Gift Box {Quilted Potholders}

"A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer."

As a parent, I often find it difficult to come up with gifts for teachers.  Particularly at Christmas time.  I grew up watching other kids give their teachers gifts for the holidays, but my mother never sent me along with any, so my frame of reference as a parent myself was, basically, clueless. When the older boys were all stacked together, I often was overwhelmed thinking about the monumental task of curating several gifts for several teachers they each had and never took it on.

When Button came along, I made a decision that it would be an area I would work on making more of an effort.

This year, Button as a teacher who seems game to take anything I send her way. This holiday, I happened upon this awesome Mason jar pre-filled with cookie mix at Target.  Just eggs and water were needed to finish them.  I thought it would be nice to send along some Potholders.

I did a fabric pull of some of my leftover Christmas fabric scraps, most from my Blizzard Quilt.

I found a quilt block that appealed to me at Fort Worth Fabric Studio HERE.

I definitely went off grid after her block instructions to make potholders that protect the back of your hands. I affectionately call them my potholder flaps.  I *may* have a tendency to burn the back of my hands on my oven. 

A lot.

The flap and the actual potholder each have a layer of Insul-brite and batting.  I quilted them very simply because it can get quite puffy with all the layers.

I always add hanging loops before I attach my binding to the back.

His teacher really was pleased  and mentioned at the Christmas party that she was hoping that I would make something for her. So glad I did!

While I was at it, I was feeling disappointed that I didn't finish all the Christmas ideas for our own home, so I made a set for myself along with some simple coasters for our family room (tutorial HERE).

A New Leaf {Quilt}

 "Everyday is a new opportunity. Another chance to make it.
Better, brighter, happier.
Please never forget.  Promise you'll hold tight.
Because wonderful surprises await you and everything
will turn out right"

On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. 

On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Albertan history. 

It is the costliest disaster in Canadian history.

And my good friend Sherry had to evacuate her family.  

But not only evacuate, but leave her husband behind to fight the fires.  He is a firefighter.

To say she was terrified and anxious during that time is an understatement.

I'm always unsure if a quilt is the right gift during these moments. I've done charity quilts before.  But this one was different.  This was a fellow babyloss mom that was in need of a hug.  And if a quilt isn't a hug? I don't know what else is! 

I knew I wanted to do a leaf quilt for her.  Something that was "Canada" but also something that reflected all the photos she was posting.  The area is gorgeous and I knew a modern maple quilt might work the best.  I raided my stash and literally pulled all the colors I saw in her "before the fire" pictures. 

The blues were for the skies, but also a color I've seen in her home decorations.
The pattern I used came together really easily.  But I was a bit stuck on the quilting.

All I could think of was wind and movement and went with it.

I originally wanted to do a blue or black binding to match her home decor, but sometimes you just have to accept that it may not be their color, but a color the quilt needs.  An orange tone on tone leaf print was begging to be used!

I had a paisley blue 108" wide backing that fit the bill from my stash.
And I had to make an embroidered quilt label with a Canadian Leaf!

 Quilt Stats:
Measures: 59" x 70"
Pattern: Modern Maples by Lark Craft
Fabrics:  Complete stash
Quilted: Free motion on HQ Avante longarm

My favorite moment was seeing the quilt on her couch.  

The couch is in her home.  

They were one of the "lucky" families that finally were able to return to the area.

  I hope they find their way to recovery and the area returns, especially the leaves in all their glory, just as beautifully as it was before the fire.

Hexie Caddy {Pincushion}

 I love mini swaps.  Making them.  Receiving them. However..... 

It's the extras that always confound me!

Enter in my go-to "extra".  The Hexie Pincushion Caddy

Tutorial is available at Penny Hands.

This time I chose three colors from the Cotton and Steel with Essex Linen

Made my Hexie and rectangle templates.  One of the rare times I use glue under protest.
Then I simply handstitch them together....

Our Favorite Part!

Add stuffing and you have a fun gift!

And for size, that is not a small pair of scissors and those are large corsage pins for scale.
I put some colorful gel pens so it can be a pencil holder too!

I think it went perfectly with her mini, if I do say so myself.

Gypsy {Quilt}

 This Gypsy Quilt was made for the new owners of our Houston house.  They put a contract on it and they kindly agreed for us to lease it back until the end of the school year so our boys could have some sort of routine before we moved to Salt Lake City in the summer.  

I chose this kit from my stash because it had so many pinks and purples and screamed "GIRLS".  Ironically.  Our house was trading 4 boys for 4 girls and this was perfect for them.   I don't normally buy a ton of kits from Joann fabrics, however, this one was on clearance when the store moved from small store to their super store.  It had 14 fat quarters and was a whopping $3.99.

 Really.  How could I resist?

The blocks were quick and easy to construct. 

 It was all about making each one as scrappy as possible. 

I really don't miss having my machine in the garage!!

Since I was going for "quick" and easy. I loaded it up and chose the Daisy Galore pantograph.

 The backing was also from my stash. A hot pink floral and stripe from Joann's circa 2007.

I framed it out with a purple floral binding from my stash. 

Excuse all the wrinkles.  I had it all packed away so the movers didn't misplace it before I left it behind.

 When asked why I felt the need to make the new homeowners this quilt?  I simply say that I was every grateful for them to be so accomodating.  We were able to host After- Prom night for our oldest son's "last hoorah!"  We were able to have our families from afar and come celebrate our oldest son's graduation.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 54" x 63"

Pattern: Joann Fabric Kit

Fabric: Joann Fabrics

Batting: Warm & Natural

Quilting: Longarm Daisy Galore Pantograph

ALYOF: March Goal

March's Mission includes four quilts. A memory quilt, two t-shirt quilts, and one super secret project. 

The memory quilt seems to be the best choice to make my March ALYOF goal. 

My friend messaged me and asked if I could make a baby quilt using the dress she wore to her friend's wedding.  A memory quilt of sorts. 

I've already purchased the fabric.

 And cutting has commenced. 

If I could have this done by the end of the week?  I would be extremely happy!!

Linking up with A Year of Lovely Finishes