Want to know what the best part of it was? We were friendly before deciding on a swap but during the process we became friends. This is one of the things I love most about quilt blogging: the connections you make with so many wonderful people. We live far apart (she, in Ireland and I, in the United States) and we would never have gotten to meet otherwise.
This is the pincushion Sandra made for me:
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| Mini Dresden Pincushion, made by Sandra Jansen |
Pretty amazing, isn't it? Isn't that the sweetest, tiniest Dresden applique' you've ever laid eyes on? The whole pincushion fits easily in the palm of your hand. You can't even see Sandra's applique stitches without the camera blowing them up all macro, and even then, only barely. I love the cotton lawn against the dark grey fabric. (Shot cotton. I think.) Then there are the lovely Sashiko like embroidery stitches she did along the side... Ah, can you tell that I fell in love with it?
Here are some more shots, as well as pictures of the other wonderful goodies Sandra sent along in her package.
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| Top view of Mini Dresden Pincushion, made by Sandra Jansen |
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| Sandra sewed a sweet cotton lawn hexie on the back |
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| Oodles of fun in her gift box! |
I felt very blessed indeed! Thank you for being such a fun swap partner Sandra!
Next post, I'll share the pincushion that I sent to Sandra. :)
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As a farewell to my favorite season, I'll leave you today with some photos I took while on autumn walks. Things change so much in a few short weeks. Now the branches are mostly bare, there is a nip in the air, and it gets dark before Jim gets off work.
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| Adventures Ahead for Penny! |
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| A Peaceful Place |
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| Milkweed fulfilled |
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| Wild Rose Hips |
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| Golden Days |
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| My Pumpkin with her Pumpkin... and Penny |
This year I am actually looking forward to winter, because our first grandchild is due to be born in January. Kaitie is a glowing mom-to-be, although she feels more like it's a nuclear glow. LOL... but the excitement over finally meeting baby Eden James is building!
Thanks for stopping by, because...
Click on the pup to leave a comment...
If you are also a blogger, she is highly likely to follow you home!
What a treasure box you received! I agree that blog friends are THE Best! I've met a few, traded with some, and prayed with others. Every time I question why I blog I realize I'd lose contact with some very special people that I call "friends."
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Lara, you made me blush! I'm convinced that your photographic skills have something to do with the wonderful pictures, though... Your Autumn/Fall looks wonderful with the sun on the coloured leaves, I'm a bit jealous of that. Here it is all gone down in brown slush!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pin cushion! Sounds like fun. :) And your pictures from the fall walks are stunning. Looks like it was a glorious autumn for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all those lovely fall photos. It is my favorite season too. A first grandchild-how exciting is that!
ReplyDeleteI love the stitching on the side of that pincushion. Adds such a great touch to it. Yay for fall happiness!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful fall pictures! Thank you for sharing them. I want to come sit on that bench and soak up all of those colors. I LOVE Katie's pictures. What a fantastically funny shirt to wear! Your pincushion is very pretty also.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pincushion and great pics! I dislike the lack of light as well by the time we get home it's dark not to mention the mornings.
ReplyDeleteSuch a darling pincushion, and such lovely goodies you received. What a great swap! Love your fall pictures. Wow, exciting walk for Penny!
ReplyDeleteFunny tea shirt! Your daughter (whoops, sorry, pumpkin!) looks in great health!
Barbara xx (http://Theflashingscissors.blogspot.co.uk)
I love the pincushion! What a fantastic swap. Beautiful fall pictures full of colour and peace.
ReplyDeleteI love that little Dresden and you get a new friend, wonderful. Thanks for the beautiful pictures, we don't have fall here or winter so it's always nice to see the seasons.
ReplyDeleteGreat swap! Love your Autumn photos. The colours in that peaceful place are just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely pincushion Lara! I recently started following Sandra & love her projects. Your girls look very happy, Eden looks like one healthy little pumpkin ;)
ReplyDeleteLara those autumn photos are gorgeous!!! I'd love to walk around there every day for sure! Your pincushion from Sandra is wonderful. You can tell she really put a lot into making it. Looking forward to seeing what you sent to her. Your daughter is glowing and she 's beautiful too and you will love being a grandma too!
ReplyDeleteI so much love seeing the change of seasons in other places. Since I live in an every green forest only the oaks and dogwood leaves turn color and I look for them through the pine and cedar to tell me that fall is truly here. You are soooo going to love being a grandma! Your daughter is beautiful and as wonderful as this holiday season is next Christmas will be off the chain!
ReplyDeletePincushions with sides are especially useful. So much better when you don't get poked putting pins in it. And this one is beautiful, too.
ReplyDeleteLovely autumn photos. I gathered milkweed from my plants this week. Planning to spread them along the creek trail; then hope to see more monarchs.
What fun to anticipate the arrival of Eden!
What a sweet pin cushion! I love private swaps and getting to know those people better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely pincushion you have received!! And it's made with Liberty too! Beautiful pictures, Golden Days is my favorite!!
ReplyDeleteOh and love the belly pumpkin, Kaitie!!
What a beautiful pin cushion and how fantastic to be able to make good friends around the globe because of this platform. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the stitches around the middle of the pin cushion. What a lovely swap.
ReplyDeleteI like all of your other photos, too. Although we are heading into summer in Australia, and it is so warm here at the moment, and the sun isn't going down until after 7:30pm, I can live vicariously through your photos :)
The photo of your daughter, as cute as it is, makes me so glad I don't plan on ever being pregnant again :) The result is all worth it, though. Congratulations.
Catching up on your blog....and am soooo excited to read your are going to be a grammy!!! HOW WONDERFUL!!! ANd I so want to take a walk through your wonderful forest of trees. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKatie looks beautiful - and it is good planning that she will be at her biggest when it is colder; nothing worse than being the size of a zeppelin in the blazing heat.
ReplyDeleteEEEK! You only have 2 months to wait! Kaitie is indeed glowing, love the shot of her and Penny about to kiss. :-) Didn't you get some great loot in your swap? I just love that pincushion Sandra made...and I ADORE the starfish you made her (already read that post). Love your Fall pics, (SUCH a glorious, jaw-dropping season here in the East) Lara, especially the one with the white bench in the centre. Milkweed fulfilled...ahhh, may it have nurtured many many Monarchs on their way to Mexico.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pincushion, the hand-stitching is amazing. I love the middle photo of Penny, Eden and Katie! Beautiful photos, Lara! I kept on going back and forth, admiring the pictures. You captured the beautiful, warm colours so marvellously.
ReplyDelete-Soma
O my beautiful post - I love your photos and of course your pumpkin daughter - how the time is flying by!!! Gorgeous pin cushions too - both given and recieved - a successful 'private' (not so private now!) swap!
ReplyDeleteThis pincushion is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous pictures for those of us that live in ugly place, lol. Your daughter looks just like you!
ReplyDeleteYour photography is gorgeous!!! I'd love to frame that seed pod. Your daughter does look glowing. I love the pumpkin "tummy".
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely swap. That is such a sweet little pincushion with that tiny Dresden.
Your photography is gorgeous!!! I'd love to frame that seed pod. Your daughter does look glowing. I love the pumpkin "tummy".
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely swap. That is such a sweet little pincushion with that tiny Dresden.