April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hop (and Giveaway)

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It’s my day on the April Showers Mug Rug Hop. I can’t wait to go see what the other participants today have made! We are all making mug rugs with an April showers theme.

Madame Samm is our wonderful hostess, Erin our very hardworking cheerleader and Fabri-Quilt the sponsor. There are giveaways and tutorials on some of the blogs. Today’s participants are listed beneath my photos.

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When I read the theme was April showers I immediately thought of windy days as, to me, April means windy days as well as rainy days. And windy days make me think of pinwheels. As soon as I had that thought, I printed some templates on my fabrics for the first mug rug using an Inklingo collection. I’ve made this block, a Dresden Plate variation, before and love the effect from the design and the curved piecing.

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I also needed a circle for the centre of the mug rug, so printed six of the circles.

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I’ll be making some finger pincushions with the other five circles I printed. I can’t stitch now without one of these one my finger – whether sewing by hand or by machine!

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My first mug rug – a pinwheel that’s approximately 8″ in diameter. I love the movement this block creates. The colours make me think of spring, although we’ve had day after day of grey skies and cold temperatures, and the wonderful windy April days that come as the warmer weather hopefully makes its appearance. The grey skies and rather windy conditions on the roof garden are the reasons my pictures had to be taken indoors. I had hoped to take them outside yesterday, but the weather just didn’t want to cooperate.

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It’s the perfect mug rug for one of my favourite cat mugs.

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This butterfly fabric has been in my stash for quite some time. I have fussy cut bits from it many times to use in various quilts. I thought it was the perfect fabric for an April-themed mug rug, as the butterflies will be coming back soon.

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Have you seen these binding clips? They were invaluable when putting the binding on the circular mug rug. Now that I have them, I can’t imagine how I managed before!

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For some reason April also makes me think of ’30s reproduction prints. And ’30s reproduction prints make me think of hexagons and that was the beginning of the second mug rug, which I think goes rather nicely with another of my favourite cat mugs.

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This is a rather large mug rug, approximately 11″ square. I think it will be perfect for lunch out on the roof garden with room for a sandwich and a cup of coffee.

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I have had this cupcake fabric in my stash for quite some time, just waiting for the right project. A backing for a mug rug seemed like that perfect project.

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Now for the giveaway. It’s a little kit of hexagons and half hexagons to make a mug rug just like my ’30s reproduction mug rug and includes a piece of the cupcake fabric for the backing. The pieces were all printed with Inklingo and have the stitching lines as well as matching points. They are easy to stitch by hand using a simple running stitch, or by machine as the start and ending points of each seam are marked. To win, just leave a comment and let me know what you like about April. The winner will be announced on Friday.

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In today’s ‘toon, Baxter  and his friends are admiring a field of pinwheels.

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According to Mr. Q.O., Baxter was thinking, “Mug rug?  Hah!  What about me?”

Now go see what the other participants today have made! The mug rugs I’ve seen so far on this blog hop have been fabulous, so I can’t wait to see today’s offerings!

Cathi @ Quilt Obsession (you’re here)

Jane @ Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts

Heidi @ Nutz4Redwork

Cherry @ Cherry’s Prairie Primitives

Christine @ Quilt Monster in my Closet

Vickie @ More Stars in Comanche

Pauline @ Stekje

Jan @ Jan’s Art Friendzy

Nissa @ Nissa Made Stuff

Robin @ As Sweet as Peaches

Lyndsey @ Sew Many Yarns

Eleni – Guest Poster at Sew at Home Mummy

166 thoughts on “April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hop (and Giveaway)”

  2. I love the 30’s repro mug rug, and of course the cupcakes are devine! What I like about April is the longer days, and the warmer weather.

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  4. I love the pinwheel ‘rug’. Darn…another of Cathi’s projects to put on my to-do list.
    Just colored my EQ Periwinkle Mystery….thinking I’m not going to have enough of my chosen fabric…..I may have to go shopping.
    Candi

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  7. Cathi, these are SO beautiful! I mean, I can’t’ believe how incredibly useful these would be, while adding a touch of beauty to your desk of chair side table. You are brilliant!~ I adore them both, but you KNOW the 30’s one is my heart. This time of year, I gravitate to using 30’s as well. VERY CLEVER, my friend. What a nice Giveaway too!~ I saw some pinwheels the other day for the lawn, they were quite large and thought about getting one. I should go back. Now that I see Baxter and friends with theirs.

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  8. These are just super! A wonderful idea for using small quilt blocks etc. The pincushion rings are great…gonna’ have to make me one.

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  13. The mug rugs are very pretty, I need to find some of those clips. To me April marks the beginning of gardening time and longer evenings to enjoy being outside.

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  15. Cute mug rugs Cathi! What do I love about April? The smell of the air and the earth after a rain shower! The sound of the rain on the roof…especially at bedtime…it helps me to sleep! The early snow glories, tulips and crocus that bring promise of the warmth and blossom to come! The tom turkeys struttin’ their stuff! The litter of kittens that mew when they hear me coming to the shop! The green replacing the white and gray! April brings spring and hope! What’s not to love about it?

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  24. WOW!!! I saw your 30′ repro mug rug and said I would love to make one of those. Then I saw you are giving away the things to make one. Thank you. 🙂 I love April because it’s my Birthday month.

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  27. Love both of your mug rugs! The pinwheel is a great shape that could be used for a lot of things. And love the hexies and the fabrics. Thanks for sharing! I’m enjoying an April thunderstorm this morning…..just love the sound of rolling thunder!

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  31. First off I love that I have a daughter who was born in April and my Grandmother. I love birthdays! I also love that soon, (please mother nature) I will be able to go outside without a coat and the world will be green again. 😀

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  36. WHat beautiful finishes and quite a bright spot for your mug, especially on those grey days. Your giveaway is intriguing, you printed with inklingo……..a product I always wanted to try but was intimidated. Thanks for the chance and congratulations on some beautiful finishes. Jane

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  39. As always, I love your creations – the round one has me going through my leftovers from other Inklingo projects to see if I can put one together! I love Aprils flowers – crocus, daffodils, jonquils (great scrabble word) and iris.

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  40. Each of your mug rugs are delightful, yet, this morning I am seriously drawn to your ’30’s reproduction and those cupcakes…my sweet tooth is awake! 🙂 April for me…a welcome to the warmer days. 🙂

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  42. April is the time when the heat of summer has finally gone; leaves are fading, starting to change colour and falling, so we can look forward to cooler days and nights, getting out the hand-knitted woollies and snuggling under quilts! Baxter – don’t get blown away!

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  43. Both of your mug rugs are simply wonderful! I’ve been intrigued by the circular pinwheel design ever since seeing it in a red and white antique quilt at our local historical society museum a few months ago. Baxter needs a saucer rug!

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  44. What lovely mug rugs! This is my first visit to your blog, but I am sure I will be back. April is special because it means Quilt Retreat! 3 days to do nothing but quilt, and a room of my own.

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  45. Wow, these are pretty! I think I am most intrigued by how the hexagon, half hexagons go together. I am a 30’s fabric fiend but it was the design that got me! What do I like about April? Well, it seems to be loaded with birthdays and anniversaries of those I love. Reminds me of my family.

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  46. April is when the earth wakes up from its long winter rest. Everything comes alive, refreshes and we along with earth get a fresh start. I love April a fresh start is great for all of us!

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  47. I like your mug rugs and the mugs themselves. Your cat is beautiful. What I like about April are the flowers that bloom, the trees begin budding, and the smell of Spring.

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  48. Oh, I love them both. I will have to look for that pinwheel pattern. It makes a great mug rug. Thanks for sharing

    I have two children, a brother and 4 friends with birthdays in April. I like April because we have so many opportunities to get together as a family!

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  51. These are just gorgeous!
    April is a month full of birthdays, let`s see my mother, niece, cousin and three friends and there are many among my coworkers.April means warm and light days have arrived.

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  53. The best thing about April is the peeking up if early spring flowers indicating that warmer weather is on its way! Thanks for sharing your mug rug projects…

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  56. Both of your mug rugs turned out beautifully! I love that butterfly fabric! And I really, REALLY like the mug rug made with the 30’s hexies–fabulous!

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  60. Those are darling, Cathi! Love the pinwheel. My favorite thing about April is that here in Texas, April means fabulous weather for family camping. Now, of course, April also means kiddo #5’s birthday, and his first one is today. Yikes. I need to get started on his quilt. . . .

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  61. April means every day going outside to inspect my perennial beds to see if there are any bits of green showing yet! I get so delighted to see the first little pops of the flowers to show. It’s like a ritual now!

    And I just love those little mug rugs! The round was is totally sweet! And the 30’s prints are always a favorite with me! Thanks for the chance!

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  62. Cathi, your mug rugs are fantastic! I love pinwheels and I agree about the movement and the colors are beautiful! Your 30’s hexies are fabulous, I love that design. Thanks for participating and inspiring us today! I like seeing the transformation from brown going to green. We are finally greening up here in Arkansas! Thanks for offering a giveaway!

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  68. Wow how creative and crafty you are. Love your mug rugs. I love hexi’s….How could I not…lol… Your projects all turned out gorgeous. What I like about April. Is the fact that it starts Spring for us. When the weather actually gets warm and things turn green and start blooming. It’s like a renewal of life is takeing place outdoors.

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    • I really, really like that hexi mug rug. Is there a tutorial? I’d love to make one of those. My oldest was born in April, so we always look forward to that … this year is her sweet sixteen 🙂

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  77. WOW, Cathi! Your mug rugs are awesome! I really love the one with the reproduction fabrics. Great job! Thank you for sharing and for the great giveaway. What I like most about April is the warmer weather and the flowers coming up in my garden.

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  81. April is all about flowers and daffodils…my favorite little flower. Your rug mug is quite nice but I LUV that cute little finger pin cushion…need one of those!!
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

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  82. April is when the Bluebonnets bloom everywhere here in Texas!!! Just love it!!!!
    I am a big Hexie fan so will have to make one of your mug rugs:)
    Thanks!

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  83. Your mug rugs are so cute! My favorite thing about April is our hummingbirds start coming back, on April 20, according to last year’s calendar. It’s time to put out my feeders for the ones who are traveling through and are tired and hungry.

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  89. I love April because the snow is gone, but the snow is still here this year. So I hope to see tulips and grass growing.
    Love your hexagon mat, thanks.

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  100. I love your mug rug for this blog hop. My favorite thing about April is the beautiful spring flowers and Redbud trees and Dogwood trees.

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  101. you made some fun mug rugs. Thanks for sharing and for being in the hop. I think it would be great fun to try your kit. I like spring because I know warmer weather is coming. Well I hope it is anyway. LOL

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  102. Beautiful work! I love the flowers that pop up signalling the end of winter. None of that happening in Minnesota yet. Still snow on the ground.

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  105. April is a month of promises … budding trees, little white snow drop flowers, daffodills beginning to push through to the sunshine, grass is greener, birds searching for nesting materials, warmer days, and friendly smiles all around. April is a happy month.

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  106. Congrats on a top spot. I love your round pinwheel. You should do a tutorial on how you did it. April is a birthday month. My 2 daughters, their dad and his sister, my mom and her twin, and my son-in-law all have birthdays in April.

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  107. Such pretty mug rugs! April makes me think of Easter, of rain and flowers, and of birthdays for friends. A busy month for sure. 🙂

    I’ve never tried Inklingo but it sure sounds like it would make piecing (especially hand piecing) a lot easier. Thank you for the chance to give it a try with your giveaway.

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  108. Your mug rugs are fantastic! I love the Clover Wonder Clips. My favorite thing about April is that nature is coming back to life after a LONG winter. Thank you for sharing your beautiful (as usual) creations with us. To me it looks like Baxter is trying to decide which mug rug he is going to own. ; )

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  114. Your mug rugs are beautiful!! Wonderful job on them!
    I like April because everything is starting to “green” up and the flowers are starting to bloom!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  117. Aw…I love the butterfly fabric. So bright and happy looking. Actually I like the cupcake fabric also…well…I just like them all. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the giveaway. I like April because it’s for new beginnings. Have a great week.

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  119. Beautiful mug rugs. Thanks for sharing those beauties. I usually avoid circles so was especially happy to see some nice examples using them. I like april because it has finally gotten warmer (and I really mean finally here in pa.!). But it is still not too hot.

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  121. I love the hexagon mug rug! 30’s are my weakness. 🙂 April is nice because is it lighter longer and we get more eggs from our chickens!

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  122. Very Very lovely! They each have a unique story to tell about spring. Your designs worked out wonderfully. I really like the butterfly pinwheel. I like that the winds subside and planting gardens can begin in April. Thanks for your inspiration.

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  123. How awesome that your giveaway is for the mug rug makings for the one I like the best! You did a lovely job on all of them! My favorite thing about April, is that it is finally springtime!!!

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  125. What I like about April is the first robins. This year in Wisconsin though, they are hopping around in the snow looking confused. 🙂 I love your diverse selection of mug rugs, especially the round swirly one. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  127. I like seeing all of the trees and daffodils blooming in April. I love both your mug rugs they are very cute. Thanks for sharing.

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  130. Cathi, I love both of your rugs. Hexies are so popular right now; I must give them a try. The round one is my favorite. That was wonderful how you put a spin on the dresden!! I noticed how perfect your binding was and thought, “She’s a master!” Thanks for the tip on using the binding clips. I have some but forget to use them. 😦

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  132. Love your 30’s mug rug! Is it a complicated as it looks? April has always been a special month…first my Mom’s birthday and she was lucky enough to be blessed with a lovely grand-daughter that shares her special day!

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  135. Cathi
    Hi I love your mug rug designs. The best thing that I love about April is the rain(sometimes)that comes to grow my favorite flower which is tulips and all the other pretty flowers. April is one of my favorite months.

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  136. Love your Mug Rugs!! Kit is waaaay cool! 🙂

    Favorite part of April is that things are gettin’ green, flowers are poppin’ up, and our Peach Trees (have 280 here) begin to Bloom!!! Awesome sight!

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  140. Hi Cathi!
    Love your mug rugs! They are all awesome…think my favorite is the hexies one…of course pinwheels are so cool and I can see yours twirling in the breeze!!!
    hugz

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  141. My favorite thing about April is that everything is turning green again and the flowers are blooming. My allergies would disagree though. Your mug rugs are beautiful! I really like the 30’s reproduction hexagon one and I am adding it to my to do list. Thank you!

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  142. Love your mug rugs! Thanks for sharing with us! I look forward to April for the new blossoms & baby animals. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  143. Lovely mug rugs! What I love about April is that the Robins come back. I have a very, very, fat Robin who comes to claim is right to one of my trees. I always know it’s him cause he really is like a round ball and he doesn’t like other birds in his tree. lol He shows up every year in April.

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  145. WOW, Cath! 147 comments on this one! I absolutely LOVE your pinwheel mug rug! So clever to make a round one. But the twisted hexagon one is very nice too. Great job!

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  146. Love the pinwheel mug rug…was it done using Inklingo?? My favorite thing about April??…..my baby girl’s birthday…turning 29 tomorrow!!!

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  155. what i like is April is my daughter in law’s birthday month she has given me 5 terrific grandchildren and is the daughter i never had
    love what you do with inklingo you do beautiful things and so quickly too

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  158. Your mug rugs look wonderful! I like to see my garden start to grow in the spring. We had snow in April, so I’ll have to wait a little longer. I was downloading the free Inklingo files just last week but I haven’t printed any yet. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  160. Both mug rugs look great, but I especially love the pinwheel one. And yes, the movement of it.
    What a good idea the finger pincushion is. I might have to experiment

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