I Spy Packets

These packets are pretty quick to make and can be inexpensive. No I can't bring myself to using a pencil case, loading it up with the "inners" and then glueing it shut. That's the quickest, but I want sturdy. I do it the old-fashioned way.

Since I'm making these for seniors with dementia and my grandchildren, I like to be over-cautious. Every seam has at least one back-up or additional seam, like top-stitching. The inside seams are serged and then stitched. Told ya, overkill. I don't want these small pieces inside to get out and cause any problems.

Fidget Lap Quilt (M)

Quilting is something that intrigues me. There are so many blocks to try and quilting techniques, the challenges are endless. I especially want to learn free motion quilting on my Brother sewing machine. I'm also enjoying machine embroidery and appliqué. Lately, I have been reading about fidget quilts and the calming benefits they provide dementia patients, so I put together a basic plan to incorporate some new challenges in quilting to make a fidget lap quilt.

Broomstick Lace (M)

Sometimes craft projects are more than just making something. Whether it's a special gift, a challenging project, or a comforting stitch to release some stress, emotions pour into each item.

Pumpkin Cake

Making cakes is a fun hobby and a way to recognize people on special occasions. When I was working, I would make a monthly birthday cake to recognize birthdays and work anniversaries. Of course, anyone could do a plain ole cake. I wanted to make the cakes fun. One of those cakes was a Jack-o-latern which actually lit up (thanks to Papa's ingenuity). It was always fun when I could make employees look twice to figure out if it was a cake or not.

Hot/cold Rice Packs (E)

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These rice packs are practical, quick, and inexpensive, yet make thoughtful gifts especially for young families (ice packs) or people who experience pain (hot packs). There are many different ways to make these packs. Check out other video tutorials (multiple-section pack) and web sites (single pack option) to find what works the best for you.