Sorry my post had a broken link…
Well it’s the first day of our 12 day countdown to Christmas…I am always so excited to be able to introduce or showcase why these products are MUST haves for our quilting obsessions. Please remember to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this item!
I have to admit I have my favorite quilting items…and one of them are Olfa mats and rotary cutters, which we happen to use exclusively in our wholesale kitting department at Primitive Gatherings…There are so many inferior cutters out there and I get to see/use the when I’m teaching. I love my 60mm Olfa cutter but today I am introducing what I believe is genius!!! A folding mat! Here are some photos. 
This is the answer for bringing your mat to class or retreats…
When we go to classes that require a mat its always awkward…their big and clunky…They do not like extreme heat or cold and nasty things like permanent warping and breakage happen when they are left in our cars. We don’t mean to neglect them but life happens and something the results are bad. Trust me I know…I’ve had it happen to my nice mats…but…Now Olfa has come up with a folding mat in two sizes…11″x17″ and 17″x24″. They are only half that size when transporting them. They slip nicely into my sewing machine totes side panel or the small one even fits into my plastic project tote. Like I said Genius!!!
When unfolded you do not see the curved seam at all!!! Now these mats are not cheap..they come with a nice price attached to them, they are worth it but we all cannot afford a $70 mat especially if you are just going to save it for classes/retreats…but we are going to ease this a little by offering the small one for $39.99 reg. $49.99 and the large one for $55.99 reg. 69.99 Save even more if you buy both at 89.99!!! CLICK HERE
I hope you find these mats something you could see as being very useful, and to help you keep that large mat at home and safe from permanent damage…
Remember to leave a comment and you may be notified on Christmas Day that you have won one of these amazing mats!!! If you would like us to HOLD your order until the end or until we hear from you please enter HOLD on your comment section of your order…If you do not say to hold we will ship them asap. Please allow us time to get these out to you…we don’t know we are going to sell 5 or 50 and may need to re-order from our suppliers…Thanks for your understanding…
Now today it is cookie baking(made the dough last night) and house decorating day!!
If you have not made your Christmas cut-out cookies yet…I swear I have the best recipe ever! Back when I was wor
king swing shift in the paper mill one of the guys bought in the best ever cut out cookie I have ever tasted…They were soft and fluffy and the frosting was amazing!!! He said his 90 year old neighbor had made them..I said you HAVE to visit her and beg for the recipe. I love homemade sweets and these cookies were amazing! So here’s the recipe I have perfected over the years…you can THANK me later…Star Cut-Out Cookies Click the link for a printable recipe
PS…They are not the prettiest, but the taste is A-Mazing….I can’t wait to feed Jace one of Grandma’s cookies!!!
My Best…LB
201 responses to “12 Days of Needful Things…Day 12…”
Lisa, thank you for being so generous in all that you do! I will try the cookie recipe with my girls today!
Love the idea of the traveling mat. Thanks for the recipe. I have to get some buttermilk!
You have the prettiest blog page with these snowflakes falling. I can sit here, read and smile. It’s a happy happy page! Still waiting for the real snow out here in southern New England. So warming to hear you mention your little grandson and cookies also! I’ll check out the recipe. I too so enjoy the baking part of Christmas!
My favorite Christmas cookie. What a great idea,a folding mat. Will put on my Christmas list.
Love the fold up mats and I think they would be very useful for traveling. When we “snowbird” in Florida, I always take my machine and Olfa mat. Of course, the mat is very difficult to pack and I’m always telling my husband to be careful with it. The fold up 17×24 would be just what I need. Your cookie recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for all you do for us quilters.
Those mats look awesome! I’m going to have to try that recipe – I love cookies!!! Happy Holidays!
Here we go again — and I love it! It’s hard to pick a favorite of the things and events you do for us, but the Twelve Days is right up there at the top. And you are right, the cutting mat is GENIUS!
Great idea for classes or for traveling! Very handy. So glad it’s time for the 12 days- I love this every year!!!
Love this idea!!! Genius!!!
Agh! Let the 12 Days of Christmas begin!! These are REALLY the 12 days!! I am getting excited now-I really hadn’t been feeling it until this morning. I woke up feeling the excitement today!!! I also have to tell you how much I enjoyed your e-mail last night! It put a lot of things into a real perspective! I have always supported small businesses and the personal touch they add to your projects! I do enjoy seeing you at the AQS shows, too!
Today is like Christmas Day! I love that you do this every year. I have never been disappointed in the things I’ve bought during these events! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into it.
So handy, especially when flying to a quilting retreat.
I’d love to try the cookies! Thank you for everything you do for us
What a great idea. I cringe when a class requires bringing a cutting mat.
Would love one of these mats and am going to try your cookies, thanks!
What a clever mat. Always dislike bringing my mat ti classes because it is so bulky. My family is on their way to Chicago for our annual Christmas ornament hunt at Macy’s. Have fun baking !
I bought one of these mats for my daughter when they first came out a few months ago and she loves it! They really are great for those with small sewing areas, too, as you can fold it away easily. I would love one for myself to take to classes.
What a great idea–perfect for classes or retreats.
I’ve been planning to order one of those mats so this was the perfect time to get both and at a great price.
I baked your star cookies a couple years ago and everyone loved them. Thanks for the recipe.
What a great idea, I would love to own one of these!
Great idea from Olfa. I still use my first purchased Olfa rotary cutter that I purchased in 1984!!
Have grandchildren coming next week, making sugar cookies is definitely on the agenda! Love the mat, maybe Santa will bring me one.
I have only used, Olfa mats, and yes I believe to be the best cutters also. My mat is shot and was hoping to get a new one, but Christmas buying for my grand children comes first. I will eventually but a new one. Thank u for your post, and I’ll try the cookie recipe! Cindy
Lisa, my question is how do you do it all? You are totally amazing with everything you do and get done. Do you sleep? The mats look wonderful and would be great for retreats! Merry Christmas!
I would love to have a larger mat to take to Sew Ins, but you are right, they can be too big to transport safely. This seems to be the answer. Thank you Lisa!
Such a great idea! My sewing space is currently very small with not a lot of storage room. These would be awesome to win!
omg…. this is the coolest thing!! I would so wish to win this. Lisa, thanks for all you do- I really admire your creativity- I’ve done so many of your quilts, and everyone really raves about them. Your staff is always so very helpful and it’s always a pleasure to order from you guys. Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas to y’all!
Love the idea of a traveling mat. I cracked my last mat by transporting it in my car. Thanks for the cookie recipe!
The folding mat would be a perfect mat for my upcoming retreat!! LOVE your blog, & website! My 25 year old son took his 19 year old sister to her first ever Packers game at Lambeau field right now, & I showed them on the map where my fav quilt shop was in Menasha!! & how close they are, I told my daughter just walk in & take pics for me!!! & of course could pick something out for me!!? & its is going to be a nice rainy day to make some cookies, those sound delicious!! Thanks Lisa for all your wonderful inspiration!?
This really is a genius of an idea! Someone very smart was listening and figured out how to make us tool collectors very happy! Merry Christmas, Lisa!
Love it! I’m putting that on my wish list!
Oh my, those cookies look divine! Thanks for the quiliting tips and hope to win.
YEA! I can finally get rid of the mat I use for travel now! It is in such bad shape with chunks missing and cracks growing. Such perfect timing, I was just thinking I needed to replace it. Day 1 and I already learned about something new!
The mats look wonderful, another item to add to my list!
Genius Idea is correct. Love this mat. Enjoy your holiday with your grandson making wonderful memories together.
Perfect for when there isn’t enough storage space in my sewing area.
The mat would be great for use when I cut at the dining room table and can’t keep things set up for long.
Just when I was thinking of replacing my cutting matts. These would be awesome!
This is so handy, even storing them when you don’t need them will be easy. I am putting this on my list! I am going to try your cookie recipe too. I am always looking for a yummy soft cookie like that.
Thank you Lisa!
I’m sew happy to see the new and improved cutting mats! Smart idea!
Thank you for the opportunity to win! Christmas blessings to you and yours!
I can see these mats would be good not just for traveling, but for those of us at home that don’t have big sewing areas!!
Merry Christmas Lisa, Thank you so much for all your help
Merry Christmas!!! A bit jealous that you have a “gran” to share Christmas with😊Thanks so much for the cookie recipe! Thank you for these Needful things!
Nifty idea for traveling. Merry Christmas!!
This mat is genius…both for sewing rooms and traveling, as well as classes. Also, the recipe is genius too…sounds and looks so good. It’s the taste not the appearance that counts with cookies!!!
One of these mats would be perfect in our camper. I love to take some of my things to work on when we are travelling. So relaxing.
Brilliant!
Olfa is my favorite cutting mat too. They’re the best! I was amazed at how the seam disappears on these folding mats — genious!
I had seen those new cutting mats which fold and have the wavy edge like these. I’ve been watching those for others opinions on how well they work because right away, I just knew I would want one. Right now shopping for the Grandkids is blocking me from spending to much on myself, but once that is done, this is one of those things on my own wishlist.
That recipe looks amazing. I have been cooking/baking for more than 50 yrs and am always on the lookout for a really good sugar cookie recipe. I found one a few years ago that I’ve stuck with, but am always ready to try a new one which is highly recommended. This one definitely looks like a must try. I’ve never seen one with buttermilk, but I can see the reasoning in using it. WHY have I not seen this or thought of it before? Hmmm Thank you. Definitely need to try this one.
I wasn’t going to do any baking this year, but you have tempted me–the cookies sound pretty yummy!
What a great idea. The perfect gift for a quilters.
I have wanted one of these mats since they came out! It certainly seems handy for traveling!
Thanks for a great cookie recipe and a chance to win a great prize.
Love that a traveling mat was finally designed! I only use Olfa cutters and mats– I had another brand and I didn’t like how my cutter worked on it– you had to press a harder to get a clean cut. Love your recipes. You have great and loyal followers because you add a personal touch to everything you do. Thank you!
Thank you for the cookie recipe. Your dedication to the quilting industry is greatly appreciated and I totally agree in supporting independent businesses. Hope you will share progress of your lake house. I spent many summers as a child on Lake Butte des Morts. Merry Christmas and Blessings to you and your family. PS I also use Olfa products and have for years.
Such a handy mat for transporting to guilds and retreats. I love it that us grandma’s can feed our grand children treats, makes them love us more.
I love these! I am moving and will have to downsize my sewing area. These are a perfect solution!
Like the traveling mat. The cookies look wonderful. Thanks for the recipe. Will give it a try!
What a clever idea….a folding mat! Thank you for introducing this item to me. The cookie recipe looks tempting and I may bake some for an upcoming potluck.
Dear “Santa Lisa”…I have been a very good girl working hard on my Quilting Ph.D …aka projects half done. lol… This new mat would really help me get my projects finished. I will ship your
Santa cookies to you by return mail. Merry Christmas!
I love the idea of a folding mat, especially for traveling to retreats & classes. It’s cookie baking day for me too.
I’d love to use one of those folding mats – how convenient! And the cookie recipe looks amazing – I will try it, Thanks!
Thank you for the cookie recipe, they look so yummy! Olaf mats are the only ones I use also, they are pricy but they are the best and I firmly believe that you get what you pay for…wishing you, your family and staff a Merry Christmas. Thank you for all you do
Can’t wait to try the cookies! Merry Christmas!
The cookies look so yummy! I have seen these mats in stores and was wondering if the join would cause problems when cutting over it….sounds like it shouldn’t be. Thank you for the review and all that you do! I love the snowflakes falling …. so does my cat!
I have seen these mats featured in magazines, but the price has prevented me from considering owning one. You have me rethinking that!!
Definitely a genius idea to have an Olfa mat that folds in half! This item is a must have!!
Folding mat….genious!
The mats would be great for storage. I have to put my mats on the floor in the family room and this would be a great space saver. The cookies sound yummy.
A perfect solution to a troublesome problem! Thanks for sharing … I had seen these on other blogs, but didn’t quite trust that they are seamless. I trust your endorsement! Thanks,
these are such a good idea. Carrying a cutting mat to class is always a problem and I too have left one in the car by mistake-a bad idea. I would love to win one. Am thinking about ordering one
Looking forward to seeing your favorite needful things! Thank you for your cookie recipe. It is just like my grandmother’s. It was a favorite tradition to decorate Christmas cookies at Grandma’s.
I love these! I have to downsize and so they would be perfect!
Thank you so much for sharing your cookie recipe…they look delicious! The folding mat is a great idea.
Love to win this mat.
I will think about ordering both of your cutting mats! Thanks for the tip. Kathy
Couldn’t figure out where to leave comment at 🙂 . Love the mats! They would be awesome for those of us who have limited room in our crafty rooms.
Folding mat what a great idea. Thanks for the cookie recipe.
I’m putting this on my after Christmas shopping list! I always get some mad money to spend on things like this!
I love the idea of the folding mat. Thank you for the cookie recipe. I will have to try it.
What a great idea! I haven’t travel to quilt classes of late but these mats would be pretty cool and a zip to fold. Thanks for the 12 Days of Christmas…! I always get great ideas to give to my hubby 🙂
I think the mats look awesome. Have to wait to get one until after the new year. Thank you for sharing.
Lisa,
Thanks so much to you & your staff for another 12 days of Christmas! I’ve been looking forward to this all year! The folding mats are a super idea . . . and will come in handy for retreats and sewing days with quilting buddies. And thank you too for the cookie recipe! Going to try them this week . . .
Great looking mat. Thanks for the good deal
I’ve seen these mats and they’re wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win one!
Great idea for the folding mat. I think even for storage. My sewing room is overflowing.
Very cool how they fold! I love that!
I also love the Olfa matts and cutters. Have tried others but nothing compares to Olfa.
Thanks for the recipe. Those mats would be great to have for my retreats I attend.
Love the idea of a folding mat. Thanks for the cookie recipe.
I meet with friends monthly to make small quilts for the children who are guests at our safe shelter. This mat would be easier to take than toting the large one!
Foldable cutting mat? What a Great idea! I have ruined more than one Olfa mat by bending it in route to a quilting class! Sure could use one of these!
The folding mats are a wonderful idea – what a great idea. The cookies look delicious, can’t wait to make them.
Thanks for the info – folding mats will make packing for classes much easier. The cookie recipe reminds me of my mom’s – will be making these this week!
I love this cutting mat. It would make it much easier to take to class. I am looking forward to the cookies, maybe my search for the best cookies is over.
Like the information on these great new cutting mats..
I have been eyeing this mat for the past year! Now I am trying to decide which size! 😊 Thank you for offering a great deal!
Thanks for continuously sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. Buttermilk??? Foldable cutting mats???? I continue to learn from you. Have a happy holiday season with your new grandbaby. Sue Dollhopf
That’s a great idea! I sometimes think about attending a retreat or class and then think about the lifting and lugged that would go with it and pretty soon I’ve talked myself out of it! I really like the way the curvy edges interlock to “fuse” that seam. I’m heading back to check out that cookie recipe now!
Isn’t it great how they made that curvy joint so that it interlocks and eliminates and bumpy ridge! Sometimes the thought of lugging and lifting is enough to keep one from attending classes or retreats…this would make it less daunting! Now back to that cookie recipe…
Love the folding mat.
You have the most awesome items on your website. I love my Olfa mats of various sizes.
I love my Olga mat and cutter…..the cookies look amazing!!!!!!
Lisa thanks for the info. I always love your needful things list. The cookies look great too!
Olfa….I hate spell check!!
Cutting mats and Christmas cookies…what is better than that?
Love the idea of a very portable mat. Very handy for going to sewing group.
I love my big cutting mat and a smaller one that folds would be handy to take to workshops.
Oh, I SEW need a new mat! Folding would be an added bonus! Santa, are you listening??? I made chocolate chip cookies, gluten free peanut butter snickerdoodles and a batch each of fudge and divinity today. And a personalized pillowcase. My back is DONE for the day (well, except for cooking dinner), but I have printed off your recipe to start up again tomorrow! Thanks for your generosity – cannot WAIT to see the next 11 items!!
I will definetly try your cookie recipe, looks like it makes a big batch. The traditional cut-outs are still our favorite. Must be all of the memories. Thanks for sharing!!!
You are so talented and so sweet on sharing your knowledge with everyone. I so enjoy all of your ( and the shop) blogs. Thank you.
The mats look like a wonderful solution for traveling and quilting. My son is still looking for a Christmas gift for me – this may be just the right thing to suggest. Thanks!
These mats look terrific! Didn’t know they existed. I’m currently using an old big one for rolling cookie dough.
Love Olfa mats. They last forever. Thanks for the cookie recipe. Going to give them a try with my grandson tomorrow.
Those mats are a great idea. Wish that I had thought of them!
When your 12 Days of Christmas arrives, I know that Christmas isn’t far off. I look forward to the needful things you’ll share with us each day, along with the wonderful discounts on each item. The foldable cutting mats are one of the most clever ideas I’ve seen in awhile.
Your site is always so inspirational. I always look forward to seeing what is new.
Lisa thanks for more insight into these mats. I’ve seen them advertised but wondered if the crack where they joint would make cutting more difficult. Your stamp or approval means a LOT! Thanks for sharing the recipe, too.
Thanks so much for doing the 12 days of Christmas again. I love looking forward to see what is featured each day. The folding mat looks wonderful & so easy to take anywhere!
Another company offered a folding cutting board about 10 years ago. Unfortunately it was not very durable. I look forward to once again having a cutting board that is very transportable. Thanks for finding the best things to make our creative pursuits much easier and fun!
I love Olfa mats. I would love to have one of the folding mats.
I have not seen these mats, what a great idea. Thanks for chance to win one.
I left a comment but it didn’t show, will try again. Thanks for the chance to win one these wonderful mats.
What a wonderful idea, I will be getting one of those!
Love olfa mats! The folding ones are great – would love to have one!
I love the idea of these mats! I love all your patterns, fabric, website, blog….everything!!!
I think the folding mat is wonderful. I just might have to get one from Santa. Maybe if I make him some of those delicious cookies he will bring me one. 🙂 Thanks for your generosity. I will see you here in Michigan in March…can’t wait.
I love the folding mats, it is easy to bring to sewing. Thanks for the pattern of the year 2015
The folding mat is clever. I’ve been baking cookies all day with my kids and grandkids-our annual cookie day! Merry Christmas to you and your family
It would make my Christmas to win one of these. Merry Christmas to , Nick and the rest of the family. Jace’s first Christmas will be so special!
I would love a folding mat. You are so right that the flat ones are so bulky for traveling, one of these would be wonderful.
I would love a folding mat!
Love the mat and the cookies look AMAZING…Cookies are my favorite any time of the year.
I love the mat! The fact that it can be folded is great. I will be using your recipe this year, thanks for the recipe.
Mats will be good for retreats
As you said genius making a folding mat. Wish I thought of it….
Nice folding mats. Quality
These mats look amazing! I would love it!
Had seen the mats but wasn’t sure they were good with the zigzag cut. Thanks for the review!
Love my Olfa mats!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe…
Folding mats – What a great idea. My grandson and I will make the cookies soon too. Thanks for sharing.
These mats look wonderful! A folding mat would be awesome for class.
Thanks for a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this mat. I will try out the cookie recipe later this week.
These would be great for taking to retreats! Merry Christmas. 🎄
Looks like a cool tool to have to take on y fun quilt retreats!!
Happy Holidays Lisa! I have saved the cookie recipe. Maybe I can make them next weekend. Thank you!
I love those mats and would be thrilled to win one!
Love, love love Olfa mats– have for years. What great idea to make them folding!
I never knew they made a foldable cutting mat!
The Matt and cookies sound amazing.
What a great mat idea….and can’t wait to try the cookies….jmh
Love the folding mat!! I have the recipe printed….my favorite cookie of the year – Frosted sugar cookie!
Thanks for sharing
I look forward to your 12 days of Christmas every year to see what you love and use. Thanks for taking the time to share with us! Hope you enjoy the grandbaby time…I know I do.
Looks quite handy will have to add this to my wish list, in transition right now and trying not to buy to much right now. Thank you
Thanks for doing the 12 days of Christmas again this year. The mats look wonderful.
A folding matt! That is genius!
Great idea. Would love to try. Thanks .
Looks so handy for traveling to class. I cannot resist cookies, wish I could. Thanks Lisa.
What an awesome idea…these mats seem perfect for lots of storage, on the go solutions!
Love retreats and love the mat. Thanks
Mats seem perfect for on the go and storage solutions! Thanks!!