Christmas Lovin'

For a number of years, I have participated in a retreat with women that I met through an online quilting e-Group. The retreats are wonderful, and I have met many great ladies that I now call my friends! This year, it was decided that the retreat group would do a little bit of Christmas Swapping amongst ourselves, drawing names and being matched up with those that wanted to "play". I had 2 names...which meant 2 boxes of goodies arriving at my house! The goodies on the left (snowman, lavender sachet, pink zipper bag, and faith sign) are from our retreat hostess, Angela. She is such a talented artist on so many fronts, and sells her original designs and patterns on Etsy and through her web store at www.thecountrycellar.com. Check her out...and maybe order a hand-did item or two!!!

The items on the right (hand dyed yarns, handmade soap, knitting needles, and dish cloth) are from Penny. Penny is one of Angela's sisters, and is quite talented in her own right. I'm excited to start a new project with the yarns Penny sent.

Thank you, both, for sending the lovin'! Looking forward to our retreat time in May!!

Autumn Friendship Swap

I recently participated in an Autumn Friendship Swap with an online group. Kate' from Washington state was my partner, and she made me some beautiful hand embroidered dish towels with coordinating crocheted dish cloths. They are wonderful, and great examples of fine workmanship. Also included were some fabulous recipes that I am anxious to try. Thank you, Kate'!! In return, I made Kate' the following fall wallhanging and apron. The apron had matching potholders, too, I just forgot to take a picture.

Needlebooks

A few months ago, I participated in an online needlebook swap. The swap required participants to make 3 needlecases per set, and then send in your sets to be swapped. I just made and sent in one set, and the 3 needles case I received are posted at left! My needlebooks came from Holland (basket of flowers made from wool), Maryland (30's bowtie wallet style), and Texas (cute chicken...the wing lifts up to store your needles!)! The needlecase that I made and swapped, below, is made from 30's reproduction fabrics and was an original design.

Pinwheels on Parade

I finished another UFO today!! Hooray!! The 10" red and white pinwheel blocks were from an online swap several years ago. I needed to make a few more to make this quilt the size I wanted. I picked up the pretty red border fabric on Friday at my new local quilt shop, Stitch-n-Tyme , and put it on this morning! The photo is dark, something I have trouble with when taking photos in the house, but the reds are so pretty! Did I mention that red is my favorite color? Can't wait to get this one quilted! I've been working on several other UFO's, so maybe I will get them completed, and photos posted here later!

Planning Ahead

I finished up 2 sets of blocks this weekend for an upcoming online Primitive Folk Art Applique swap I'm participating in. The first is from an embroidery pattern by The Country Cellar that I thought would be cute done in applique. The sunflower is from a quilt book I had.

The swap blocks are not due until next month, but I will have my granddaughter here for a week or so and will not have time to work on them once she is here. Then, my sister and I will be heading to Des Moines for the AQS show the beginning of October.