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!