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Stitching Santa 2017

Dec30

One of the coolest things about our sewing community is that we have “secret language”. I can tell someone at my day job about a project I’m working on and while I work with some incredibly intelligent computer people, I mention “needing ballpoint needles for sewing with knits because…well, of course” they look at me like your face would look if I were to say on here, “The PPS has to be registered with AFSPC in order to submit the FSR.”  They might get what a sewing machine needle is but exactly why I need a special one for knits is obscure to them.  Poor dears…

Enter our very own Christmas Angel, Sheila from SewChet, and #StitchingSanta !
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In 2016, a fellow stateside participant in Stitching Santa, Jen Miller, contacted me via email because her secret recipient was a quilter and she had absolutely no idea what a quilter would like.  I provided her a laundry list of items and we corresponded a couple of times over email since then.

Well lo’ and behold, I was her Stitching Santa recipient this year!  She really came through with little necessary quilting gizmos and a handmade little basket to keep them all in.  I was thrilled!  It is so exciting to open gifts from someone who understands how much these things mean to me.  🙂

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I love the cord-wrapped candy cane that will hang in a predominant place on my Christmas tree for years to come to remind me of her sweet gift.  Believe it or not, I especially love the needle threader.  I break the cheap ones constantly and this one was just in time because I just broke my last one.  Jen, thank you SO much!  Look at this little basket.  Isn’t it cute?

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Another successful Stitching Santa has come to a close.  I highly encourage my readers to contact Sheila to get on next year’s list.  I’ve linked to her blog above or the web address in the photo.  Happy New Year to all!

#stitchingsanta Reveal

Jan2

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My #stitchingsanta was so much fun this year courtesy of Sheila from sewchet.com.  My secret #stitchingsanta was Claire MacPherson from #craftblogclub.  She wrapped all my gifts individually in happy Christmas paper and I was so excited to tear into them!

She admitted not knowing what to get a quilter but she sure got it right!  Everything from marking pens to cute little fabric for a baby quilt that is in the queue.  I absolutely love the sewing art that will make its home in my new quilting studio and she thoughtfully made a couple of zipper bags which I always can use when I travel back and forth between home and our coast house.  She even included five little hand stitching and crochet kits.  I’ve been wanting to learn how to crochet and have spent a lot of time in the aisle at Wal-Mart staring at yarn and hooks wondering what to buy and where to start.  In the end, I’ve always put everything back and left without buying anything because it would probably be a waste of money since I’d buy the wrong things.  These little kits even include the correct hooks so it’s all there for me to start and learn.  I’m so excited to try them!  The bendable ruler is a gem.  It can help to make sure scalloped edges on my quilts are all symmetrical.  I’ve always wanted one but it’s one of those extravagances that I talk myself out of in the store because I always use a tape measure.  Of course, a tape measure isn’t designed to stand on its edge like this ruler so it’s always flopping over and I cross my fingers that the measurement is right.  No more!  This ruler is sturdy enough to stand on its side.  Isn’t that the best kind of gift?  One that you wouldn’t splurge on for yourself but are delighted when you get it as a gift!

Happy New Year my friends and Thank You Claire!

 

 

My #StitchingSanta is Here!

Dec22

Y’ALL!  “Brown” (UPS) just dropped off an Amazon box addressed to me and I thought, “Huh, I don’t recall ordering anything from Amazon (to be delivered here) recently.”  I opened it and YIPPEE!!  I jumped up and down in my Crocs and clapped my hands with glee like a little girl.  It’s HERE It’s HERE!!  My #StitchingSanta is here!  My sender fooled me with the box.  ha ha  Good one Claire.  🙂20161222_135338

I’m SO stinkin’ excited to open these on Christmas morning.  I can’t wait!

What is #StitchingSanta ?  My favorite Brit Sheila, from sewchet.com runs a sewing version of Secret Santa.  You contact her before the end of Oct with your name, address, and sewing preferences and she will match you up with another participant in the same country to be their #stitchingsanta .  The gift limit is $10 US but you can gift from your stash or personally made items all you want.  This is SO much fun!  I had as much fun putting my gift together to give as I have had in a long time.  If you participate, you agree to blog about your experience in the process.

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Merry Christmas Everyone!!  May God bless you and yours.