Top Mug Rug Designs of 2013

In my opinion, this was the year for mug rugs!  What is a mug rug?  It is smaller than a placemat, but larger than a coaster.  So cute!

I have Mug Rugs as one of my Pinterest boards, and I like to see what other people like.  I basically use Pinterest as my "Popularity Board".  If others like it, then more than likely the person I make it for will like it as well.

Here is a list of the top 10 mug rug designs that were repinned from my Pinterest board in 2013.

1 - By  The Patchwork Tea House. This holiday design  received the most repins and was only posted for 5 days in December.  This is definitely a must make!!

2 – Scottie Mug Rug Pattern by the designer The Patchsmith.  You can purchase this pattern over at Craftsy.com.

3 – Life is Short, Drink Coffee First.  QuiltingDiva had this item listed in her Etsy shop.  I think this mug rug has been sold, but she has other designs in her shop very similar to this one, such as Sip and Savor. 

4 – Matryoshka doll.  Mug rug made by Donna at Churchill Park Studio for a mug rug swap.  She did an excellent job on this one!

5 - PDF Breast Cancer Awareness Mug Rug / Mini Quilt Pattern by CraftingwLisaMarie.  Pattern available for purchase and instant download from her Etsy store.

6 – WoW!! What a difference it makes when you chose the right fabric.  The pinks and coordinating fabric are just gorgeous in this mug rug.  This image was posted on Flickr by karensc0sm0s. 

7 – Christmas Holiday Quilted Mug Rugs, Cardinals and Pinecones by bonnpati at Etsy.  Rats, this design is no longer available.  You can visit her store for other awesome designs.

8 – Such a beautiful coffee cup mug rug design by Hexehusli Shop.  The pattern is available for purchase.  (This site is in German, but Google Translate will convert to English for you).

9 – LOG CABIN - 4 in 1 - Applique Quilted Mug Rug PDF E-Pattern available for purchase and instant download from debbiebohringer’s Etsy shop. 

10 – Scrappy Tree Mug Rug by Jodi Nelson at Pleasant Home.  Jodi has created an excellent tutorial on how to make one of these for your very own. 

Healthier Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

Being on a diet is hard around the holidays, so I try to lighten up my recipes so that I can enjoy them as well.

This is a recipe based off of the original post by Just A Pinch Recipes. If you don't have to watch your weight during the holidays, I suggest trying the original recipe.  If this lightened up version is good, I know the full blown version has to be excellent.

Healthier Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

8 cup bite-sized 40 calorie a slice bread pieces

2 Tbsp reduced calorie butter, melted

3/4 cup egg beaters (equivalent to 3 eggs)

1 cup light corn syrup 

1/4 cup fat free pancake syrup

1/3 cup Splenda brown sugar blend

1/4 cup Splenda

1 tsp maple or vanilla extract (I used maple)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup pecans, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 9 dish with butter flavored cooking spray.

Place the bread pieces into the dish.  Pour the melted butter over the bread.  If there are any areas that did not get covered by the butter, I sprayed that area with the butter flavored cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together the egg beaters, corn syrup, pancake syrup, Splenda brown sugar, Splenda white sugar, maple or vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.  Stir in pecans.

Pour mixture evenly over bread pieces.  Use a spoon or spatula to push bread pieces into the syrup mixture so that all pieces are coated.  If some areas are not coated, feel free to add additional fat free pancake syrup to those spots.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.  Preferably serve warm.  However, it was still good the next day - for me anyway. :)

Enjoy!

Christmas Owl

This is a last minute owl ornament I made for a family member that lives out of state.  

The inspiration for this ornament came from the Cream Felt Owl from Felt Decorations of the UK.

Merry Christmas Ms. Fredine and I hope you like the owl ornament.

Made with love.

Craft War Suggestions #1

I know we have some smart, innovative crafters out there that can help with this stumper.

I've been saving the inside plastic cover on deodorant products to hopefully come up with some craft to use them on.  Needless to say, the pile keeps adding up, but no thoughts are flowing.

I know some of you are probably saying "Why is she collecting those things?".  Well, I'm sorry, but I don't throw anything away.  I'm a craft hoarder and I can't help it.

As shown in the image below, some are clear plastic, while others are opaque.

Any thoughts on what I can do with these????

Please leave me a comment below and I'll post an update with my creation(s).

Thanks!

Triple Layer 8 Petal Ribbon Flower Tutorial

For a brief time, I was making hair bows for little girls. While cleaning up some files on my desktop computer, I came across this tutorial I listed in my Etsy shop that I'll pass along to you FREE of charge.

You are more than welcome to make and sell anything you produce from this tutorial.  I just ask that you don't reproduce or sell the tutorial; please refer people to this site.

Let me know if you have any questions.  It's been awhile since I've made these, but I'll answer any questions the best I can.