pretties in the mail

I love me a good mail day. Who wants bills or junk mail when you could find packages containing such goodness? Today I found a package containing some fun fabrics to add to my stash… (let’s not discuss the fact that fabric should be leaving my house, not arriving! At some point there will have to be a bit of a destash, but I’m not ready for that just yet!)

Anyway, great new Echino fabrics from Etsuko Furuya’s newest line. I’m particularly fond of these patchwork prints.

(fabrics purchased from Fabricworm)

These may have jumped into my cart too — lovely polka dots in a variety of sizes and lovely shades.

But the best mail? Handmade gifts made just for you from a faraway blog friend! I’ve been reading Nova’s blog for quite some time now, and I’ve been in love with everything she makes. She was so sweet to offer up a little swap, and I was thrilled to see a package with an Australian postmark.

And inside? Just the cutest handmade items ever!

This wonderful little pincushion! Both sides are so fabulous that I’m not sure I’ll be able to stick either with pins. Just look at these teeny tiny little crosses –

and this fabulous embroidery. Love it!

In addition, Nova also included this wonderful mug rug. I’ve been admiring all the great mug rugs on Flickr, and I’m so happy to have one of my own.

I’ve been indulging in a nice mug of hot chocolate often these days, and that and my animal crackers sit ever so nicely on this mug rug (and it’s double-sided… even better!).

Thank you so much Nova!!

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patchwork pillows

It was time for a little change in our den! (don’t you love that just changing out the pillows can sometimes give enough of a change?!)

We’ve had the same pillows on this couch for quite a while now, and while I really liked them, I thought it was time to switch them out. I had made the hexagon pillow covers during my hexagon-making phase, and they work nicely with the blue on our walls, so I decided to pull out those fabrics again for some corresponding patchwork covers.

I quilted the tops, and backed them with some Hope Valley, making an envelope closure (no zippers in the house, and no desire to go to JoAnn’s!)

I love how the pillows look together, and it’s definitely nice to have a little change! And who knows, perhaps if I look at these pillows enough, I’ll be motivated to finally finish up that manly quilt!

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too early?

I don’t know… It feels a bit early to pull out the red and green fabrics since we only just got past Halloween, but then yesterday I noticed that the stores already have their Christmas candy on the shelves, so maybe the time is just right!

The other day I had an urge to sew with a little red and green, so I decided to go for a smaller project – namely these fun potholders. I don’t own any actual Christmas themed fabric, but I do have lots of red and green fabrics, and I kind of think it’s fun to use these to give a Christmas-y look.

I paired the red and green with some chocolate brown and made up a few string block potholders and a couple that feature improv blocks. Each are paired and have a matching backing fabric, along with a cute matching hanging tag.

They each measure about 8 1/2″ square and use one layer of Insul-Brite and one layer of cotton batting.

The string block sets are listed in the shop (sold, thank you!) in case you’re planning ahead and looking for a little holiday gift!

Posted in Household Goods, Household Sewing - bags, napkins, pillows | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments