Monday, October 5, 2009

a new cookie plus new potholders

I was telling Faith just the other day, isn't it sad/funny that we use old, tired, store-bought potholders (daily!), knowing full well how easy it would be to whip up some pretty homemade ones? What's with that? Actually, there are a lot of things I sew for others that I have never gotten around to making for myself. For example, I don't have a pear or patchwork coasters of my own and the only zippered pouch I have kept for myself so far is a "reject" one in which the storybook characters of some Japanese fabric all have their heads cut off at the level of the zipper! (That was a lesson in being more careful in my cutting). So I was inspired to make ourselves some potholders to replace our worn-out utilitarian ones. I also had much fun using scraps to make the patchwork strips on these.
I lined them with a layer of batting and a layer of insulbrite. Some heat still comes through, but they are usable. Faith appreciates the beauty of these, but prefers the old ones because they have a pocket for her hands and she feels more protected.
Here are the backs.
And about those cookies? They are these cookies--sweetened only with bananas and dark chocolate chips. Surprisingly, they are really quite good. They don't have any flour in them either--just oats and almond meal. Of course, they don't taste at all like a conventional cookie (I love those too), but I think there is a place in the recipe box for a cookie like this. Even the little boys approve!

14 comments:

Kristi said...

Who is the turquoise fabric made by? Love. I think there is room in my recipe box for those cookies too.

La Marti said...

Hi! I don't speak (and write) english very well, but I understand. I like so much your blog, it is very colories (?) and simple!
I read you, but I don't know if I can write comment :-P
...do you understend? Lol
Kiss :-)
Martina

christina said...

I've made those cookies before and we love them!!

The pot holders are cute too...what did you use for in between the outer fabric?

Hilary said...

Glad you made something for yourself!I'm the same way.I make stuff for everyone else but never quite get to the stuff for me.Silly.I really should make it more of a priority but I do love making for others.Especially my sweet gal(who has a long list!)Pot holders are actually on my list of unmade things.Oh and I have a reject pouch too.

Joy said...

Those potholders are so lovely! I was thinking the same thing this weekend as I put my regular ol' potholders on the table as hotpads when we had guests. I'm thinking new, pretty ones might be on the agenda here as well. ;)

Mary Beth said...

Kristi--do you mean the print fabric of the top potholder? It's from Ikea.

Marti--I understand your lovely comment. Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the blog.

Christina--I lined the potholders with a layer of cotton batting and a layer of "insulbrite." It's a special batting you buy at the fabric store that is heat resistant.

beki said...

I need to put insulbrite on my list. I generally just use batting when I'm making potholders, which I rarely keep for myself! Next time I want a quick project, I need to remember this :)

Jennifer said...

Those potholders are great, I love the strip of patchwork. Great job for making something nice for yourself.

Its_Lily said...

Do you think an additional layer of insulbrite would make them more heat resistant? I'm not familiar with the product, but the heat factor is what has always kept me from making my own pot holders. Hey, what if I tore apart the icky nasty ones taking up space in my kitchen drawer (yes, I keep using mine too) and repurpose the inside for my own new homemade ones?

christina said...

Thanks for the reponse Mary Beth. I think insulbrite is going on my list. I have zero potholders.. I just use a dish towel. bad I know but if I make my own pretty ones I may actually use them!

Beth- the mama bee said...

I need nice ones too. I always keep the rejects too.

Jennie said...

Love the pretty new potholders. I really should make some cute ones for myself too. My husband and I were just discussing how the one we use most has been with us for almost 10 years now!

And I must admit, I had a good laugh over the image of the little characters with no heads! ;)

Katie said...

I am also partial to full protection of my extremities when removing things from the oven. Denyse Schmidt Quilts shows how to make an oven mitt. If I remember correctly it is just a matter of shaping it like a mitt, then sewing it together and turning it right side out. Of course, her version had a pom-pom fringe, too!

Kristi said...

Yes, Ikea! I know it looked familiar but could not place it. Thank you.