The Merry, Merry Month of May

I've been a crazy swapping fool during the month of May.  To say I was over-committed is a gross understatement, but I got it all done (just in the nick of time!) and they are all on their way to their new homes.  In fact, some of them have arrived already.

Pot Holders for PP11.

The Circles Mini for the DS Quilts Doll Quilt Swap.

The Mannequin Pinnie for the FLiPs Swap.

The napkins for my private swap with Peggy.

The pineapple ticker tape mini for the Mini QT swap.

And finally, the last swap of May was the Oven Glove/Pot Holders in the Super Swaps Swap.   The photo at the top is my co-worker modeling the coordinating apron as well.

 I still do have a couple of bee blocks to make, but I will get at least one of them done this weekend.  The other is a Dear Jane block to hand -sew, which may take me awhile. 


It was a pretty busy month, but I got all the swaps done, at least.

And I still managed to complete some granny squares...

Some hexie blocks...

A 12-inch Swoon test block...

And 3 quilt tops, which are still WIPs, but at least the tops are finished.

All in all, it was a pretty good month.

Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

Fun Mail

In this post I mentioned that Peggy (mydaytocraft) and I did a private Table Top Swap.  She made me these lovely napkins

 and I made her these

And I told how I was worried that mine were lost in the mail because I hadn't heard from her.  When she responded, she said she was distracted because she was making angel pot holders for the PP11 swap.  Well, little did I know that the person she was making the angel potholders for was me!

The theme was summer and I think she nailed it.  Aren't they fun!

And if you like irony, you'll love this...  See all that beautiful hand stitching on the kite pot holder?  Well, that is the thread I sent as "extras" in the napkin swap we did. 

Peggy, I love my pot holders.  So, so fun!

I also received a lovely package from Pam (imadelong) in the DS Quilts Doll Quilt Swap.  It is amazing.

The piece de resistance is the doll quilt itself of course.  I was blown away.   The embroidery, the quilting, the piecing, the color.... Pinwheels, stars and hourglasses, oh my! 

Check out the cool label.  In another burst of irony, Pam and I were double partners and didn't know it.  She received my circles mini.  What is ironic to me after seeing her label is that my first idea - the one that didn't work - was a zig zag quilt.  I love this idea.  I really struggle with quilt labels.  I may have to borrow (because stealing is SO tacky) her idea.

And look at the cool hanger she put on the back for me...

Sadly, her quilt has neither a label nor hangers.  The label, because I forgot and the hangers because I didn't think of it in the first place.

 Pam also included this amazing sewing kit, AND all the goodies inside.  I was blown away.  I can go anywhere now totally prepared to sew.

 It is entirely possible, however, that I would have been totally satisfied with this swap if I had only received the card.  This is so perfect for me, I think I may have to frame it.  I have always said that I'm not sewing, I'm doing FABRIC THERAPY.  I tell WH that fabric therapy is cheaper than a shrink.  The truth is, I'm not sure he really believes me any more.

I am over the moon with both these swaps.  I hope my partners like their items half as well as I like what I received.  Thank you Peggy and Pam for the great swaps.

I was really over-committed for May and I still have at least 3 swaps to receive and one more to make and send. 

Guess what's on the docket for today?  Yup.  This last swap for the Super Swaps group is due to be mailed by the 31st. 

And then I think I'm slowing down a little for the summer.  I'm only doing the Table Top Swap and the Modernista Swap, which, by the way, is still open to new participants until Thursday.  If you want more info, check out this post.  Care to join us? 

I think I'll head for the sewing machine to finish my oven glove for my Super Swaps partner.

The List - Progress Report #2

If you read this post you know that last week I made a plan that included far more projects than was humanly possible to complete in a weekend.  I made some progress on some bee blocks one evening last week which I mentioned in Progress Report #1 so I kind of got a head start.  I am happy to say that I did make good progress, although of course I did not cross off everything on the list.

I made some bento blocks for the Scrappy Bow-Tie Block Swap.  I totally missed the first deadline, but apparently I wasn't alone, because Alisha extended the deadline.  I made 10 blocks, so sliced in quarters that makes a total of 40, but I messed one up in the slicing, and so sent 30, but only have a couple of useful ones.  Oh well, I guess that's what I get for trying to slice blocks before work in the morning.

And I made a prototype pinnie for the Fab Little Pin Cushion Swap.  I'm not sure I like the base - especially since it's glass and this little guy has to travel a long ways - but overall, I like the concept.  I found the tute on the DIY Network.  If you find a good source for cheap candle sticks or something else that would work for the base, please let me know.  I think the peg is OK for the top, but I think I need to add it before the pinnie is completely stuffed because I don't like that it sticks up as far as it does.  Lessons learned.

  And I made my pot holders for PP11.  The theme was "summer time".  My partner likes - uh, well, guess.  I'm thinking that these need a bit of embroidery to finish them off.  Maybe some seeds to add to the overall theme. 

I'll save the rest for Progress Report #3, since the pictures are still on the camera.

Hope you had a productive weekend too.