Huswif Swap and More Birthday Gifts

 

My Yahoo Group Small Quilt Talk recently conducted a huswif / needlecase swap.  My partner was Mary C in Canada.  Mary said that she wanted to be surprised.  Since Mary is in Canada, I went the French style :)  Yeah corny I know :p  It took a whole 3 weeks for Mary to receive it. In this year and age, in 3 weeks one can fly to the moon and back!  Mary knows how I've been worried that it was lost.  But all is well now.

The cross stitch design is a freebie by Casamia in Italia.  Mary's initials flank the French maid.  Stitched with DMC3777 on 32ct Belfast Raw Linen.  The fabrics used are Rounneries by French General for Moda, with a piece of wool felt which has been blanket stitched at the edge.  Also some French linen decorative ribbons along the wool felt piece and to tie the needlecase.  I've used mainly the tutorials from APQ and Heidi's old blog.

 Gifts from Margaret W!  I absolutely adore the key holder.  I am using it for my house keys already! I like the fabric combo, sometimes the simple things are the best.   Great fabrics choices as usual which will be suitable for some XS finishings and 6 spools of lovely prim coloured cotton thread.

Lovely box from Lillie with a design by BBD (my favourite) stitched on top of the box cover. The box is quite sturdy and Lillie is utilising fully her lessons in cartonnage recently.  The box was filled with sewing thread and buttons which have been thoughtfully included due to my recent sewing blaze.  More Yoko Saito fabrics for the bag I am planning.

The 39 cross blocks measuring 3" square are completed and the setting squares are all cut..  Now to get them pieced!

 My crazy quilted plaid mug rug has been selected as one of the finalist by This-N-That.  So if you don't mind and be so kind, won't you vote for me?  I am No. 5.  Pretty please?  Much obliged!