Sewing Mug Mats...

I couldn't stand not sewing while our home is listed...so I opened up Koala only partway so the entire room is still spacious just in case any prospective buyers want to preview our home.  I can sew!  I am participating in Donna of Brynwood Needleworks mug mat swap.  I have never sewn a mug mat but love them and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to add to my knowledge and gift possibilities.

Donna has a great tutorial on her blog and I followed it.  Here I am pressing my sewn fabric pieces.

This is a finished mug mat.  I selected these uber fun fabrics that my friend Lori of Pretty Things blog gifted to me last August.  Thank you Lori.  These fabrics are fun and say, "Spring" with a smile.

I made three of the mug mats for Lori and her husband and son, Zack. I am pretty pleased with my results.  I imagine sitting in the sunshine and drinking some lemonade with a snickerdoodle or two.

While creating the mug mats I had a scrap that was just too cute to throw away. Since Lori is an avid reader, I made her a bookmark.  I surprised her in the mail with the bookmark first.

She smiles everytime she opens her book to read.  What would you have done with such a cute scrap?
I will share my swap partner mug mat when I am certain she has opened her mail.  I was glad I practiced making these.  Thank you Donna for such a fun and different swap.  I  have some excellent ideas for gifts throughout the year now. 
We have snow on the decks and ground.  It has rained since the snow so fortunately it is melting and the driveway is clear.  Today is supposed to be all sunshine.  I certainly hope so.  The sun energizes me and I need to get back to sorting and purging and organizing stuff...just in case we move out of state this year.
What are you busy creating?  I do miss it so much when I am not able to be creative.  I did read a book while the Winter weather was nasty.  Mr. C found it on our home library shelves and read it first.  "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain. We have watched him over the years on his many shows such as "No Reservations" and we find him to be interesting to say the least.  We are still pursuing our recipes and cooking together here at home.  I perfectly minced red onions the other day for Mr. C to enjoy Smoked Salmon Lox on bagels with cream cheese.  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  A new five inch chef knife and I am a mincing maven!
Marvelous March is traveling fast so be certain to enjoy each and every day my friends...<3