Swap Happy

I recently participated in a couple of wonderful swaps.  Now that August is behind us, I can share what was exchanged.

The first swap was a “Sister” swap hosted by Michele.  She did a great job keeping us "on tract" through the summer.  I believe this was the third year for this exchange.  We were given our secret sister information and were allowed to cyber stalk her over the summer, getting ideas and creating something special just for her. 



My sister was Kathy at Qreative Quilts.  Kathy was a bit difficult to stalk as she keeps her information hidden.    I was only able to gleam that she loves the color yellow and is a Seahawk fan!!!!  As well, she is an excellent paper piecer.  This is what I made for her.  I was glad to find out that she enjoys cooking.



My sister, Dora, then sent me an exciting package.  Everything was wrapped so beautifully.



Inside these pretty packages I found an amazing table runner.  I have always love FMQ and Dora did a stunning job on this piece. 





Just look at those fabulous feathers!!!!  I love everything about this piece – the color, the size and the design.  
As well, these other great goodies were included in the package – coffee from Santa Fe, a cute sewing kit, great measuring tape and wonderful little bunny scissors.  Having lost my embroidery scissors recently, I was really thrilled to get these.   I would say that Dora did a great job of stalking me over the summer.



You can see the other swaps by checking out the linky party at Quilts from My Crayon Box.

Another group that I have been a member of for a few years was our Sewing With Friends.  Our July/August swap project was for a kitchen item.  Mhairi (no blog) made me this wonderful apron. 





I love the chicken theme and just look at the corners of this apron.  They are potholders!  Isn’t that a great idea?  No more searching for potholders when you need to remove that dish from the oven. She also added some extra little goodies which included a really cute chicken themed quilt pattern.



Now for a good kitchen blooper.  I was making a brioche to make a blackberry bread pudding.  I put my dough in for the first rise in a lidded container and went to visit my mom.  When I returned home I found that my dough had blown its lid…..all the way into the next room.  It must have been quite an explosion as the dough blew all the way up the cupboards and onto the high ceiling.   (The recipe for the brioche can be found at http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Basic-Brioche-351237.





But……all’s well that ends well and the bread pudding was incredible and we baked it in the wood burning oven.