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!

Spooks, Rattles, Pots, and Pans Apron Swap!

Here's the AWESOME apron I got from Aunt Pitty Pat in her Spooks, Rattles, Pots, and Pans Apron Swap! I love this fabric! I almost used the same apron pattern for the one I sent her - now THAT would have been funny! But at the last minute, I changed my mind and made a different one. She also sent a cute potholder that she kept apologizing for how it was made - but I saw NOTHING wrong with it whatsoever! I sent HER a potholder very similar except it was round instead of oval - great minds think alike, LOL!
Modeling the apron and potholder is my very good friend, Julia! I thought she was a lot more photogenic than me, so I drafted her for the job! Julia is a really accomplished photographer. If you're interested, you can see some of her work on Red Bubble.

APP also sent an adorable crow/pumpkin decoration, and some wickedly cute cupcake-ees and picks. Thanks, APP - what a great swap package!

I'm So Behind On My Blogging...

This is going to be just a quick one-pic post...and hopefully I'll get some more posted later this afternoon. My excuse is that my computer has been losing its internet connectivity randomly. Very frustrating when trying to post! Replaced the modem ($100) and the power strip ($70). It's better...but I'm still losing the internet, just not as bad! Guess I'll have to call my ISP one of these days...

Anywhoot! Here is a picture of the wonderful backpack that APP made for me! As some of you know, APP and I met up in northern California in September while we were both on vacation! How fun is that! We are lifelong friends now :-) Actually, we were before too...but definitely will keep that friendship going now. She's terrific, as most of you already knew :-)

Witches Cupboard! Pics!

Here are some pics of what I received from Val's Witches Cupboard Swap, from Jenny in NC. She did an excellent job and I love everything! Here's the box before I unwrapped everything: She sent Raven's Feathers and Fairy Poo (chuckle!):

Look at this cool Bling Ring!

And I love this black pin!Some wonderful buttons - oh, how I do love buttons! Old ones, new ones - any button is a good button!

And this Spell Book is...well...Spell Binding! I love the Boo banner, but somehow didn't get a picture of that as it's laid out...maybe I'll take it to work to decorate my office and get a picture there.

Thank you, Jenny! It's all wonderful and very much appreciated! I'll post pics of what I sent out when I'm sure they have been received (since I was a few days late in sending).

Witches Cupboard!

I am soooo far behind on my blogging! My excuse is that I'm trying to get caught up after being on vacation (there WILL be pics from that soon!). I did try to post pics of what I received/sent on Val's Swap page last night, but I couldn't get the darn Blogger thing to upload my pics, so I'll try again tonight.

But I just wanted to at least get a Sneak Peek Pic of what I received from Jenny in NC! It's so awesome! I'll post the "unwrapped" version tonight!