[Thank you Thank you Thank you!]

Let me begin by apologizing for taking so long to post pictures.

Thank you Thank you so much FOC - I don't believe Bambi when she says her partner is the best - you rock! 

So my loot.

Rockin' (silver!) whale shirt:


The bestest and coolest grocery bag ever!! With adorable octopus applique (who cares that it doesn't have 8 legs?!). I don't care what you say FOC you're a great seamstresss! And the oceany lining is great! (When I got the bag I ran around showing everyone I know - my boy and upstairs neighbors).



Awesome earings I can't stop wearing (squirrels, birds, watermelons, oranges):



Amazing Amazing octopus soap (can you tell I love ocean things?!):



And super cute note cards:



So, yeah, I'm spoiled! 

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

[Hurrray for my Secret FOC 4!]

Hurrray for my Secret FOC 4!

They are an overacheiver as I received my package today and it does delight. It totally cheered me up after a long bummer of a day (I have one sick kitty  )

I got the most amazing pin cushion - wow, she says it's her first frosted one, but I don't believe her, it's just too well made.



and another view of the wonderful and amazing cream puff:



do you see the "Sprinkles" aka wonderful pearl-like pins. I used this a bit tonight when I sewed a little, it was a dream. The perfect combo of girly and frivolous.

And 5 wonderful hand made cards that center so closely around my interests it's amazing.



I love the maps, and the bingo cards, and well all of them -- I can't wait to start writing away!

And boy is she (I'm assuming we're all she's here) sneaky -- the return address was MINE and there was no postmark as the label was printed off the internet. I resisted the urge to look up the DC # to find out the real address. I thought it wouldn't matter if I knew who my partner was, but this is more fun. The note was even typed to mask any handwriting. I have to start sleuthing.

Gear up for some serious crafting ladies, the bar has been set HIGH!   

I love the suspense!

Hurray! Thanks to a swap with Heroinechic I got a "how to" embroidery kit. Hurray.

So I made this for my mom's birthday, I have two more towels so it might be a gift in series. They are waffle towels from crate and barrell, very nice.

(the pattern is from needlecrafter.com) Thank you heroinechic for getting me started!!



and the details: the underside of the wings is a slightly darker blue. And I was *so glad* all the sulky pen washed out.



My mom says it's too pretty to use which bums me out. It's craft, not art, therefore USE IT! 

I have some non-craft related inspiration -- Jelly Fish!

I took these photos while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard (how extravagant does that sound?! hee hee)

The Man of War jelly fish:




I can't wait for this swap!!!

Eeep I made a second nautie for a personal swap

Here they are together:


and ol' mr. purple button eyes on his own:


With more pronounced stripes you can see the row increases more which kinda bugs me, but overall I was very pleased!

[Thank you!!!!]

Hurray for Pikabean!!!
She sent me the most amazing amazing amazingly perfect apron for my very own birthday.

Thank you!!!!

Here are the photos:

(me pretending to cook, though I could use this as a craft apron)


See the beautiful ruffles, pockets and light blue and cream flannel toille?!!


The secret inside pocket:


I absolutely LOVE it and am going to bake my own birthday cake wearing it. Hurray!!!

I just finished my first personal swap with Heroinchic. FUN FUN!

She rocks. I knit her a nautaloid and she made me the best how to embroider kit Ever. Personal swaps are great.

Here's the kit:


sulky transfer pen
stabilizer paper
cute little embroidery scissors, I love scissors
embroidery floss
two cute little bags and flour sack towel
the most awesome and comprehensive how to book with great designs (including some aunt martha's)
and a darn cute needle case:



I can't wait to learn to embroider!

And as a special rockin' bonus she had seen that I had a ring from Tigerlilly's etsy shop on my wist and sent me one. WOW! It fits, its beautiful, and I get tons of compliments. It's like she knew it was my birthday and exactly what I wanted.

Thank you!!!

Here's the ring and my bizarrely wrinkled hand:

Hurray!

I received a wonderful wedding planning journal from Hertrigger for my birthday. I can't wait to start filling it up with ideas.

Thank soooo much for making my birthday awesome 

The outside with our initials and date:


The inside, nicely divided with the millions of things I'll need to keep track of! (Plus a gratuitous ring shot)


Thanks too to Alwaysinmyroom for organizing!

So I was flaked on 

But then I got the most amazing angel who sent me the most AMAZING TEE SHIRT ever. I just got home from work, threw it on and took pictures so they don't do the shirt justice, at all. It's totally handmade, from sleeves to collar to stunning applique.

I'm the luckiest swapster ever. 

Thank you sooooo much to Craftypixie for being an angel! I hope we can swap for real sometime.
The shirt: (two amazing anatomical hearts spilling blood!)

Hurray!!! I got my package from Spicey today. She rocks!



I got:
yarn -French yarn
postcards
playing cards (they have 1's instead of aces! very very cool)
spices, which are awesome since I love to cook and I love french herbs
skull shoe laces which are really great
fun pens!
chocolate (I know it's hard to find vegan stuff, thanks!)

But the best and most awesome and greatest thing EVER is:


yes, scarves are very French and very cool, plus a little skull action.

Thank you thank you thank you!
Thanks too to Hertrigger for organizing. I would love to do this again