Monday, September 1, 2008

Swaps and Thank Yous

It's been more than a week since I posted and we've had quite a few swap goodies waiting to be shared with you. I'll warn you now this is a long post. But hang on till the end for a fun swap announcement.I won a give away over at Life is a Musical. The talented Beth created what she calls "ugly bags" using fabric she got at a yard sale. I was thrilled to win one and I don't think it's the least bit ugly! Beth created this ugly bag to be used as a reusable shopping bag but I've been using it as a tote for all of my IEPs and special ed paperwork that I'm lugging around now that I'm teaching again. It's a big bag and I've filled it with paperwork. Beth was kind enough to send along a surprise for Nature Girl. She created a Nemo crayon roll with an elastic closure. It's perfect for Nature Girl who can't tie yet. Thank you Beth! Nature Girl has been enjoying drawing and coloring pictures this week.


I've been back at school but it was nice to come home to swap mail this week. When we received our August Mini Quilt package there was a sticker of a bird on the card. Nature Girl thought the sticker was for her and peeled it off the card and included it in this drawing.


It's a flower family. I'm the biggest flower, Nature Girl is the middle flower and her dad is the littlest flower. This picture is so cute . . . it just makes me smile!


This is the mini quilt that Ros made for me. Isn't it cute! The August mini quilt theme was hand stitched. She printed the picture on a special fabric using an inkjet printer then hand stitched the quilt. It turned out great! It's such a sweet picture and I love the stitched frame around the picture. Thanks Ros!
My mini quilts are temporarily hanging on my quilt line which is too full at the moment. I'm awaiting the arrival of my mini quilts from the Miniature Booty Swap 2 and DQS4 and then will find a permanent home for all of my mini quilts.

This is the mini quilt I made for Ros. It's all hand stitched and quilted minus the worm. I hand stitched one worm but I lost him and needed to make a second one so I cheated and machine stitched the second worm. I still haven't found the first little lost wormy. He must be crawling around here someplace. This is the back of the mini quilt. I made a pocket for the worm so Ros could take the worm out if she doesn't like wormy apples. Lol! I think he's cute!


Tracy sent us these goodies for the Russian Doll Swap. The doll is so sweet and she has three little dollies in her pocket that are actually finger puppets. Nature Girl claimed the pink one as her own. Tracy also included some lovely ribbons for me and goodies for Nature Girl. Tracy has a great blog sharing her animals, crafts and construction of her environmentally friendly home in Scotland. It's very interesting so go take a peek.


Nature Girl took this photo of her goodies. The cat in the basket wasn't part of the swap but she got it on a trip to a carnival with her Grandma and Papa this week so it had to be included in the photo. Notice the pink russian doll finger puppet tucked in the basket behind the cat. I love the little pouch with her name stitched on it. It came stuffed with beads for making a necklace or bracelet. Thank you Tracy!

This is the quilt I made for Lisa in the Miniature Booty Swap 2. I was so excited about this because for the first time I actually had mitered corners. I think I'm finally catching on to the binding thing. Yeah for me!
Lastly I wanted let you know I'm going to be hosting my first swap. I've had several people ask me about the swaps Nature Girl has participated in so I decided to host a swap for kids. More details to follow later this week so make sure you come back to check it out and sign up.

12 comments:

Beth said...

You're so welcome for the 'ugly bag' and crayon roll.

I adore the apple and worm mini-quilt. What a fabulous idea. It's beautiful.

Unknown said...

an ugly bag, how funny! What a great idea! You got some great things on your swaps just now - and you're planning one of your own. WHOO!!! I am SO in!

Tracy x said...

how lucky are you both this week!
i am so sorry mine was soooooo late but i am glad that she made it to you in the end x
many hugs to you both
t x

Barb said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hasn't posted in a week. Love the "ugly" bag. I'm working on a few of my own. Great pic from Nature Girl.

Tracey said...

how has the return to teaching been? Getting back into the swing of things yet?

Anonymous said...

What a great idea a swap for kids! All of the little quilts are so cute and the "ugly" bag is very pretty.

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

All those swaps are great. I just love the hand stitched mini quilts. Way to go on hosting a swap. Count me in! I'll post the details/link on my blog so all 3 of my readers can join if they want! ;o)

jovaliquilts said...

So many great things!!! But my absolute favorite is that apple quilt you made. It's totally adorable! Is that from a pattern, or are you just incredibly creative?

susan said...

such goodies, and i had to hoot with laughter when i saw "dad" was the smallest flower! did you ask her why? that is so funny. have you found mr worm yet??

Craft Matters said...

Wow - what fantastic things you have been getting. And I love your apple quilt with the worm..!

Although I thought I had sworn off swaps for a while I might be tempted by your kids' swap... looking forward to it already.

Anonymous said...

where to begin? Let me just say that I love all the swap goodies. The quilts are amazing. I love the wormy apple and the birdies just rock. The ugly bag is great...not ugly at all.

Ulla said...

You really have made some very inspiriating quilts.
Ulla