Vintage Swap Package Delivered!

It is so cool that I can track my package through USPS and see that my swap partner received delivery of her package in Australia at 4:30 yesterday.  And that means that I can now share with you the items I sent in my very first swap.  Let's see how you guys think I did.

This was a Vintage Swap hosted by Tilly Rose and this was the information for the swap:

The swap consists of five items as follows:

1) *A little something that's vintage or vintage style...piece of fabric, haberdashery, china, linens etc
     (It really doesn't have to be big and expensive)


2) *A little something with a shabby chic style (the possibilities are endless!!)

3) *Something brimming with loveliness...I'll leave one that to all your wonderful imaginations!

4)*A little something that's full of colour and scrummy gorgeousness

5) *Lastly....a sweet little surprise for your swap partner

Shabby Chic Swap

Decorated Skeleton Key

Shabby Chic Star Ornament

China Sugar Bowl & Creamer w/Roses

Pink Cameo Toothbrush Holder & Soap Dish

Miniature China Tea Cup & Saucer Set

Antique Collar with Hand Tatted Lace

Set of eight Pink Bird Napkin Holders

Pair of Pink & Cream Rose Porcelain Candle Holders

40 Year old Antique Baby Hair Brush-Blue

Handmade Apron -Vintage Fabrics

Beatrice Potter Book

Matched Set of Pink & Cream Crochet Doilies

A Trio of Guest Size Lavender Soaps

Apron I made from vintage fabrics and it is reversable

Close up of the Victorian Lace Collar

I hope my swap partner likes these things I chose for her!  The new swap starts in a couple of weeks so I still have time to learn how to do that Parisian Rosette.

Guess what you got me for our anniversary honey?

Last year for our wedding anniversary I decided that a dozen roses would be a great gift from the honey. And that a dozen rose plants from Jackson Perkins would be an even better gift. Especially since we had a new construction house with minimum landscaping. So here are a few photos from last summer just to get us all in the mood for the coming seasons.

This is one lizard that survived my prized lizard hunting doberman aka Dog1 for blogging purposes.

We also installed a new bluebird house last spring after attending a local seminar on the subject. Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird produced two clutches (I think that is what you call them). Mr. Bluebird is back this year scoping out the house and waiting for the Mrs. to show up.

And just in case you thought I forgot this is suppost to be a sewing blog. . . I am working hard on a new waddie. At least it is showing great potential in that direction. I am sewing red slinky knit (what the heck was I thinking!) and using McCall pattern 6070. The pattern is labeled easy but the fabric is not. Right now I am wondering if I have enough fabric left to re-cut the bodice and start over.

Yesterday I purchased clear sewing thread to see if that would help with my problems. The directions call for a "narrow hem" on the neckline--ok, I get that. But hand sewing this area shows on the front and does not look good. Top stitching the area with red does not look good.

The pattern photo (chick in red dress) does not show top stitching but the illustrations do. So I will try the clear thread on a scrap and see what happens. Boy do I hate to waste this fabric, it is very nice quality at a great price purchased from Fabric.com.