Time to Create and a Present for You!

Create on the go….

Many years ago, I traveled out of town each week.  It was getting stuck during a blizzard that had me making a quick trip (like across the street) to Joann’s looking for something to play with. I bought a couple of fat quarters, some Wonder Under fusible, a skein of DMC black embroidery floss, package of needles, needle threaders and small pair of scissors.  I spent less than $15.00. Back to the motel room I went, where I drew 2” mitten shapes that were fused onto 4-1/2” squares – squares that I had measured and cut the old fashioned way – with a ruler, pencil and pair of scissors.

 It was a good thing I had gotten right to work on these blocks as the electric power went out several times that evening and into the next day. Not to worry, peanut butter sandwiches, candles and when daylight, sitting by the window had me entertained until the small, sleepy town dug itself out from the storm. A light bulb went on, I needed to have a small stitching or quilting project with me at all times.  At least, I needed the basics of scissors, needles, etc. My “create” packet was born. It sounds much fancier than it really was – a quart sized Ziploc bag with small swatch of wool with different sized needles, couple of threaders and small scissors.  Into my purse it went, one for the car too.  Eventually, I added little protectors to end of scissors – so that I would stop poking myself while rummaging through my purse.  I use the protectors that knitters use for end of their knitting needles, it works great.  Had one student use a wine bottle cork, I didn’t ask!

I created this vinyl project bag shown here (ziploc or any closable bag), to carry my supplies.  With February being National Embroidery Month and my birthday (February 14th), here is the pattern for the Project Case as my gift to you!   When I have one of those “putter” days around the house, I’ll trace a couple of blocks or do a little fusing, all so I have some stitching with me when I find a few moments here and there. You would be surprised just how much you can done – a little at a time!