Quiltingboard Forums - March 2016 mug rug swap -- in honor of garden month

MARCH 2016 MUG RUG SWAP — GARDEN MONTH (APRIL) — Maker’s Choice

Welcome to the March Mug Rug Swap! This month’s theme is in honor of Garden Month, which is in April. And it’s Maker’s Choice!

What is a mug rug? A mug rug is an item you use to place a cup of coffee, tea or soda on, along with a small snack plate/napkin beside it. It’s approximately 9”x8” or larger so both items will fit. Please do not make it smaller than 9”x8” as that is quite small for both items as it is!

1. You will be assigned a partner. This is not a secret pal swap. Each partner will contact the other partner for addresses. You are encouraged to talk to each other and find out little things about her so you can make a special gift just for her. And since this month is Maker’s Choice, you get to decide how to honor Garden Month. So how will you honor Garden Month? What does Garden Month mean to you? What kind of garden do you enjoy? And, most importantly, how will you interpret that into a special mug rug? This is where you get to be creative. Will you make something abstract, realistic or whimsical? Will you appliqué or paper-piece or just go with regular piecing? How you interpret Garden Month & how you go about creating your mug rug is totally up to you!

2. It must be made with 100% quilter’s cotton, with a nice cotton batting in between to protect furniture from possible damage due to heat/cold. Use a binding method you are comfortable with, or practice & learn a new binding technique! Also, the mug rug must be quilted. Remember, this is a gift you are making for someone. Be proud of your work & do your best. And be kind about what you receive. If you have any issues, please work it out with your partner first, before contacting me; communication is key. This board is for all of us to make friends & have fun.

3. You must send your name, address and phone number to me, ctyankee, by February 29th, and please include whether or not you can mail international. Deadline to send out swaps is March 21st & don’t forget to send me notice (with tracking number) that you have sent to your partner. Any delays must be shared with me prior to this date. I want everyone to receive a partner’s trade. We should not have to request angels. Again, communication is important. You can be forgiven if something comes up & you notify your partner & me prior to the end of your swap mail date requirement. But if you don’t communicate & don’t send out a mug rug to your partner, you will be locked out of swapping with this group and negative feedback will insure other swap groups know you didn't send.

4. You are free to include little gifties with your mug rug, handmade or store-bought; it’s up to you. But you are only obligated to send a mug rug. Nothing else is required in this swap.

5. Any questions? Contact me immediately and I will help get you started.

6. Please take a photo before you ship your package to your partner, just in case she cannot post a photo. We all want to see photos! But don’t post it until you know your partner has received your package & that she is unable to post a photo.

7. Have fun!

SIGN UP TODAY! Send me a PM with your name, address & phone number for emergency use only, along with whether or not you can mail international. Remember that the maker of the mug rug will interpret what & how to honor Garden Month. Names will be given out on March 2nd, the latest. You are required by the board to send things you sign up for, or risk not having the ability to swap again in other swaps. Again, per board rules, anything about your partner or the item they swap to you that does not please you is not to be posted on the board but sent in a PM to me or to your partner to sort out. It’s polite and it’s the right thing to do.