Thursday, September 1, 2011

Japanese mug rug



OK! Here is my answer to Laura Lochore's challenge, a mug rug from Japan.


The background fabric is actually written in Japanese. Auspicious greetings and phrases are scattered around in gold print. The origami crane is firstly a symbol of longevity but also well known as in a thousand paper cranes made to grant a wish. (I thought one would be enough.)


The background quilting is interlocking circles. It represents my quilting friends, each tied to another through patterns and thread, fabric of our lives, and even blogging.


It is most common in Japan to use trays for serving. This "rug" might be a bit larger than average but it fits nicely on my best wooden tray. Though the serving is of green tea and sembei,(rice crackers) I think a bit later in the day it would be well suited to a cup of coffee and a piece of pie.


Japan's postal service being excellent, the runner arrived the very next day from the afternoon I mailed it. I had a lovely phone call from my Daughter's mother-in-law to tell me it was just right and completely to her taste. I have not mentioned this before, but she is a true wizard with a sewing machine. She is always whipping out darling little outfits for our granddaughter and can just look at something and come up with a pattern.


We are now awaiting a large typhoon and many activities have been cancelled. (Including my quilt group meeting) The TV showed several places getting heavy rain ahead of the storm. During the early summer rainy season, each rain brings hotter weather. Now with the typhoon season, each rain should bring cooler temperatures. Often, the day following a typhoon is cool and dry with beautiful clear skies. I shall be waiting.

22 comments:

  1. Hi Julie
    love the tray mat/mug rug. It looks so Japanese. Did you have a pattern for it or is it your own design?
    LindaC

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  2. Julie, that mug rug is beautiful. I love fabric! Nice work!

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  3. Beautiful! I think the size is perfect. Stay safe and dry during the typhoon.

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  4. What a fabulous mug rug! I love it

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  5. Gorgeous mug rug!!! I hope the typhoon is kind to you.

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  6. Once again I am amazed at your eye for design...to be able to "see" something and then make it amazes me. Without a pattern I can do nothing. The idea of the interlocking circles is perfect and I can tell that much thought went into this decision. I'm hoping you won't have too much rain and will stay dry and safe. blessings, marlene

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  7. This is absolutely gorgeous Julie. I just love it. I really like the effect of the crane with the two colours to represent both sides of the paper! Very clever! I do think you could have made the full 1000! I mean really....what is the problem with that? ha ha Stay safe with the typhoon - good sitting inside stitching weather I hope.

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  8. Just lovely! I used the interlocking circles design for quilting a couple of table runners I made with Japanese fabrics a few years ago. I had forgotten about them as I gave them both away, but I think that is a "Japanese" design, is it not?

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  9. What a lovely mug rug and thanks for giving us all the background information and what it represents. I love the symbolism, especially the interlocking circles. Be safe with the typhoon.

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  10. This is STUNNING! Thank you so much. I'm so impressed! I want to do one. :) Is this pattern online anywhere? Tutorial? :)
    I've posted it on http://quokkaquilts.blogspot.com/p/mug-rugs-of-world.html
    Does anyone else want to join in? Send them the link if they do!
    If you are on flickr, you can post to http://www.flickr.com/groups/mugrugworldtour/

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  11. Beautiful! Very cleverly done.

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  12. What a beautiful mug rug (tray cloth). I hope you haven't suffered from that typhoon. Take care.

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  13. A nice mug rug you have made :-)

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  14. I love your mug rug, beautiful design and fabrics.
    I will be praying for you and all those in the path of the typhoon.
    I think we all have had enough disasters for one year;)

    Debbie

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  15. I love the mug rug! I'm trying to decide what to do with the lovelies you sent to me. I've been showing them off to quilty friends. They love them, too. I think I'll take them to Texas when I go. My MIL and some friends would love to see them.

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  16. Love this one... it is just perfect! Amazing crane!

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  17. Love this mug rug The origami crane is so clever.:)

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  18. Your mug rug is beautiful! I can't be rice it's all done by hand - just wonderful! It's cool to hear your design decisions too. Thanks!

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  20. I would love to make a crane for a good friend of mine, can you share the pattern or where it is available?

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    Replies
    1. I find you are a no reply blogger. If I had your address I could send a scanned copy of the pattern but actually you could trace it from here and then just enlarge it to the size you want. I think you are kind to think of making one for a friend.

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    2. I'm new to the blog world. Proudafspouse@hotmail.com is my email, I'd truly appreciate the pattern.. thank you!!!

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