swap package for Krista F!

I had the good fortune of meeting Krista of Spotted Stones Studio when in Loon Lake last November!  She is not only an incredibly talented quilter with an amazing eye for colour, but she is also a sweet and genuine person.  I just love her.

When she uttered the hint of the word "swap" in regards to my Snowfling mittens, I jumped at the chance to offer to make her some as part of a swap.  I knew they would be well used and appreciated by her up in Alaska!  She picked her colours, cobalt blue and grey on the outside with a bright turquoise lining,  and away I went, slowly picking away at them over the past few months.  Finally, they are finished- in time for spring of course!

I packaged them up along with some other goodies and away they went.  In exchange, Krista is working on some form of quilting project for me....it is all top secret, I have given her full control over project, colours and design because I don't want to limit her creativity- everything she makes is epic so I know whatever the result, I will love it!

Thanks for the opportunity to swap, Krista!!

Atlanta trip- the loot

Ali came up with the great idea to do a swap while we met in Atlanta.  Everyone was assigned a secret partner and make a little handmade treat for them.

My partner was Cara.  I am convinced that she and I are somehow linked in the constellations.  First off, we share the same birthday.  Secondly, her oldest daughter is the same age as my youngest, and they share the same name.  Thirdly, we both have funny embarrassing crap happen to us ALL THE TIME.  I could go on and on about all the things we have in common.  In addition, we both have 3 kids and careers and struggle to find the balance.  She has become a true friend and support to me, and I was so glad to have a chance to make her a little something special.

Cara's favorite color combination is pink, yellow and orange, and I had so much fun with that colorway! First off, I decided to knit her a fun pair of fingerless gloves in some soft squooshy yarn I had been saving!

The pattern is called Nalu mitts, free on Ravelry.  Nalu is Hawaiian for wave, and I loved the wave cable down the front.  You can read more details here.

My second gift had to do with her daughters.  When I was having a particularly bad parenting day last November, Cara not only gave me her ear, but also sent me a copy of her favorite parenting book!  So I decided to do the same.

I love having this book on hand, to record all the cRaZy things my kids are saying, the funny moments and such, so that I can remember and focus on those good moments when they are driving me around the bend.  I flip through it often to recall those moments!  So I knew I needed to give Cara a copy.  I then proceeded to make a patchwork hand quilted cover for the book!

 

The personalizing touch was to add the three little girls across the front to represent her daughters, using Heather Ross's pin people fabric from her Crafty Chloe collection.  I was fully inspired by this pouch made by Krista.

On the inside cover, I added an inscription on printable fabric.

Then, as a final treat, I made three little coin purses with the corresponding pin people sewn on, one for each of her daughters :)

I had so much fun making this package for Cara!!

In return, I had a gift made for my by Ali.  That girl is such a sweetheart, I love her.  And she could not have hit the nail right on the head any better than with these pouches!!

I love them so hard.  They are absolutely perfect for toting around my knitting projects.  I just love the hand embroidered touch!  And she used some of my favorite fabrics of all time, the Heather Ross roses from FFA2, including the pink roses, which I used the last of mine up for Cara's gift!  So now I have a little of my own to enjoy every day.  Thank you so much, Ali!!  I am already using it to tote along my latest project, a cabled cardigan all for me, using the same yarn that I used for The Middle Child's sweater.

Just love watching these cables take shape!

ALL of the swap gifts were just amazing!  There were minis, bags, and so much goodness, and all so perfectly matched to the recipient.  I wish I had a better photo to capture all of the amazing details.  We were a happy, screeching bunch!

(and a foot picture, just for giggles.....just because it is SO GROSS to see feet in quilt pictures, IMO!!)

In addition to Ali's amazing gift, some of the girls decided to bring packages for the whole gang!  Man, were we spoiled, get a load of this!

So many fun goodies.  Incidentally, if you want to make a beaded necklace like mine, Ali wrote up a tutorial here.

I showed you a peek at the bags I had packed before I left. Inside I had tucked in a couple Canadian goodies, since I was the only Canuck represented.  Some maple green tea and some Bernard Callebaut chocolate, along with some cute stitching tags I found at my favorite shop, Pine Ridge Hollow.

So fun to be spoiled!!

Next post- the quilt top finished!!!

Homecoming mail!

We are home from Disney World! We had a fantastic trip!! I promise to subject you all to a long drawn out post once I get my thoughts and photos together. In the meantime, I had some other goodies to show off. I was excited to come home to a lovely pile of crafty mail! Zip-a-dee-do-dah! ;)

When Krista asked me if I would be willing to do a swap for one of my cable knitted hats, I jumped at the chance. I prefer impromptu private swaps among blogging friends far more than the organized group variety, and I love Krista's work, so I knew I was in for a treat. I requested an armrest pincushion made from Amy's tutorial. One of those things on my bucket list for ME, so of course I never get around to making it.

She did an awesome job! I love, love, love it. I adore the Enchino fabrics, and the thick quilting thread really makes it pop. She even included a box of pins, in case I ever get over my aversion to, well, pinning stuff ;)

This will be the perfect partner as I do some hand stitching while catching up on some t.v. by the fire during the winter months. My husband will be pleased that he no longer needs to pluck stray pins and needles out of his arse. Lots of little pockets for scissors and measuring tape and such. The only thing it is missing is a place for my beer, but fear not! That is why God invented the beer helmet. Hands free beer-slugging awesomeness. I sent the cabled hat (which, sorry Krista, does not hold beer) on its way along with a package of those goofy "This took forever" tags and a little sewing magnet. I think it looks so cute on her! Thanks for a wonderful swap, Krista!

(pssst- I stole this picture from Krista's post)

I also got a big box-o-fabric from one of my favorite fabric mules, Kaelin. You know, that really loud chick in the neck brace? She is such a Temptress, with her destashing sales! I couldn't say no to this bundle of Denyse Schmidt Country Fair home dec fabric. Really- how could I be expected to resist? I also bought some Heather Ross Princess and the Pea...will incorporate it into my daughter's bed quilt that I will (eventually) get around to sewing up! You guys are going to demand some substance to this blog eventually, I'm sure ;) Also in the box....a beyond adorable but top secret handmade gift from one of Kaelin's upcoming patterns......filled with chocolate, no less. Thanks, Kaelin!!

And finally, Little Island Alison spoiled me with yet another set of those highly addictive Mollie Makes magazines! Am looking forward to a quiet moment to peruse. Do those moments exist???

Have a good day, friends :) It's good to be home again!

for Amy

Everyone knows Amy from Diary of a Quilter, right? Well, she is one of my enablers of great fabric....have bought great fabric and quilt kits from her a few times! Well, recently she sent me a "bonus" package of some of the DS from Joann's as a surprise, for no particular reason, so I thought I would send her a little surprise package in return.

If you follow her blog, you will know she once lived in England and that the UK is close to her heart. So I made her up a little change purse with the Union Jack on it, for her to "save her pennies" for a trip to visit someday :)

Lined it with a red, her favorite color.

She also loves all things vintage and thrifted, so I included some vintage lace, a linen handkerchief, and shared some of my vintage buttons scored here. Included some cute sewing sticker labels as well.

Got an e-mail from Amy and the package has been received and enjoyed :)

Am sharing this with Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations and the gang at Sew Modern Monday.

As Time Goes By

There is a great new shop called As Time Goes By in Winnipeg (at 442 Academy). It is home decor, has all sorts of fun goodies, and the owner, Katie, is a hoot! She also has a couple really fun ideas-her store has a free book exchange and....a button plate? What is that, you ask? Basically a plate full of awesome grandma vintage buttons that are FREE! Look at all the treasures I walked away with:

And here are some of my very favorites :-) I tell you , I was like a kid in a candy store.

Also, I bought this really cool beeswax needle holder. Apparently it helps your needles stay sharp!

Also scored some awesome maple flavored honey, made right here by little Manitoba bees! So crazy yummy...makes your toast taste like French Toast!
Anyways, Katie ships across Canada, so why not pop by her web site and take a peek for yourself?

Okay, at the risk of sounding like I am gloating, I received a couple more great things in the mail this week. First off- some more Denyse Schmidt to add to my obsession...I mean collection. These are courtesy of Kaelin at The Plaid Scottie, as part of a little swap we are doing. Thanks, Kaelin!

Second off, look at these luscious hand dyed yarns!

The purple is Malabrigo Chunky in Cuarzo, meant for a hat for a Christmas gift. Yes, already thinking ahead to Christmas! The orange is Madelinetosh Vintage in Warm Maise, for a sweater I am planning for Last But Not Least. It will be in the same Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi pattern that I am currently working on for The Middle Child. Man, sweaters take a long time!
We are heading on a bit of a family road trip soon (Lord help me), so I hope to take this along to keep me occupied/sane :-)

Mail!

Canada Post is currently in full-out strike mode (boo!!), but before that happened, I had me a good mail week :-)

First off, I have to say a big thank you to the awesome people in Blogland who encouraged me to get back up on the swap horse after my first (crappy) experience. After I posted about that one, the amazingly thoughtful Sandy insisted she send a gift my way. And then in the last month or so, I have "inadvertently" gotten myself into a bunch of private swaps, ALL of which are going so great! So, this week, I trotted down the to the post office with my little side kick, bribed her with a cookie to keep quiet while I taped up my first bundle of packages (these ones going to Sandy, Alison, Kaelin and Amy). Ladies, don't judge a package by its cover because my packaging/tape job is really quite comical! Look like they were done by a cat or at least an animal without opposable thumbs. Anyways, after selling a kidney, I was able to pay Canada Post what was required to send them on their merry way. More on the contents later :-)
Speaking of swaps, I have already received my parcel from Amy...check out this adorable kidlet basket she made for me using her sweet new "My Happy Place" fabric. I love it, Amy! And she included some extra fabric, a button and a bloom transfer in its pocket. Thanks so much! Lucky me :-)

My new friend Jeannie also sent me a huge bundle of interfacing in the mail. She had said she was going to send me samples of a couple types so I could see their texture and such before ordering online, but instead she sent me a whole stack which will be put to good use in my framed purse production line of late :-) Thanks, Jeannie!

My mate Kelli was kind enough to send me a load of Denyse Schmidt's Australian version of her latest fabric. Drool! I will put it together with my stack of the American prints and plan to use it in Elizabeth's quilt-a-long! On my own schedule, of course ;)

Also, got myself some yardage of Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks voile. I actually still have this whole line, uncut- so why order more? I plan to use this buttery goodness on the back of a yet-to-be-designed quilt involving my rainbow Liberty of London bundle! And I WILL get over my anxiety and cut into the Little Folks bundle, eventually!

Lastly, I got myself a little something for the sewing room from Aunty Cookie in Australia. How cute is this print?

While I was at it, I got a half yard of this adorable linen. Expensive, but I know just the project(s) for it!

Now, just a couple more swap presents to send out! I love mail :-)

Special gifts for me

I had a great Christmas, and was really very spoiled with many thoughtful and generous gifts from my family and friends! I thought I would share a couple of the homemade items with you.

I participated in a couple Christmas swaps this year, and while I am still waiting for one to make its way here from Australia, I am loving this beautiful garland from Lauren, along with these sweet little gnomes she included for my kids. She also included a yummy recipe (and sample!), some tea, and a lovely story and tradition shared by Lauren and her husband. I loved it!
I also received something very special this Christmas from a coworker. Denese and I spend all day side by side at the office, chatting and having fun, comparing stories about our kids and life in general (and oh yah, working, too!). She doesn't sew, but she likes to dabble in paint. This year for Christmas, she surprised me with one of her paintings. What really warmed my heart was all of the thought that went into this! She checked out my blog to see my quilting style, then took a modern quilting book out of the library and based her geometric pattern on one of the quilts there. She included 5 mini-squares- one to represent each person in my family, and even put in a backwards hidden "K'.....can you see it in the brown block on the bottom right? I was so touched by all the thought and time put into this special gift! Thank you, Denese!! It is now hanging on the wall in our computer room at home!