In keeping with my love of all things birdlike today's free home-based project features a feathered friend, with or without wing, appliqued onto a very simple pot holder you can sew using what you have at home.
Being able to create from what we already have in our sewing supplies is good for the soul, saves money, and in this series of Creative Hands At Home it also adds to or replenishes items we use in our dwelling place.
I made these potholders last year but never shared the pattern on the blog until today. There's a season for everything and this season is definitely about adding simple beauty in and around our homes, especially the kitchen for me as it's where I spend a lot of time.
One of the potholders was padded out with a double layer of cotton quilt wadding, whilst the other potholder has Insul-Bright heat resistand batting. Use what you have or what you prefer.
I bought a 1/4 metre of Insul-Bright and could probably make a dozen pot holders so it worked out every inexpensive. But I also like the softness of the double cotton wadding layer.
You can download the free pattern using the link below...
You can use the basic pattern to make the pastel potholder with winger bird, or use the bird applique shape anyway it pleases you.
SOME IDEAS for using the applique bird on a project other than the potholder:
* adding the applique bird to the centre of a quilt block would be really nice and a good way to use up one or more orphan quilt blocks in your stash. These could become pot holders, cushion covers or if you sew a few of them pretty soon a nice lap quilt might be made!
* applique a bird or two onto tea towels or apron pockets
* sew the bird into each corner of a pre-bought tablecloth or make the tablecloth from a square of gingham. (I might do this!)
* make a basic tote bag and applique the bird onto the front, or maybe go the extra mile and add a bird-embellished pocket to the front of the bag?
Do you have other ideas to share with fellow readers of my blog? Write them in the comments because I'm also looking for new ideas to use up what I have in useful ways.
We had two unseasonably cool late autumn mornings over the weekend and it was so nice to slip into fluffy slippers, even though it was still warm enough for cotton pyjama pants and a t-shirt.
I took the opportunity to make soup on Saturday before the cool air left us once more (the weather is back to very warm again which is just sad when you long for a cold break after the endless summer) and put my 'handmaidens' to work in the kitchen.
The slow cooker and the breadmaker sat side by side while I made cookies for Mr E...
He loves these ones as they are full of oats, sultanas, walnuts, orange zest and rosemary - quite an unusual ingredient that rosemary, but really adds something special to the cookies. I'm actually munching on one two while I type this blog post...using restraint not to go for a third.
I baked a loaf of sun-dried tomato bread, a first for me, and WOW, it was so darn good that after indulging on many slices with the soup that night we had thick slices as sandwiches the next day too!
I make my dough in the breadmaker but then remove it and place in a proper bread tin for the second rise and to bake in the oven. I shall indeed make this recipe again, and again.
The soup was a new recipe and though it was nice I felt it needed more 'body' so I added a few more spices about half way through, and a cup of macaroni half hour before serving. Again, yum.
It was the May Day public holiday on Monday so hubby was home from school - yay!
After doing a little gardening I left him outside to finish the heavy stuff (as this wife does)
and went inside to move around some of the furniture in the living room.
I swapped around the 3-seater recliner couch for our very comfortable old blue one and brought out the single leather recliner from storage in the corner of my husband's office because Mr E genuinely loves that chair.
A bonus is the corner between the couch and the dining table has now become the cosiest book nook and I look forward to being reacquainted with my library of craft books and old country living magazines in the cooler months to come.
It also gives easier book access to Cully May and Rafaella because I have a collection of children's books on a bottom shelf ...perhaps I need a couple of small kiddie bean bags?
Our long weekend was slow and rambling, just the way we like it. Things were achieved, but all in a gentle way with no time limits or expectations...we watched some wonderful sermons, listened to good music, ate delicious food, worked in the garden and around our home, and basically just enjoyed our days together. As it should be. How blessed we are.
Well dear lovelies, I can hear the chooks going off in the back yard which means one of them laid an egg and they will carry on until I come retrieve it, expecting a little reward in return which is usually a cup of corn kernels, the seedy middle of a melon, withered greens or some leftover rice, all of which they LOVE.
I pray your day is a happy one, that your hours bring productive peace and offer rest if you have need, and that you remember the Lord and all His mercies which are new today and everyday - for He loves you so very much.
On Friday I'll have the final project in this season of Creative Hands At Home so I hope you drop by for it and also say hello.
loving hugs
