We (Heart) Batik Valentine’s Mugrugs!

If you LOVE mugrugs AND batiks like we do, then you’re sure to also LOVE our easy Valentine’s Day Mugrug design!  Not only can you make these by the dozen for all the loves of your life – you can also enter each and every one of them in our new Mugrug Challenge, for a chance to win one of our weekly prizes!  Check out the Challenge details, then read the how-to below make this design… it’s the perfect complement for a cup of tea made from fresh sage leaves and a couple of tea biscuits, as shown

HeartmugugFinished

First, I cut out a paper heart shape pattern to the desired size, plus about 1/4″ seam allowance all around.  (If you’d rather not hand-cut your pattern, you’ll find about a zillion of them online, print out your favorite ; ).

HeartMugrug

Using three tonal RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks, I started stitching up a crazy quilt block directly onto the batting (I used Fairfield Soft & Toasty cotton batting), for an easy quilt-as-you-go construction method. I added fabrics randomly until the block was just larger than the heart pattern.  I cut both the pieced block and a backing fabric from the heart pattern, and stitched them right sides together all around with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn. Next, just turn and press, closing the opening with hand stitches or a narrow strip of fusible tape.  Add a coordinating mug or teacup, a packet of cappuccino mix or some gourmet teabags, and a love note.  Maybe a matching batik napkin for extra credit?

Now, just take a picture, enter the Challenge on Instagram with #MarcusMugshot, and your Valentine is now ready to give!          —   lisa

“Show Us YOUR Mugshots!”

ShowMugShotGRAFHey Quilting Friends!  Ready for a FUN and EASY quilt challenge?  Well, whether you’re already a fan of the Mugrug, or aren’t even sure what one is, you’ll want to enter the Marcus Makers MUGRUG CHALLENGE!  Help us to achieve our lofty goal of “A Marcus Rug for Every Mug,”  now thru April 30, 2017 — here’s how…

Follow the various inspirations we’ve gathered from our own Marcus Makers (instructions for these mugrugs are available online!), or create your own look using at least ONE fabric print from Marcus or Studio 37, and feel free to add any solids of your choice.  In fact, it’s a great opportunity to go thru your Marcus stash for a few great coordinates to get started, then visit your local quilt shops for the newest collections, and more great mugrug ideas, patterns, tips and related activities…

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Then, post your entry on Instagram using #MarcusMugshot, and remember to tag @marcusfabrics and/or @studio37fabrics for greater exposure! 

If you’re new to mugrugs, be warned:  mugrug making can be addictive, which is really not a problem, because they make great gifts, AND you can enter as many times as you like (one mugrug per photo, please).  Each Tuesday during the Challenge, we’ll choose random winners from the hashtagged entries to receive exciting fabric prizes and more — Join us!!

Love FABRIC? Join the Celebration in August…

ILoveFabricDay14SQWho doesn’t love fabric?  From Reproduction prints to contemporary designs to a stashful of basics, we know just how special they are to us.  And our friends at the Fabric Shop Network have done it again, creating a special event around our collective love for all things FABRIC!  This time, they’ve created a three-day celebration called “I LOVE FABRIC DAYS.”  From August 14 to 16, 2014,  fabric lovers across the country can enter to win $50 shopping sprees at the favorite local quilt shops (check here for yours!)  If your favorite shop isn’t involved yet, let them know that there’s still time for them to join in the fun with a special Treasure Hunt and other activities.

Road to CA – Here’s the Prizewinner We Sponsored!

RoadtoCAWinner2014Once again, Marcus Fabrics was thrilled to be a sponsor of the ever-popular Road to California Quilters’  Conference and Showcase, also known as Road2CA.  We provided the $750 cash prize in the Best Miniature Quilt category.  The winning entry, Dans les Bains de Maroc, was created by Robin Gausebeck, who was inspired by Moroccan motifs on wallpaper in her master bathroom.

To see more of the quilts, visit RoadCongratulations to Robin, and to all of the Road2CA winners — see you next year!

Judie Rothermel Comes to Little Quilts!

As part of our Just Judie quilt competition prize package, the quilt shop sponsoring the most entries was rewarded with a visit from Judie herself!  So, on Friday, November 1, Judie (accompanied by her Marcus Fabrics entourage) arrived at Little Quilts in Marietta, GA for an afternoon of festivities.

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(l. to r.: Stephanie Dell 'Olio, President, Marcus Fabrics' Retail Division; Mary ellen vonHolt, shop owner; Judie Rothermel; Pati Violick, Marcus Fabrics' Director of Marketing

(l. to r.): Stephanie Dell ‘Olio, President, Marcus Fabrics’ Retail Division; Mary Ellen vonHolt, owner, Little Quilts; Judie Rothermel; Pati Violick, Marcus Fabrics’ Director of Marketing

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Judie enjoys a close look at some of the finalists...

Judie enjoys a close look at some of the finalists…

LQ8-Marty LQ9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and one entry that was completed after the deadline. Miniature hexies, anyone?

…and one entry that was completed after the deadline. Miniature hexies, anyone?

With an impressive 24 entries sponsored, Little Quilts owner Mary Ellen VonHolt proudly hosted the special event — part meet-and-greet, part trunk show – for an excited group of contestants, customers and guests.  Mary Ellen and Judie showed some of her own quilts, and attendees left with goodies including Judie’s tips for creating with miniatures, and much more! …As they say, a wonderful time was had by all!  Congratulations again to Little Quilts and its entrants on a job beautifully done.

More Just Judie Entries!

Keep those quilt entry pix coming, and we’ll continue to post them! These are the latest….enjoy!

Susan Schering

Susan Schering of Melbourne, FL mixes baskets of varying sizes in gorgeous warm & neutral Judie tones.

Karen Donnelly

Karen Donnelly of Waterloo, NY creatively shapes her corners to add motion and visual interest, giving the effect of “a pulsating star”.

Lisa Even

Lisa Even of Barrington, IL frames her center medallion design with a variety of colors, prints and techniques.

Lynn Davis

Lynn Davis of Cumming, GA shows off perfect pinwheels in spicy colors that span the seasons. She adds “Just a few weeks after completion a nice young man proposed to his girlfriend on my Judie quilt after taking her or a romantic horseback ride. It was even more special to see it used as the beginning of a life long commitment of love!”

More Just Judie Entries…

The fun continues today with great new photos…enjoy!

Evangeline Kaus

Evangeline Kaus of Delafield, WI shows off gorgeous LeMoyne Star blocks

Linda Sawrey

Linda Sawrey of Temecula, CA frames pretty sampler blocks with detailed piecing that gives a dramatic ric-rac border effect.

Judy Sheridan

Judy Sheridan of Skaneateles, NY give Judie’s prints an interesting twist, and borders them with appliqued baskets & vines.

Nancy Yando

Nancy Yando of Fuquay-Varina, NC successfully takes on the challenge of muptile circle appliques – dimensional HAND applique, that is!

Marty Young

Marty Young of Marietta, GA show off not only her English paper piecing and neddleturned applique skills, but also “evidence” of just a small part of her Judie stash!

Wanda Chadwick

Wanda Chadwick of Powder Springs, GA created a beautifully non-traditional look using various dimensional techniques.

Check Out These Just Judie Entries!

To honor some of the many beautiful quilts created for our JUST JUDIE Quilt Competition, we thought it would be fun to show them off on our blog, a few at a time.  We invited all of the entrants to submit photos of themselves with their handiwork, whether finalists or not.  And now, in no particular order, we’re proud to present the first sneak-peeks — enjoy!!

Wendy Reed

Wendy Reed of Bath. ME shows off over 600 Judie Rothermel prints! (Should we have offered a “biggest Stash” award?

Jeanie Rudich

Jeanie Rudich of Weyauwega, WI highlights 5″ blocks and 8.5″ needleturned applique blocks – we love the border, too!

Peggy McIntire

Peggy McIntire of Lawrenceville, GA makes traditional blocks from modern templates – “Old is New”!

Susan Gilbert

Susan Gilbert of Vassalboro, ME shows off her Civil War ladies in fancy settings

Deborah Borsos+Group

A gorgeous group effort by the “19th Century Women” of San Antonio, TX

Janice Kuhns

Janice Kuhns (and helper) of Acworth, GA show off her piecing skills – we love the spools in the center!

Sheryl Johnson

Sheryl Johnson of Temecula, CA can’t contain her enthusiasm! Notice the clever border treatment – it says “Rothermel”

…And the WINNER Is…

Well, while we haven’t chosen the Grand, First and Second Prize winners just yet, please join us in congratulating Little Quilts of Marietta, GA, the winner of our Sponsoring Quilt Shop contest!  As the quilt shop that sponsored the most entries, Little Quilts will be rewarded with a visit from Judie Rothermel herself!  Pictured below are Mary Ellen, owner of Little Quilts and with Stephanie Dell ‘Olio, President of Marcus Fabrics, sharing the exciting news with Mary Ellen’s staff!  Thanks to Little Quilts and to all of our sponsoring shops for their enthusiastic support of the Just Judie quilt competition.

LittleQuilts+SD-Winner

And while we’re preparing for final quilt judging, we hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming blog posts, showing off some of the beautiful entries and stories we’ve received!

 

 

Just EIGHT Days Away!

Judie2012FrameIf you’re working on your JUST JUDIE Quilt Competition entry (whether patiently or frantically!), you probably know that the deadline for entries is next Wednesday, July 31!  We’re inspired by the many beautiful entries received so far, and we’re ready for that inevitable last-minute flurry, so keep ’em coming!!  We’ve even got some expert submission tips to help you…

We wish we could give you a sneak peek, but that probably wouldn’t be fair, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!