Learn How to Make a Quilted Daisy Potholder - a DIY Scrap Fabric Summer Project

In today's tutorial we will learn how to make a quilted daisy potholder. This project is a great way to use up your scraps and strips and to decorate your kitchen for summer!

For this project you will need:

• fabric for sunflower
• fabric for center
• front fabric
• backing fabric
• fabric for optional hanging loop
• cotton batting
• Insul-Bright
• a paper-backed fusible web like HeatNBond
• fabric clips or pins
• scissors or rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and cutting mat
• iron and ironing board
• sewing machine and matching thread
• walking foot
• pencil
• optional: basting spray, stabilizer 
• printable template from the pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Now available in my Etsy shop as a digital PDF download with step by step written directions, color photos, printable template, and link to the tutorial video. Click to find out more!

Looking for more quilted potholders ideas? Check out some of our other projects!

Otherwise, join us as we make this cute quilted daisy potholder!

#EtsyCreatorCo

Learn How to Make a Pinwheel Potholder - a DIY Kitchen Project

In today's tutorial, we will learn how to make a pinwheel potholder. Use fabric squares in any color to decorate your home for any holiday and any season! This is an easy way to make a pinwheel shape and protect your countertops and tabletops.

For this project you will need:

• 2 pieces of contrasting fabrics
• backing fabric
• Insul-Bright
• cotton batting
• walking foot
• fabric clips or pins
• scissors or rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and cutting mat
• iron and ironing board
• sewing machine and matching thread
• optional basting spray
• fabric for optional hanging loop

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Now available in my Etsy shop as a digital PDF download with step by step written directions, color photos, printable template, and link to the tutorial video. Click to find out more!

Looking for more kitchen ideas? Check out some of our other projects!

Otherwise, join as we make this cute pinwheel potholder:

#EtsyCreatorCo

July 13-July 20: Sapphire Princess in Alaska

Well, the second week of my Summer Solo Alaskan Adventure didn’t go as planned. Just like last summer I was on a ship - traveling by myself - when the same thing happened.

And just like during last year's solo adventure, it again knocked me down hard. I know for some it’s not much more than a cold, but I’m not one of those who are so lucky. It was an all around sucky birthday week and there’s not much more to say about it than that.

Sadly I couldn’t meet up with our crew member friend
 on the Discovery Princess. So close, yet so far. 

Got out of bed long enough to snap
a single picture in Glacier Bay

I’m home now, still trying to recover, and questioning whether I care to get back on a ship again and risk having to go through this a third time.

Ugh. 

Flying over the wildfires in Oregon. Ugh for them, too  

July 13: The Alaskan Railroad to the Sapphire Princess

Not the most fun I’ve ever had. 

When contemplating whether to take my little three day cruisetour side trip it was the excitement of getting to ride the train that was the selling point. But I have to say it’s not the most fun I’ve ever had.

To get from the Princess McKinley Wilderness Lodge to the train station in Talkeetna required a coach ride of a little over an hour. At the end of that coach ride passengers are dumped right by the train track to wait for the train. No train station, no shelter, very little outdoor seating, and only two Porta potty’s for several hundred people. And wouldn’t you know, pouring rain was added to our experience.

Finally, the train

One of the things I was nervous about had to do with how to get on the train. I saw videos online of lifts taking people in wheelchairs into the train cars, but those videos also showed train stations and solid pavement. Thankfully, there were lifts available in the gravel. 

These are hand cranked

Another thing I was nervous about was the seating arrangement. There was conflicting information as to whether they were seats in pairs or groups of four sharing tables. Tables with others it was. Every spot was full, but thankfully the person sitting on the seat next to me decided to go elsewhere on the train. 

Taken before everyone arrived

Three people at our shared table and all full up everywhere else

We had an opportunity to purchase lunch and drinks on the six hour trip while we admired the views. It rained almost the entire way.

And when we thought we had enough of the rain, we got an even bigger surprise when we pulled into Whittier and the rain was coming down in sheets. Drenched doesn’t even come close to describe how wet we were by the time we finally got on the ship a little after 7:30 PM.

I’m glad I did the cruise tour for the experience of it, but I’m not sure I would do it again. It was a lot of go go go and a lot of hurry up and wait. And I didn’t even do any extra excursions! I am ready for some downtime as we take another seven days on the way back to Vancouver. Next up, a couple glacier viewing days which means sea days. Ahh…yes…

Denali to McKinley

Denali? McKinley? Aren’t they both the same mountain? Yup, but when you’re talking about Princess Lodges they are two different places. Last night I stayed at the Princess Denali Lodge in the magnificent suite overlooking the river. Denali is near the entrance to Denali National Park so while everyone else ran off to the Park I took a relaxing morning to explore the property. 

Found a fun little gift for us ladies of a certain age.

And for a certain man I know.

After a two-ish hour bus ride…

Only picture I took on the bus because I fell asleep again

we made it to the Princess McKinley Lodge with a (potential) view of Denali. This place is about the mountain, not the park. 

Sitting in the bar waiting for the mountain to appear

While drinking a Denali Park Smash

This time my room is back to the twin bed room like at Princess Fairbanks. 

With a less than stellar view.

And no WiFi or cell service unless you go to the main lodge. (Hence drinking and eating while posting this from the Base Camp Bar & Grill.) But that’s okay. Tomorrow I’m on the move again! I’ll be taking the Alaskan Railroad from Talkeetna to Whittier, Alaska where I’ll be boarding the Sapphire Princess for my seven day cruise back to Vancouver. 

See you tomorrow from the ship!