Saturday, March 27, 2010

Is it wrong to be jealous...

Wait! Before I finish that thought, I have to say how much I enjoyed all your Joann's wisdom. It has given me a new perspective on using the coupon effectively and made me feel that I'm not alone in being perplexed by the coupon/marketing strategy at Joann's.
Thanks for chiming in.


...of other people's potholders? I don't know, but I was definitely feeling envious when day after day images from my flickr contacts included pictures of crocheted potholders. The Potholder Swap 2010 is in full swing and I am daily encountering images like this and this and this. I just couldn't take it.
Before you tear up over my lack of handmade potholders and perhaps even start a nationwide campaign to right this obvious wrong in my life, I should say that I do own several handmade potholders.



But, none of them were NEW. I've had them all for quite a while and they've gotten stained. I wanted new potholders, dammit!

So, I made some.






And, while I do feel a little better, I've got this nagging feeling that I'm not alone; there are others who would like to grip the handles of hot pots and skillets not with store-bought, terry cloth potholders, but ones crafted by an individual. Raise your spatulas if you're with me on this.
I am therefore proposing another potholder swap geared toward those of us who are more inclined to sew our heart's desire than crochet it. Of course if you like to do both and would like to participate, that's OK, too. No judging here.

Here's what I propose:
1. Every participant should commit to making a pair of potholders. After all most folks have two hands and they tend to be equally sensitive to heat.
2. You can construct the front and back of your potholder in any shape, pattern, patchwork you desire, but let's use heat resistant batting in the middle layer, OK? Good news! Heat resistant batting (Insul-Brite) is available at Joann's. Get your coupon ready. It's also available online. Just search under Insul Brite batting.
3. The first full week of May, May 3-7, is mailing week. Send out those potholders by May 7.
4. Let's include our friends overseas. I mail a lot of items internationally and USPS International First Class is really not that expensive.

If you're interested in The Great Sewn Potholder Swap of 2010, leave a comment and include your email address as Blogger does not supply me with that information. I'll take addresses through Friday, April 2 and send out swap info the following week.

I've never organized something like this before, so I'm a little nervous, but the thought of all of you clutching piping hot tureens of goulash with the aid of beautifully crafted, handmade potholders...Well, I think you know how I feel.

101 comments:

thursday said...

I think I'd like to do this. I've never made a pot holder before, but I bet I can!

thursday@mygirlthursday.com

The WoodLand School said...

Hooray! I would love to join in this swap!

jaycourt@ix.netcom.com

Jan said...

I'm not able to be part of this pot holder swap, but hope there is another one. Your pot holders are fantastic and colourful.

Jessica said...

That sounds like a great idea! I've been wanting to make some new potholders for our kitchen. Unfortunately, with a new baby, I'm not sure I can commit to getting them out on time. I can barely do my "normal" things . . . whatever those may be!

jacquie said...

i'm in! mine are stained and nasty...i always make them for others and never for myself. jgeringirre at yahoo dot com

Sam said...

I'm in. Sounds like fun. I probably won't have to waste my JoAnne's coupon on a third yard of Insul Brite either, it's very inexpensive. Funny, earlier today at the Fabric Patch my aunt asked (suggested) no, actually told me to make an insulated quilted curling iron caddy for my sister. Guess I'll need a half yard.

Sam everheartquilts@gmail.com

littleloops said...

I'm in! I'd love to participate in your sewn potholder swap.

wtothethirdpower@yahoo.com

heyythere.imCody said...

this sounds so fun. xxconquestxxcodyxx@gmail.com

Meghan said...

Ooh! I'm down. I have never made a potholder, but it's definitely on my list. And what a great way to practice free-motion quilting!

thriftyquilter (at) gmail (dot) com

Debbie said...

Sounds like fun. Count me in.
Debbie
dzjohnson@gmail.com

connie said...

I have never participated in a swap before but I would love to do this. Thanks for putting this together...

m_csayler@verizon.net

Walden said...

I would absolutely love to be a part of this!

lynn121 at hotmail dot com

toni edge said...

I am in. I'd love to participate as well. toniedge@hotmail.com

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

This is just too irresistable! I'm in!

Karen at badlandsquilts@gmail.com

Kimberly Roberts said...

I'd LOVE to participate.....from the Bahamas :)
kimberkitty12@yahoo.com

Krista said...

Count me in! I just mailed off my potholders for Potholder Pass 2 on flickr, and I really enjoyed the swap. It's fun to do small projects like this.

krista.fleckenstein@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Oooo, me, me, me. I want to do the pot holder swap! I'm too excited!

staceyoverseas@yahoo.com

Kris said...

Not sure I want to do the swap thing. Just had to comment to say that it must be okay to be jealous because I felt a twang myself when I looked at the photos of your self-made potholders. Nice!

Melody Johnson said...

I want your potholders. Jealous. Yes Ma'am.
OK I will join the swap. This is a great way to use/try blocks/scraps with PURPOSE.

fibermania at g mail dot com

cauchy09 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
cauchy09 said...

me! me! i'm in. chawne at gmail dot com.

house on hill road said...

i'm in! love this idea!
hillroad at bellsouth dot net

Pumpkinmama said...

I would love to join. Just finished my croched ones for the swap, and have recently revived my sewing craftiness. Count me in! pumpkinmama at gmail dot com

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

I'm in! I need new ones badly and this sounds like fun!

dotty@dottyjane.com

Anna Joy said...

I am interested! Everything in my home has either been handmade or thrifted and beautiful! Except for my potholders which are older and has snowmen on them!!! This must stop!

annajoypham@gmail.com

kathi said...

Oh boy, I am currently using some pretty stained potholders and have been trying to get myself to make some new ones. Count me in.
quiltkat@gmail.com

Rebecka said...

I would love to participate!! Sounds like fun!
Thanks for organizing this swap.

rschafer@neb.rr.com

GerryART said...

Count me in ! ! !
I love potholders ! ! even though I don't cook - - much.
I'm inspired by yours.
I've never participated in a swap and am looking forward to this.
Hugs,
Gerry

GerryART at live dot com

Pix said...

Add me to the list!

RSNNMRCL(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancy said...

What a great idea! I'd love to participate.

nancy.gasparotti at cox dot net

Amanda Elizabeth said...

I'd love too!!!!

I'm frenchtoastcake AT gmail DOT com

this is going to be super fun!

Anonymous said...

count me in!
d.wolff
ninemlskid@aol.com

Karen said...

Great idea! Please include me.

maggiemakes (at) hotmail (dot) com

kelly mae said...

I'd love to grip my hot pots with a few handmade potholders!
kellyquilts at gmail dot com

Tacha said...

Ooooh please count me in.

nbrucher@t-online.de

Jeni Baker said...

Count me in too! Great idea!

jenib320@yahoo.com

victoria girl said...

I've never participated in a swap before, so I'm in, let me know what I need to do, besides making the 2 potholders! jkaras@shaw.ca

lindaroo said...

It's so much more fun to make for someone else than for myself, and to get something in the mail, too! I want to play!!

kucerahome at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

Sign my mom and I up!

carriestrine@gmail.com
cindystrine@gmail.com

sugarcreekstuff said...

Me too! I want in.

jmllbenton at comcast dot net

Funky Kim said...

I can do this!

kim.b.funk@gmail.com

Rachel Slote-Brown said...

Sounds like fun. Count me in!

racbrown@umich.edu

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I have never joined a swap so this will be my first! Seems like fun.

kellymx@aol.com

KarenB said...

Okay, I'm in. I've never done a swap and surely I can make two potholders in the next month! Surely!

helium underscore hand at ca dot rr dot com

julienmiz said...

Count me in. I need more exciting potholders.

jzuckman@comcast.net

Marijke van Swaaij said...

I'd like to be part of the swapping potholders.
mvswaaij@home.nl

nanmcintosh said...

Nan Mac from N.Z.
Thanks for inviting overseas quilters to join. I would love to do my first swap.

ncmcintosh@snap.net.nz

Sarah said...

I want in on this!

Sarah
getstitchy@yahoo.com

kelly lautenbach said...

I think I'd like to play along! :)
kelly@itkitstudio.com

Kathy said...

How did you know I needed new potholders???!!!

Spicykathy211@aol.com

mary said...

Sounds fun! Please count me in!
mary.maul@gmail.com

@home said...

Ooooh, please count me in, I keep meaning to get round to making these again. If you don't mind posting to the uk.
Susan.trevor@suepops.co.uk

machen und tun said...

great idea!! i would love to join this awesome swap:
luzii44@yahoo.de
(= claudia :-)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Day before Michelle said...

Oooh! Count me in!!

I'm working on redoing my kitchen and I think some new potholders would be fantastic!

sheedesigns(at)att(dot)net

sorry about the deleted post, I logged into the wrong google account!

Rebekah said...

I'm in!

rebekah (dot) craft (at) gmail (dot) com

sewtakeahike said...

I'm so in Malka! Thank-you for organizing this and of I can help in any way, lmk!
sewtakeahike(at)gmail(dot)com

Joy Manoleros said...

I'm in, Malka!
I was actually wondering if you were going to sell any of YOURS! LOLOL

bjoyful.design@gmail.com

Janny said...

What a great idea, I would love to join!

janny@vermaat.name

Adaiha said...

I want in! :)

adaiha at gmail dot com

Fran said...

Sounds like fun !
Count me in....
& you can also buy that
Insul Brite on Etsy.
Fran

ripsom(at)cox.net

Linda said...

Count me in too-what fun!

LJS742 at yahoo.com

Lasso the Moon said...

I would love, LOVE to do this. I have some of that batting just sitting in my sewing closet. Sign me up!
lassothemoonshop@gmail.com

Thanks so much.
Anna

susan said...

i too am lacking in handmade pot holders! to shame, i know!
count me in please
iamchickenfoot@yahoo.com

Linda Ruel Flynn said...

My first swap! Thanks for putting this together.

linda.ruelflynn@gmail.com

Kiza said...

Oh! I'd love to be involved in this!

(And your potholders are lovely. I love how bright and cheery they are!)

snailexpress@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

oh that is a great idea! count me in!

Monica

quiltwhileyoureahead@yahoo.co.uk

Pam said...

I've been meaning to make some for awhile now. Nothing like a commitment to a deadline to get things done. I'm in.
uberstitch@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm in! I already have some ideas and I definitely need some new pot holders! ritzrd@hotmail.com

julienmiz said...

Happy Passover...and a question:

what should the potholder quilt sandwich include, for safety?

I've been reading different websites, some of which are leaving me with the idea that I'm supposed to sandwich Insul-Brite between cotton batting...

front fabric
cotton batting
insult brite
cotton batting
back fabric

that seems like way too many layers!

Sew Charitable said...

I'd like to participate! I've never made a potholder either but am excited to tackle them!

charityhaines@gmail.com

Krista said...

I'd like to participate. Please email at
kmarvin@nomeschools.com

meli B said...

I've never done a swap before and the thought of producing to a dead line and getting it in on time from Australia is making my stomach flutter. I have never made a pot holder either so this should get me out of my comfort zone. I'ld love to join.
melissabloom@pacific.net.au

Peggy said...

Count me in! I was looking at my potholders and saying they are pretty grubby and not of them are hand sewn. So I am all for the swap! peggysomers@charter.net

Debra said...

Your potholders were lovely. This will be my first swap.

debra95404@yahoo.com

Rebecca Davidson said...

I'd love to participate in the potholder swap but I don't have a blog. Is it open to those without a blog?

Karen said...

I was just in a pot holder swap on flikr! Can I still play? Here's my email
kareabreu at gmail dot com

Geri said...

Hi,

I'd like to play. I'm in Australia.

geri(dot)pegler(at)gmail(dot)com

janimal said...

OK, this seems like fun! I've had potholders on my project list for a while.

Kat said...

I would love to do this. Count me in!!

kstevens114@montana.com

Kathy F said...

I would like to join. I love your examples. They are so colorful.

franshamkathy@fhda.edu

Tania said...

Would love to do this - definitely in need of new pot holders.

taniajoh@gmail.com

Gina pina said...

Potholder swap is such a great idea! I would especially love to swap with someone internationally!

gina @ ginapina.com
Austin tx

Debra said...

This sounds like fun.

lnewell@mail.sdsu.edu

Anonymous said...

WISH I could participate. But seeing as my sewing machine is on a boat on its way across the ocean, I will have to wait for next time. I LOVE your potholders.

Ingrid said...

sounds like fun,please count me in:-)
ingridototte@hotmail.com

tropicslady said...

Jealous? Heck yes! Your potholders are terrific. Is there (by chance) an online tutorial for the improv hex that you used for them?

(Fingers crossed.....)

Deb

LadyV said...

This sounds like fun...I had making pot holders on my "to do" list. I'd like to join in.

tcasews2@aol.com

Martha Tsihlas said...

I would like to join in this easy and creative swap!!
martha@delsolquilts.com

Sarah said...

I'd love to join. I could use some new potholders!

sarahsulli@gmail.com

Kathy said...

What a marvelous idea. Purposeful potholders indeed! I'd love to be included.
PartArt at mindspring dot com

Gwen said...

I absolutely love potholders, and am so glad that I saw this before the deadline to sign up!! I have a large collection of crocheted potholders from the 40's, and have recently switched to only collecting cloth ones. I have some great ones!

I would love to make some for this swap!!

gwennie52@hotmail.com

epban said...

Great idea! I would love to participate!

epban@bellsouth.net

Amy Brumley said...

OOOOOH! ME! ME! ME! I have some all ready to be sewn together. We made potholders at my Birthday party last year. Can't wait!

amybrumley.design@gmail.com

Tami Fulton said...

Can I still get in??? I SO intended to come back and do this and then I missed it! :(

tami@itkitstudio.com

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Malka, if you need another person, I'ld love to join the swap. I'm late on finding out about the swap, just let me know.
Bonnie

Sheetal said...

can I still join in? I've never done a ' hand made something' swap before, and I'd love to start with this one!!!!

Darby Bayly said...

Oh, can I still be in I know I'm a little late! I'll understand if not though. I love this idea.
Your work is spectacular, and it truly inspires me to get behind my sewing machine!

darbybayly@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

So nu, I've got my Insul-Bright and I'm ready to make potholders! What a great way to use up scraps, BTW.

pamela said...

is it too late to join? if it is thats okay!!

Anonymous said...
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