ANOTHER GIVEAWAY

Our potholder giveaway now has a buddy; 2 kitty pretties will go to a new kitchen on February 1st.

Leave a comment below and these kitties may follow you home. Let us know how you put together your scraps.

-Do you use matching sized strips as Chantilly does on mygirlthursday, and Liesl on lieslmade?

-Do you cut your center piece with 4 or 5 sides or another particular shape?

-Maybe you cut your square pattern into even pieces?

-Or you take the time to apply detailed heirloom stitching along your seam lines?

-How do you fill your pretties?  Do you use Insul Brite, a Mylar/poly batting that is made specifically for heat resistance? How about Warm and Natural brand batting?  I use both.  I've seen other quilters do well with different fillings; there are sites that use denim, fleece, old towels and washcloths. What's your favorite method?

-What is your favorite way to finish a potholder?  Do you turn them inside out, or use the traditional quilt binding method or do you bring the back around as I did in the 2 giveaway potholders?  (My binding skills are a struggling work-in-progress!).  Maybe you have some hints that have helped you improve your binding skills?  I'd so love to hear them! 

Lets take a hint from the two kitty cuties below and let's talk sewing!



Have you tried the scrappy/crazy/quilt-as-you-go method on a new potholder yet? This quick, creative method utilizes your scrap bin and lets your imagination go wild.  No two creations are the same and the variations of this quilting method are numerous. Take a chance; if you are a new sewer, wanting to learn to quilt, this is the perfect beginning.

Let's hear from you and get your name into the hat.  Less than 3 weeks remaining till the drawing. Make a comment below or e-mail me at daniellesimone0@gmail.com.

With potholders, there's always room for one more!

SCRAPPY, CRAZY Quilted Potholders

Is it Scrappy quilting? Or quilt as you go?  Or maybe Crazy quilting.  Better yet...a bit of each?

I'm not sure of the quilting method featured below, though it's grabbed my creative juices with a vengeance, and seems to have taken over many a stitcher's site throughout the net these days.

I'll post a tutorial next week on my own scrappy project; for now, lets look around cyber land in the creative nooks of cyber-quilters and get a feel for this easy, ancient - yet also new method of making the pretties that grace our kitchens.

Christine from www.every-day-mom.blogspot.com, made some showy and creative potholders for gifts this year.  Her tutorial is quite detailed and clear - a good place to research if you wish to learn this great scrap-busting quilting process.

Then there is a scrappy-type String Quilt process tutorialed (is that a real word??) by Penny at www.sewtakeahike.typepad.com.  This method also uses scraps but in a more organized, repetitive, traditional quilting fashion. Even though this is a quilt example and not a potholder, the method is the same - and much easier for potholders since 2 blocks...completes the project!  Take notice how Penny arranged the string blocks so they look like regular square blocks on the finished quilt; neat!

Deborah Schlegel from Art Threads has a tutorial on www.favequilts.com, that details, step by step, how to create stunning, round potholders fit for a queen's galley. Her photos are clear and her instructions, easy to follow.

Last but most varied, this Etsy site, http://www.etsy.com/search?includes[0]=tags&q=patchwork+pot+holder&page=1, goes on for pages with seemingly every type of home-made potholder imaginable. Several appear to be the scrappy look featured here today. Sometimes I find that looking through someone else's creativity - even if a bit off-track from my present focus, can spark new and unique imaginings in my usually fizzing brain.  One can never have TOO many imaginings, right?  RIGHT!

Here's a video on yet - another, slightly organized version of this scrappy quilting process.






Wow!  Does this type of quilting have any limits?!  From traditional shaping to absolutely any design - or lack thereof.  The limits stop only as far as your imagination of lines, colors, textures..that you create at any given time.

Do you have a scrappy project you might want to share here?  Maybe you've found a little trick that helps the way the odd pieces go together, or maybe you found an easier method for binding (hate, hate, hate to bind anything!!)  I DIDN'T SAY THAT! Seriously...there MUST be an easy binding method...it just hasn't been invented yet???

Let is know that you stopped by and please leave a comment. You will automatically be entered into our free potholder contest...drawing to be held on February 1st, 2013.

Happy sewing.  And remember, when it comes to potholders...there's always room for one more!

Danielle

EGYPTIAN MAU: the mystery that is...cat

Close to one hundred cat breeds exist according to Wikipedia.  Some are old, some new, but all stunning and awesome in their own rights.  Let’s take a few weeks and look into the history of  several breeds; we may demystify the sometimes strange reputations attributed to cats as well as better understand the connection we humans embrace with the mysterious and sometimes elusive Felis Catus.

The Egyptian Mau seems to be the oldest domestic cat in history, originating in Egypt 2000 to 4000 years ago.  "In fact, the breed is so ancient that its name is the Egyptian word for “cat.”"

 Listed as one of only two domesticated spotted felines, the breed sports unique gooseberry greenish eyes, high intelligence and speed and agility.  Clocked at about 30 miles per hour, their speed is attributed in part to the extra fold of skin over their hind quarters and adjacent underbelly, similar to the Cheetah, allowing for greater freedom of movement.  This breed shows other ‘signs of antiquity’ such as the continuous line along its back and higher hind legs than front ones.

It is believed the Egyptians worshiped this breed as gods and held them in such high esteem that Egyptian females used eye makeup to simulate the cat-look.  As well, they were honored in death with mummification and entombment.

The Mau breed is sensitive to loud noises, is more sensitive than other cat breeds to medicines and anesthesia, and is not readily social to any species including their own.  Maus are highly loyal to their owners and do not blend well with strangers. They are also known to be highly adaptable to the wild and to be excellent mousers.

Exiled Russian princess Natalie Troubetskaya is credited with saving the Mau from extinction around 1958.  Several other importations along the years have expanded the gene pool but this breed remains a rare one; less than 7000 cats were registered with the Cat Fancier’s Association in 2006.

Egyptian Maus come in three acceptable colors, Bronze, Silver and Smoke.





Enjoy the mystery that is...cat.

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Please visit us and share your comments, thoughts and ideas on anything cats and sewing. Does your Precious Featherweight look particularly cute today, did she perform especially well during her last project? We'd love to see the project, too, as well as your Featherweight's (or any vintage lovely's) best side. 

You'll get a chance to win the cute potholder below. Someone will win this potholder pretty February 1st, so hurry and enter.

Make sure to take a minute and leave a comment, or e-mail me at daniellesimone0@gmail.com.

LE PETIT CHAT
(The Little Cat)



Cats thread through the essence of humanity as they wander through books, movies, zoos, animal shelters, back yards, in the wild as well as in wildlife preserves, back alleys, pet shops, our laps, etc.

Cats teach us independence, relax us with their indescribable purring.  Their sleekness, flowing movements, and softness touch our souls.  Their claws can sometimes instill fear.  But always, they leave us in awe.

They sport colors and patterns that rival a rainbow, yet their cunning can be and often is, lethal. 

Books like The Tiger expose their intelligence and ferocity, give us insight into the soul and depth of the largest feline on our world.  Books such as the The Cat Who series gives credence to the extent that cats are ingrained into our culture, our thinking, our deepest feelings.  Magazines such as Cat Fancy share cat beauty, stories and information. (NOTE: the December 2012 issue showcases a "Snowshoe" breed). Our mere housecat shares our intimate moments, our joys and our sorrows.  Humanity walks with cats.

Though the big cats remain, for the most part, in the perimeter areas of our world, the myriad of little cat breeds thread through our every-days in uncountable ways; they enhance our existence.

This new corner of www.potholdersplus.blogspot.com will cater to all things cat.  We will wander through the depths of cat history and the latest news about cats, while creating, showcasing and sharing tutorials regarding potholders ‘plus’ things with fabric, design and utility – centered on the beauty that is – cat.

Need a new potholder or pillow to add to your ‘cat collection’? Enter our contests and giveaways; learn little tips and shortcuts to the easy art of potholder and pillow-making and maybe add to your cat-collection of goodies.  Visit us as the weeks and months pass; interact with our site.  All comments, ideas, sewing and quilting tips/tricks, questions on anything sewing/quilting related or about cats - are WELCOME.

Read some of the books we’ll showcase and share with us your opinions.  Stop by.  Visit a spell.  Be a part of this little corner of cat-land. Grow in the wonder of everything…cats.

Our first giveaway is the kitty potholder above.  Made with double insul-brite inside, durable muslin backing and edging, this pretty can live in your kitchen for FREE.  Send us your thoughts on cats, a potholder trick or tip to share with our readers and fellow quilters/cat staff. Maybe you design a variation of the above scrappy quilting - we'd enjoy hearing from all of you.

*****February 1st will be the drawing for this little kitty-pretty.*******

Remember our motto...There's always room for one more!


E-mail me at daniellesimone0@gmail.com. 


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We dedicate Le Petit Chat to our Lilylou, our 17 year old Snowshoe feline who tiptoes through our days on her little white cat feet.  

She fills my dreams as she settles herself through the dark hours with her ‘cheekie’ snuggles around my neck.  Sadness fills my heart as I watch her aging process slowly steal her energy, her vitality and her life force.  But she never resigns her capacity for Love and tenderness. 

Her enduring tenacity as she gives her utmost bravery through each day with her waning hind leg strength, her failing eyes and loss of hearing…perseveres. 
 
She strengthens my own - sometimes waning engagement with aging; she sets the bar I cannot ignore.  I sometimes lose my thoughts gazing into her wise, wide, blue and aging eyes. Her Love and purring never fail; she is my shining light, my beacon of Love and caring. 

Lilylou, my life-light; I dedicate this endeavor to you…mon petit chat.

Happy New Year!

Danielle

The Fantastic Featherweight

If you are a quilter, chances are you already know this title. Singer Featherweights are all the rage among quilters these days – and for good reason.  They are a sturdy, portable, easily maintained and competent little vintage sewing machine. 

We recently acquired a Featherweight for a fraction of the average pricing (around $200 to $600); it purrs quietly and has taken its rightful place in the sewing room.

Last year we began searching the net for information on Featherweights and other vintage sewing machines since we seemed to be collecting older Singers from 1946 through 1982 from local auctions. Today, I am amazed at the burgeoning websites and interest in vintage sewing machines – and sewing, even in the younger generation over the past year. Thread-banger websites are now popular among the younger folks and the notion of upgrading old garments into new ones is a blossoming idea.  With the economy in strained and increasingly painful throes of shrinking values, this idea will flourish and aid many people with additional inexpensive garments, as well as helping out our overflowing landfills.  

The fact that sewing and using vintage machines is spreading and growing warms my heart and reminds me of my grandparents' and parents' ideas during the Depression.  To my way of thinking, this mode of thinking is frugal and valuable during any economic turn.

We’ve found two books on the Featherweights, pictured below;

The Featherweight 221 and I , David McCallum

                        
Featherweight 221, The Perfect Portable, Nancy Johnson-Sebro

                                     

The former book is extremely detailed with clear and precise diagrams and appears to cover most aspects of cleaning, repairing and refurbishing Featherweights.  David McCallum and his wife Sharon, host a wonderful website, filled with available Featherweight parts and information.  Their blog contains tips and tricks with this amazing little machine.  They are both avid quilters and I can vouch for their amazing customer service and genuine caring toward their customers and their business.

The latter book is less specific about repairs and much more detailed on the history of the Featherweight. Nancy addresses some Featherweight myths and explains each of the particular Featherweights in terms of their manufacturing, here and internationally.  Nancy's books are numerous and she is well known in the quilting arena.

As always, our purpose here is to share, learn, support and enjoy the sewing arena.  If you have thoughts, suggestions, sewing stories or any related information you want to share, please leave a comment or reach us at daniellesimone0@gmail.com.

On behalf of Potholdersplus and all the lowly potholders in the world, remember…”there’s always room for one more.”

  

Mama, Am I Pretty?

As you crochet your newest, prettiest potholder, or put together an intricately layered, pretty quilted one, consider the following poem about pretty.

This poem is taken directly from my new, favorite author's website, barkingspiderspoetry.com.   C. J. Heck writes, publishes and speaks to children of the world.  Her insights are deep and meaningful, her talents - obvious.

Mama, Am I Pretty? - (from "Barking Spiders 2")

Mama, am I pretty?
"Why do you ask?" She said.
She held me gently to her
and kissed me lightly on my head.

"Your clothes are neatly ironed,
your face and hands are clean.
You're such a sweet child, little one,
what does your question mean?

Mama, am I pretty?
I really need to know.
Am I pretty like the other girls
at school where we all go?

"You have a very loving heart.
You're gentle, kind and good.
Your friends all think the world of you,
anybody would."

But Mama, am I pretty?
Sometimes kids point or stare.
I've got these real thick glasses
that I wish I didn't wear.

Mama said my time would come,
be patient and I'd see.
The things that really matter
were there, inside of me.

Mama! AM I PRETTY?
I didn't mean to shout ...
Then mama smiled and told me,
"Sweetheart, yes, inside and out."

Consider one of C. J.'s books as a perfect gift for your favorite child(ren) this holiday. Barking Spiders, and other such stuff is available at this link:  http://www.barkingspiderspoetry.com/Store.html

Midwest Book Review comments on Barking Spiders: "...Often funny, sometimes introspective, always honest, these poems form a brilliant introduction for young readers to the magic of poetry and rhyme."

We so often use words like pretty and beautiful.  What does that really mean? C. J. says,

"That's beautiful!  This is what we say or think when we see the sun rise or set over the ocean, see a spectacular view, or a good-looking man or woman. But what we should ask is, where does the appreciation of that beauty originate? Where does our ability to understand beauty come from? It's right there, in our own consciousness."

Visit C. J.'s website, read her interviews, get to know a lady who Loves children and respects and understands the joys of Nature and the Universe that we all share.

Enjoy more information about C. J. and her profound writing  from www.writerthoughts.com. You don't have to be a child to enjoy C. J.; check out her e-zine articles, guaranteed to leave a footprint or three on your heart.

Potholder Filling

http://quilting.about.com/b/2007/12/18/tell-us-your-potholder-making-techniques.htm

A quick post to link you to the above site for some interesting ways to line potholders.

Janet Wickell writes many interesting quilting articles and is easy to understand, As well, she responds to her people who comment - a rare on-line courtesy. The comments in her article site above show some money-saving and easy ways to accomplish potholder fillings.

Here's a link to an interesting and sturdy-looking potholder from an old pair of jeans, that serves as an oven mitt, as well.

Let us know how you fill your potholders..to give that "old time" safety, assuring you receive no red spots or blisters along with that tasty recipe you just brewed up for your family!

You can never have enough potholders...there's always room for one more.