SSCS Package Opened. . . finally there are pictures!

I have finally found both the camera and the upload cord so I can get pictures on this blog to make things more interesting for everyone (including me!!).

These are the gifts that I got from Lise as part of the SSCS that has been run for the past couple of years by Chookyblue.

There were wonderful chocolates:

And an Australian craft magazine with lots of eye candy:


An extremely ingenious, and well made, sewing tote with many pockets (that each had wonderful surprises like scissors, buttons, thread and other bits); an Australian calendar, a pen from an animal rescue organization: What makes the sewing tote so ingenious is that the strap acts as a closure for the tote -- holding the contents in nice & tide.

Lastly, here's another pic of the ornament that she made. . .it is so cute that I plan on having it on display year round:

It was a lovely gift to get & I amazed myself by holding out to open the packages.

In peace and pieces,

Boy, have I been BUSY!!!! (includes a very belated Stash Report)

Well, lest you all think that I have flown the coop yet again. . . .here I am!! he he

This past Saturday Mr. Books and I went to New City, NY to see a school mate perform with his rock band. What a great time!

You probably can't really see the guys very well. . .but here's a try at posting a picture:



My friend plays guitar. . . he's on the darkest side of the picture. . .don't think you can see him.

In addition to travelling I have been working on pillowcases for an upcoming retreat where Mr. Books & I will be teaching. . . there are a total of 17 pillow cases that were cut (the first one was my prototype & will remain with me, the last one is not completed since it will be used as a demo piece during the retreat).

The following pictures will give you an "all over" view which includes the prototype opened up; as well as two additional pictures that show the completed ones a little closer so that the fabrics used can be seen:





What I haven't shown here is my Twisted Mystery quilt. . . .I can't show that until it gets returned to it's owner sometime in early November. Mr. Books & I are both in the swap this year so I haven't shown his work either. . . but it is looking pretty good!!

I also am in the process of completing a cube pincushion. . .that will be part of the demonstration at retreat plus there will be one in the package to my SSCS partner.

There is also a totebag that I am making for the retreat. . .the outside is made from fabrics that Mr. Books & I had hand dyed a couple of years ago during a workshop with our quilt quild. . .figured it was time to cut into some of the stash.

Now, here's the STASH REPORT. . . .in the past 2 weeks I have used almost 19 yards of fabric.

ALL of it was from stash --- and ALL of it was from a single tote box that was in the basement.

Yup, all of the pillow cases came from the same box of fabric. . . and, the box doesn't look any lower AT ALL!!! he he he I'm hoping that it is just because I did not neatly fold back all of the fabric. . . because if that is not the reason I have a bigger fabric stash than even I could have imagined.

Now mind you, I am no where near being a hoarder. . .I know better than to pack a storage unit with unwashed dishes and purses full of garbage, etc., but I do love buying fabric!!

Since I am on such a roll I am going to start my stash reporting again as of 10/01/10. . .so:

Fabric Used: 19 yards

Fabric Purchased: 0 yards

Stash Busted since 10/01: 19 yards

More to come. . . I am sure . . . .

In peace and pieces,

SSCS gifts received & sent

After posting several pretty depressing posts I thought I would provide something more upbeat. And since I have found my camera I am able to have photos.

I participated in the Secret Sister Christmas Swap that Chookyblue has run the past couple of years. The partner that sent to me was Peg from Australia.

This year in addition to the gift we were to send an ornament. Here is the ornament that Peg sent to me:

Her stitchery is beautiful. I love the roly poly-ness of Santa.

Here was what awaited me for the remainder of her package; as I was taking each piece out I was wondering if there was ever going to be an end to them all!

Once opened here is what I received. . . .there are 2 additional stitchery items (2 sizes of wall hangings but she said that the larger piece could also be a table runner), a calendar, PODS candies (which I have decided are my favorites. . . need to figure out how I can commute to Australia on a regular basis to get my "fix"). She also included a cross stitch kit, too cute for words reindeer earrings, and a journal.

This was definitely a bright spot in what was a very dismal Christmas season.

This is a picture of the ornament that I sent to Fiona R. in Australia. I thought that she might be able to use it outside of just the Christmas holidays.

I thought I had a picture of the tote that I sent to her. . . but it wasn't on my camera. You can check out her link from Chooky's.

Now to decide what my goals for the new year will be. Do you have yours yet?

In peace and pieces,