Swap Reveal

So I stopped at the post office yesterday to check my mailbox..

And to my surprise, there was a package for little ole' me.. all the way from Australia!!

Maria, from Life on the Block made me this beautiful Sewing Organizer.

The fabric couldn't be more perfect! And the freemotion quilting on here.. amazing job! (I actually have some of this fabric in my stash.. I had plans to make a pin cushion of some kind with it.

When it's open.. there are 4 zipper pouches.. and she filled them with goodies for me.

This retractable measuring tape - perfect since I've always wanted one, but never bought one.

And this little scissors to keep next to my maching for snipping threads. The timing of this couldn't have been better either - because I was just complaining about my little scissor last weekend. My husband oiled them for me but they still needed to be replaced!

She also added these adorable buttons and lace.

And these vintage quilt labels! I love it all!!

The little matching fabric tag Maria added to the scissor was love at first sight! What a great little idea. I'm so stealing this idea Maria!

Thank you so much!

How about you.. Have you received your packages? Tell us about them.. or leave a link in the comments - I'd love to check them out.

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It's SWAP TIME!!

**Swap is now closed!! **

Yes - It's time for a SWAP!!

Thank you all for your input on what type of swap we should do. You had some great ideas.  

After much thinking.. and discussion with my cousin (aka Bobbi @ Crafty Vegas Mom) I decided to host a "Quilters Day Swap"!!

I'm not sure if there already is a "Quilters Day".. but there is now!!

What will we swap you ask?

Well, that's the best part.. Anything you want to make!!

That's right - you can send your "Secret" Swap Partner a pincushion or a mug rug.. or a potholder.. or apron... or a zipper pouch.. etc. You get the picture.. ANYTHING!!

How does that sound?

If you want to take part - send me the following information:

1. Name

2. Blog address (if you have one.. totally not required)

3. Color preference (or colors you don't want)

4. Mailing address

5. Let me know if you are willing to ship internationally

Feel free to copy the above picture and resize if you want. You can also let all your friends know.

Deadline for mailing your projects will be May 1st! I will randomly match swappers - probably with the help of my kids.

So.. are you in?!

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I've got a hankering..

Yep.. I do. I'm in the mood for a SWAP!!

Do you know of any that are still taking swappers? Or maybe I should host one? Hmmm... If I host one, what are you in the mood to swap?

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Fair Trade?

A few months ago - one of my husband's coworkers approached me about making a trade.

She wanted to make me an Afghan in exchange for me to make some living room drapes for her.

I agreed..

then proceeded to procrastinate for months.. and months..

Well, the other day - my husband brought home the Afghan. So now the pressure is on for me to get these drapes finished!!

We love the Afghan.. it's heavy and warm.. and we have all been fighting over it. I think I definitely got the better end of this trade! Pin It

Swap Fun

I have been participating in the Once a Season Swap for 2 seasons now. It's fun and for some reason.. both times.. I forget that I'm expecting a package too.

So yesterday, I stopped at the post office to pick up our mail since I hadn't been there in a week. And what did I find... A box for ME!!

All of these lovely little packages were wrapped..

My youngest asked if he could help unwrap.. I said "Sure". And soon he says "Ah man.. fabric.. ugh" and I said "YAY!!!"

This great book that has a ton of ideas for the holidays!

This sweet embroidered snowman picture...

A great little zipper pouch for sewing notions...

And this little tissue pouch and buttons. (Excuse the angle - I can't get the picture to stay turned for some reason)

Thank you Donna from http://donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com/! You are very generous and I love all of it!! Pin It

Do as I do.. not as I say

Wait.. is that how that goes? I don't think so.

Anyway - I joined another SWAP!!! Yep.. I know.. I know.. but I'm really excited about this one. It's an I-Spy Swap.

Click picture to signup!!!

or click HERE

Have you ever done one? I have - just one other time and it was fun. And of all the swaps I have done, probably the easiest kind EVER!!

I've seen a few adorable patterns for I-Spy quilts lately and really want to make an I-Spy quilt. It's the perfect gift for any kid in your life.

Crystal over at Hendrixville is the organizer and there are only a few spots left. So you better get over there FAST and signup!! All the cool people are doing it! Pin It

Swaps are Fun!

I had recently avoided swaps because my TO DO list is WAY too long. But I did join the Once a Season Swap recently.

I made this Corduroy Tote and a matching zipper pouch for Toni over at The Quilting Pirate. I'm so happy she liked it!!

The next round of the Once a Season Swap is coming in April. Go visit Cheryll and keep your eye open for signups coming soon!

And if you are interested in a tutorial for the Corduroy Tote... Click HERE to see the one that Bobbi over at Crafty Vegas Mom has on her blog. Pin It

Swap Fun!

The only thing better than stalking the mailman when you are expecting a package - is going to the maibox and finding a package you were NOT expecting!!!

I joined the Seasonal Swap recently. And I was so consumed in what I would send to my partner.. that I totally forgot that I would be getting a package too!

I went to the mailbox yesterday and there it was.. a sweet little package from Pauline in the UK.

The table topper looks great on my nightstand. Thank you Pauline! I love it all!!

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Pillow Swap complete.. kinda

I finished my pillow for Project Pillow Swap.. a little bit late. It was supposed to be mailed by yesterday (sorry). So I'm mailing today.. just one day late.

My partner's color preferences were "Apple green, poppy red, chocolate brown".. so the only thing I"m missing here is the brown.

I don't have a 16in pillowform inside it for these pictures.. so it doesn't look as "full" as it should. But you get the idea.

And here is the back..

I really hope she likes it. I'm tossing in a few extra's for her.. my signature Phoenix coffee mug from Starbucks and a fat quarter pack. I love putting the coffee mugs in with my swaps.. I don't know why.

Speaking of Starbucks - I mentioned in my previous post how I have been off the crack java for about 6mths now. Well - I had a really super bad night a couple nights ago. I won't go into details cuz I can't relive it.. but it involved an overflowing toilet.. 2 inches of water.. all around midnight. So the next day - as I'm telling my enabler Bobbi all about it and she tells me to go get a Starbucks. "You deserve it" she says.. so I did.

And it was sooooooooo goooooood.. but that's it.. just one. I'm done!!!! Pin It

Project Pillow Swap!

I joined Project Pillow Swap which is being hosted by Jamie over at Modified Mix. I'm very excited about this swap - I have so many ideas for pillows! And I love that it's something fresh and new.

And there is a Flickr group too. We are just making the pillow exterior and mailing as is. The recipient will put in there own pillow form (that's what sold me.. so much easier to mail).

Now go sign up - maybe I'll be mailing you a pillow. Pin It

Potholders and more..

I have been sewing the last couple days.. but not as much as I wish. No school today so we spent 3 1/2 hours at the park. That was a large chunk of the day... but the weather was gorgeous and the kids needed it... plus we met some friends there so we were catching up on life while the kids played.

Anyway - I made some potholders. I have a thing for grommets and had to give them a try. I sent these to my SIL today. I had a package that I was mailing her anyway and tossed these in for a little surprise. She lives in Rhode Island.. hopefully still dry. (the fabric is OZ by Sanae for Moda)

Here is another set that I made using a line from last year called Fresh...

Next - a little update on the Butterfly Garden. This is what was in the box that arrived yesterday. The caterpillars will be in the cup with that "food" for approx a week. Once they form their chrysalis we transfer them to the 'cage'. I'll let you know when that happens. 

 

And finally - I have to share a sweet surprise that showed up at our door just before dinner.

YUMMY!!! My friend Ashley sent this to us for Easter. We've already ate almost half of it. It's so GOOD!!! If you've never had one.. you really should try it. All fresh fruit - made the day it's delivered.. no preservatives.. just fruit (and chocolate on some). It is a great addition to any Easter table!

It's from Edible Arrangements and she knows the chocolate covered bananas are my favorite.

I know tonight is not a formal Friday Night Sew-in.. but I'm planning to sew tonight. How about you?

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Potholders Received!!

I received the nicest surprise in the mail today. At first when I saw the box.. I was perplexed. I hadn't ordered anything online recently... or had I?? You know those moments.. did I.. had I been sleep shopping on ebay again? But after only a few moments of wonder.. it hit me "This must be from my potholder swap partner!!"

Once I realized it.. I couldn't run to the house fast enough. Straight to the kitchen for a scissors.. and this is what was in my box..

Did I get the best Potholder Pass partner or what!!! Her name is Debbie and she's from New Hamshire as you can see. She learned from reading this post that my 10yr old collects license plates. He was so excited when he got home from school! He already has it hanging on the wall in his room.

I love the Potholders! I have a thing for grommets too. And some yummy fabric included.

Thank you Debbie! You made my day!

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Surprise package!

I knew I should have checked the mail on Saturday!!! After I dropped the boys off this morning for school I decided to walk down to the mailbox.

And I'm so glad I did!! There was a surprise package from Rita from the potholder swap. I love these!

And because I'm a traditional girl.. I love that they are traditional quilt blocks.

Here is the back.. I'm torn whether I should actually use them in my kitchen.  

Thank you Rita!

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