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.