Secret Santa Swap

Shawnee's latest swap, the Secret Santa swap didn't turn out too good. For some reason there were too many flakers this go round. What nerve of someone to sign up for the swap, receive a package, and fail to send one out. I don't know how some individuals can sleep at night. Anyway I received this cute package from Lenore, an angel since whoever had me originally flaked:

My partner was Laura and I sent out this package to to her:

I also angeled and sent out this package to Lenore:

New Jersey Shop Hop 2012

Wow, the quilt shops have the dates for the NJ Shop Hop set and posted already. My quilting buddies and I are looking forward to it.

Here's a list of the 2012 participants:

• Aardvark & Company, Morris Plains
• Cozy Quilt Shoppe, Maywood
• Fabric Inspirations, Manalapan
• Kindred Quilts, Clinton
• Mouse Creek, Howell
• Needles & Pins, Swedesboro
• Olde City Quilts, Burlington
• Pennington Quilt Works, Pennington
• Quilting Possibilities, Forked River
• The Little Shoppe, Haddonfield
• The Village Quilter, Mount Holly

Einstein Jacket

For the past two months I had been working on the Einstein Jacket by knit designer Sally Melville. It's finally finished and I'm very happy with it. Even though the pattern was very simple and easy to follow, I enlisted the help of Myra, owner of LYS Woolbearers. A lot of straight knitting in garter stitch but surprisingly I didn't get bored with it. I used 11.5 skeins of Reynolds Lopi and size 9 needles.

Birthday Loot

I had a nice birthday today. Here are some cupcakes that Cat, one of the Jersey Girls made for me, owls! Aren't they adorable?

Also look at all the loot from my sewing pals. Thank you Gail, Cat, Patti and Katie.

More Bags and Accessories

At my retreat last month I made two bags from this fabric collection, My Favorite Bag and a Sonoma Swing Bag. I liked the fabric so much that I got some more and made a couple of other accessories from it.

Pink Sands Designs Tahiti Tote

iPad2 Case, Zippy Case and Cash N Carry

Clutch from My Favorite Bag. This is for my knitting and crocheting accessories.

Batik Lap Quilt

I finished the lap size quilt that I started in the Poconos last month. It has been gifted to a nursing home recipient who is having her 80th birthday party today. I hope it brightens her day.

Spicy Spiral Table Runner

I took a class at the Village Quilter with my quilting pals the Jersey Girl Quilters. The class was for the Spicy Spiral Table Runner by Patty Latourell. Here's my runner. I used a set of fat quarters that I won from the now closed Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop during the last NJ shop hop. I made a hexagon mat out of the remaining fabric.

Las Vegas November 2011

Las Vegas November 2011, a set on Flickr.

Pictures of my recent trip to Las Vegas, Grand Canyan and Hoover Dam

Shawnee's Secret Santa Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your hobbies? - knitting, crocheting, quilting
   
2. What are your favorite colors? red black. I dislike green
   
3. Do you collect anything? owls, anything Pooh
   
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? no
   
5. Do you have any pets? No bit have two granddogs :-)
   
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? coffee and chocolate
   
7. What do you like to read? romance
   
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? love both
   
9. What is your favorite holiday treat? gingerbread
   
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition. spending time with family
    
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child? sure
    
12. When do you open presents? Christmas morning
    
13. Do you put up a tree and when? If not, how do you celebrate? After Thanksgiving
    
14. Does your tree have a theme? No
    
15. What has been your favorite gift to give? to receive? Hmm, don't know
    

Fall Table Runner Swap

Another successful swap has been completed for me over at the Flirty Apron Swap. This time instead of swapping aprons we swapped table runners.

This is the package I sent to Sarah C.

And here is what I received from the wonderful Susan K:

I love my owl runner. Susan included this owl fabric and I plan to make an easy striped table runner out of it. Thank you Susan!