Red and Aqua Swap

Red and Aqua Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Red and Aqua Swap

Red and Aqua Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Mail from Australia

Red and Aqua Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

My Red and Aqua Swap package arrived all the way from Tracey in Australia. I want to say right now that, yes, I was ridiculously excited by what I received. Tracey did such a great job with all the little projects she made. Her tiny little stitches are amazing. Sorry about the slightly blurry photo but the winter light is not making it easy. I've already starting sketching some new ideas in the cute sketchbook holder and the little house magnet is making its way to the refrigerator once I clear off a two inch spot. The kids have been making and hanging tons of art these days. I know its probably hard to see in the cruddy pic but Tracey also sent some kangaroo and airplane confetti, tags, embroidery thread and make sure you check out the close ups of a couple other projects below. Thank you so much Tracey, I love it all!

Red and Aqua Swap

Red and Aqua Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Another Giveaway!

Film in the Fridge is giving away some very cool stuff to celebrate her 100th post! Check this out!

Love the cute napkins with ric rac and the fabric scraps would be great for adding to some of my Christmas gift projects! All you need to do to enter is head on over to Film in the Fridge, congratulate her on all those posts (you should read some of them too, good stuff!) and tell her about some of the gifts you'll be making this year. Good luck, and if you win don't feel obligated to share with me or anything...

Australia or Bust!

Red and Aqua Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Tracey received her package for the Red and Aqua Swap so I can finally post what I've been busy working on. Of course, a big woohoo! goes out to the US Postal Service for shipping in what must be near record time. I think it took longer to ship to Canada!
This package was really fun to put together. The shiny thing in the center is a pack of tiny vintage Christmas ornaments found at my favorite shop along with the vintage handkerchief that I embroidered. The notebook holder is from a pattern by JCHandmade with an embroidery design by moi. I'm lovin' the hexagons these days. Two tea towels are embellished with doily type things from yup, you guessed it, my favorite store. That tiny little necklace is a handstitched patchwork pendant with a linen backing and vintage button. I liked it so much, I made myself a twin. A little Chai spice tea, chocolate bar with dried cherries, a magazine to read and an amazing smelling candle wrapped up the swap. Hope you enjoy everything Tracey!

Handstitched Patchwork Pendant

Handstitched Patchwork Pendant, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Tea Towels

Tea Towels, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Stitching

Stitching, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Look at all the cute stitching done by our group of fifth grade American Girl Club Members! They did such a great job and really took their time with this project. So proud! The girls used crayons to tint the fabric and stitched the outlines to finish it off. I spent the morning looking around for fun embroidery patterns for the girls to stitch. As usual, I found some really cute patterns but even after downsizing them they were either too intricate or too big for the hoops.
I really did think I'd bought the larger hoops. In the end I drew up some simple designs myself.
I think you can see for yourself which were the most popular. (hmmm...cupcake....) I was so impressed by how much time and patience the girls put into this project. They really did a great job and its pretty clear by the lack of whining that they really are growing up. :)

Swap Till You Drop Mini

Early November Mini Quilt, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

This is my November Mini Quilt for Swap Till You Drop group on flickr. Its my first time participating in this swap and it was so much fun I've already signed up for December! The theme for November was a two color mini, so of course I went with my all time favorite red and white combo. The embroidery is a free pattern from Andrea Zuill of Badbird's. If you haven't already been over there, now is the time to go check it out! Andrea posts a new free pattern each month and they are fantastic. This is the first time I've tried a disappearing nine patch pattern and, not only was it almost too easy, but I love the way it looks with all the white. What do you think? Is this a possibility for the Spare Change Swap? Oh, and yes I finally stopped ogling my squares for the Spare Change Quilt, but just so you know, I am not at all embarrassed by my behavior. :)

Spare Change Swap Fabric

Spare Change Swap Fabric, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

This amazing package was in my mailbox today. This is my Spare Change Swap fabric all ready to be made into a quilt. I can't even imagine how long it must have taken Juliette to put all these packages together. Although, it must have been fun sorting through all that fabric ( for the first couple of hours anyway)! Did you see the cute apron one in the center? And the apples, and the retro flowers on the top left? Good stuff! So, now that all the squares have arrived its time to decide what the quilt should be. Any thoughts?
Now I know this is repetitive but, did you see the aprons?! Umm... wow, and where do I get more of that? I 'm gonna go roll around in my fabric now. :0)

A Little Bit of This

Aqua and Red Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Just the tiniest bit of a couple of projects for the Red and Aqua Swap winging its way to Australia. Okay, its probably sitting in some bin in the post office but still its on its way Tracey! Cross your fingers and make a wish and maybe customs will be quick! I hope you like your surprises Tracey, its been so much fun making them for you! I'll post pics of the whole shebang once it makes across the world.

Oh, and some of our favorite people are picking up and moving into their shiny new mansion today. A house fit for the Queen in all of them! We love you Neenee and hope you'll make it through the moving mania! I'll be making tiaras for everyone, except you Mr. Bones. Happy new house!

Quilt, quilt, quilt Giveaway !!!!

Yup, its another quilt giveaway in blogland. How amazing are these? The Old Red Barn Co. is giving away each of these three beauties, and yes in yet another lame attempt to up my chances in the drawing, I'm showing them to you. Now, as usual, you may look but of course please do not enter the contest...there, I knew you wouldn't. Thank you in advance for your good luck wishes on the giveaway. :)

November Quiltie Sneak Peek

November Sneak Peek, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Here's a quick look at a mini quilt I just finished November Swap Till You Drop group on flickr. Its a two color theme so I used my all time favorite red and white combo. The full reveal coming soon!

Swaps and more swaps

Goods for the Mini Quilt in a Bag Swap, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

These are the fabrics and other goodies I'll be sending to my partner for the Mini Quilt in a bag swap. Most of the chocolate and aqua squares are from a Moda Tula Pink Nest Charm Pack. I bought them from Hancock's of Paducah (really great customer service and super fast shipping). The others are an Alexander Henry (blue and brown mod print on the far left) some chocolate and natural linens and a little aqua piece, some vintage lace and crochet hexagons from the local thrift craft store. Seriously, I'm developing a real problem when it comes to that place! Stay tuned for the upcoming intervention.....I also found a vintage dresser scarf that had seen better days. I'm thinking about stitching a small design and including that in my swap bag as part of the mini quilt. Any suggestions on what exactly to stitch? I can seem to make up my mind. See how I went right back to what else I bought at that store?! A sure sign of addiction! Anyway, I can't wait to see what my partner sends for me to work with and get started on her quilt.
I'm also wrapping up my package for the Red and Aqua Swap, hosted by Selena and Sarah . That will be sent out tomorrow to my partner in Austrailia so I'll be posting a sneak peek at that in the next few days. I don't want to ruin Tracey's surprise! :) You can also check out all the other swappers goods on their flickr group.

A little something and a swap

List Maker, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

Well, I 've finally made something for myself. It seems like most of the things I make are gifted to others. I'm not complaining, I love making things for the people I love.
I saw this pattern on JCHandmade a little while ago and couldn't get it out of my head. Its a great pattern, ridiculously easy and quick to produce the finished list maker. There are so many ways to make it your own too! The flower parts are all handstitched onto chocolate linen. I found them at my favorite thrift/craft store. I think some of the fabric is older (some distinctly 80's fabrics in this bag of parts) but all pre-cut just waiting to be made into something fun. Just another attempt to look super cool at those PTA meetings. Its hard but I have to try.

I've joined yet another swap because apparently I can never have enough to keep me busy during the holidays! Woohoo! Is there a deadline?! I thrive under stress. Really, I just couldn't stop myself. This one sounds like too much fun. Its the Mini Quilt in a Bag Swap. You and your partner each put together a bag full of fabrics, trim embellishments etc. and exchange them. Then each partner will use the bag of fun they've received to make a mini quilt to send back. Now, I already know what I would do with all the stuff I 'm sending, I can't wait to see my partner's ideas! You can check out the flickr group to see the swap from the beginning.

Kidmade

Button Jar, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

The latest and greatest in kidmade art .... a button candle jar, made with silicone and a ton of buttons all by himself. This was a project we originally did for my daughters birthday party, much more glam and shiny of course.

The Monkey-man found the extra supplies and spent the better part of an hour making this beauty. Perfect for my favorite polka-dot candles and vintage doily from the best store ever. We may be making a few more for holiday gifts!

We interrupt this blog...

Tip me over Tea Towels, originally uploaded by spinster sister.

I guess I took a little break from blogging, so my apologies to my two readers. I think it was all the Halloween that did it. I usually start those costumes much earlier but some people have a habit of oh, waiting till the last minute to decide on their costume. Others just like to change their mind a few times. I don't even have proof of all the costumes because in my semi-dazed stupor I accidentally deleted all the pictures. We'll be having a reenactment of Halloween very soon.... you know, like at a wedding where you pretend to cut the cake for the photo op.
In my spare time I've been working on a few gifts. Tea towels for my mother-in-law for Christmas. I found this vintage pattern on the Hoop Love Flickr group, an amazing group of free vintage patterns.
I'm loving the happy teapot and the creamer and sugar bowl are obviously involved in some sort of dispute. Next up are the dancing spoon and fork. All the happy towel guys will be wrapped up with a nice new teapot that I hope she'll like.