Spring Lambs Mug Rug

Spring is here!

Yay for spring's arrival!  Today we are getting rain, and I am not even complaining a wee bit.   We do need the rain for flowers to bloom in May!  ( And hey, it isn't snow!!)

In March, I wanted to make a small project for my sister's  (Amy) birthday.  I remembered seeing a cute little mug rug,  called "Spring Lambs."  Isn't this the just the dearest thing?  Have you already guessed who the designer might be?
                         Yes, of course, it's Amanda, The Patchsmith!

Spring Lambs  Mug Rug    pattern by The Patchsmith
photo courtesy of The Patchsmith

Don't their little  blanket coats look so cute??

Here is my version of  "Spring Lambs"  ....

Spring Lambs     by Susie's Sunroom

Fabrics used:     Various DS Quilts   by Denyse Schmidt    from my stash

                        Felt -   cream for the bodies and black for their heads and legs

I love how the field grass has  little flowers spread throughout .
The  cream colored felt for the little sheep bodies, gave them some texture.
I cut out a little flower and appliqued it to the mama's blanket coat.

I machine blanket stitched around the bodies and the blankets.  I used a straight stitch for the black stitches, since they were very small and curved.
I used the gray polka dot fabric as backing AND the  binding... by folding the excess over and  then machine stitching it on the front.   This kept it all neat and tidy.


If you need a small project , with big heart, for a gift, that can be embellished a little or a lot, these mug rug projects can't be beat!  When I am  adding the details ,that give each pattern their  "heart", I feel like I have just  made a mini quilt!   To date,  Amanda  has 71 different patterns in her Craftsy shop.   There are  2 e- booklets (that have 10 patterns each- for Special Days and Christmas !).... There's bound to be something there to "fit your occasion" ! 

"We'll be baaaaah-ck  when Susie makes one for her desk!"

I'm off to my sewing room!

Pretty Pincushion

The Prettified Pincushion

I just couldn't resist making the last project in the book,  Patchwork, Please!  by Ayumi Takahashi, in the Zakka 2.0 Sew Along.

Many folks have made every project in the book, and showcased their gorgeous 'patchworky projects' in the Flickr Group.    Debbie, from A Quilter's Table , has been the hostess for the 2nd half of the sew along.

Maybe the reason I couldn't resist making it had a little  to do with my sister's  down-right irresistible project...

Amy  of  Amy Made That!  's  Prettified Pincushion  photo courtesy of Amy

I rounded up some DS Quilts fabric , in several shades of blue, grays and orange, and my Brussels Washer Linen.    I wanted to make sure that I had enough seam allowance around  the paper pieced pattern, so I added 1/2 inch to every side.  This resulted in a slightly larger pincushion,  with the top and base measuring in  at 5 1/2 inches square, and the sides at 1 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.  I love this size.  I filled it with my "usual" crushed walnut shell kitty litter, and it has a nice heavy feel to it.

 Prettified Pincushion     by Susie @ Susie's Sunroom

a turquoise button

I found a button with turquoise in the middle, and decided to use it instead of the fabric covered button this time.   

Prettified Pincushion    by Susie @ Susie's Sunroom

I will be making this cute pincushion again, and will  make other projects from the book. 


Linking up at :   Paper Piecing Party @ Quiet Play

I'm off to my sewing room!