Needful Things Swap Package Received

I received my package from The Needful Things Swap yesterday.  We had mixed partners so we didn't receive from the same person we sent a package to. My partner was Chris and she put together a wonderful box.

Lots of goodies came out of that box. Each goodie had a little tag attached and was wrapped in either bubble wrap or tissue paper.

New yarn to make dishcloths. Love the colors.

"The chocolate is to distract everyone else from your jelly beans" and it worked! I've been nibbling on the jelly beans. I like to eat them by color/flavor especially with Jelly Belly beans. Mixed the wrong flavors together and you will not be happy.

I've never tried friendship bread or a yeast starter. This will be interesting to try. I hope I don't screw it up.

"family = bear hug"

Cute penguin buttons, a business card holder or coin pouch and a mystical mermaid.

"A free spirited, fun flying fairy" that I have decided to use as my Muse. I have named her Myrtle after my Grandmother. She will hang out with me in my sewing area (away from the cats of course)

A funky zipper pouch with lots of fun felt pieces added on.

Because "cupcakes taste better in pretty cups".

"flashy fabric for a future quilt"

"fun socks for my undercover funky side" I LOVE the bright monsters on the long socks and the circles and stars will be fun to wear without being too flashy.

I think this is supposed to be an oil/vinegar dispenser. I think it's fun that it is shaped like a light bulb. I think I will fill it with colorful beads.

This is "my very own 1st of its kind sock monster sewing supplies storing center with purple pins".

I haven't come up with a name for this fellow yet.

Another big THANKS to Chris for a wonderful swap package! I will post pics of what I sent once my partner receives her package.

Robin's Needful Things

 I joined a new swap. I haven't joined any swaps in a couple years and I kind of miss them. Sometimes they can be stressful but mostly they are fun. This time it is a secret swap so we have been asked to post some needful things.

 

I will always need my family. I'm always wishing for a day to myself with an empty house but when the rare occasion comes along I spend most of the day missing my kids.

I need hugs from my family. I wasn't raised in a touchy feely kind of family so it took me a long time before I realized that I like to be hugged and touched throughout the day. Brightens my mood instantly when one of the kids gives me a great big bear hug and since the boys are both taller than me it is definitely a bear hug.

I need funky mismatched socks because life is too short to wear boring matching socks. I love the thrill of knowing that under my simple jeans I have a pair of crazy colored socks on. Plus, when other people see my fun socks it brings a smile to their face too.

I need jelly beans! Year round too not just for Easter. I  look forward to Easter every year simply because there would be jelly beans. Most kids I knew did not like them so I would always swap one of my candies for their jelly beans.

I need fun and funky pincushions. I like to switch between different pincushions. I also like to line them up on a shelf and let them brighten my sewing area. There are never enough pincushions.

I need lots of scissors. I use all different sizes of scissors. I like to have lots of small scissors so I can keep a pair in all of my project bags.

I need needle and scissor keepers. I was given a scissor keeper made from this pattern a couple years ago and it is my favorite. I can keep a pair of scissors, a few needles and a thimble all in one spot. I am forever misplacing things.

I need thimbles. I've always had a fascination with thimbles ever since I found them in my Grandmother's button box when I was little. I've tried many different styles (and colors) but I found that I like the leather ones the best. I like that they are flexible and fit my fingers better than the metal or plastic ones.

I need organization. I haven't always been good at organizing but I am slowly getting better. I've fallen in love with little containers especially the see thru style. I keep them under the sinks, in the craft room, the living room, the kid's rooms, anywhere and everywhere. It is so much easier to find what you need (especially in a pack rat's house) when things are organized.

I need to create. I love to knit especially shawls, cowls and socks. I enjoy crocheting stuffed animals. Working on a hand embroidery project brings me a calming peace. Working on some EPP hexagons always brings a smile to my face.

I need craft supplies. Of course with all the creating I need supplies for those projects. I love soft and colorful yarn. I've been really drawn to fun and funky sock yarn lately. Watching the different colors and patterns form while knitting socks is just as fascinating now as it was with my first pair of socks. I love bright colored fabric especially when paired with black in a quilt.

I need the sunshine. Living in Florida I see lots of sunshine. Of course for us the Winter has beautiful days that aren't all hot and humid like in the Summer. I like to sit outside on a nice day and enjoy the sun and the birds. Planting flowers and watching them grow brings a smile to my face.

I need to believe...in fairies and gnomes and leprechauns and smurfs. Mother Nature, tree nymphs, and wood spirits.

I need to be wrapped in bubblewrap lol. I am the clumsiest person in my family. I bump into walls, trip over air and find new ways to injure myself almost daily. No one is ever surprised to see a bruise or cut on my legs or arms. I hoped I would outgrow it but at 45 I don't think that is ever going to happen.

I need to learn how to can foods. On facebook and blogs I am always seeing beautiful jars of fruits, veggies, and jams. I know it's alot of work and that's not what has been keeping me from trying it. I keep seeing all these warnings about doing it properly so you don't poison your family and that's what makes me a bit hesitant. I sure don't want to give anyone food poisoning! Canning isn't popular down in this area because we have fresh fruits and vegetables year round so there are no classes available. Eventually I will learn the proper way to can.

I need to read. I've always loved reading even as a child. When I find a book I enjoy I devour it. I tend to read non stop until it is finished. I sneak in reading time anywhere I can find it. While eating, brushing my teeth, when I am supposed to be doing chores, I've even been known to read while walking around the house. All those little bits of time add up. That's why I can read a 600 page book in a day or two, plus I tend to read fast. I read a variety of things but I enjoy mysteries, vampires ( I was reading about them before Interview with a Vampire came out and definitely way, way before Twilight made them popular), history books (especially about Lincoln), most anything from around King Arthur's time and knights in general. I've read several series that had a crafting theme (like knitting or needlework or quilting). I really enjoy series. I get sucked into a characters life and like following them from book to book. Sometimes I just walk around the library looking for book series and then try something new. As long as it isn't a western or love story I'll give it a try. When it comes to the big controversy between which is better a kindle or a real book I'm fine with either. I do prefer a kindle simply because it is more compact and I can carry several books in my purse without all the weight. I do like how easy it to flip towards the end of a regular book to see if a character dies etc. Unless there's a trick I don't know it is a pain to try to flip forward several pages on a kindle.

I need to bake. I love baking cookies, muffins, pies, bread, cupcakes. etc. I find it fun and enjoyable trying new recipes and ideas. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We either end up with a yummy treat or a big laugh at the funky looking blob that came out of the oven. To go with this theme I also need all those little gadgets that go with baking - measuring cups and spoons, egg slicers, those small appliances that make cupcakes, pop tarts and brownies, etc.

I need little coin purses and small bags. It might sound like a strange thing to collect but I like to change things out regularly. I love fun and funky (noticing a theme here?) little coin bags. It's like a bit of sunshine and laughter in my purse. I get lots of smiles when I am at the register.  Right now I am using a mini knit glove but it is about time to change it up again. Maybe some skulls, or hearts or just some bright neon colors?


What do you need?

DQS12

I decided to join in for another round of doll quilt swapping this year. This is the quilt I sent to Anita.  Robbie helped me decide where to place the fabrics. He's pretty good with colors. I used some embroidery floss to do some hand quilting on it. It was so relaxing to sit and watch a movie and work on quilting this little gem. I know that I will be doing it again soon.

I received this beauty from Jennifer.   I actually commented on this quilt when Jennifer was asking which border fabric to use. I loved the way it looked with the word fabric and I even left a comment saying so.  I don't normally comment too much because there are so many (usually around 300) swappers posting various photos that it is hard to keep up. This little mini caught my eye because of the bright fabrics with the black prints so I just had to put my two cents in lol.

Bright and Wonky

Jane opened a new block swap this year and I knew I had to join in. The first round was Bright Wonky Houses. I had fun making these and seeing what everyone else came up with. The next round is Wonky Trees and there is even a hint of a round of Wonky Stars. I think we are all going to have a fun quilt when it is all done.

Row Robin

A bit ago I received my rows back from the Round (Row) Robin that Barb hosted last year. While cleaning the sewing room I came across the bag that had my rows in it and realized I never posted the rows on my blog. Thanks ladies my rows are wonderful!

This is the picture that Jenn posted over on the Round Robin blog.  Her floor helps show the colors better than my white design wall does.

Now I have to decide how I want to finish this quilt. When I joined this swap I was thinking about adding strips of black between the rows. Now that the rows are at my house I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm almost tempted to separate each block from the rows and then border each block in black or put black strips in between the blocks. For now, it will sit in my to do box until I get a better idea of what I want to make.

Christmas Blocks

Sometime last year I joined APP's Christmas Block Swap. It took so long for the blocks to come back that I completely forgot about them. Everyone did a wonderful job with their blocks! I love the gingerbread house and the fabric chosen for the mittens look so mitten-y. Thanks ladies!

Another gorgeous block received

I joined another block swap last month. This one is over at Block Swap Adventure. I like this swap because we make one 12.5" block each month. We use our own fabrics and make the block our partner chooses in their colors. Nice and simple. My partner for January was Wendy. I decided to let my partners decide which block they wanted to make. I chose red, aqua, and white for my colors for the year. I figured that between this swap and the 3X6 Bee swap I will have plenty of blocks to make a nice size quilt.

I think there is still room for new members if you are interested in joining.

3X6 Bee block

I received a beautiful block in the mail this week. This is from the 3X6 Bee swap over on Flickr. I believe this is the last block from the 4th quarter 2010. I did sign up again for this year but switched up my color choices. Last year I chose rainbow but this year I went with aqua, red, and white.

October Owls Received

My partner for October over at YOE was Niki. Niki sent this cute little bag full of treats.

First, this adorable card.

There is a sweet paper butterfly on the inside of the card. Niki also sent some goodies from Stitchin' Heaven. Niki takes care of their blog. There is a hand sanitizer pen, a regular pen, and a pen light. Hey, I just noticed a theme there lol.

Her daughters helped her make these sweet fabric owls. I love the eyes on these guys. When I receive swap packages in the mail I always show Hubby what's inside. He was crazy about these little owls. I can never tell what is going to interest him.

Niki also added some fabric. You can never go wrong with fabric. Love the clocks.  Thanks Niki!!

Candy Corn on the Go!

Once again I joined everyone over at AuntPittyPat's for a Halloween block swap. This year I chose candy corn, mainly because I love the colors. Now the candy...it's OK but not one of my favorites.

I know my colors are in the wrong order but I think they still look great. I like how the colors go from the darker orange to the white. That's my story and I'm sticking to it lol.

I made these with my Go! cutter using the tumbler die. I used scraps so I cut my strips 7" X 2.75" then sewed them into sets of orange, yellow, and white. Ran them through the Go! and Viola! Candy Corn. I used a fancy smancy stitch from my sewing machine to stitch them down to some 12.5" squares of fabric also from my stash.

Only 5 days left until my shoulder surgery (Monday, August 30th) and I still have a couple more projects to get finished. Be on the lookout for a quick little give a-away on Sunday.

New potholders

Front

Aunt Pitty Pat the Queen of swaps recently hosted a potholder swap. My partner was Melinda and she sent me these wonderful potholders.

Back

The one on the left was from an estate sale that Melinda attended a bit ago. I will most likely use the crocheted one as a doily. I love the orange one and we have already tested it out a few times. Works beautifully, thanks Melinda!!

June YOE swap goodies

Box of goodies

Kim was my June partner for the YOE swap. Unfortunately her mailman wanted to join in and "misplaced" the package she sent me. Eventually they tracked it down and it finally made it to me.

A fun box of goodies was waiting for me when I got home from my most recent MRI/arthogram. It was a great thing to come home to after a long day of being tortured. Even the box is fun!

Our theme was Gnomes. I think of these like the Hansel and Gretel of the Gnome world. They even have a nice tree home to live in.

Gingerbread people doilies

Snowman pine cone ornament and painted pine cones

ribbon, beads, and buttons

train ornament, cork bottle caps, and curling ribbon

scrapbook signs

some kind of cards (I think)

Teeny, tiny adorable crocheted Mr. and Mrs. Claus. I know alot of work went into these. The thread is so thin and the crochet hooks are teeny, tiny.

and a fun apron. I think the universe is trying to tell me that I need aprons because Kim is the second person to send me an apron.

More swapping going on here

Over at YOE the theme for July was snails. My partner this month was Jenny from The Red Bulletin Board. She sent me some lovely goodies this month. A couple packets of tea that Hubby and I are going to try out soon, my snail ornie and a fun journal. I love how she made the snail on the journal cover from a swirlie sticker. Isn't he cute?

Here is the little snail. He's so cute :)

PotHolders

I joined a potholder swap over at Aunt Pitty Pat's.  It's been a busy swap month for me.

My partner for this swap was Melinda.  I was going to use these selvages for day purses but never got around to finishing them. They have been sitting next to my sewing machine for awhile now waiting for me to decide what to use for handles.

I happen to glance down at them the other day and realized they would be perfect for potholders. There are selvages on both sides of all three. They may not be the standard potholder size but I like my potholders a bit longer than the ones you can buy at the store.

When I was flipping the potholders over to get a pic of the other side I accidentally snapped a picture. I love this shot.

Birdie swap

I was in NoodleBubble's Birdie Swap this month. This is the wonderful package of goodies I received from Ngaire. I love the birdie in the cage. Ngaire made some gorgeous birdie cards for me also. If you are a swap partner with me in the future you just might receive one of these beautiful cards.