Swaps!

I recently participated in several swaps.  Two of them were charm square swaps and I can't wait to make something amazing with my low volume charms and my Anna Marie Horner charms.  They are both going to be great projects at least in my mind but there are oh so many projects in front of those.

But I also had a chance to participate in two swaps where I made something special for someone else and in return got something made special just for me.  And let me tell you after not receiving a pillow in the swap I did with my local guild I had all but sworn off swaps.  These two packages more than made up for any bad experience I have ever had in a swap.  So I'm looking forward to participating in more swaps in 2014.

Look at this amazing sewing machine cover I got in the sewing room swap.  As soon as this one came up in the flickr pool I had added it to my favorites.  I mean whats not to love it has a patchwork sewing machine on one side and sew with a heart.  Plus it is made out of Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

Then in the Sew Sew Modern swap I got the best package of Christmas spirit you could ask for.  I've been in love with Camille's Christmas Stockings forever and have had them in my flickr favorites for a long time. So I was super excited when my swap partner actually made me a set of two for my little family.  She also sent a long a ton of great extra treats in the package.

WIP Wednesday & Catching Up

Whew where did the last month go?  It wasn't my intention to be gone for so long but things just got away from me.  The hubs ended up in the hospital-yes everything is okay now.  However, it just threw off my whole schedule.

I did finish up and mail out my two swaps packages.  The first is my Sew Sew Modern 3 package.  My partner asked for a market tote.  And I hope I didn't take one of the photos in her inspiration mosaic too much at face value but it was a fabric pull of yellow, gray, and teal.  I happen to think those colors look great together so I went for it in the market tote.  I also included several goodies for her.  I sent EOS lip balm in both of my most recent swaps.  Have you guys tried that stuff?  It looks a little funny because it is shaped like an egg and a lot of people will ask what you are doing.  But it gives you the softest lips.  They also make a really great shave cream just in case you wanted to know.

I totally forgot to snap a picture of my Sewing Room Swap package before I sent it out but I included a fabric hoop and wall hanging for my partner as well as lots of goodies.  That one had a long way to travel so I tried to keep it light weight but I hope my partner will still enjoy it.

Funny story-when I went to Target to get extra's for my packages they had these little magnetic boards in the dollar spot that were super cute.  So I picked one up for my partner when I got to the register they clerk scanned it and this big red box popped up on the screen and it wouldn't let her do anything else.  It said "DO NOT SELL PRODUCT!"  Talk about throwing you off.  I was like what does that mean-of course she had to wait for a manager who explained the item was to be pulled from the floor and so they weren't allowed to sell it.  Total bummer because they were super cute.  Impressive though because not only did she not let me buy mine she asked where I found it and immediately went and pulled them all from the shelf.

I also dropped three quilts off to the long arm.  One of them is a Christmas present so hopefully I will have it back in time.  The other two she told me I wouldn't get back until next year which is a little sad since one of them is my Swoon quilt.  But at least I know I will have some finished at the start of next year.

I found some Hello Betty in a shop on sale so I order enough to make up a backing for this little baby quilt. It's hard to believe I finished this quilt top in April of 2011.  I still don't have anyone in mind to receive it but I thought finding backing fabric from the same line after all this time was a good indication that I should rescue this one from the flimsy pile.

Now I can relax and start working on my next project.  Which my dad has told me has to be my mystery quilt.  My mom was finished with round 2 so we did open the envelopes for round 3 even though I wasn't to that point yet.  Overall I think it is going to be a pretty quilt when it's done.  I've seen lots of quilts in Chicopee around lately and I'm thinking I might need to make one too.  But I have so many quilts already planned and waiting or ones that need to be finished so I think maybe I should pull one of those out to work on.  Be sure to head over to Lee's to see what everyone else has going on.

Catching Up but Can't Stay Long

Hey everyone!  Well I'm back from my trip to Florida and overall I would call it a success.  I didn't make it to any quilt shops while I was down there because the hotel was so far away from everything.  My aching legs can attest to that after a 2 mile walk back from dinner one night in flip flops they were not happy.  But then again that's what happens when you don't plan things out.  I also managed to lose my debit card for the first time in my life.  I'm pretty sure the cashier didn't hand it back to me but there is a chance it could also be in the Atlantic Ocean now.  Luckily I was able to put a stop on it and get issued a temporary card so I could get home.  That of course was another adventure after Atlanta grounded all flights in or out on Wednesday due to weather.  In the end I made it even though my bags didn't but no worries they were delivered the next day with only a slight amount of damage.

Since I missed WIP Wednesday this week while sitting at the airport I thought I'd pop in really quick and give you all an update although I haven't been sewing.  I did convenience myself to join a couple of swaps right before I left for Florida.

The first one is the sewing room swap.  Well I don't really have a sewing room to speak of but I do have a corner of what is suppose to be our guest room.  Don't judge but here's a picture.  I'd love to replace that table with an actual sewing machine table that wouldn't wiggle every time I sew.  My mom has a great portable one that I like a lot so maybe I can start saving some pennies.

Here's a look at the mosaic I made for that swap.  I left it wide open for my partner because there are so many things I could use in that space that I didn't want to be too specific.  I think in my sign up form I mentioned a sewing machine cover which is something I could use for sure.  And it looks like that's what I will actually be making for my partner in this swap so it is a little ironic.  I need to find some good fabrics first though.  I have summer and bright colors on my mind but my partner is looking for a little something different so time to readjust.

You might have noticed some of my Anna Marie Horner fabrics sitting out in that photo.  Well that's because I also joined a charm swap of AMH fabrics.  I have lots of quilts made out of AMH but have wanted to make a very simple charm square quilt mixing all of her lines together for a while now and saw this as a perfect chance to get a variety of charms.  Here's hoping it will all work out the way I see it in my mind.  I like swaps like this because they are easy-just cut and send to one person who mixes up the fabrics and then sends them back to you.  And I can totally get that done before taking off on vacation next week.

Last up I signed up for one more round of the Sew Sew Modern swap.  You might remember I just did this swap to get my feet wet again in the world of swapping.  I was really planning to sit out this round but I knew I wouldn't be able to join the next one as it will be due right before the holidays so as the mosaics started popping up I ended up jumping on board.

Which reminds me I don't think I ever showed you guys the packet I received last time.  So here's a look at the pillow and little bag that I received.

Its going to be a busy work week and then we are heading off to Lake Gaston for a week where we have no cell signal and no internet so I'll be unplugged for a while but I promise I'll be back to catch up when we get home.  Hope you are all enjoying your summer!