QuiltingArts: Use scraps for postcards

Today's email provided the directions from the Quilting Arts Blog for using all those left-over scraps by making them into postcards. A few clicks later, I've found the online version to share with my genea-quilters friends. See:  Zap Your Scraps with this Easy Collage Postcard Technique.

Casserole Kimono for Carrie

You can make this project in about 60-90 minutes -- from cutting to machine quilting. I fell in love with the Casserole Kimono pattern from www.MakingALegacy.com while we were snow-bound in Laramie, Wyoming just after Thanksgiving. Mr. Myrt is so good about going to quilt shops with me!  ;)

When I saw this fabric, I just knew this would be for my youngest daughter Carrie. Active in her church work, and busy as a mom and PTA president, Carrie can keep something warm or cold as the case may be. I had to shop around for a 9x13" pan with a clear plastic lid (most are red or blue, that would clash with my fabric choices.) The pattern says this also fits an 8x8" pan, so I guess you'd just fold things in a bit?

The pattern called for batting, but I used Insul-Bright which is needle punched and has "a reflective metalized poly film" just perfect for making pot holders and such. I got mine at my local WalMart, one of the few I've shopped lately that hasn't closed down the fabric department.

Isn't the wooden spoon a great touch?

Wall Hanging for Stacey

This is the wall hanging I outlined stitched with my good Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0. I haven't had much experience stippling, so this panel was a perfect study for me.

Gordon made the quilt hanger -- it took us forever to find the right knobs. I painted it black to match some of the furniture in my daughter Stacey's home, and then finished it with a gloss sealant.

The parts I added:

• The dark brown borders. (I thought black would be too dark)
• Coordinating rust/cream stripped fabric from the inner border for the backing.

The BEST part was giving my middle daughter something both Gordon and I had made. We had a ball working together on this project.

Stashbooks: Insulated bags

I've been quietly quilting presents for Christmas -- and since my three daughters internet savvy, (one even blogs!) I cannot say much about what's been cooking in my sewing room. But this blog entry I simply must bring to your attention:

Lunch Bags Are Not Just For Lunches Anymore blog post by Carolyn Aune is sure to inspire your last minute gift giving of the colorful AND useful type!

You'll want to order some heat resistant "insul-fleece" batting. After reading a bit about it, I've ordered some for a casserole carrier I am making for one of my daughters. (OK, the cat is halfway out of the bag. But at least they don't know which one is getting it!) Check out the Meet Insul-Fleece blog posting over at CTPubBlog.For instance, I had the same question as a few others who are just discovering this project -- namely, is there a right or wrong side of the fleece for enhancing the heat resistant properties? The answer...

is NO, there is no right or wrong side. This same blog entry features an 8" x 8" casserole cozy that I think is idea for dressing up your holiday table. (Halfway through the directions, they start calling the project a casserole carrier, but since it has no lid, I don't think that qualifies. The cozy ties in each corner, and isn't at ALL like the larger casserole carrier I'm making that requires a 9" x 13" covered casserole pan for the inside.)


What projects are your working on -- that you can share with the gang? 


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