IS IT MY TURN YET?... HOW ABOUT NOW?

Remember about a month ago when I posted about the #makerclubswap, the birthday swap club? This week was finally my turn to spoil someone! That someone being the lovely Catherine @catherinemadeit! From getting to know Catherine (and looking over her cheat sheet) I knew she was an avid knitter, that her favourite colour was green and she appreciates local made products. I started with making her this reversible Box Tote, a free pattern from Very Shannon... and while your checking out that link, check out their videos. It'll make you feel all warm, cozy and West Coasty! 

I also knew Catherine loves Bonnie Christine's fabric, which is what I used for the inside of the tote ( "Swanlings Bevy in Nightfall" ). I used black linen for the outside, Essex Sparkle Linen for the needles and solids for the knitting needles tops and ball of yarn. Darlene, from my Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild, taught me how to do bobbin work, which is how I got the effect on the ball of yarn.

I stuffed the bag full of all kinds of goodies! Everything from vintage needles to tea (from our local favourite, Karl's Tea). Yarn from our local shop Trendy and What Knot, where I purchased yarn made in Alberta. I made an apron, pot holders, a tush cush (a cushion made for sew-ins but in Catherine's case probably for knit-in's), AND a hot and cold pack all from all my Just Bee fabric. I also packed in some Soak soaps, more Bonnie Christine, plus a bit of Heather Ross and polka dot fabric... honestly I could have gone on forever... patches, a Bonnie Christine Poster, pretty pins, a pin cushion necklace made by Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild member, Michelle @pastryquilts... it was hard to stop! But I had to... because I when I showed my husband and asked him what I should add next he told me I needed to stop. Yeah. He's a pretty good stop sign. 

RECOMMENDED READING: This week I signed up for Audible. For my first book I listened to Brene Brown's new book Braving the Wilderness. SO GOOD!

RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: Hey guess who I met last weekend?! Rick Nielson! Who? You know who the guitarist from Cheap Trick! After ping ponging guitar picks off his phone at my family. He came to me and said, "Hey, I like you." and handed me a pic. Umm... okay, thanks Rick! We all saw the band play last weekend, the last time my husband and I saw them play was back in 1990. They were excellent then and they still are today! Their new album is called We're All Alright. Have a listen and in the meantime put on your checkered pants, put on your ball cap, remember to turn up the beak, grab your air guitar, push play, turn the volume to 11 while singing along at the top of your lungs along to I WANT YOU TO WANT ME! 

AS MY FRIEND CAROL BROWNE ALWAYS SAYS "HIPPO BIRDIES TWO EWES!"

Between my last newsletter and this one, I had a birthday! What made it really special were a few packages that arrived on my door step. Last year I joined a Maker's Club, a secret birthday swap. And really, as a maker, is there ANYTHING better than receiving something handmade? We know the time, effort and care that goes into such things. Plus these Maker Club ladies really take it to a new level. They're very attentive to their partners likes, not to mention they take wrapping to a whole new level... check out #themakersclubswap on Instagram. You'll see.

As I picked up one of the parcels from my step I discovered Lindsey from @lostandfawned was my secret partner! What you need to know about Lindsey is she has twins, two adorable little boys. She gets an incredible amount of creative work done while raising them. Plus, she does it with such elegance. I was shocked and delighted at everything she made and sent!

PHOTO 1) I opened the package to discover a one hour basket made from essex metallic linen hugging a bunch of presents!

PHOTO 2) After taking out all the presents I discovered it had been also filled with pom-poms! And you know I LOVE pom-poms!

PHOTO 3) See the bird on the knit cloth?! It matches perfectly with the fabric inside the basket and the shopping bag. Ooo and the local handmade bath bombs smell SOOO good.

PHOTO 4) SOCKS! I've never had hand knit socks before. Ooo they feel like soft pillowy clouds on my feet. They are heaven. Check out Lindsey's sock project on Raverly HERE. She used her vanilla sock recipe with a true afterthought heel and a twisted rib for the cuff. The sock yarn is Felici (Saltwater Taffy colourway). The contrast colour is Stroll (Ash), both are from Knit Picks. I don't knit so I have no idea what any of that means but if you do and you want to make someone feel really loved, please knit them these socks. They will LOVE you forever!

PHOTO 4) Lindsey sent every present with the cutest little tags. This ones says, let's get organized *set some priorities*. I cannot tell you how much I adore Washi tape, note books, sticky notes, and sticky note book markers. Oh and the buttons. Swoon!

PHOTO 5) Meet Jimmy! This is what I have named this sweet little bear cup holder. I named him after Jim Croce. Get it?! His last name sounds like Crochet. Ba-ha,ha! Isn't Jimmy just the loveliest fellow? Lindsey mentioned he was made from vintage wool yarn, which makes me love him even more. If you're so inclined (Christmas is just around the corner) watch this video on how to make him from Flying Mio.

... AND if that wasn't enough Catherine @kittingcatherine from the Makers Club send me hand knit socks too!!! (I love how they don't match each other!) A makers pin (which I will wear with pride!) and the most beautiful mason jar cookie. Yes, it was as yummy as it looked!

... AND THEN there's Jonna @bespokeoutlaw. Remember... she's the one who made me that makers tote last year. She's so clever. You have to be careful what you say around her tho, she's listening. We were chatting a while back and I was saying how I need to make one of those iron holder totes... yep and that's what I unwrapped. And it matches my makers tote! Of course! And because she's insane in the membrane (in the best possible way) she didn't stop there! There was a chocolate poop emoji, Uppercase fabric charm pack, Wonder Woman paraphernalia, Cotton + Steel fabric and Sulky thread! Plus cassette socks!!! MIND BLOWN. And they were all in a Cassette basket! The cherry on top was a book called "Care Packages" by Michelle Makintosh. Total eye candy. 

Seriously makers are the best!

Lastly, (because it's tradition now!) RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: I was thinking Ooo, I should recommend a Jim Crochet song but I can't. I love him because my Dad loved him but... (my dad also loved Sade, remember her?). I just didn't get those easy listening genes. I got these ones. Turn your volume to 11, sit back, put on your hand knit socks on and prepare for THE WAY YOU USED TO DO by Queens of the Stone Age.