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The sprinkler is sprinkling..
The cowgirl wants to go outside...
The daughters are watching a movie...
The handsome husband is in the shower...
(Now you know I wasn't going to show you that! )
The Mama is happily sewing in her sanctuary...
(A new lamp to hang from my sweet Grandma.)
All of the windows are open to invite the welcome evening breeze. All in all, the perfect summer night. x
Now that my swap partner has received her gifts, I can show you all what I made for her. Shari of Mumsyblossom's World is such a kind and creative gal, and I had great fun sneaking around her blog getting to know her a bit!
I loved making this stocking for her. I found this great pattern from Fig Tree Quilts and knew I wanted to make some pretty stockings come Christmas time. So when this swap came around I knew right away what I was going to make! I had never actually pieced diamonds before. There were pins involved, many pins. And I can't wait to make the next one.
I also added a little pillow ornament/pin cushion, and an apron made from a tea towel. Forgot to take a picture of the apron, silly me.
I really enjoyed participating in this swap. I got over anxious with the wrapping and so I didn't take pictures of everything. But you can see it all over at Shari's blog. I have to tell you, now I am really in to mood to do more Christmas sewing! I always wait too long to start sewing for each season, and then I get so busy and don't finish things in time. Maybe I'll get more done this year! I said maybe. I can dream can't I?
I'm off to work on a baby quilt, I have to get it done by the weekend. I was inspired by this photo. Of course I'm changing it to be a quilt and not a duvet cover, and there are lots of 30's reproductions involved. Can't wait to share when I have more progress made! x
My Christmas in July swap package arrived today! Now the suspense is over, I know who was secretly making me something special. It's Bec of Oh Sew Busy! She sent me the most wonderful packages all the way from Australia. She really spoiled me. She sent so much! Someone was quite interested in this package the minute I started to open it.
Back off Mr. Precious it's mine!!
Here are my treasures:
This great chunky stocking. It's so cute! And each wrapped package was tucked inside.
I love the hand stitching. So sweet!
Inside there was a kind card, with two little packages for my girls.
Little tins with lavender tape measures inside. My girls love them!
Then there were these adorable hand embroidered tag ornaments, one for each member of my family! I can't wait to hang these on our Christmas tree.
She even sent me some gorgeous charm squares, rusty bells, and a sweet button. These all sent my mind into 'what to create' mode. I want to see if I can come up with a project that includes all of them together.
And apparently Bec is trying to keep me from my goal of a smaller jean size.
We have a date later this evening, me and Mr. Dairy Milk Rocky Road. Oh yea.
Now, as you can see Bec went above and beyond with her gifts. But she wasn't done yet. Just look at this!!
A little quilt to hang on the wall! Isn't it adorable?!? And more importantly, is it too early to hang it up?
I'm totally humming "Joy to the World" right now. I can't help it. I have a feeling I'll be humming it on my date with Mr. Dairy Milk Rocky Road tonight too... and I'll most likely have a chocolate moustache.
Mr. Precious is also enjoying his gift.
And now, to prove Bec is the sweetest person in the world, here is another gift she sent.
Oh my, this was so thoughtful! A perfectly lovely vintage apron.
Isn't it just gorgeous? Wow.
I can't believe all of these goodies fit in that stocking! Thank you so much Bec, I really appreciate all of your thoughtfulness and careful stitching. I truly treasure each thing that you added to my gift. I can't wait for Christmas to display all of my wonderful treasures! Oh who am I kidding, I'm totally keeping them all out. Can you blame me?
Thank you so much Bec!! And also thank you to Linda and Stephanie (my tea buddy) for hosting such a fun swap.
Now I have to go get ready for my date.. x
Down on Main Street in my little town is an old antique store. It's in an old building that used to be an auto parts store. It's closing unfortunately, and they have a new sign in the window. "Everything 75% off." I walked in today a little sad, but looking for some old aqua mason jars. I found some jars, some old metal cookie cutters, a wood rolling pin, and then went around the corner and saw this.
I've always wanted an old wooden ironing board. The price tag said $25, I quickly calculated what 75% off of that would be. $6.25!!!!! Happy day!
The edges are painted aqua.
Here's her new home in my sewing room. I know I could make a nice cover for her, but I don't want to cover up the pretty sticker or aqua paint.
I also picked up this little clothes pin apron.... for $1.50. I know!!!
These little dresser scarves were $1.50 too, for both! I think I will make pretty cushion covers out of them.
These feed sack circles were purchased from the same store not long ago. But they were only 50% off. Still a great deal, no complaining here! I love them.
I found this vintage border print recently in a bag of scraps that I bought for $.75.
And I just love the fabric this vintage apron is made of. Another recent thrift store purchase.
I want to wear it and bake an apple pie.
New vintage cotton ricrac.
Recent sock knitting.
I have such a love for beautiful old things. They add so much character and coziness to our little home.
I also made a trip to the post office today to send off my Christmas in July swap goodies. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone has made! This Christmas sewing really has me ready for the cooler months. I can't wait to cozy up by the fire on a rainy day with some sewing in hand. Wait! What am I saying, I haven't gotten enough camp fires yet! And my blackberries haven't ripened for making jam yet either. But Autumn and Winter are my favorite times of the year.
Ok, as soon as I make jam I demand Autumn to start. So there. x
How is your summer so far? Whew... we have been busy. So busy that I've rarely been at the computer lately. I'm so far behind on blog visiting and emails! We've enjoyed camping, swimming at the river, sewing doll clothes, working in the yard, movies, library trips and summer reading. Not to mention the amount of fresh strawberry shortcake consumed.
The peek above is of my Christmas in July (hosted by Stephanie and Linda) swap item. It's hard to take a picture of something without giving too much away!! I've really enjoyed making this and so hope that my swap partner will like it.
I still haven't gotten my vintage sheet quilt top together... I know, shame on me. But I have made two little girls happy with some clothes for their Blythe dolls. Have you heard of these dolls? They're fantastic. They're remakes of the original Blythe dolls that came out in 1972. They were only on the market for one year due to the fact that many little girls were creeped out by them. That makes them even better in my opinion! When you pull the string on their back their eyes close, and when they open again their eyes have changed color and they're looking in a different direction. Here are the outfits I've made so far.
Making these little dresses is going to be addictive I can tell.
I really hope you're all busy with lots of summer fun. I hope to be back soon with some quilt progress to share. Take care! x