Your stash

JIlli
If you have a school ruler and one of those coated advertising mailings, you can make a template. As many as you want

One thing you can do with the kids, is hand them a pen and a template, turn the fabric so that the wrong side is up... And let them "draw" the template, and if they are old enough they can cut them out.
Put them in a small box and then sew them up when you have a spare minute or two.

I had my then 6 yr old niece drawing templates for a hexagon quilt that I made for her sister. This was a couple of years ago, matter of fact all 3 of them "helped" in various ways to make the lap quilt.
It was hand sewn and hand quilted. I carry a sandwich bag full of Hexies to sew together for when traveling and waiting..

http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/att...1&d=1332952505

I have been looking for larger sized stencils to use as templates. I would think that finding some thicker paper, like thin cardboard, would be great. So I now have a use for empty cereal boxes! Oh and tracing paper. I can't find that anywhere. Do they still make it? I could get lots of shapes if I had some tracing paper. I might have to just buy some freezer paper.

I actually have an idea of "scrappy" quilt in my head. I just don't know if it would work or even how hard it would be to do it. We shall see though.

Jilli, Hope you realize that when you start saying things like "I have an idea for a quilt in my head" that means you're hooked on quilting! :D Just wait until there is a lot of ideas in your head and you have to write them down to remember them! Sounds like you're off to a great start...happy quilting!

LOL I guess I should start a quilting scrapbook? Full of doodles and fabric pieces. Oh and fractions. Why I picked a hobby that includes fractions when me and fractions hate each other I will never know.

Ran across this Brother in search of a machine for my mom anyways...thought of you since it's in your $150 mark. Maybe someone here has one and can comment if it's a good machine. The Amazon reviews look good. Just wanted to share...http://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP-750...rother+pc+7500

Brother link: http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewin...g#.UCMsw45OSFK

Thanks. I will keep this in mind. I will not be able to get any machine as of now. My nephews are moving in with us on Sunday. It might be next month or it could be next year. I would feel horrible if I went out and bought something for myself if those boys need anything. So I think it's best to wait and see.

good luck with your nephews moving in. I don't need to know the circumstances, but will keep you in my prayers.