April Showers Mug Rug Hop

Note: This was a previous post - was deleting pictures no longer available and it updated with today's day. Oops! Hope to get back to quilting real soon!

Today is my day to participate in the April Showers Blog Hop. Mug Rugs are one of my favorite things to make. There is no limit as to what you can make. I think they are a great way to try a new technique before you commit to a full sized quilt. How many of us started a quilt to find out we didn't like it or got bored? Hence a lovely collection of UFO's!

Thought this lovely guy would be great to wake up to.

Rise & Shine!

 Recently, I met Nina at the San Diego VA Hospital. We had both entered their yearly Veterans Fine Arts, Applied Arts and Crafts Competition. She is quite the artist and not only entered three quilts but also entered other art categories. She placed first in her quilting category and I also placed first in another quilting category. Our quilts are on their way to the next level of competition. If you win at the National Level, the prize is an all expense paid trip to Reno for a week. Once there, you not only attend various art classes, but you also get to go on tours throughout the area. I am so hoping I win! What an opportunity. 

Back to Nina. She is in her 80's and what a nice lady. Wish I could remember what branch of service she was in. It was either the Navy or Air Force. (I was in Army) She shared one of her patterns with me and I thought it would be a nice to surprise her and send her the "Thank You" in the form of a mug rug. I don't know about you, but I really appreciate receiving a mug rug or a miniature quilt from a fellow quilter. We all know the time and cost involved in a quilt or hand sewn creation. 

Thank You!

I thought it would be fun to share one of our favorite cookie recipes. I got it from a friend back in PA in the 80's. I usually make this every couple of months. 

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups uncooked oats (quick or old fashioned)
1 cup raisins

• Heat Oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
• Add the combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.
• Stir in oats and raisins; mix well.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 
• Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Remove to wire rack. 

Makes about 4 dozen. 

Enjoy!

Go over to Madame Samm's Pinterest page Pinterest

You will be so inspired! 

Thanks to Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt for her

time and effort to bring us together to

showcase our projects and talent.

And last, but not least,

 my heartfelt thanks to 

our Cheerleader

Erin

at  Sew at Home Mummy

Be sure to visit the other participants today. I can't wait to see what they all came up with!

Cathi @ Quilt Obsession

Jane @ Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Heide @ Nutz4Redwork

Cherry @ Cherry'sPrairiePrimatives

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 @ That Other Blog