“The RoseBouquet”

Barbara Mintle wrote:

I really liked the idea of the chow mein cookies.

I wanted to tell you about a simple and easy gift to make if you sew.

You can make a square or rectangle or make a collar shaped bag with some nice soft material, like flannel or terry. Then fill with rice or corn, and sew it closed.

You can buy corn from a feed store. I find it easier to use rice as you can get a big 2 lb bag at the dollar store for a dollar. Then you can heat the bag in the microwave for a few minutes and put it on your back or neck or wherever it hurts. It stays warm for a long time.

You can also put it in the freezer for a cold pack.

I enjoy your newsletter.

I know you have already had your Thanksgiving but I will wish you a Happy Thanksgiving anyway.

Blessings,
Barbara

Great, Barbara! Thank you! And a very Happy Thanksgiving this Thursday to you and all my American friends.

I’ve done this idea before and was even talking about it at lunch yesterday, not recognizing it right away as a super gift idea.

So I home from the office yesterday, and put off supper by half an hour to make a batch of these gifts.

1. I rummaged in my basement bins of fabric remnants. I like to look for ones with a close, tight weave, so that that don’t burst easily and spill the contents.

2. Then I trimmed them into rectangles (I want to try the collar shaped design, but didn’t take time for that last night).

3. I uncovered my sewing machine and went around them on the open sides, right-sides together, except for a gap of about 2-3 inches. Then I serged them too, to make sure my seams were extra strong. If you don’t sew maybe you can talk someone into doing this step for you. (Hey, Mom!)

4. I pulled them right-side out through the opening I had left.

5. Got a kitchen funnel and poured the old popcorn from the ones Dad had made which had sprung some holes into the bags. I didn’t have enough for all of them, so will have to buy more rice or popcorn to finish the extra three I sewed. (If you are starting with new, take time to roast the rice or corn a bit in the microwave or oven to keep them from sprouting).

6. After supper I stitched the openings closed with tight, close stitches, and went first one way and then the other.

Ready, set, - three for me, and three to give! Today I brought one along for a Board member who was complaining of knee pain yesterday.

For some pains you want them warmed up in the microwave or oven, but for inflammation and swellings, it is better to store them in the freezer, and put them on the painful area cold. I’ve cured many a headache, or neck knots that way.