Cynthia,
those are exactly what I had in mind, basically just something to practice on and have something to show for it when I'm done. It was either going to be something useful or I was going to have to make my "squares" bigger to be pot holders lol.

I may break down and grab an icord maker if I can go to JoAnne's this weekend. Woke up this morning to 5 inches of snow with 3 more on the way lol.