Red Red Red

TGIF, what a long week.  This is my last free weekend before I have big city events every Saturday from now til practically Memorial Day.

Yesterday, I co-sponsored a Wellness Lunch & Learn with our HR department for our employees.  The speaker was a long time friend of mine who actually mentored me back in the early 90's when I was a college intern. It's so crazy that 20 years later things came full circle for me and we are able to work together on projects.  I never would have thought I would still live in the DFW area much less the same city where she is based.

I wanted to make a little thank you gift and this is what I came up with... tada a zipper pouch.  Is anyone suprised?  I think these zipper bags are my go-to gift now.

My husband made the matching pen on his lathe.  He's getting really good at wood turning, I love when I am able to find acrylic or wood in his stash to match fabric in my stash, it makes the gifts more complete. 

The lining in the zipper pouch was a polkadot print from SU Candy Cane collection.  I am so pleased that the reds all matched.  Believe it or not, I am working on some stuff that isn't zippered bags, I just can't show until the recipients receive.  Stay tuned for some baby items as soon as these new family members hatch.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Pouch Swap- What I sent

I just got an email from my swap partner D in Austria.  She just received my package so I can finally share what I sent her on my blog.  Woo Hoo!

The Sweet Pouch Swap was coordinated by Ros from Australia at Sew Delicious blog, .

Here is the loot!  Notice that perfectly matching pen?  Would you believe my husband made it!  My husband recently started doing wood turning on a lathe and he made that pen from a block of wood.  I got lucky and found some that matched my fabric choices perfectly!  Isn't it fabulous!  Thank you honey!

Ok, on to the other handmade stuff.... I poured over D's blog to get an idea of what she likes.  Danica has quite a few owls on her blog so I decided to make an owl pincushion first.  I shopped around for the perfect fabric that would have green and blue (her favorite colors) in just the right pattern and finally found this Moda Simply Color print by V & Co. 

Isn't he adorable!  The wings open up so you can place your needles and pins inside the flaps. 

 The other fabrics were from my stash. I used some rhinestone brads from Stampin' Up for the pupils in the eyes, I think they add a little sparkle.

Lastly, I used a white on white "Quilt Across Texas" fabric on the back side of the owl just to send something obviously Texas.

After I made the pin cushion I made a matching zipper pouch using the same fabrics.  Danica does not like alot of bling so I only embroidered a D and added a simple owl charm that I got from my friend Ruthie. 

Along with the handmade items, I sent some luggage tags and the required candy.

This is the note I received from her, completely warmed my heart!

Dear Martha,

YOU ARE THE SWEETEST MOST GENEROUS PERSON I KNOW!!!!!  Thank you so much!!!!!  I LOVE THE LITTLE POUCH!!! Those are the exact colors I would have chosen! And the Owl! How sweet is that! Martha, you don't know, but I grew up reading Dahl, I loved Charlie and the chocolate factory so much and now you are sending me Wonkas Rainbow Nerds!!!!

The pen! I love the colors!  And you know what? I never had good baggage tags!  Martha! You are such a nice person!

I love everything you sent me!  Every little detail is perfect.  I am humbled by your big heart and generosity! Thank you again!  Every time I will look at those wonderful things, I will think of you! And send you and your family loving thoughts.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You made me very happy. All the best to you  I have to try the Rainbow Nerds now :-)

Big hug  D