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.