An East Wind is Blowing....

Remember that line from Mary Poppins?  I was watching "Saving Mr. Banks" while the guild members met last Tuesday.  It sounds like a very good discussion on what we should become occurred.  The price to affiliate with the National Modern Quilt Guild is apparently pretty pricey for the return offered to members.  While I have been wanting to visit Savannah for many years now, the savings doesn't make a difference on whether I attend.  Conventions are ALWAYS expensive unless held in the home town, even then the fees can be still costly.  So, while I don't have all the official info yet - change is in the air.  Stay tuned!

While playing in my sewing room on the Sew-In Monday I discovered some fun things to sew quickly.  Now, I've only had them several years probably - but Monday was the put together day. 

First up was finding a 9" length of a green border print that was a free gift from a quilt hop.  What do you do with only 9" - really!  Well, for some reason I had a burst of smartness - used my 60 degree ruler and make a mini - table topper or AKA a mug rug/coaster!  It turned out pretty cute - I'm actually using it - needed to replace the holiday coaster I made in December.  Don't have a use for the scrappy M though.

The stripe geometric along side of it is the backing.  I used the 4 1/2" line on my ruler.  Perfect size.

Next I uncovered a kit from Pressing Matters in Holland.  This mug rug was a gift for the doing the quilt hop.  Doubts only describe my thoughts upon reading the instructions.   I must have reaad them 5 times expecting more information to appear.  First instruction reads:  Remove fabric bundle very carefully from plastic bag......

Then the simple instructions must be too simple - right?

 The bundle looked similar to the picture below but with raw edges.  The layers are the woven, folded 5" squares braided on top;  the right side of  a fabric(wrong sides together), a square of fabric, batting, and the 5th layer is the second color - also right side out.  Just stitch the layers as shown, then trim corners and flip.  Voila!  It measures about 4" square.  Using larger squares would make a great pot holder or trivet of sorts for hot dishes.  With the five thicknesses it offers good protection to counter and table tops.

Pellon has interesting ideas on its website.  Of course they're trying to sell their project but the instructions look understandable.  While reading the instructions a while back I was pleased since if I made these oven mitts I could make a left and a right.....unlike the pretty mitts sold in stores that only offer right handed mitts!  The Easy Oven Mitt Project!  Have fun......