Journals and Mug Rugs

The Farm Store, a local cooperative where they sell local produce and crafts, is having a fall family day this weekend, with live music, a corn maze, sheep shearing, games and more.  Since I already have merchandise in the store, I don't have to man a booth, but they did encourage us to prepare more inventory since they are expecting to have a lot of visitors that day.  So, instead of hand quilting my Orange Creamsicle quilt or embroidering my new mini quilt, I worked on some more fabric journal covers, since they have been so popular at my last two booths.  I only completed one last night because I spent quite a bit of time (ahem) un-sewing.  I HATE it when that happens!

Anyway, another yo-yo has found a home!  About 30 to go!  (just kidding!  But really, what else can I do with a handful of scrappy, mixed weight - they aren't all quilting cotton - yo yos?  I'm open to suggestions.  I want to use them, but I also don't want to have to make any to supplement what is there.)

Pretty simple fabric journal cover

The un-sewing came about because I thought it needed some machine quilting to jazz it up, forgetting that I SUCK AT MACHINE QUILTING!  On second thought, no jazzing up required.

Close up detail - a striped fabric makes such a neat yo-yo!

The other journal cover I was working on last night isn't done yet, but I hope to finish it today.  Plus, I want to crank out some more Scrabble Tile earrings because they sell like hotcakes!  (Where did that expressions come from?  Where do hotcakes sell quickly?  What IS a hotcake?  A pancake?)

The good thing is, if these things I am making don't sell this fall, I already have some people in mind to give them to at Christmas.  It's a win-win situation, don't ya think?

I'm also thinking of making some Mug Rugs to give, not only because I use mine ALL THE TIME,

Those blue and white things are York Peppermint Patty Pieces, which I recently discovered and fell in love with! And in the cup, water.  I'm trying to drink more of it these days.  And right behind it?  The stand to my new ENORMOUS monitor at work.  Can I tell you, it is so much more amazing to see all of your creations on that big screen than on my tiny laptop monitor!  Not that I read your blogs at work...

but also because they are so fun to make.  But tell me, what is your experience giving Mug Rugs to non-quilters?  We all know what they are, but does a non-quilter know?  Do you give them with a mug and tea bags or coffee beans, or do they work as a stand-alone gift?  Do you include an explanation?  If you've given them to non-quilters before, I'd love to hear what you have to say.