Irish Pinnie Swap

Open today are the signups for the MQG Ireland scrappy pin cushion swap.  I am so super duper excited about this swap.  Making a pinnie lets you play with your happy scraps, lets you try out new piecing techniques on a small scale and gives me the chance to make something new.  That's right.  I've never made a pin cushion before and I can't wait to dive in!  

In secret swap style, we need to make a mosaic and upload it to the flickr group.  Here's mine...after much searching through Pinterest:

Sadly I wasn't smart enough to include the links to each of the original sources, so if you see your pinnie here, please do leave a comment below and your blog name.  I'd love to be able to find you again!

Hop on over to the flickr goup to see more inspirational mosaics.  You're bound to see one you love!

Flabbergasted

I am so super lucky I do not even know what to do with myself.  I came home from class last night to not one, but TWO packages waiting for me!  Woo hoo!

Diane (of Random Thoughts do or "di") was a creative, enthusiastic, cheerful, supportive participant in our Goodie Swap.  She made beautiful gifts for her partner and was always online chatting with folks.  Back to the point....Diane send this super duper pouch (and an adorable card) as a thank you for being swap Mama.  Isn't the fabric great?  How thoughtful!  I  love it.  I will use it when I travel with my Birdie Stitches blocks.  Thank you, Diane!

And what else came in the post?  Well, I will open it with you :) 

Do you recognize it?  Oh, I would know that Tesco Corn Flakes box anywhere.   It's my second package from the Goodie Swap from the fabulous Hadley of Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle and I am oozing happiness.  Oozing. 

So, I open the little cereal box and see this package.  My other half tried to cut the ribbon to open it and I nearly killed him!  Our relationship survived and got the ribbon off on one piece.  I promptly RIPPED at the paper.  You have to realize, Hadley never posted a full photo of what she was making on our flickr group to ensure I have a surprise like everyone else.  You're the best, H!

Hadley sent super fun little goodies like stickers, which I love especially as they're little owls from the mama owl herself.  There was DELISH chocolate, which is gone already, and a lovely card from Miss H.  It even has a quilt on it!  To top it off, there were two issues of Making!  Hadley knows I've been searching for a new magazine.  I've only been through the first one and I can guarantee you you'll see those little chickadee bags again!  And this lovely brooch.  I saw this on her blog and thought it was just spectacular.  And here it is!  Lucky girl, lucky girl.

But what you're dying to see is her super top secret spectacular mug rug!  I.Love.This.Mug.Rug.  Love.  Love the color, the patterns, the little pictures and the cheerfulness.  Can't forget the back!

How great is that?  And finally, there's the most adorable bag I've ever seen.  I love frogs - have for my whole life.  I have no idea how Haldey knew that, but I was just flabbergasted when I met my new best friend. 

It has great pockets both on the outside and inside.   There is a great little pink lining too!  I wish I could get a better photo, but its raining outside.   Hadley, this entire package is perfectly me.  Thank you.  Thank you so much for your kindness, thoughtfulness and diligence in stitching.  You have no idea how happy I am, but I sure hope I'm making you blush reading this!!!  xx

Lucky me!

Woo hoo!  I received this afternoon my first package from Goodie Swap 2011!  Yippee! 

Naomi (from Nomes's brag-a-long) was the wonderful person creating for me and I could not be happier!  As swap mama, I knew who was creating for me.  Still, I did not want it to ruin the surprise.  So, I tried to avoid Naomi's blog or flickr activity for fear I got a peek.  Sadly, though, I think I hurt her feelings for not being more vocal and supportive.  Naomi, I am sorry to have put my surprise ahead of your happiness and I truly hope that you believe me when I say I LOVE WHAT YOU CREATED!  I am super-duper thrilled.  Thank you a million times over. 

Now, for the gorgeous photos!  Naomi sent a lovely package.  I really wish I had the fabric version of this wrapping paper!

 What's inside?!?!  What's inside!?!?  Well, this beautiful-ness...

Can you see the fab applique?  I love it.  I love that you can see the stitching on the back...Or can you?  It's hard to photograph white on white.

But wait!  There's more :)

Ummm....chocolatte.....  That will go down a treat!  Now look at this spectacular needle book.  I love the nooks and crannies.  It even came with the most fantastic little pair of scissors!  How thoughtful!  Naomi, I have a sewing bee weekend coming up and I can't wait to bring this little goodie along too!

Naomi, thank you.  Thank you so very much for all of your hard work.  I love the fabrics you used, the colors you choose and the thought you put into designing these pieces of happiness.  Thank you.

Yippee Fabric Baskets!

I am not one to start little mini projects, but I am always envious of those who create cute little goodies.  Jumping into the Goodie swap was really my way of forcing myself to give smaller projects a try.  Well, thank goodness I did because I am in love with this little one! 

Using another tutorial from Pink Penguin, I made this little fabric basket for my Goodie Swap partner.  I really hope she likes it as much as I do.  I used pieces of charms from the Rainbow Charm Swap.  I think they look at home here.

The lining is one of my favorite print, but I have problems finding a quilt pattern that allows for such a large print.  So, it remains on the top of my stash pile where I continue to love it.  Using it in this project was perfect.

Well, Swap Partner, I truly hope you like this little one as much as I do :)

Puffy Pouch Cuteness

I found a great tutorial from Pink Penguin that really got me excited.  If you have not already been to Ayumi's blog, do go to visit. She has really great tutorials for stuff that you must make as soon as you see them.  What's better is that the instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

Anyway, this is (hopefully) the goodie for Partner number 2 in my Goodie Swap.  It's a little puffy pouch and I love it.  I think these are her colors of choice, so hopefully she'll like it, too!

Now, I know the opening of the pouch looks a bit loose...that's because it is :)  I have ordered the flex frame "clasp" that will be inserted as soon as it arrives.  That should keep it taught.  Imagine its closed right now and the top is nice and crisp.

The back looks the same, but the "focus" fabrics are in a different order.  For the lining I used a medium-scale floral print.  I LOVE this print and think it would make anyone happy that looks inside.

I should say that the linen is white. It looks a bit blue as its dusk when I am taking the photos.  Sorry!  I hope you like it, Partner 2!

Mug Rug Love

Wow.  How could this be my first time making mug rugs!?!?!  Oh, this may be a serious addiction.  The immediate satisfaction is so rewarding.  I also love that you can use a little bit of your favorite fabrics, making me super happy while not depleting my already mini-stash. 

So, I made two mug rugs this weekend for my two Goodie Swap partners.  I truly, truly hope they are happy with these.

Partner 1 is (thank goodness) open, chatty and gives great hints in flickr and on her blog of what she likes.  I hope she likes what I created for her!

Partner 2 is a (again, thankfully) a regular blogger and also chatty on flickr.  However, I can't find the pattern in her "favorites".  Some times her "likes" are super modern, bright and geometric while other times they are a little more vintage and pastel.  Does this mean I am missing something or that she loves it all?  I do not know, but that's part of the game, right?  I took the modern route and hope she likes this.  If not, I have another mug rug in mind that I am also completely happy to make.  Anyway, let's give this a go for now...

 and the back...

Off to make goodies.  I have a few ideas for my two goodies.  Oddly, Partner 2 is easily sorted and will be finished tonight.  I'm sure she'll like it.  Partner 1 is more difficult here, but I have an idea to start with.  Watch this space :)

Mug Rug Mosaic

If you are looking for the Goodie Swap Sign Up post, click here. Only 3 days left to jump in the fun!

With a bit of encouragement from Hadley, I made an inspirational mosaic for our Goodie Swap.  Using Mosaic Maker for the first time was great fun!  It's really interesting to have a good search for those images that strike you and then look for the common theme.  Apparently I like bold, geometric patterns, heavy quilting and basic primary colors.  Who knew? 



If you haven't tried making a mosaic yourself, give it a shot!  You may be surprised with what you generate :)

Goodie Swap Sign Ups

The weather has started to change here in Galway. It is too sad to think of the summer (that I never really had) ending and fall beginning.  I was thinking a little swap in August and September may be just the thing to brighten this transition.  Need a little pick-me-up?  Sign up! 

A rockin' mug rug by Patchwork Delights



This is a goodie swap, so everyone will have a chance to be creative.  Each participant will make one mug rug (about 9x7 inches) and one goodie of their choice for their partners.  By goodie, I mean any item you would like to make on the scale of a pouch, pin cushion, needle book or brooch.  The choice is yours.  Try something new or choose your go-to project.



A little needle book...



 This will be a direct swap such that everyone signing up will be assigned two partners to which you will directly mail your creations.  You, in turn, will get goodie packages from two other participants.  You will not know who is creating for you, so it will be a surprise package that arrives.To forewarn you: this will be an international swap, so you may have to ship your goodies over seas.   

 

The timeline is listed below.  Please, please, please try your best to adhere so you do not let down your partners: 

16 to 26  August - sign ups

31 August - assigning swap partners

Brooch by Mary Emmens

1 to 21 September - stitching and more stitching

22 September - post your goodies to your partners

If they are helpful, are some of my favorite mug rug tutorials, but there are many, many more out there if you look:

Sew We Quilt

Sew Happy Geek

I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts

Samelia's Mum

Wild Olive

In  Color Order

If you are interested in participating, leave a comment below with your email address.  Once sign ups close, I will get in touch with you to get your mailing address, your three favorite colors and your fabric preferences (floral, geometric, solids, etc) to act as a guide (not as instructions) for your swap partners.  I will then assign you the two partners for whom you will create.

This will be fun! A great way to use up that stash; give you the chance to expand your horizons; and hopefully will brighten both your day and your partner's mail box.  What are you waiting for?  Sign up today!

PS: As usual on a Tuesday, I'm linking up with Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday.