Given and Received

I hurt my neck - too much intense knitting is my guess.  Things are at a bit of a standstill over here so I thought I would take the time to thank a couple of wonderful blogging pals for some mail candy I have received in the last couple of weeks.  Follow the links to see.

Stephanie of A Little Deer is an incredibly talented gal.  She sent me this amazing painting.  There are houses.  On a hill.  I love it!  Thank you Stephanie!

This Vintage Chica, Eren, sent me a cool vintage coverlet that I had admired.  I don't know what I am going to do with it yet, but I will make something with it.  She also sent me some very cool vintage napkins (sorry no pics) and a great book   It was extremely generous of her - thanks Eren!

In exchange for the lovely buckets Meg made for me, I sent her some handmade goodies:

a patchwork belt

and a knitted bag.

I am going to try to take it easy and resist the urge to finish the socks in the hopes that my neck/shoulder will heal.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to "spring forward" on Sunday.

Oh the goodies!

I am so happy it is March!  The days are longer and there promises to be good weather coming my way.  Thank goodness because those gray days in January and February really have a way of wearing a girl down.

I thought I'd share a few goodies that were sent my way last month.  Things that made me smile big...

Meg sent me not one, but two (!) of her fabulous decoupaged buckets.  I love them so!  The one on the left is going in my sewing room and the one on the right I am going to use for Easter and most likely will stay out all year long.  They are so beautiful - I knew they would be.  That Meg has incredible style and great talent.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Meg!  Your package will be on its way in the next couple days - I promise!

Stay tuned, there is more to come.

Craft Swap Loot

Here's what I scored at my local craft swap last week.  There were 8 people so we each made 7 of one thing....

Decoupaged plate by Lynette

Accordion photo album by Marcia

Front of Marcia's photo album shown with Suzanne's felted bowl

Tote bag by Brenda

Paperweight by Shawna

Rhinestone embellished umbrella by Laura

Tie-dyed tank by Cynthia

Good stuff, huh?  I already have my craft picked out for our next round in hopes that I can get it done early this time....keep your fingers crossed for me.

Looking back at these photos, I think I must favor framing things on the right....something to work on.

Hi Jane! I'm Jane, too!

Meg's daughter, Jane, and my Jane had themselves a little swap.  These super crafty girls had been working on their goodies for a few weeks and sent the packages off last Thursday.  Sadly, I don't have photos of the package that arrived.  (Call me a bad blogging mom, but the camera battery was dead and I didn't have the heart to make my sick kid wait to open it all.)  You can see it all here.

Jane was so excited and very happy with the goods!  She loves her hot dog buddy and "J" shirt.  Jane also sent my Jane a cd full of great music.  We've been rocking out in the car!

To see what we sent off, head on over to flickr.

Thanks Jane (and Meg)!  I'd say the whole thing was a hit!

A Christmas Pickup

Ta da!  The finished ornament.  Hand embroidery on white felt, stuffed and backed with red felt.  I used the pickup image from Sublime Stitching (great book, by the way), added my own tree and 2006.  I loved making it - super easy, but the embroidery was a little time consuming.  I'm not complaining....just wishing I weren't such a procrastinator.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

The ornaments are finished!  Finally!  I will post a photo in a few days when I know that some have arrived at their final destinations.

I know I said I would get them in the mail yesterday, but I ended up switching gears and changing the whole thing (for the better, I think) so it took me longer to get them completed.  They are all wrapped, packaged and ready to go.  Kate and I will hit the Post Office first thing tomorrow morning to get them on their way.  My apologies to Group 28 for my tardiness.  Procrastination does not pay, I tell you.  Maybe someday I will learn my lesson.

I am not holding my breath.

Smiling

Who doesn't like a good swap?  I returned home on Saturday to find this in my mailbox:

This gorgeous felted poppy pin was made for me by Sarah.  Not only did she make this for me, she is kind enough to share her pattern.  You can find it here.  When I first saw it on her site, I knew it would look great on my black and white check winter coat.  But the more I thought about it, I knew that it would be even better on my very own flapper hat.

I knit this in the car while traveling to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  Once again, I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran....love that yarn!  And like the others, this one knit up fast and easy.  Woo hoo!  It is the best color green and fits perfectly.

I was right - they were made for each other.  Thanks Sarah!  You've got me smiling!

No, it's not a belt

Remember this pile of fabric?  Well, I kept editing and settled on this combination.

It's a reversible patchwork headband!  I sent this to Sarah on Wednesday and am hoping she has it by now.  If she doesn't, I guess I just let the cat out of the bag.  Oops, sorry!

I just love simple patchwork and will definitely make more of these soon!

A Great Swap

Four times a year, friends and I have our own little craft swap.  It works like this:  if there are 9 participants, you make 8 of one thing.  We meet up, everyone swaps and you go home with a craft from each of the other participants.  Sound like fun?  Yup, it is!

What with Halloween costumes to make and other pressing life duties (read:  parenting, laundry, grocery and cleaning), I managed to finish my craft in the nick of time.  I have told you all before that I am a procrastinator so it shouldn't surprise you that I spent all day yesterday sewing.  You got it - 8:15 am until 5:00 pm with about an hour break at lunch and 20 minutes to go get Jane at school.  I even had time left over to take a shower!

I made more patchwork belts - super easy and lots of fun.  It just takes me a long time to pick which fabrics should go together and get them in the right order.  Once that is decided, it takes no time at all.  Unless, of course, you are making eight!

But the payoff for all that time was stupendous!  Look at my new goodies!

This very cool animal doll by Brenda - inspired by artist Lisa Simon.

Wood and stone earrings by Suzanne and Ribbon Bracelet by Cynthia.  I think I will be wearing these together

Felted Cell Phone Cozy by Shawna.  The alpaca she used to knit this is from her mother-in-law's alpacas!

Green Serged Napkins and Hose Clamp Napkin Rings by Laura and Wire and Beaded Spreader by Lynette.  Both handy for entertaining!

Luggage Tags by Robyn - we need these!

Pajama Shorts by Marcia.  Please excuse the wrinkles - I slept in them last night!  Cute and comfy!

Nothing like a bunch of gifts to get me in the holiday spirit a little early.  Thanks ladies - I love them all!