it was my lovely pal jane richmond's bday the other week and seeing as she is one of my besties i had to whip her up a little pressie. jane is a knitter but she is also learning how to sew. i knew she desperately needed some new pins and didn't have a fabric marker so since i LOVE buying sewing/knitting notions i had to get her a few to add to her kit. she needs her sewing ammo...lol. and seriously, to all of you out there just learning how to sew - ditch those tiny little rusty pins from the dollar store and invest in some good pins. it's worth it. trust me :)
i knew that i couldn't just give her the pins/marker though. nope, you know me.....they need something to go in. i had been hoarding a particular fabric print that a dear friend gave me (wink wink anna) and knew it would be perfect for jane. she looooves to garden and grows all her veggies from seedlings so how great is this fabric for her! awesome! so i whipped her up a cute little rectangular pin cushion for her new pins and a cute project tote for her to hopefully carry her soon to be en masse of sewing projects in :) i didn't use a tutorial for the tote, just went with the flow in a size i'd like. tote's are a great, quick and yet stylish gift to make that allows you to show off that fave fabric which i always love doing.
why a rectangular pin cushion? well, i like things the way i like em'...that's how i roll and my handmade pincushion that was square always bugged me. there was never enough room. i like that this is long and i can stab them in all over the place..lol. i used the basic idea from this tutorial but never cut up 4 squares per side. the fabric already looked like blocks joined so i simply made 2 rectangles and sewed them together per side. i then topstiched along that seam and then down the center to give it a tiny bit of a look of 4 pieces but it's really not. this kind of pincushion is easy, quick and functional :)
i also got a surprise in the mail for me yesterday! i had to hold it in till now and not even tell the sender i received it as i wanted to thank her and surprise her with posting it on the blog. the lovely buffy (of passionate design) so sweetly sent me the awesomest pressie! turning 35 won't be so hard with lovelies like these! thank you soooooooooooo much buffy! i know how much time and thought went into this pressie and it really means a lot to me. i. have. not. taken off those bed socks!!!! seriously! i LOVE them!!!!!! they rock! and the mug....people.....amazing!!!! i heart you buffy!!!!
buffy made me the cutest pair of sleep socks from the pattern "turkish bed socks"from churchmouse yarns & teas. are they not just so cute! they also fit like a glove and are so comfy to wear! super soft and very light. i can only imagine the time that went into these - buffy you are such a sweetheart!
she sent all my goodies boxed up and wrapped in hand drawn wrapping paper people! i'd show you but my kiddos ripped it up before we realized she had handwritten all over it!!! great idea buffy - i'm going to have to use that one :) she had all my goodies inside the biggest and best yellow mug i have ever seen!!!! she then handpainted one of my fave sayings on the mug that i believe she remembered me lusting after a few months ago...so sweet!!! this will def be my new fave go to mug buffy! only wish i could sip coffee alongside you with it.
accompanying the mug were the best turquoise colored pins i have seen! i have turquoise ones but not like this! the best color ever! *edited to add: just found out that buffy made the pins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what?!!!!!! omg! the pins were nestled amongst some pretty co-ordinating fabric. honestly, this made my whole month. the friendships i've made through blogging continue to amaze me. i have never met buffy in person (though i hope to one day) yet she is a special friend who has read my blog for years and always been a constant supporter and encourager of mine. she's wise beyond her years and has a giant sized heart. so sweet you are dear buffy. thank you for making me smile. this pressie warms the soul and helps make turning 35 so much easier. sending you gigantic sized hugs!!!!!
what projects have you guys been working on? do you have a fave go to item you love to make for friends gifts? a great tutorial you follow? anyone else turning an age that's freaking them out? i'd love to hear about it! coffee's a brewin'...come sip with me!
wahooo what awesome gifts! yes buffy is tops. i love the gifts you made jane too! xoox ps. now we can drink our coffees in matching mugs. yahoooo! xo dare we bring them to pub night? bahahaha.. hello i'd like a beer, but could you please pour it in this? ha.
ReplyDeleteBwahahhhha...we totally need to order our beers in those!!! Priceless!!!! I'm bringing mine over next we hang to sip with you..lol.
DeleteAwe, now look at you girls...gonna make me turn into a watering pot with all your kind words :)
DeleteI vote yes to bringing the mugs to the pub :)
You are so very welcome! You humble me with your sweet and kind words. I still read your Christmas card from time to time, so thoughtful you are. I'm so glad to hear that you're not as fretful about your birthday. I love mine and think that each year has something wonderful to offer us, lessons to learn but also gifts to receive and give.
ReplyDeleteThough socks are so flippin' easy too! Easiest way to dip your feet into sock knitting :)
Hugs to you my friend and I'll pour another cup of coffee and join you :)
Awwwwww...thanks so much Buffy! I also loved your handmade card! I forgot to talk about it in the post. So much good stuff! Honestly though, it was so sweet of you!
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ReplyDeleteHaha I can just see you guys, knitting in one hand and drinking beer out of those GIANT mugs...too funny.
ReplyDeletethose turquoise pins are so eye-catching, and I love the tote set you made! presents are the best, and presents in the mail are the best-est.
isn't it amazing what wonderful friendships can be established even without physically meeting?
I know!!! It would be so fun to have you with Buffy as well! A job!
DeleteAnd yes it is amazing!!! We all feel that way about you too Hannah :)
We all chat about you at knit night...lol. It's like you're there even though you're not.
"a job" was supposed to be "a joy"...lol.
DeleteLove the pins! Were the beads glued on?
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you've made such lovely friends in the blog world.
Yes, I glued the beads on. I got the idea from No Big Dill tute found here http://www.nobigdill.com/2011/04/neo-personalized-pins-tutorial.html
DeleteAwesome, thanks! I love the beads you chose. :)
DeleteHappy birthday :) Your gifts are just awesome - what a treasure! And, I love your bag and pincushion for Jane - the fabric is just the business!
ReplyDeleteI love it how friendships can be made these days - I guess it's like old-fashioned pen-friends.... only a lot prettier :)
Thx hun. My bday is next week and I'm having a hard time with 35. I hate the mid's...lol.
DeleteAnd yes, I guess it is like pen pals. Luv it! I love handwriting notes too so it goes hand in hand right?
i adore the tote and pin cushion shannon! so glad the fabric is happily made into something! :)
ReplyDeleteEmbrace 35 ... remember, you're that much more wiser, talented, funny, and loving with each passing year. I love your pin cushion and those pressies! Where do I get one of those mugs?? It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteawww, so sweet. I hear you on the pins! What a difference good pins make! I even buy the quilting ones that are long and use them for all my sewing, just makes it easier!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, have a fab year ahead!!! What an awesome line up of presses - both the given and the received! Everything is just so gorgeous!
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