Just In Case

that's right. just in case you would rather make potholders. instead of jumbo coasters. continue reading for very long instructions on making your own I-Don't-Have-Time-To-Make potholders.project 1:
here's what you'll need:
1 piece flannel 10 in. x 10 in.11 in. x 11 in.
1 piece insulated batting 8 in. x 8 in.
(i used Insul-Bright by The Warm Company)
1 piece recycled denim 7 in. x 7 in.
8 in. ric-rac or ribbon folded in half.

sorry. extra step alert. just do it & move on.
mark 2 in. square in center of insulated batting.
you could mark lines in center from top to bottom and left to right.
then mark 2 in. lines 1 in. away from center.
but it's faster to place ruler at 5 in. in bottom left corner.
then mark 2 in. on top edge of ruler and 2 in. on right edge of ruler.
then turn insulated batting around and do it again.center shiny side of insulated batting to wrong side of flannel.
pin securely in place.
zig-zag along marked lines in center of insulated batting.
fold corners of flannel over insulated batting.
as you pull corner of flannel over corner of insulated batting pull a bit of the corner of the insulated batting with you.
this will (1.)create a design feature and (2.)eliminate spaces which do not have batting.
press corners.
fold sides of flannel over all sides and pin just the center of the sides.turn over and press just the center of the sides.
then using your thumb and pushing.
pull remainder of sides over tightly and add more pins.
turn over and press again.
every time you pin and press look for excess fabric.
if you have excess fabric pin again so it's flat.
this will help eliminate any puckering when you sew.oh no. sorry. extra step alert. add ric-rac or ribbon to corner.
then secure with back & forth stitching or bar tacks.
i don't hang my potholders. but it's cute. & it's a gift right.
then center wrong side of recycled denim over exposed batting and pin all layers together.
zig-zag around edges of denim to secure all layers together.
trim threads and you're done.project 2:
here's what you'll need if using cotton:
1 piece cotton 10 in. x 10 in.
1 piece insulated batting 8 in. x 8 in.
1 piece recycled denim 8 in. x 8 in.
8 in. ric-rac or ribbon folded in half.
here's what you'll need if using flannel:
1 piece flannel 8 in. x 8 in.
1 piece insulated batting 7 in. x 7 in.
1 piece recycled denim 8 in. x 8 in.
8 in. ric-rac or ribbon folded in half.

if using cotton:
fold over 1 in. on all sides of cotton.
place shiny side of insulated batting to wrong side of cotton
insert insulated batting under folded edges of cotton.
place wrong side of recycled denim to exposed batting.
mark chark lines down center top to bottom and left to right.
mark chark lines 1-1/2 in. from all edges.
if using flannel:
place shiny side of insulated batting to wrong side of flannel.
place wrong side of recycled denim to exposed batting.
mark chark lines down center top to bottom and left to right.
mark chark lines 1-1/2 in. from all edges.if using cotton or flannel:
sew along all marked lines.
if using pinking shears lock your stitch 1/4 in. from edge so they don't get cut.
sew along all edges.
if using pinking shears be careful not to cut off ribbon.trim threads and you're done.
unless you have time to throw in washer and dryer.did you see those cute butterfly pins. present from Jessica. thanks Jessica. this project works best with a strong pin. butterfly pins are Dritz. yellow flower pins are Clover. it can be annoying to match your thread to your project especially when there are different fabrics. there's no time to keep changing colors. i find that Gutermann Col. 505 works well on all colors even white. & i love this chalk filled marking pen from Clover. my silver color chalk one is my fav. the blue color chalk seems to linger. as soon as i find my silver one i am going to give my blue one to Jessica.one more thing. i don't usually make potholders. & have never used insulated batting. so next week i will test them out. see if they really protect your fingers. & i'll give them a good wash & dry to see what happens. so stay tuned for the results.

Four Weekends Before Xmas

i hear this alot. i don't have any time. i don't have any money. what am i going to do. well here's a little project that might help.project 1:
I-Don't-Have-Time-To-Make coasters.
here's what you'll need:
1 piece flannel 8 in. x 8 in.9 in. x 9 in.
1 piece fusible batting 6 in. x 6 in.
1 piece recycled denim 5 in. x 5 in.center fusible batting on top of wrong side of flannel and press.
fold corners of flannel over fusible batting and press.
fold sides of flannel over all sides and press.
if using flannel you will need to pin in place.
if using cotton the iron may crease fabric enough to not need pins.
center recycled denim over exposed batting and pin all layers together.
zig-zag around edges of denim to secure all layers together.
trim threads and you're done.project 2:
You're-Not-Listening-To-Me-I-Said-I-Don't-Have-Any-Time-To-Make coasters.
here's what you'll need:
1 piece flannel 6 in. x 6 in.
1 piece batting 4 in. x 4 in.
1 piece recycled denim 6 in. x 6 in.center batting on top of wrong side of flannel.
place wrong side of recycled denim on top of wrong side of flannel with batting.
mark lines thru center up & down and left & right.
mark lines on all sides 1 in. from edge.
zig-zag on all marked lines.
zig-zag around all outside edges.
cut all outside edges using pinking shears.
trim threads and you're done.
well unless you have time to throw in washer and dryer.
all denim frays differently. so results may vary.i told you yesterday that Melanie sent me an older patchwork magazine. these were inspired by a quick-to-make scented sachet in that magazine that measured 4 in. x 4 in. an herbal package was inserted between layers. my jumbo coasters measure 6 in. x 6 in. they're reversible. & if they were made bigger and with more batting they would make great potholders. oooh. I-Don't-Have-Time-To-Make potholders. or do i?

Giving Thanks

i've had this figurine for a long time. it's called Giving Thanks. & part of The Jessie Wilcox Smith Collection i purchased from Avon. stamped 1986. that sounds about right.i keep by my front door in a cabinet my Mom gave me years ago. i think i said i liked two that she had and said i could have one. thanks Mom. the knobs on the drawers were loose and worn. so i replaced with flannel bows which are soft to touch. amongst the this-n-that i keep are old batteries. on my way out of Whole Foods i noticed a container to properly dispose of them. as soon as i have enough i will bring them there. thank you Whole Foods. i often turn the pretty figures around. as the backs of them are as pretty as the fronts.many thanks to Pamela Joy for sending me key limes from Florida from her neighbor's tree. she noticed my joy from eating pears from my sister's tree. and wanted to please me. that she did. i found some sakuras satsumas at the store. they're just like a clementine. but prettied up with a stem. lots of little hugs to Pamela Joy.many thanks to Melanie from England for sending me the most beautiful shopping tote being sold by their grocery stores. i just don't know if i can carry groceries home in it. but it was overflowing with goodies. including an older patchwork magazine which i have already found projects to make. missing from pic is a sweet bookmark she handstitched with a K. it must be in that book i'm not reading. and not just for me. i have noticed her generosity has been spread across the planet. a big hug to you Melanie.thank you to Anna for today's dinner. & i'm sure Linda and Jessica are helping out with some dishes. i did not finish my waffle weave towels in time to bring today. but if i get invited back for leftover sandwiches. i will be sure to bring them.

Be Honest

this is my Be Honest block before the "be honest" lettering is added. also missing is a large butterscotch candy button which lays in her hand. french knot eyes. & as soon as i have enough courage. a "crayon stick" designed for fabric will be used to blush her cheeks.i couldn't help using a fav Robert Kaufman print for the money. i have used the money print before and just love it. over the years they have varied the print, but it is still available. one xmas i made zipper bags for the nephews. & recently a mat for my niece.

Jessica used lettering in this Be Attitudes book to add her daughters' names to the Tinkerbell quilts. a few more letters and they will be done.her girls are going to just love this personal touch. & doesn't it just make you just want to add your own name to everything.

Scrappy Sunday

Block #20i started hand quilting my Christmas Cottage quilt. this block was made by Nanette.the first names of my block makers neighbors are embroidered on trees. using the Press'N Seal method i mentioned here. a precise tweezer used for splinters should be used to remove the plastic. otherwise it will pull on the stitching.i'll add some buttons later. and some random stars. and a that all important label.

Five Weekends Before Xmas

look what i made instead of working on my xmas projects. because there's plenty of time. right?here's what you need to make your own Take-Your-Quilt-With-You scarf. 1/4 yard of plain flannel for backing. 21 assorted 2-1/2" flannel strips sewn together. (i repeated 9 fabrics and randomly used 3 others). some batting. running stitches. cotton binding that frames the scrappiness to your liking.

all of this was from my stash. but imagine what you could do if you went shopping. i'm not jealous. i'm not jealous. if you don't have much time. here's what i did with some black scraps and that Hagar flannel saved just for me. i love Hagar. just turned it inside out and added running stitch around the edge. these are about 5" wide because that's how wide my black flannel scrap was.how many weekends do you need to finish your little projects before xmas?

Scrappy Sunday

Block #19oops. i already used one of these fabrics....

Take 20 Minutes For 7 Days

quiet steps down Kenyon Street.after the bazaar down Scarborough Road.running into Echo while window shopping.ducks at Cedar Hill.memorial in West Hartford Center.chilly afternoon in the Rose Garden.rainy day at Elizabeth Park.just a few images from my walks this week.this one was my favorite.

MK's Neighborhood

welcome to the neighborhood.since this may be one of the last new things i start before xmas. i wanted to get right down to it. the sashing is a pretty red and green snowflake print confirming the xmas theme. but i'm adding a beautiful blue snowflake print to the corners.the blue will frame it nicely so i will use for the binding. i received eleven blocks and made four of my own. so there's one block left to fill. i plan to make a tree or some trees. if i can design it the way i imagine it will include a map of very nice bloggers who made the other cottages my neighbors. one of my blocks is being repaired. Jessica's sneaky dog grabbed it from the table one day and chewed on it. he's very sneaky. and even if you watch him carefully. he always gets something. Riley also chewed on one of the Tinkerbell squares. bad dog. we were not amused.but have you ever seen a quilt that just made you laugh. i couldn't stop when i saw this one called My Dog Ate My Quilt. it's at the end of the post. so scroll down just a little. if you know anything about this quilt or quiltmaker please let me know. it surely looks like an original design. and so so funny.

I'm Not Grumpy Anymore

after two days of ironing and measuring i was getting a little grumpy. but i endured two more days. not happy but accomplishing my goal. lookie. two large piles of large squares. one large pile of small squares. and one not even worth mentioning pile of medium squares.also i have four very manageable baskets of large pieces. which i can easily pick from if i need more squares. one big bag containing 3 flannel tops with backings still waiting. one small bag of flannel shorts that just need elastic. and this treasure. half a basket of 2-1/2 in. strips. and half a basket of small scraps i still could not throw away.since i can use up &/or fit those squares into one of the baskets i estimate that i have been rewarded with at least one shelf that i can use for something else. to combat my attitude i challenged myself to Take 20 Minutes for 7 Days to just walk outside. i know. so simple. but i am stubborn. the weather has remained beautiful. and soon it will be very cold. the cold excuse will be hard to fight.

while i was busy cutting my stash. Jessica took advantage of the flannel sale and has been cutting some new squares. i can be jealous. but i am not. very excited that she has started her 5th project. none of them are finished. but not to worry. we are handsewing the bindings of two and will be finished soon. wouldn't you just love to have this small pile of WIP's.

Scrappy Sunday

Block #18Block #18 with posts and sashingBlock #18 with posts and sashing and possible border and possible bindingwow. the sashing might be too wide. will try sashing 1" or 1-1/2" wide with square post. & compare them.

Eating Clean Together

what's better than eating clean. why eating clean together.some of us gathered at Terry's to feast on some new recipes. see here for my other post on her Clean Food cookbook.

this time she made Hearty Minestrone, Herb Roasted Cauliflower with Shitake Mushrooms, French Lentils with Caramelized Onions, Tempeh Saute with Roasted Red Peppers and Asparagus, and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins. listened to some nonsense about "maintaining balance" and "satisfy your senses" and "nourish your mind". just kidding Terry. we love you. i say dig in and have some delicious food not prepared by me.

Marianne knows what i'm talking about.yummm.

Time To Get Serious

it's both exciting and embarrassing to receive this much at one time. thank you Corrie at Quilt Taffy for squishing as much as you did into one box.when i turned to page 23 of my Winter 2008 issue of Quilts and more. all i could think of was this even more embarrassing sight.i've been saving all my flannel scraps from years of making pajama bottoms for xmas presents. o.k. so there's some big pieces stuffed in there too. nevertheless i'll be serious and very busy cutting and replacing rotary blades for most of the week.the mission if indeed i have chosen to accept it is to cut squares and squares and more squares. but since i'm not ready to just throw the "newly made" scraps away i'm cutting some strips too. i really hope that all of this work will fit just on one shelf when i'm done.

What Would You Like For The Next Four Years

if they had asked me what i really wanted for the next four years. i would have said free coffee. free fabric. and 1,460 days to do nothing but quilting. but alas they did not ask.

very early this morning i went to vote with my building voting group. four of us. there usually is not a line outside. but today there was. while we wished we came earlier and that one of us was not late. it only took 45 minutes before we were on our way. after voting we always go to breakfast. there should be a photo of our breakfast plates here. but i'm such an idiot. forgot to take pic.

thank you B., J., & M. for sharing this moment with me.

Scrappy Sunday

Block #17this is my most relaxing project. it was started as a personal experiment to test my discipline and patience. so far it is working. i was able to cut 34 center squares with small piece of old fabric. so today i have completed half of the blocks. unfortunately 34 doesn't make a square or rectangle. thank you for all your questions. i was sure that you would come look and then leave. so i am glad that you are enjoying them too. i have already shown the fabric chosen for the sashing and posts. but next week i will sew a few blocks together. i don't want to get too excited about seeing that. if you have gotten to know me. you would know that i might drop all other projects just to finish this one. because that's who i really am.

So Many Things To Do

quilt exhibit at the city museum.visit famous people loved ones in neighborhood cemetery.no really it's beautiful there. & they even have a blog to document special events.craft bazaar at a church.stroll in the park.on right is the new entrance to back of park. on left across the street is overlook where view is spectacular.possibly three movies at fancy-schmancy new shopping center.oh. you thought i meant sewing things.

will have to stop sewing to do some of these things. only a few minutes from where i live in several directions. as they are on roads needed to get from one place to another i drive by them all the time. i really want to stop at every block and take pics. the trees are in full color and absolutely beautiful.