Fun with Mug Rugs

I was trying to figure out what to give my sister who had a birthday last week.  She's very crafty, but mostly she's a craft hoarder.  A lot goes in, but not much comes out.  She claims she's prepping for retirement.
I didn't want to add to her hoard, so I decided to make her some mug rugs that she can use throughout the year.  It was the perfect way for me to try a few techniques/styles that I don't often use. 

 This pumpkin is paper pieced using fabrics from my scrap bin.

This snowman is raw-edge applique finished with a machine blanket stitch.  I used some leftover Kate Spain fabric from a quilt I made a few years ago.    I used to think that raw-edge applique was cheating.  I've changed my mind.

This shamrock is also raw-edge applique.  It's for the Irish half of the family.

My sister likes the Day of the Dead stuff.  I added a few crystals to the lady skeletons to tart them up a bit. (crappy photo)

I love the colors in this folk-art flower.

I saw a similar leaf on Pinterest.  I tried to make the right-hand side resemble twigs using the method where you slice, insert a strip of fabric and then sew the sliced sections back together. I like the way it turned out.

My sister likes to make hexies, so I had to include some.  Did some simple echo stitching.

One of my next projects is a quilt with curves.  This circle was my practice block.

I had a lot of fun making these.  I gave them to my sister on Sunday and she loved them.  Yay!

These mug rugs count as a finish  for the 4th Quarter of the Finish-Along hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle. 

Today I'm linking up with Show and Tell Tuesday at i have to say.

Joyful stitching,
jane