Christmas?

So lately it has felt like Christmas! First this book arrived via UPS the other day. Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw the contest on Goodreads a few weeks ago of course I entered. And I WON!!! Now I need to finish it by 5/19, so my mom can take it with her on their upcoming motor home trip. Oh darn, I will just have to spend some time outside enjoying the weather and reading it.

 My basket from one of the Flickr swaps I am participating in arrived in the mail yesterday. My partner, Cindy, absolutely nailed my color preferences.

 The basket is too cute and spacious.

 She made me this long pin cushion too.

 

 She included one of my favorites, Reese's peanut butter cups, a great aqua perle cotton, scraps, buttons, lace, and a Scrumptious charm pack. I totally scored!

Then last night, I ran down to the grocery store for the second time in one day. I ran out of oil to make fried chicken. Of course I had to dash by the magazine rack and look what they had!

The Quilt Sampler magazine is my favorite...I savor it and only read about one shop each day to make it last! I love the quilt on the cover. I have been locking for a quilt to make for our bed and this might be just what I need to make. I can use up some scraps and not make it too feminine to appease my hubby.

Also in the mail were a dozen copies of this book that my book club won! I love Amy Hatvany and am looking forward to reading this after I am done with The Matchmaker. See what I mean about Christmas!

I am also celebrating that Fort Worth Fabric Studio is featuring my plus tote bag on their blog. What an honor!

 

Furthermore, it feels like Christmas because I have been making gifts for Mother's Day and for the swaps I am in. I can't share my Mother's Day creations yet, but I will share the swap projects I finished yesterday.

 My partner likes aquas and strawberry fabrics. I finally came up with an idea yesterday morning. I used wool felt and perle cotton embroidery for the strawberry block.

 Here is the interior.

I made another wool felt and embroidery block and made it into a pouch. It is 7 inches square and matches the basket. She embroiders, so I put some embroidery goodies in it. I also picked up strawberry fabric fat quarters at my LQS for $1.25 each, so I am filling it with those and some other trinkets. I just love swaps!

 

Today, I am cleaning my sewing room and working on my mother-in-law's gifts and embroidering my Let It Snow blocks as part of Slow Sunday Stitching. Plus, I need to sneak outside and read some of that book! I am loving our spring weather!