jannimary: Girls Day in the Country

This year we had two separate swaps.

Firstly, on Friday we had a “Make it, bake it or fake it” Swap among the Blog ladies.

I didn’t have a great deal of time so I did a simple make, with a bit of a fake. A couple of weeks ago I read on Bloom’s blog that she had found a wonderful new toy. I arranged to get one for myself and also got one for the swap. I then made a simple draw string bag to carry it in.

Ann was the recipient of this little package.

I received a lovely fat quarter bundle and a little mirror from the vintage quilt exhibition in Brisbane, prepared by Jenny. I’ll have fun with the fabrics, and it was a real treat to have a little something from the quilt exhibition, as it was something that I would have love to visit, but just not feasible.

Kerry had arranged a swap for Saturday using one of Lynette’s little patterns. The project was for a needle book.

Time was not on my side, so I pared back the stitchery design to just one colour and simplified the stitches. Instead of making a needle book, I made a pincushion, using some fabric I had, which matched the stitchery nicely, and some ribbon that came from Norway, wrapping a Christmas Swap a couple of years ago.

For the first time I used crushed walnut shells for the filling. I was really happy with how it turned out. I may have to make one for myself as well.

Funnily enough, Ann received this swap gift as well.

I received a very sweet needle book. When I saw the wrapping paper I had a sneaking suspicion that it may have been made by Jenny, as it was the same paper as on my Friday night’s gift.

Yes, I was right. What a coincidence.

I love the rich colours Jenny used, the snail button and the lining fabric on the inside also matches, with snails and other bugs and flowers. Just perfect.