hemming a pair of jeans near killed me ....

My husband asked me really nicely if I would hem a pair of jeans for him. I said sure, I should be able to do that!

I think he asked me 3 weeks ago, and for some reason I was scared (it may have had something to do with the last time I tried to hem a pair of jeans).
Anyway, about 3 days ago, I started by measuring the length, then I cut carefully, ironed and pinned again .. then the adventure began.
To make a long story short, I broke 3 needles, ripped it out about 4 times and let them sit for 3 days before I defeated them! I have successfully hemmed, and I hope I never hem again.

Now, on to something better ... I received my Savvy Seasons Swap Present!!!

I went to the post office to pick up the mail ... and low and behold there was a package for me!!! A package that looked suspiciously like something that may be a handmade item??? I thought to myself ... could it be?????

To be honest, I could barely contain myself ... I wanted to rip open the package in the parking lot with my teeth. It was a probably a good thing that there was sooo much tape on it!! It made me race home and frantically take pictures before destroying the package. I used brute strength, and some teeth, and then finally grabbed some scissors to wrestle the package open. I paused briefly to take a picture of a great ornament and wrapping job.



I read the note quickly, because my mom always told me that it was rude if you ripped the wrapping off first, then I tore off the wrapping paper like a 3 year old (little bits may have been flying into the air).

There were some giggles, some girly hand clapping, and even a little squeek, when I saw what was inside.




I am super pleased with everything, and want to send out a huge THANKS to my swap partner!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

some sneek peeks

So much of what I have been working on lately, is for semi secret swaps. Semi-secret because I know who my partner is, and they know who I am. We chat about likes and dislikes, and can show sneek peeks - but the final product can't be revealed until the partner receives the goods. This way there is an element of surprise involved.

So ... since I can't show you the whole thing, here are some peeks.









I am almost ready to mail them off ... so in a couple of weeks, once they reach their destination - I will show you the goods.

Creative Festival

I went to the Creative Festival in Toronto last night. It's a yearly fall event at the Convention Centre that has supplies for Quilting, beading, scrapbooking and stamping. I am sure there are other things too = but you get the idea.

They have lots of vendors, and I went to "look" around. Of course I couldn't leave without a few purchases.









I have been doing lots of little projects for swapping, but since they are semi secret swaps - I can't show you!! We are matched with partners, and can chat amongst ourselves and show sneek peeks - but can't show the finished product until it has been received.

Other than that, I did start this last night. It's going to be a pincushion. As you can see - I still have lots of handstitching to do. I am really slow at handstitching, but I really enjoy it!

More finishes!!!

I have finished up my potholders and the ornament to go along with them for the potholder pass.



After all my anxiety about the hand embroidered one, I actually really like it! I suppose I just needed to walk away for a bit after all! Hopefully my secret partner will love it.

I also have a little picture I can share now. As part of the Savvy seasons swap where I sent off the placemats, I also included a little scottie dog (pattern is free from the Denyse Schmidt website). I was nervous to share it before, just in case my secret partner happened by my blog (doubtful, but you never know!!). She has a thing for scottie dogs, and I wanted it to be a super fun surprise.



Next up, I have more placemats to finish for a not so secret swap (so I can't show pictures until my partner receives them), and two little mug rugs ... then another pillow swap!! Kinda overcommitted, but LOVING every second.

phew ... it's been a busy couple of days!

Wow! The last 4 days have flown by in a crazy flurry of activity. It was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada - so we spent the weekend with family and doing some serious overeating. WHY do I do that to myself every single time??

Anyway - I did not get tons done on the sewing front, but I did finish up the baby quilt.



She LOVED it! Yippee!! I don't know about you, but I always get sooooo nervous when I give something that I made to people. I wonder if they will really like it, or just pretend so they don't hurt my feelings. Anyway, it's not huge - only about 45" squarish (I know that's not a word but I like adding "ish"), and I am pretty happy with the end result. I also love that I used up a whole bunch of scraps!

I got the potholders for the potholder swap closer to done too. I just have to sew the bindings down.



Have a great day!! And Happy late Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians out there!!

baby quilt in a day ...

Well, not quite a day! But close!

My kids attend a before and after school program. Since both my husband and I work, it's a necessity as we can't really leave them to fend for themselves at 7 and 9.

So the wonderful Amy who takes care of our kids, is about to start a new adventure into mommyhood. She is due to have her first little angel on October 25th. Silly me thinking I had lots of time to make this little boy a quilt, suddenly realized TODAY is her last day at work!! So I frantically started making a quilt. It's not done, but it's close.

I based the quilt on the tutorial for a pillow by Elizabeth at Oh Frannson!

I had lots of scraps left over from another project, so I didn't even have to buy fabric ... and here is a little sneak peak.





I'll post more pictures when it's done ...

I have to get back to it ... only a few hours to go!!

Potholders

Did I tell you I joined a potholder swap?? I think I did. Anyway, I started working on a potholder this weekend.

When I first started, I thought I had this fabulous idea ... and when I started, I really liked it = but then it didn't really look at all like what I had imagined. Does that ever happen to you??



In fact - I really kinda hated it. But, since it took a little bit of time to do the hand stiching, I figured I may as well continue on ...



Now, it looks a little better, and I don't hate it anymore ... but I am still not really sure. I think I need to walk away from it for a bit. Sometimes that makes you like it again : )