“Now where did I put them,” I said out loud to myself. After 15 minutes of looking for the two pieces of bird fabric, that I was planning to use to make more bird potholders, I gave up.
The irony is that I just spent more than two days cleaning up my studio, organizing it so I’d be able to find things more easily.
I thought the bird fabric would be the perfect thing to get me back into working after taking more than a week off during the holidays. Frustrated, I gave up looking for the birds and starting searching for something else to inspire me, half hoping if I stopped looking for them I’d find them.
I resisted the English linen towel that Carolyn gave me with the mice on it up to this point because, really, who wants a mouse in the kitchen? They’re cute in stories and as cartoon characters, but when they’re leaving poop in the fruit bowl it’s time to get the mouse traps out.
But the colors felt right to me for today.
I wanted to work with the quiet neutral blues and grays. I could easily get anxious coming back to the studio after so much time away, the soothing pallet was comforting. No hurry, it said, take your time, it will all come back to you if you let it.

So I cut up the towel and pulled lots of blue, gray, soft pink and peach fabric off my shelves. And as I worked, I began to think fondly of the little ball of fur I saw running across the kitchen floor and under the stove a few days ago.
I started humming “Three Blind Mice” as I pieced the fabric together.
As the potholders took shape, the mice on them became feisty and admirable cartoon characters who may eat, and chew perfectly arched doorways in the baseboard, but never poop.
If you’re going to have a mouse in the kitchen, I thought, these were definitely the mice to have.

These are just the sweetest, Maria. I enjoyed reading about your process and all it evoked in you. Just beautiful. Mouse is all about details and the small things and I’d say you covered that beautifully here.
Well that makes sense about the mouse, Barb. I’ll have to remember that.
these are SO cute! xo Veronicca
I guess the mouse did turn cartoon and not “ehhh, there’s a mouse in the kitchen!”:)
These are adorable, Maria. Much better than the real thing! 🙂
I agree Fran!
Those little mice are industrious creatures, and the pot holders are a perfect way to have mice in the kitchen. They shout “cooperation and inspiration” both are something I need in my kitchen these days! Beautiful work Maria!
Well that’s a lovely way to look at them Josie, Thanks!
If these are for sale and still available I would like to purchase the two mostly blue mousie potholders. So darling and fit one of my friends to a T!
Thanks – Linda
Hi Linda, the two blue ones from this batch are gone, but I made more so if You see some in the new batch let me know, I’ll send you an email about it too. Thanks ! Maria https://www.fullmoonfiberart.com/2020/01/03/kitchen-mouse-potholders-small-things/