The October Label Crew project from Sweetwater was a really cute Halloween mug rug. For the Label Crew, we got the pattern and four labels. I ordered their Sew Mama Sew fabric kit for making the project. (Labels and pattern need to be ordered separately.) But I couldn't stop at two.
I made 10. I decided to make some for our departmental secretaries, who have been majorly helpful to me lately with all the craziness at work.
And I made one for a colleague who works closely with me on a project.
And I made some for collaborators at a local center that hosts a LOT of my practicum students. They are cute little mug rugs, I think. Then, Papa Pea saw them and said, "Hey, what about me?" I said, "YOU want one?" I couldn't believe it. He likes the back side, which is just a black and white plaid. He said, "Yeah, I could use one on my desk that is just this plaid. And maybe a little smaller." Okay, so I'm going to make one more, smaller, and plaid on both sides. Maybe he likes it because it's black and white and not too frilly. I'll leave the Halloween label off so he can use it more than at Halloween.
There is a little pocket that I filled with Halloween goodies and a little tag. Too cute! I thought Sweet Pea would want one. She was mostly excited about the goodies. So, I gave her those and she was satisfied!
As far as a pattern review, this goes together super easy. Honestly, it takes about 15 minutes to cut one out, sew it, and quilt it. But then it takes another 15 minutes to make the binding, another 15 minutes to sew it around, and another 15 minutes to hand stitch the binding down. (That's how I did it.) So, each one took me about an hour to make, I suppose. It was not hard. The binding was the part that took the longest. But, they were very satisfying and fun to make....very relaxing. I could easily make two more from the kits I have left. In fact, I could probably make another 10! (I ordered four kits to make eight, which was my original plan.) And the fabric kits will make far more than two! Sweetwater is so generous with their fabric kits. You can probably make four out of one kit, as long as you have extra backing fabric for two. Just sayin'! I have lots of awesome scraps left, and some kits where all I stole out of them was backing fabric. It's fun to have some of these awesome fabrics left to stash!
I was going to hand make the tags. But then I found this pad of tags at Joanne's for about $3.
I thought the tags were pretty cute, so I just used these.
Spidey supervised the photo shoot from below on the lower deck. He was meowing to come up! (There are no stairs from one deck to the other.) LOL. I can't wait until we can tear off these old decks and rebuild them.
Although we are getting past the prime for color here in Michigan, I must admit, I really love standing on my back deck and looking through the trees that have lost their leaves to the trees with color behind them. In the foreground, there are still some green trees (evergreens) and some that are now turning bright yellow. The photo does not do justice to the color. What a beautiful day it was when I took this photo. I'm cherishing these days, as they are surely short lived. Winter is coming too fast!
Tomorrow I hope to show you one more little project I've been working on!
Until next time,
Doncha just hate that the binding takes as long as the project! If there was truly a great way to do it on the machine!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | October 23, 2012 at 08:20 AM
Those are cute mug rugs, Stephanie! And I love the K&Company scrapbook stuff. We have tons of it at our place :D
Enjoy your week!
Posted by: Sue | October 23, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Love those mug rugs. I've never seen a pocket like that. Very cute. Love the idea of them as Halloween gifts with candy in that pocket. I didn't know about those tags either. I guess I'll have to go to Big J today.
Posted by: carolld | October 23, 2012 at 08:46 AM
Those turned out so cute! Those would be cute at Christmas, too.
Posted by: Jana | October 23, 2012 at 09:14 AM
This answers my question - you are a Label Crew member. These are really cute mug rugs! I love the pocket and, of course, the fabric.
Posted by: Lynn | October 23, 2012 at 09:44 AM
Beautiful view from your back deck! I would love to have a view of the woods from our property. Maybe someday.
Love your mug rugs! For some reason, I haven't received a Label Crew package in about 2 months. Might need to update my account info. I love the pockets on these! I saw those tags at JoAnn's and was inspired to design some with my illustration style. They are so adorable!
Posted by: terriaw | October 23, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Those are adorable...you know how I love Halloween. Might have to be ordering that kit & pattern!
Posted by: Doris | October 23, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Wonderful fabrics and the pocket, well, that is a unique and wonderful addition!
Posted by: jenclair | October 23, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Cute mug rugs. But I'll bet they would turn sopping wet here in FL (as does everything else one puts a glass on!). They are so cute! I can see them done up in lots of different fabrics for holidays, birthdays, seasons, and all kinds of decors. Neat idea!
Posted by: PegVan | October 23, 2012 at 06:23 PM
Adorable, and what I love about this post, is my friend saw it and emailed it to me, which I promptly emailed back and told her to look at the feet at the top as I knew this famously creative blogger!
Posted by: Jackie | October 23, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Love those! You've been busy! And...yes, with the wind the last few days, the color is definitely gone. Spent some time tonight raking in advance of the rain!
Posted by: Lisa Ruble | October 25, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Those are adorable! I wish I'd seen them earlier -- they'd be perfect for my friends at work (but not something I could make by tomorrow from the hosp. room tonight LOL) Hey -- there's always Christmas!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | October 30, 2012 at 09:50 AM