There's no such thing as a new idea....

.....someone else has always gotten there first.

I was tracing freezer paper applique templates (96 leaves - count 'em, 96) and thought "Wouldn't it be great if you could buy packs of freezer paper precut into 8 1/2" x 11" sheets to feed through your printer? That way, you would only have to trace one page of shapes, scan it and print all you need."

It's a really good idea. So good, in fact, that a company already markets it. C. Jenkins Company has both 8 1/2" x 11" and 12" x 15" precut heavy weight freezer paper sheets in 50 sheet packs. I just ordered some. I'll let you know how it works.

My mom continues to remark about all the work it takes me before I get down to the appliquing part. All that tracing, cutting out, ironing on and basting. She, of course, can needle turn beautifully. I, of course, can't do it worth spit. Oh well.

My next big applique project will be the Oak Leaf and Rose pattern from Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting, Nov/Dec 2008 issue (this is the picture from the magazine). While I still plan to do both the autumn leaf wreath and another Thimbleberries applique project in the coming year, but I will push this one to the head of the line because it's brightly colored, and my husband has remarked that he would like something NOT BROWN for once. Admittedly, I like subdued colors. But this quilt, with its teals and reds and greens, is definitely NOT BROWN and will be all for him.