I appliqued all 13 of the Dear Jane Blocks when my husband was in the hospital for a 5-way heart by-pass. Kept the pre-cut out parts to each block in a separate zip-lock - packed silk thread in a few neutralcolors, needles, and sharp scissors. My other favorite thing to take is hand quilting - usually something small and aleady basted(one of my miniatures, or a "white on white" (or any solid color fabric), marked with a quilting pattern and basted. Then all you have to take is thimble, thread, scissors, extra needles and a needle puller. Great time to practice hand-quilting or learn how to do it). Cross-stitch is portable, crocheting is portable too.