Fidget place-mats

Fidget place-mats

What fun I had on some very cold days doing one of my favorite things 'sewing & hand stitching'.

When Myra Jacobs asked me if I'd like to help out on a project for the Persons With Disabilities Ministry, I said yes. It was just my 'cup of tea' so to speak. Myra provided with six place-mats (and some sewing notions) for me to create over. I could hardly wait to purchase the red sequin cloth Valentine pillows. This is the fun-forever fabric because you can move the sequins back and forth showing red one way and gold the other. As you may see, I stuffed some of the little nylon bags with stuffing from the pillow. Nothing wasted, that's for sure.

Fidget place-mats are a tool for friends to hold in their laps (to quiet feelings of fidgeting and/or anxiety).  Each notion is sewed on tightly (not to be removed).
The first thing I did was to google ideas. I put my heart into it.

This mat is one of my favorites. I came up with the idea to have
a tunnel where beads can move in both directions.

Do you see the happy face pupils? They are wooden icon beads from a religious bracelet that
finally came apart. Nothing more fun than finding what I need
from my BIG trinket/bling treasure box. 

There is a finger maze included on a couple of the mats.
Do you see the horse charm (in upper left corner)? 
The horse can follow the maze and find the other horse. I used a discarded bracelet to create the letter e in the word Love.

Above I utilized the soft red velvet heart shape (the outside of the Valentine pillow).
You may have guessed it
red/gold sequin fabric was on the other side of the pillow.

Another idea that I put together was to hinge the crocheted blocks.
The pretty blocks fold over 'a special message/surprise' and button.
Entertaining!

It was especially fun to add happy words and Scripture references.

These six fidget place-mats were so fun to create. One of my special memories was

when Myra shared that our friends are sure to love them. 

Putting your heart into things matters most!