Mug Rug Swap Announced

We’re excited to announce our guild's next swap. If you’re familiar with the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug Swap, ours is similar. But instead of mailing mug rugs to each other, we’ll swap them in person at our October 18 meeting. These are the swap requirements, and all of them must be followed in order for this to run smoothly:

• You must have an online Flickr account and you must post a mosaic of some of your favorite quilt blocks, mug rugs, fabrics, or color combinations. Please create your mosaic BEFORE proceeding to the next step. (See below: “How to Make a Mosaic”). Because we are members of The Modern Quilt Guild, we're using all the online conveniences we have available to us. If you don't yet have a Flickr account, sign up. It's free! You should also join our guild's main Flickr group.

Birdie Swirl mug rug by Sandy in Buenos Aires via Flickr

• The swap is secret, but to let your partner know your personal tastes and preferences, you must complete a Google Docs online form AFTER you create your Flickr mosaic. Go to this link to fill out the form. Please be as specific as possible about your likes and dislikes. Indicating your preferences will make it much easier for you to create, and your partner to receive something you'll both love.

After submitting the completed form you’ll be paired with someone with similar sewing skills and design interests. Then, you’ll receive your swap partner's name, and list of likes and dislikes. Use the list and her Flickr mosaic as a guide to help you make a mug rug that suits her. Please understand that this swap is about making something your partner likes, not what you like. Consider fabrics, designs and colors that your partner has specified she prefers. You may be required to buy some new fabrics in her style or colors. While you aren't required to buy the exact fabrics your partner lists, it's very considerate to do so.

Teapot mug rug by veryerryberry via Flickr

How to Make a Mosaic

Go to www.bighugelabs.com. In the middle of the screen, click the pull-down menu "Jump to…" Select "Mosaic Maker.” Choose as many images as you want in your mosaic. Then copy and paste into URL boxes, the photo links for your mosaic. If you already have photos in Flickr Favorites, use those photos as your links. When all your photo links are in the boxes, click “Create” to see your mosaic. Copy the HTML code in the box below your mosaic. Click on the Share button at the top and select Flickr. Paste the HTML links into the Description box if they aren't already in there. Click Upload. Your mosaic should appear in your Flickr photostream with hyperlinks for each photo below it. If the hyperlinks aren't showing up in Flickr, paste the type again in the Flickr description box.

Please select at least nine photos for your mosaic to give your partner a good idea of what you like. More photos are even better! If you're new to Flickr and want to look for mug rugs to add to your mosaic, check out the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug Swap pool here.

If you have any questions about this process, e-mail Veronica at vkoh159 (at) mchsi (dot) com.

A DSMMQG Flickr Swap Group

A new Flickr group has been created just for DSMMQG swaps and exchanges. After you have created your Mug Rug Swap mosaic, post it in this new group. Here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dsmmqgswaps/

We’ll also use the Flickr discussion forum to:

- ask and answer questions without revealing partners,

- and, provide links to online tutorials and techniques

If you join the Mug Rug Swap, you are committed to making a mug rug cover for someone else, and completing it by Thursday, October 18. You don't have to be at the meeting, but make sure that your completed mug rug is.

We hope many of you will join Mug Rug Swap. It promises to be as much fun as our pillow swap!

The deadline to sign up is Sunday, August 26. By September 2, you’ll receive your partner's information.

Posted by Veronica Koh Eischeid, Programs/Education Chair