SSCS surprises

Funny how coming back to work after a vacation seems a bit like a vacation itself! I get so busy being busy that I forget what it's like to just sit still, never mind keeping up with email or blogging... there are too many tents and castles to build, pages to color and paint, balls to throw, sledding hills to conquer, belly buttons to be tickled... Now it's time to play catch-up.

Without further ado, here are my gifts from the SSCS:

A great pillow

and a gardening journal!

Aren't they great?! My swapping partner spoiled me rotten again! These gifts were made by the talented Rebecca of Homestead Quilting. Doodle #2 has become very fond of the pillow - I have to keep retrieving it from his room. Looks like I'll be adding a Doodle pillow to my 'to-do' list! Be sure to check out Rebecca's site. It's too bad she's so far away as I'd love to send several quilt tops her way - her quilting is fantastic!

Here's what I sent to my partner, Shari.

I had a ball making the Natvity. It was mostly hand work, which gave me something to do in my idle moments. I have about a 25 minute wait between work and picking up Doodles from preschool - perfect for fitting in hand projects. I need to figure out what I'm making next and get the supplies put together!

This was also my first time for making fusible applique. I was worried that the pieces wouldn't stay long-term since the edges aren't sewn down. I used the same fusible for the puppy suit for Doodle #2 for Christmas. I had no choice but to rely on the fusible to hold the spots as the arms and legs of the sweatsuit were too little to fit onto my machine to zigzag. It's already been through the wash three times and shows no sign of wear, so I'm liking fusible applique more and more! If it can survive on a puppy suit, it can survive pretty much anything!