Square Pot Holder

From this book:

This is my all time favorite pot holder pattern.  I've made these a number of times over the past couple years, I'm spoiled now and I won't buy ready made pot holders.  I've become somewhat of a pot holder snob as these have spoiled me!

This is my favorite set so far.  How appropriate for a kitchen linen are vegetables?  And look at those vibrant, feel good colors.  Here's a shot of the the opposite patchwork style side:

I followed the instructions as written for each pot holder, with these exceptions:

1.  I omitted the grommet because I don't hang my pot holders.  I keep them in the drawer next to the stove.

2.  I substituted 1 panel of 9" x 9" Insul-Bright for the 2 panels of 9" x 9" cotton batting and I substitued 2 panels of 4" x 9" Insul-Bright for the 2 panels of 4" x 9" cotton batting.  I find that the Insul-Bright gives just a bit more protection from the heat than does the two layers of cotton batting.

Here's a close up of the quilted hand covers:

Coupon Clutch

Here it is, the aforementioned project.  It was actually complete about a week ago, but our trusty camera quit, so we had to purchase a new one.  I LOVE this clutch.  It is very roomy inside and easy to thumb through to find my coupons.  Here's a shot of the inside:

And here's a side shot of the expandable divider pockets (love those!):

The embroidery design I chose is a simple blueberry pattern from a free design CD that was included in a past issue of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine.  Here is a close-up of the embroidery:

I can see some future Christmas gifts in the works!


I also have a review of a knit top that I sewed, but I must wait for DH to come home from work tonight to be my photographer.

A New Endeavor

Here's a sampling of but a few of the coupons I've cut in the past few days.  Extreme Couponing on TLC fascinates me and I must delve into the world of coupon obsession.  Okay, mine won't be an obsession, but it is really cool to get items for free or for a drastically reduced cost.  I don't aspire to even come anywhere near the savings of the coupon collecting elite on TLC's Wednesday night show, but I did use 20 coupons when I purchased my groceries this morning.

All these coupons (and the fact that they fell out of the paper clip that secured them while I was shopping, and I had to re-collect them all from the Commissary floor) tells me I must come up with some kind of tote for them.  Which leads me to sewing - but of course, doesn't everything lead to sewing?!  Enter the May/June 2011 issue of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine.

Ta-Da!  My next sewing project.  I already have the fabric selected from my stash and I'm ready to go.  I must take care of some personal family business for the next few days, but hopefully I will have my new coupon clutch ready for next week's grocery shopping trip.

Do you clip coupons?  If so, in what do you carry your coupons?

Simplicity 2475 Encore

Happy Mother's Day to all moms, moms-to-be, and those who are like-a-mom!

In an earlier review of this skirt pattern, I noted that I would make it again.  I did sew it with the intention of making a coordinating top and skirt outfit for Mother's Day.  Well, here it is in a red linen frabric from JoAnn Fabrics.  I did make a lining for this version.  I am sewing a knit top to coordinate with this skirt, but due to a week beyond my control, was unable to finish it in time for Mother's Day (sigh).  It looks okay with this jacket and camisole, but not exactly what I planned.

Here's the kick pleat.  I used the same fabric for the insert.