GRACIE OLIVER ARTS: November 2014

Thursday, November 20, 2014

T'Was The Night Blog Hop

Yesterday, I showed you the wonderful gifts that I received from Katherine of Sew Me Something Good. Today, I'll show you the gifts that I sent to Leah of Quilted Delights.

First off is one of those 10 minute runners. Even after picking out the fabric, these really take about 30 minutes, still a quick gift. This picture was taken outside in October, before our first snow.

And....they're baaaaaaack! Sorry about all of the Sarducci pictures. When I was reviewing which photos to include today, there really weren't any that didn't include the Brothers. They are becoming quite the hams!

Here's a little cup cozy to keep Leah's fingers from being scorched while sipping a good hot cup of her choice of drink....

A little quilted bag for holding goodies.... maybe scraps.... Christmas candy..... Sarducci's......

Four little fabric coasters to keep the rings off of the furniture.......(keeping the Sarducci's off of the furniture is another story)

In addition to the handmade goodies, I slipped some extras into the package. There is a calendar, a tote bag, some hand soap, a snowman ornament (in the box) and some gingerbread buttons.

Also a couple of sewing themed fat quarters.

This next 10 minute runner was not sent along as a gift for Leah. This was my first 10 minute runner to make, using a kit that my friend Kathy sent me. Now this runner picture was taken yesterday, outside in the snow. Brrrrrr......

Backside... these great runners are completely reversible.

So there you have it. I've really enjoyed this hop. I know that Christmas is not about the gifts, but for this particular hop, giving and receiving gifts really made it special!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

T'was The Night Hop

T'Was The Night......

Welcome! Hasn't this been the best hop ever!? We were to make quick holiday gifts.... gifts that could be made in an afternoon, an evening.... whatever.... only requiring a few hours. And then we passed those gifts along to an assigned fellow blogger. I will be showing you what I sent to my swap buddy in a future post. Today, I will show you the lovelies that I received!!

But before the great reveal, I want to thank Marlene of Stitchin By The Lake for organizing all of the participants in this fun hop. Not only did she have the regular blog hostess duties, she had to coordinate all of us so that we knew who we'd be sending our gifts to and who we would be receiving our gifts from. Talk about making a list and checking it twice! (Santa, watch out..... you have some serious competition!) Thanks, Marlene!

And of course, our faithful blog hop coordinator, the mastermind behind all of these blog hops, Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt, must also be thanked for her dedication and great hop ideas. Thanks, Madame Samm!

I'm so glad to have you stop by for a visit and see the wonderful goodies that I received. I have to tell you that I was thrilled with everything that I received. My wonderful swap buddy was Katherine of Sew Me Something Good. (I'm thinking she should call it Sew Me Something GREAT!!)

The Sarducci's were happy to help with the photo shoot, beginning with the arrival of the little box. Oh, how true it is that good (great) things come in small packages!

Here's Hank and Earl, taking out each of the lovely treasures.

This is a shot of all of my wonderful, delightful, well made gifts. I just feel so blessed to have been the recipient of these treasures.

I'll start with the first little goodie, a handmade gift card. Can you see that it reads "Meowy Christmas?" Katherine had written to me, asking a few questions about my likes and dislikes. Naturally, I mentioned that I was very fond of cats. My sweet Oliver passed away a few months ago and Katherine chose this wonderful, orange colored cat fabric, the same color as Oliver. She fussy cut the little cat and put him on the card front.

Next up is a wonderful little drawstring bag. It's just the best size for carrying so many things. It's large enough to be useful, yet not so large that it's immense. Yeah... it's just the perfect size!

Now I have a sweet pin cushion to show you. Don't you love those fussy cut cats?! She also put a covered button in the center. Perfect, again! Yes, I'm going to use the word "perfect" many times as it says it best!

And the backside of the pincushion with another fussy cut cat to cover the center button. And this is what?.... Yes, perfect!

Katherine also made the detailed little needle book. Another fussy cut cat graces the cover and a snap closes the book. Yes, it's a snap with a button look.

The next few shots are to try and show the middle of the book and all of the little pages that are inside.

Flipped open, showing the navy pages.....

Flipped open, showing the orange pages.....

And trying to show you the outside little flaps that contain the pages and hold everything from potentially slipping out of the sides. And what is this?..... Yup, perfect!

And finally, the whole group of gifts again. Not only did I receive some delightful... and perfect..... gifts, I made a new friend. Katherine is soft of heart and a joy to get to know. I'm grateful for the little gifts that she made and honored to have made a new friend. Thank you, Katherine, you are a dear and as I use these lovely gifts, I will fondly think of you!

I will be posting pictures of the gifts that I made and sent to my swap buddy, Leah from Quilted Delights, in a few days. I didn't want to spoil her reveal when she posts about the gifts that I sent on her blog day, tomorrow, November 20th.

Meanwhile, please continue on your blog hop and visit the rest of the talented bloggers that join me today. Their links are listed below, as well as links for Thursday and Friday. Please visit all of the blogs and get some great inspiration for quick gift giving. There's a whole lot of talent out there in blogland!

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Quilt N Queen

I Piece 2 Mary

Kwilty Pleasures

Creatin’ In The Sticks

From This To That

Sew Me Something Good

Gracie Oliver Arts (That's Me!)

Thursday, Nov. 20

Quilted Delights

Janes Quilting

Allthingzsewn