Cheap Hot Mama Apron Swap - What I Sent

Well, here's my Cheap Hot Mama Apron Swap package! It's a little over-the-top, but my partner wanted something sexy (for her hubby), and I figured I could DO THAT! LOL! In addition to the apron with bras-and-panties fabric, I made a sexy choker, and a pair of fingerless black lace gloves.

Here are a couple pics I swiped off HER blog - the apron looks better on her dress form, LOL!

Catching Up - A Couple Gifts I Got

Two wonderful bloggie-friends sent me some much-appreciated gifties at Christmas! I'm just now getting around to posting again since I got a new camera and getting the pics uploaded and then into Picassa and back to Windows is a nuisance, but it's the only way things will work now - funny how an additional step just makes my feet drag, getting things posted! Anyways, the wondrful AwtemNymf sent me THREE books! A total surprise to me! And the biggest surprise is that I didn't already HAVE any of them (because I'm a book-a-holic). These books are non-fattening, and they just might lighten my WALLET a bit if I think I "need" more fabric, LOL! (Sorry the pic is so fuzzy...still getting used to the new camera.)

And here's a peek at what my friend, Aunt Pitty Pat, sent me - yummm! Of course, I took this picture awhile ago (like the day they came). The tin is empty. The bags are empty. Uhhhh....gee, I wonder where the Chex Mix went? :-) Shall I blame Miss Piggy? And Diesel? Naw...I have to admit, I ate every bite...I LOVE Chex Mix but only if someone ELSE makes it. I'm a really good cook, but there are a couple of things that just taste better if someone else does the work, and Chex Mix is one. She also sent me a beautiful heart necklace that I've worn many times already! Thanks again, APP! I love both these special ladies :-)

Pussycat, Pussycat.....

I know, I know...I haven't been posting for awhile. Well, work is a bit of a drag right now - layoffs and sad and grumpy people. But this apron I got in Val's "Cheap Hot Mama Apron Swap" certainly cheered me up and made me smile :-) This apron came from Kellie. She created this awesome apron from stash-on-hand (as we all had to do). The underlayer is a wild animal print...but the parts I love the best are the totally stupendous, awesome, wonderful, creative, artistic pussycat and fish (ok...just the skeleton because I think Badd Kitty ate the Fishy!). Kellie drew them freehand! I could never be that creative. She also included a matching potholder, a Quilt magazine, 3 totally lovable fat quarters, and 2 yummy recipes for me to try! I love all of it - what a great swap to get in the mail! Thanks a million times, Kellie!

Here's a closeup of da pussycat :-)

A Little Christmas Cheer

Every year in November and December, our office has a Charity Drive. We do lots of different things like collect toys for the annual Olympia Toy Run, where motorcyclists of all ages gather to brighten the lives of children at Christmas by making sure they receive a toy. We also collect non-perishable food for the local food banks and adopt a needy Christmas family. Here's my wonderful coworker, Joanne, who has been coordinating this effort for our office for many years. She's got lots of good ideas and really knows how to squeeze the most out of every penney or item we donate.

This year, the Salvation Army asked if we could adopt a large family - mom and seven children. Of course we said "Sure, we can!" Joanne made a colorful poster with tags for mom and the kids for clothing, shoes, and gifts. We were asked to take a tag and provide the gift written on the tag. I chose the tag that said "Stocking Stuffers for the Family." I had so much fun putting together what I hope will be a little cheer for all 8 family members.

I made everyone a key chain and attached a mini-flashlight. I also included a larger flashlight. The guys got yet another flashlight - one like a miner would wear around their head. Flashlights are really big at our house at Christmas...the smaller, or larger, the better. Cabella's has a great one that's almost like one of those big searchlights! The guys' keychains were made of camo fabric.

For the mom and 3 girls, I got Bath & Body Works gift sets of shower gel and lotion, and I made them small pouches to keep little treasures in. The girls' key chains, pouches, and the ties on the gift sets all match and are from the Picadilly collection by Pamela Mostek.

Here's a closeup of the little purse-pouches - there are three individual pockets, and the pattern is called "Little Wallet" by Valori Wells Designs. These are $3 "Sewing Cards" that are a creative and inexpensive little gift for any sewist:

Everyone also got a big bag of assorted Christmas mini-candy bars, and a bag of nuts in the shell (mom also got a nutcracker set to share). I made fat quarter bags to stow everything in, and put their names on them. So much fun to put together! We'll be delivering everything a few days before Christmas, and hopefully will make their holidays a bit more festive and fun.

Brrrrrrrr!!!

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted...but that's mostly (I can blame it on this) because our furnace went out and it was just too cold to be on the computer! Here's a picture of the part that went "Bloohey"...

Of course, it coincided perfectly with the coldest weather we've had yet this season! It got down to 8 degrees at night! I won't show you the pictures of the polar fleece yardage I hung in the doorways to keep the little heat we had from 2 space heaters in the living room. But if anyone asks why I have so much fabric...well, I can tell them it comes in handy when the heat's out! So all you "stash builders" out there - keep on buying that fabric - it just might keep you cozy when you need it most :-) The furnace is now fixed and I'm back in business!

One Gift...Half Wrapped...Sneak Peek!

Well, I have to admit that last year, I wrapped my first present on December 22...I'm trying to change my ways this year! I have my first present ALMOST wrapped...and it's only November 30! It's amazing that I even already have a present purchased!

I have the gift bubble-wrapped and carefully packed into a box. Haven't got the gift wrap on the box yet though. So...you're thinking "If she hasn't even got the gift wrap on the box, how can she say the gift is ALMOST wrapped?" Well, now you have to understand my definition of "wrapped." I admit that decades ago, my idea of wrapping was sometimes to give the recipient the gift in the store bag it came in, LOL! My how times have changed...(also notice how "wrapped" is very close to "warped").

I forgot to take a picture of the gift, but it's one of those hand-dipped and carved candles and looks a lot like this:

So, to go with the lovely blue and white candle, I made this lovely blue and white table runner/candle mat/gift wrap. The fabric is Timeless Treasures and has beautiful metallic accents. I partnered it with some deep navy batik polka dot which I thinks makes it really pop. I used disappearing nine-patch, bias strips, straight strips, and of course, I had to toss in just a tiny bit of selvage :-)

Just for good measure, I added some hot-fix rhinestones and nailstuds - my latest addiction. The runner buttons perfectly around the box (well, it will when I get the box wrapped!) and becomes part of the wrap - a "double-gift."

I used narrow hair ties for the loops - after discovering this use for hair ties, I went crazy buying them in every color and size I could find!

Here's a closeup of some of the "bling"...and I'll post a picture of the REALLY wrapped gift when it's REALLY finished :-)

Hot For Chocolate - What I Got!

Oooooooo, look at these yummy goodies I got for Yarni Gras' Hot For Chocloate Apron Swap! Madelyn really spoiled me! In the first place, I am a Pattern Nut...but the one pattern (yes, I think it's the ONLY ONE!) that I didn't have was the Sweet Treat Bag! Not only did she send me the pattern, but she sent me a Honey Bun to try it out! I can't wait to get started on it!

And then...the apron was soooo cute! The funny thing was we both chose the same chocolate fabric for our aprons, but Madelyn had some other fabrics that I didn't have. Like the beautiful chocolate nonpariel , and the chocolate chip fabrics! Arent' they gorgeous?

I really love the extras she sent and especially these fat quarters! There was some lovely lavendar spray starch! And notice the Dove Chocolate peeking out at the right side of the picture...yummmmm.....Thanks Madelyn! What a wonderful swap package!