Friday, July 31, 2009

A Christmas Gift

I participated in Stephanie and Linda's Christmas in July swap. Even though I haven't received my package yet, I got a gift, a special gift of a new friend. Jenny, of Elefantz, was my partner and I had the pleasure of making a few little things for her. The greatest thing about doing swaps is meeting new people and sometimes there's even a connection. Jenny is one of those people.

We share the love of vintage things, fun fabric, and I'm sure we have more in common that we have yet to discover. If you don't know Jenny or her blog you should definitely check it out. She is a master stitcher and designs stitchery patterns. Who knows, she may even convince me to give hand stitching a go.

Here's what I made for Jenny. One of the requirements of the swap was to make a bag or a stocking....I chose a bag. I was a bit nervous about that because I've never made any kind of bag before. This one was an adaptation of a tutorial on JC Handmade. (she calls it a kidlet wall pocket...I made it into a bag.) I used linen and this wonderful Michael Miller fabric with retro Christmas ladies. It's the cutest fabric ever. It's lined with multi color pez which I think looks like Christmas lights.
Can you see the hearts? They're made from a vintage quilt, have pinked edges, are sewn together and have a simple grosgrain ribbon loop hanger. I made her a set of those. There are a couple of ornaments and some cute Japanese fabric.
I forgot to take a picture of the pillow. It has some cute Christmasy embroidery...done by machine, not by hand. Can you see it?
I used more of that fun fabric and made a couple of potholders with grommets of course.
Do you recognize this mod tree? Jenny was the guinea pig for my Christmas tree skirt tutorial on Sew Mama Sew. I added some free pieced letters and made her this mini quilt.
I also experimented with some decorative stitching. I do like to try new things for my swap partners!
Lastly, a tiny little raw edge applique quilt.

It was so much fun spying on Jenny and making things for her. Thanks so much to Stephanie and Linda for all their work organizing this swap. They are great swap mamas!

Some sad news in my week. I had another heartbreak with this quilt. You can read about it here.

36 comments:

MightyMom said...

very wonderful goodies there!!

what do you mean by "stitchery"?? I've never heard that term

Autumn said...

Ah! Jenny was so lucky to get you for a partner. I'll bet she'll spoil you too.

Ok, you've got me in the mood. I'll have to dig up some great holiday prints and give it a go.

Merry August!

Cherry Possum said...

What a great swap partner you are, Jenny is a lucky lady! How on earth did you find the time to make all those things?!

Allie said...

I saw what you made her over on her blog - you are both blessed! I love your work and hers too.

Amber said...

Oh Jacquie - everything is absolutely amazing! What a lucky partner. And again, so sorry about John's quilt - hope you've found a good solution!

Unknown said...

what a wonderful package!!!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

You're a fantastic swapper and anyone would LOVE the creative goodness you send. LOVE it all!!! Sorry about Jon's quilt. I hope it's fixable.

Unknown said...

What a lucky girl! She hit the jackpot with your swap!! You made such lovely and thoughtful gifts. She will cherish them always!! I am so sorry about what happened with Jon's quilt. I know you put a lot of hard work into it. Maybe you can applique some fabric over top of that and it will add a new dimension.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! That IS a heartbreak - and I love that quilt so much!

But about THIS post - I love your christmas gifties! Anyone would love to be your swap partner. :)

Nichole said...

wow! what a great swap gift!

i'm so sad to hear that your son's quilt ripped again. :(

MelissaS said...

I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS STUFF! Your friends are so lucky.

Sorry about the other quilt...sigh.

QuiltedSimple said...

Oh I love it all! How pretty
Kris

Dresden Quilter said...

Jenny is very lucky. Your quilting is amazing. I am sad to hear about Jon's quilt. I hope it can be fixed.

Needled Mom said...

That is one amazing bag of goodies. Anyone would love receiving it.

Latane Barton said...

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun. Sorry I missed it.

sewtakeahike said...

How FUN Jacquie! I love the thought you put into everything you make! Thank-you for sharing about the fabrics you used and the process. Jenny is one lucky girl!!

Artfulife said...

I love all the goodies you made. They are so much fun. So sorry your son's quilt had problems again. Hope you have a great weekend.

Amanda Jean said...

what a great swap package!

meg said...

I love it! All! The little blue/green scrappy tree may be my favorite; very cute technique.
And thank you, because I think you've inspired my new Christmas "stockings": wall-pockets. I enjoy making those, and never would have thought of using them for Christmas.

em's scrapbag said...

Jenny is a very lucky girl. It all looks wonderful!!!!

Anina said...

What a lucky girl! You are great!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Wait! wait! Jenny, Jane, close enough right? Nope, I bet Jenny would be one sad girl not to receive all the wonderful things you made for her! You are so talented.
Now I am going to read your other news.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

What a cool set of swap gifts! Lucky Girl! :)

Where did you get the grommets for the potholders?

So sad about your son's quilt :( hope it can be repaired :)

Krista in Vancouver said...

I think I need to start a blog so I can get in on these incredible, inspiring swaps! What a lot of gorgeous work Jacquie. Your pot holders are fantastic - if you have a chance sometime, a little tutorial on inserting grommets with success, please? I'm afraid, very afraid, to hammer metal into fabric work....
Krista

Dorrie said...

What a beautiful package you put together. I love the little Christmas "Joy" quilt. . .it reminds me of 3 sheets to the wind projects :). Potholders too~and I tried the single bias~much better. . .Thanks! Your Christmasy ones are very cute! I'm so sorry about Jon's quilt, heartbreak is right, hopefully mending it will go quickly and it'll be back with him again. Hugs, my friend.

Stephanie D said...

What a terrific swap! Lucky recipient!

So sorry to read about Jon's quilt--what a hard life it's leading!

Candace said...

Wow - what wonderful swap gifts for Jenny! I hope you get yours soon, Jacquie! This really was a fun swap - I enjoyed every minute of it!
Cheers!

Kristin Shields said...

Wow! That is some fabulous swap package. I love it all, but especially the Joy mini quilt. Great job!

dutchcomfort said...

The girl who will received this gorgeous stash of gifts will be so lucky and thrilled!

Rebekah said...

what an adorable package! I love everything that you included and your beautiful stitch detail

Di~ said...

Your package to Jenny is exquisite! I've been reading her blog for a few months now. Jon's quilt: 'OH CRUD!!!'

Gigi's Thimble said...

I love what you made for the swap. She's one lucky girl to receive those fun treats! I love how you finished off with the "Believe" tag.
So cute!

Nanette Merrill said...

She hit the jackpot! Seriously. Jacquie in my dreams you are my swap partner. I want to scoop this up and run with it all.

Nanette Merrill said...

oh I was going to say -more with that quilt???? Yipes. Do tell us.

Ellen said...

I love the bag! Do you know the name of the fabric with the ladies on it? I saw it somewhere but cannot remember and I am absolutely in love with it!

Love all your work!

Ellen

jacquie said...

ellen,
the fabric is by michael miller. it's called holiday hostess. you should be able to find it pretty easily with a google search.