National Mug Rug Day!

 Did you know today is National Rug Mug Day?

Mug rugs have become quite a big thing in blog land. 

They make lovely gifts for friends. 

I usually buy a mug and then try to match fabric to it. Sometimes I have the fabric and then have to try to find a matching mug. That is a bit trickier!

Looking back through my photos, 

I have made a few mug rugs.

 I always try to make one that I know 

the recipient would love.

My lovely friend Shez of Enjoying Life just loves mug rugs!

 You should pop over and visit her blog to see her collection. Mug rugs have been arriving in the mail 

with no names on the envelopes!

 

 It's a bit of a mystery really!

 I made this one for a Winter Wonderland Swap.

I scanned the Snowy Owl on the mug and
appliqued it onto the rug.

Then there's the signature mug rug I finished this week.

I've also got a couple I haven't blogged about before.

 SURPRISE Shez!

These two mug rugs were from me! Hehehehe!

Pop over and say hello to Shez and check out 

all her gorgeous mug rugs!

Happy National Rug Mug Day!

If you are visiting here for the Grow Your Blog Party
and giveaway, head to this post.

Oh No! Disaster!

If you are visiting here for the Grow Your Blog Party 

and giveaway, head to this post.

You may remember my "Something Pretty For Me" quilt that I made back in 2007. I took it down to put up a couple of my Christmas quilts. I decided I'd give it a gentle wash as it is the first time it's come down since I hung it and the top of the quilt was a bit grubby from dust. 

 

That's when the disaster happened. Some of the red ran! Before I made the quilt, I washed and washed the reds and nothing came out. It's probably a little more subtle in real life but I know it's there.

The back.

Does anyone know of anything I can do? 

I guess I'll just have to live with it. Probably most people won't even notice it but I'll always know.

It was always in the back of my mind about the red.

 I knew there was a reason I'd never washed it before! 

A Finish and A Thank You!

If you are visiting here for the Grow Your Blog Party 

and giveaway, head to this post.

I've finished my Signature Mug Rug for Let's Get Stitched in Melbourne in March. I can't wait to catch up with my blogging friends and to meet some others for the first time.

I was one of the lucky winners of OPAM in November. 

Kris from Tag Along Teddies sent me this lovely prize. 

Thank you, Kris.

Grow Your Blog Party and a Giveaway!

Today I'm joining the Grow Your Blog Party
hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full!

If this is your first visit to MacDonald's Patch,
I'd like to welcome you. Hello to everyone who has visited before. For first time visitors, I'd like to tell you
a little about myself.

The MacDonald Family - Nelson, Noel, me, Austin and Mitchell

My name is Christine and I've been married to Noel for nearly 19 years. We have three gorgeous sons
(perhaps I just may be a little bit biased!),
Mitchell 17, Austin 15 and Nelson 13.

Brotherly Love!

I started my blog back on 16th November, 2009. I can't believe that I've been blogging for over four years.
After discovering blogs, I thought it would be fun
to start one of my own.  I chose the name MacDonald's Patch as our surname is MacDonald and I love patchwork.
Seemed like a good idea to me!

 "Intriguing Illusions", my first quilt made in 1993.

 My blog has become my journal of quilting and my family.

Little did I know how much I would come to love blogging and that I would make so many new friends
from all over the world and get so much inspiration. 

Devonshire Tea anyone?

It was through blogging that I met Melody from
The House On The Side Of The Hill. It turned out Mel
only lives a few minutes from me!

It has been wonderful to be able to meet quite a lot of bloggers in person and we have become such good friends.

My Double Wedding Ring quilt that I AM going to start quilting this year!

Life before patchwork consisted of cross stitching!

My 2nd cross stitch. Not really one for a novice!

"Sexy Rex"

A recent photo so you can see what I look like!

I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about me and my blog.

To celebrate Grow Your Blog party,  I'm having a little giveaway. Just leave a comment and tell me where you are visiting from. You don't have to be a follower but I'd love it if you do decide to follow. The giveaway closes at midnight (AEST) Friday (31st January)
14th February and I'll announce the winner on the 15th February. (I missed the part where Vicki wants us all to announce the winners at the same time. Oops!
Lucky Mel was on the ball!)

Good luck in the draw.

Head over to Vicki's blog to see who else is joining the party.
There are over 500 bloggers taking part!

Tomorrow is........

Grow Your Blog Party Day!

It is hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full. 

There's over 500 bloggers taking part.

It's a great way to make new blogging friends.

I'll be having a little giveaway.

See you tomorrow!

Lavender!

You may remember back in November (this post) I hung all this lavender in Mitchell's wardrobe to dry out.

 

Yesterday, I finally had a chance to 

strip the stems as it was ready.

Austin got in on the act too.

 

It was actually quite relaxing. I suppose it was 

breathing in the gorgeous aroma.

One large and one small bag ready for use.  The scent was so strong you could even smell it through the bags.

So, what did I do next? 

Made some lavender sachets, of course!

Surprise Sewing And A Ladder!

We got some exciting news this week that there is going to be a new little addition to the MacDonald clan! I found this little elephant here and decided I had to make one. But of course, you can never just stop at one!

 

They were quite quick to make up.
 The longest part was choosing the fabrics!
 

I have fallen in love with these cuties!

 

I forgot to show you this step ladder. Austin made it at school and came home with it on Presentation Night. 

I didn't even know he was making one!

 

A little peek of what I am making with my Scrumptious mini charms. I need to go get some border and backing fabric to finish it off. Isn't that just awful!

Linking up with