So xTroublex stepped in and subbed as a swap partner for me, which was awesome.

Here are the goodies:

IMAG0545 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
It's kind of hard to see in the light, but it says Welcome to Fabulous Akron Pizza, Chicken and Jojos served daily.  Love the colors!


IMAG0547 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
The card is a picture of the trail to Icebox Cave, which I have been to many times.  She handcarved the Ohio stamp and the other two objects are Goodyear erasers.  Goodyear's headquarters are in Akron.

Thanks, xTroublex!

I received from that1girl on Friday.  She sent goodies from her home in Michigan to me in California.


Local Attractions Swap: Shirt by April in Autumn, on Flickr
First, the shirt.  It's an M (for Michigan) made out of Legos.  On the back it says Michigan Lego and it fits great.  I couldn't find any remotely interesting shirts at the thrift stores by me for this swap so I think this is a pretty cool find.


IMG_1359 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
Other goodies (the beer growlers are all ours though).  A water bottle, eraser, some knitting patterns, chocolate and (not pictured) potato chips that I ate for breakfast on Sunday.
There are two really cool vintage maps in the back.  One is Michigan and the other is Ohio (where I lived most of my life).  It was really cool seeing what existed in the 1950s and what didn't.  My parents' street wasn't built yet and on the inset US map, we found out that Interstate 5 which travels from Mexico up to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington wasn't in existence, just the 99.  Anyway, just a history lesson from old maps. 


IMG_1361 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
An amigurumi robin, which is the state bird of Michigan and crocheted apple blossom (state flower) hair clips.

Thanks that1girl!

I received from errka on Tuesday.  She claimed me for some granny squares and jewelry.

First, the granny squares:

IMAG0525 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
I'm planning on making a purse from them and it's more fun to get squares with other people's yarn then buy different yarn myself.

Then, the jewelry:

IMAG0521 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
A really pretty leaf necklace.  She picked the colors because they look like peacock colors... and she's right!


IMAG0523 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
Owl earrings!  I wore them yesterday (and I'm wearing them again today) and I've already gotten a few compliments.  Both the necklace and earrings are my style.

And an extra!

1314207639535 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
I am so thrilled with this.  She saw I liked Bon Iver and embroidered a mug cozy with lyrics from Skinny Love, one of my favorite songs.  It's awesome getting surprises that you love and didn't even know you wanted.

Thanks so much errka!

Wow!  It's so cool to see the gallery.  I love everything.  During this swap I spent a week in New Orleans, a week in New York City and had more craft mishaps than I care to think about.  I do think it's a little cool that one of the projects I made on an airplane and the other mostly on the NY subways. Anyway, all that's settled now and I was able to send this afternoon.  I know Monnie already posted pictures, but I thought I'd share some of my own.  I didn't take any action shots (which I should have), sorry.


IMAG0487 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
Wrap pants


IMAG0486 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
It's a little tight at the hips so I'm either going to add a triangle to the side seam or hand it over to my friend who will fit perfectly in it.  We'll see.


IMAG0488 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
The apron is definitely my favorite.  Looking at it, I realize I should have tied the ribbon in a bow.  Oops.  Anyway, this will definitely get a lot of use.


IMAG0489 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
A collection of basically everything else.  I forgot to take a picture of the tie-dyed shirt (which Monnie posted a pic of) because it was in my luggage. I also forgot the tie-dyed pillow cases and the homemade laundry detergent (which I used on said vacation laundry and was awesome).  She made the laundry detergent with her own homemade soap.

Thanks Monnie for the package and for being patient with me.   My package isn't nearly as large, but I hope you like what I put together.

Hey guys! I'm guessing DeSade is just recovering from Bonnaroo (jealous!) but I did want to share the pics of the package I sent.  I didn't take a picture of anything, but the main item, but from SoCal I sent some lotion from a local beekeeper, some Alice in Wonderland tea from Disneyland and some other misc. goodies.  For Louisville, I sent an Audubon bookmark and this shirt:


IMAG0433 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

I don't know if you can see, but I embroidered a house.  I meant to put it where Louisville is, but it ended up looking weird there.

I received from DeSade13 yesterday.  She sent a nicely thought-out package that completely matches my tastes and interests.

DeSade is from Louisville, KY, a place I probably wouldn't have put on my "to-visit" list until after this swap.  I'm hoping for a conference there soon, but I don't see any on my watch-list yet.

Anyway, if I do go to Louisville, she sent me an awesome t-shirt from the Why Louisville shop I'd been stalking.  You can see a better image of the shirt in the shop (http://shop.whylouisville.com/index.php?product=Hootie&c=45) or an action shot here:


1307604327731 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

It fits perfectly, has an OWL on it and is in one of my favorite color combos.  Even though I didn't open it until after midnight yesterday, I still wore it for a few minutes before bed.

For the crafting portion, she sent me two mugs which I originally thought were bought because they're so well done.  I live in Orange County, CA and kind of went on a bit about how awesome the nature is compared to all the shopping, plastic surgery and Real Housewives stuff people normally think of as associated with the OC.


1307638612353 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

On the left is a swallow because (I'm thinking) the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano every year although I haven't seen it yet.  On the right is a coyote because there are a bunch of them in the canyons, which are one of my favorite places to hike in Orange County.

Thanks so much DeSade13!

Guys, I have to say, I really loved doing this swap.  It would be awesome if a second round got more takers.

Guys!  I received both my packages today!  I didn't expect sophieangele's for awhile since it was coming all the way from Israel. I took a picture of the stamp because it has Hebrew on it, but I'll spare you that.

Anyway, to share...

First, leighi123 sent me a kit to make headbands.

IMAG0404 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

She sent me fabric, felt, buttons, ribbon, elastic, a measuring tape (which is awesome because I only have one and lose it all the time), straight pins, thread and needles.  I only took one group picture because y'all know what that stuff looks like.There's a great mix of fabrics... everything from vintage-looking stuff to a Halloween type print.  The instructions include a bunch of different ideas for headbands to get my creative juices flowing.

Next we have sophieangele's package.


IMAG0399 by April in Autumn, on Flickr
Everything together.

She sent two hoops, colored pencils (which I don't own), embroidery floss, a big book of instructions and samples.  You can see the pattern she made for me for my first project at the top.  It uses a bunch of different stitches.  She has it printed with instructions for all the stitches on a piece of paper and also transferred onto the fabric.


IMAG0402 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

There's a better picture of the pattern.

The samples are also very cool.  She started them and left room for me to practice on the same piece of fabric.  Some of them have the needles still attached and instructions written on paper or the fabric.


IMAG0403 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

I should mention that there are like 13 different sample stitches. 

I'm so excited about both of these kits and they will definitely get use.  You guys were great partners to have.

Glad you liked it tapestrymlp!  I thought it was funny that we'd chose the same themes as well.  I like that we both clued into Mercy's Garage.

I also received and I'm sharing my beautiful goodies! 

First off, the books and two bookmarks (which, as tapestrymlp says, are always useful!).


readingswap1 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

I'm in a book club and I was just thinking I'd have to run out and get Water for Elephants this weekend since it's our next pick, but now I don't have to.  The Book Thief is another of our choices.  I'm interested in jumping into Magic Bites since I haven't heard of it before and so I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own. 


readingswap2 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

A better view of the Mercedes Thompson bookmark.  I love how the tattoo-style design is cut out.

And here's my favorite item.


readingswap3 by April in Autumn, on Flickr

A Great A'Tuin (from Discworld) notebook!  I asked for a notebook specifically and she delivered. She painted the back and front with stars and then the Great A'Tuin is cut out and three dimensional on the front.  It's always great to get something in a swap that you would have bought had you gotten the chance.

Thanks again tapestrymlp!  Hope you love Bitten - it's one of my favorites.