Virtual Retreat - Join Anytime

[Lois B.]

I think that the advantage of Lois's crock over a mug is that it is taller, thus it is less likely to be top heavy. I don't have a clover mini-iron, but since I don't really do much in the way of applique, I don't feel the need - although I did consider getting myself a mini travel iron, a couple of years ago, but I recovered... :silly:

[Lois B.]

Lois, Does the iron rest on its point in the mini crock? Really like your grandson's basket can't remember was it a kit?
Barb :-)

[Lois B.]

Yes. The mini iron rests on its tip. The crock is so bottom heavy that it would not tip even if bumped. It keeps the chord up and out of the way too. The bottom is completely flat. Just perfect for this job.

The basket is not a kit. Here's the pattern information. Pattern is called "Banded Baskets" A Tara Smith Design. The pattern also says Crossroads by Amy Barickman. It's a paper pattern purchased either on Etsy or Crafsty. The fabric was designed for JoAnn's By Susan Winget. The little dog in the grass looks like my grandson's dog BB and the dog in the truck looks like the other family dog, Jet. It was perfect.

[Lois B.]

Thanks Lois!
Barb :-)

[ANNE E.]

http://www.sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/freespirit-rowan-1010-series-fabric-box-baskets-jenean-morrisonin-my-room
Barb, here is a link for making baskets they are very useful and pretty.
Anne

[ANNE E.]

A thought about the Difference between crock and mug,,,
A crock is made from a denser material and has straight up sides. Whereas a mug is usually lighter in weight and has slopped out sides. So, if you put something taller than your mug into it, you create a top-heavy area. That's why a crock would be better than a mug. And the idea would be to get one that is close in height to length of mini iron.
Another alternative would be a wide mouth mason jar or a straight sided heavy glass vase. And adding a layer of fine sand to the bottom would help disperse the heat factor. I'm thinking the sand may help get fusible staff also,, but that is not something I've checked out.
For any of these, have a hot pad handy for moving it as the sides could get sufficiently hot right about where your hand would grasp. Perhaps one of those microwave bowl holders made to fit your mini iron holder just be sure that you use only cotton threads and batting, as any polyester could get too hot also.
Still working away at current projects. Lots of knitting at the moment.

[ANNE E.]

Lovely to see all the work and all the studios around! nice stories as well.

If any body would like to come to the Netherlands for a week for quilting at my home, you are welcome!!

(finally I have a guest room!!!)

Soon I will take a picture of my studio as well of my working quilt at the moment (BOM of TQS frome few years ago from Sue German, now it is the second one that I do BUT monochromatic, cant wait to show you guys).

Bless you all with your quilts and beautiful homes

[Lois B.]

I think a mason jar is too light. My crock is heavy. Only the tip rests against any thing. Canning jar withstand a boiling water bath but that is much different than crockery which will with stand high temps of dry heat in the oven. Mason jars are not the same stuff as pyrex. Be careful!

[Lois B.]

I think a mason jar is too light. My crock is heavy. Only the tip rests against any thing. Canning jars withstand a boiling water bath but that is much different than crockery which will with stand high temps of dry heat in the oven. Mason jars are not the same stuff as pyrex. Be careful!

[Lois B.]

http://www.sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/freespirit-rowan-1010-series-fabric-box-baskets-jenean-morrisonin-my-room
Barb, here is a link for making baskets they are very useful and pretty.
Anne

Thanks Anne I've bookmarked!
Barb :-)

[Judith A.]

Another safety tip....
Try putting a "Dritz Thermal Thimble" on the temperature control knob of the mini-iron.
The temperature control knobs of some mini-irons get extremely hot.
Dritz Thermal Thimbles were designed to put on your fingertips to keep them from getting burned while ironing fiddly little things. They are made of the same silicone stuff that silicone pot-holders and hotpads are made of.

The temperature knob is much shorter than the thermal thimble, so you have to roll up the thimble - like a stocking cap - to make it fit on the knob. This makes it fit better and also gives it more insulation.

Judith

[Judith A.]

A trip to the Netherlands sounds good to me :cheer: and can't wait to see what you have been working on Becky.

[Susan S.]

I really like the crock idea. A really good place to locate the perfect crock would be a beginners pottery class. When you are first learning to throw on the potters wheel most people leave too much clay in the bottom. This is perfect for what we need re: the bottom getting too hot from a mini iron. A beginning potter would be thrilled to gift or sell very cheap a small pot that would work. You should never put a very hot object next to glass - the same no no as putting a candle - even those mini candles in a glass container. It will crack and break. Shatter into many many pieces.

I love my thermal thimbals. Glad to learn a new use for one.

[Nicola W.]

Hi, my name is Nicky and I am from Oxford, in England. I am new to this group.
I just love the idea of a virtual retreat as I have difficulties going to normal residential groups. This way you can exchange ideas with people world wide and meet some amazing people.

I am working on a whimsical hexagon quilt. Most of the hexagons have been fussy cut, to show beautiful pictures of whimsical animals and designs. This is work in progress still, even though it already fits my kingsize bed. I need to hand stitch on an additions line of hexagons, then add a 10" cream border. Due to its size, when its finished, it will be long armed quilted, which will be in the next 4 weeks hopefully.

[Lois B.]

Wow,Nicky. I love your quilt, but you are teasing us about the fussing cutting and not being able to see some of those whimsical animals and designs. Is this EPP or are you sewing your hexies by machine? Is the cream border also hexes. Your description just makes me want to see more.