Thimbleanna

The Valentine Swap

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments about TheSecondChild’s exciting adventure to Australia! We’ve had a quick call to let us know he arrived safely in Brisbane. I think he’s in a good program and probably as soon as they got all those E.T.’s gathered together, they gave them each 60 seconds and told them to phone home. I just hope my little monster isn’t exhibiting any of his alien behavior yet!
(Note to Jeanette: If you haven’t received your swap gift yet, read no further!)

My fun Valentine Swap gift from Jeanette arrived all the way from Norway yesterday. She sent me a lovely set of dishtowels, some woolen pot holders and a fun little tetra bag. Look at all the wonderful hearts on everything and all of the hand stitched blanket stitching on those potholders. I don’t know how she knew I needed potholders, but I’m nearly desperate, as the ones I have are very grungy looking. And, I can always find a good use for small bags — this one will be just perfect for my camera cords and batteries that have been wandering around looking for a home. Thank you, Thank you Jeanette, I heart it all!!!

Jeanette's Swap

Jeanette is away on vacation, so I’m taking a chance that when she gets home, she’ll open her mail before she rushes off to read my blog LOL! It took me a long time to decide what to make for Jeanette, but one day I read on her blog that she liked Nancy Halvorsen and Voila! I just happen to have True Friends embroidery designs by Nancy Halvorsen for my embroidery machine. And since I carry a little sewing bag (thank you quilty peep Gurney!) around everywhere, I decided to make something similar for Jeanette*. I included the scissors, thread and needles and some Nancy Halvorsen fat quarters that I forgot to include in the picture. I hope Jeanette can use a little sewing kit since she does a lot of hand embroidery. Thank you very, very much Mrs. Pocket for hosting this fun swap!

My Swap

I’ve had a fun morning in the dungeon. I cut out a pantsuit (pantsuit??? does anyone even use that word anymore?) that’s been aging in the stash for several years. My work wardrobe is getting pretty threadbare, so I thought I’d try and whip something out this weekend. (Notice how my pincushion (thanks Jade!) coordinates with my fabric LOL!)

Sewing

The pants are done, but sadly, I’ve decided that the jacket will hang better if it’s lined, and since I have no lining, it won’t get done this weekend. Hopefully, I can find a nice lining fabric this week. I really should be working on the little gift bags for the wedding shower, but why work ahead? It will be so much more fun to stay up sewing all night the night before the shower. You’re all with me, right?

I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend.
XOXO,
Anna

*The little bag pattern is from Sew Pretty Homestyle by Tilda.

23 thoughts on “The Valentine Swap”

  1. I love your gifts from Jeanette and that bag you made is gorgeous – I hadn’t realised it was machine embroidered on the photo you sent me – how clever is that!

    I’m so glad you took part in my swap – I’ve even started thinking up a third one – a doll quilt perhaps! I think I have gone swap-happy!

    I hope your blog accepts my comment today!

    Lots of love, Lucy x

  2. Very sweet gifts that you received from Jeanette. Hey I could use new pot holders also. I think I said out loud “oh no not another one” when I saw that cute bag you made for her. Very very sweet and she will think of you every time she uses it. I have a couple of those Tilda books, but not that one. I might have to run over to Amazon, LOL.

    OK your going to just “whip up” a new outfit this weekend, lord that would take me weeks. You go girl :). Oh and I always work best under extreme pressure, cursing all the way and muttering about how did I get myself in this mess and why did I wait so long. I’ll be with you in spirit.

    Hugs – Karen

  3. the little bag you made is gorgeous…….I have several bags on the go with different projects floating around in them…….Nice present you received from Jeanette……

  4. The beads on the zipper pull are a snazzy little touch. I actually bought the Tilda book a few months ago because of the slipper pattern… and the dolls. They just spoke to me (okay, that could’ve been the meds). As soon as I conquer my fear of zippers, I think I’ll make a few, for knitting gew-gaws. With a big glob of fun fur yarn zig-zagged all over a bit of crazy- patch (there are no fabulous embroidery gizmos at Becher Haus). Loved seeing the bit of loverly you begat! Cami

  5. OMG what a cute little sewing bag. Your so clever!! And did you say pantsuit? ROFLOL!!! Are you going back to the 70’s??? And you SEW clothes?? YUCK!! That is one thing I hate sewing. I know where to go now if I need a new wardrobe.

  6. What great gifts, both the giver and the reciever! Good luck with your pants suit, I gave up garment sewing when I discovered quilting.

  7. I have just been catching up with all your posts! How did I get behind? I love the little bag you made. Love seeing all the gifts too.

    I am sure you son will be taken to the bosom of OZ, & will be looked after, & have fun. I know you will miss him, though!

  8. Hi Anna,
    What a cute little sewing bag. I hope you don’t mind but I tagged you on my blog for the 7 things about me meme. if yo have already been tagged then just ignore me.
    thanks
    mary

  9. Oh what great gifts!! And I love that little sewing bag!! Wow you sew clothes?!?! A LINED Jacket? O.k I’m impressed…I once made twin elastic waisted shorts for my boys when they were small and that’s it for my garment sewing career LOL!

  10. What fun Valentines swap packages!! Lucky you and lucky Jeanette!! The bag you made is adorable. I hope you are coping OK with your second child being here (down under) I hope he is having a complete ball in Australia!

  11. What gorgeous swap items Anna! Love the bag you made. I hope ET is having a ball in Australia, perhaps it’s best not to know too many details!!! “Pantsuit” well that’s a word I haven’t heard in a long time!
    Kimx

  12. I adore that bag!! After I write this comment, I’m going to follow the link to the pattern and order it.

    Btw, I too agree about your comment at June’s blog about awards/memes: I’ve added a note in my sidebar gently stating I will no longer accept awards/memes and will be blogging without obligation … that comment is what spurred me into following your link! Glad I stopped by.

    Diane

  13. Lucky lucky Jeanette – I just love the sewing bag. I know she will feel so special everytime she uses it. And lucky you for the nice gifts you recieved. So much fun to get surprises in the mail.

  14. What wonderful goodies!! I just love the little sewing bag, such a cute design.

    The word pant suit may not be “hip” and “cool”, but I’m sure yours will “rock”. After all “pantsuit” sounds retro and retro is all the rage!!

  15. What a wonderful package you received. I especially love things that can be used in addition to being lovely. Your little sewing kit bag is adorable.

    My wardrobe is quite sad and I’ve been contemplating doing something about it. I do still use the word pantsuit and have been thinking about making some coordinating pieces. Thank you for sharing your own wardrobe project.

  16. The bag with the embroidery is absolutely adorable!!! I love it!! Lucky, lucky her!

    I laugh at you having to make goody bags for the shower. I was looking forward to that when my oldest daughter has the shower for my youngest. And then I was told it’s going to be a Roller Skating Party… yuck!! I wanted to do PRETTY.
    What’s a mum to do???
    Hugs,
    Joni

  17. Your swap gifts are wonderful, and I love the bag you created – it is too cute and totally useful!
    I haven’t sewn clothing for years and years, and you made me realize that I miss it!

  18. Thanks for your comment today. Candice says hello and she is glad you are enjoying her blog. Yes, I do live in the land of Intermountain Farmers so come visit when you come out and we can go to quilt stores. I’m in the process of updating (translated to cleaning out and organizing) my studio space. (Doesn’t that sound better than sewing room or junk room as my kids call it?) I’ll post pictures when I get it finished. I did reorganize my fabrics. I’ve decided my favorite color is red because I have twice as much red fabric as any other color.

    My son-in-law is going to UofU in July to do a two year fellowship. So, maybe we’ll even have more in common.

  19. pantsuit? yep Dave Letterman uses that word every time he talks about Hillary Clinton! I love that little embroidered bag you made, gorgeous!

    Lissa
    Australia
    but no where near Brisvegas (Brisband)

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