mug rug is lovely, so very feminine. On my list to dry are hexies.

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  121. I applaud you! You have inspired me to give thread painting a try.

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  122. 137 comments?? WOW. You must be shocked! :-)

    I am following the blog hop cuz I want to see all of the super cute mug rugs. You know that you can ALWAYS come to Oregon to catch some rain ;-)

    Danielle spent the afternoon on a plane to Colorado. Snow, wind, & 13° when we got here. Kinda chilly. We are here for a business meeting for TJ. I'll sew & Danielle will go to the meetings cuz she's our book keeper. :-)

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  123. did you get my comment??

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  124. I am fixing to venture back into hand embroidery. I haven't done it for years. Thanks.

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  125. I now follow your blog via email.

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  126. I follow with Google FC & Reader.

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  127. Love your mug rug and the thread painting looked wonderful. I, too, thought mug rugs were newly invented. I just finished making my Weekender Bag (Amy Butler). It was a struggle of sorts but well worth it and I LOVE my bag. I even have it sitting in the living room to admire; it's too pretty to put away in a closet! :)

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  128. I am following your blog! Nice to meet you!
    Jacque (aka Snoodles)

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  129. Love your threadpainting...that is something I have not tried yet!
    Jacque (aka Snoodles)

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  130. So pretty! Very nice job!
    I am a follower.

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  131. I'm just learning hand embroidery and machine FMQ.

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  132. I signed up to be a follower by email.

    senstrings @ yahoo dot com

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  133. I am trying to get back into quilting on a regular basis.

    senstrings @ yahoo dot com

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  134. Adorable mug rug. I love the flowers in the field, reminds me of going on wild flower hunts with my grandparents.

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  135. Great design! I haven't heard of thread painting, but I definely want to try one of these mug rugs. Did your fsil if they were always called mug rugs?

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  136. Cute design. Thread painting s a technique i have not tried .Nice job on yours.

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  137. Very pretty. I love the umbrella. I'm a follower.

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  138. I would like to try doing some hexies. I think they are so pretty!

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  139. I'm a follower, and I love your mug rug!

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  140. Something I would like to try is making some mug rugs in the hoop. I just got an in the hoop mug rug design, and I'm wanting to try it out!

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  141. Your mug rug is lovely...I keep thinking how you sew it. Beautiful!I am now a follower of your blog via email.

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  142. New thing that I wish to learn is to do FMQ!

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  143. Adorable. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  144. I really want to try thread painting now, I think yours looks good.

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  145. What a beautiful mug rug! Lovely work!! I'm a new follower. Yay!

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  146. I'll be trying Ricky Tims' Convergence method very soon. Looking forward to the experience. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  147. I want to try paper piecing, but havent gotten around to it yet.

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  148. love your mug rug. getting ready to do a first quilt binding.

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  149. Thanks for teaching me something I didn't know. I have spent a little time in England and never noticed mug rugs around...but perhaps i was just in the non mug rug households!

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  150. I am working on painting with Tsuekineko paints...very challenging, but I love the freedom of working with such great paints.

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  151. Hi Susan! So happy to have found your blog :) I'm a SoCal girl myself and I too love love love the rain. Your mug rug is gorgeous!

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  152. Lovely mug rug! I am following you on Bloglovin.

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  153. I am trying new patterns on FMQ. I have been taking a class on Craftsy, and I am really surprised how easy it is to pick up--not looking perfect, but it is presentable. LOL

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  154. Oooh great mug rug - its nice to know our tea influences are getting around! I always smile when Californians say they don't get much rain as I am from rainy England and when I first visited California it rained that much that they shut Disneyland at 4pm! it must have followed me.....

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  155. gfc follower: nicolesender
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  156. I am going to try a new quilt pattern that includes triangles. This would be a new thing for me to sew.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  157. I'm a new follower thru Bloglovin! Yay! (but I had followed for quite awhile thru GFC....know they are stoppibn' tho)

    Love your Mug rug!! And the Give-a-Way fabrics are sooo pretty!! Thanks! :)

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  158. Well...am pretty new to quilty things....just made my biggest quilt..double bed sized quilt...and it is ready to be sandwiched & quilted.... Would like to FMQ it...never tried on big thing...just few potholders! Yipes!! lol

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Thanks for chatting, I love hearing from you.