Secret Santa Swap

Once again, I've joined Shawnee's Secret Santa Apron Swap and I'm so excited.  I love Christmas and this swap always gets me in the holiday mood.

Here are a couple of questions that Shawnee asked us to answer for the swap.

1. What are your hobbies? Sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and running.  I also love to read.
2. What are your favorite colors? Red. Teal.
3. Do you collect anything? not really except fabric and craft supplies
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? cats but I have one so unless the package is covered in cat hair, I'm fine
5. Do you have any pets? Yes, a toy poodle named Bueller and a black and white cat named Boots. 
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? Flavored coffee, hot tea - green, white or herbal
7. What do you like to read? Current fiction, thrillers, quilting magazines, cook books
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? Both.  I LOVE cookies! Also like chocolate, especially dark. I love chocolate covered cherries.  I also like twizzlers.
9. What is your favorite holiday treat? Chai tea lattes - they smell like Christmas to me
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition. Decorating the tree and baking cookies
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child? YES!
12. When do you open presents? Christmas morning!
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  Yes, usually between Thanksgiving and the first of December. If not, how do you celebrate?
14. Does your tree have a theme? No
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  Something homemade.  to receive? Something homemade, from the heart. books, Barnes & Noble gift cards to buy Nook books.

And one more thing - my daughter's birthday is December 25.  She will be 18 this Christmas.  So, I received the BEST Christmas gift EVER 18 years ago!

Back-to-School Pencil Case

Last weekend was tax-free back to school shopping in NC so my daughter and I hit the stores to pick up her back to school supplies.  She will be a senior this year and she really didn't need a lot.  We picked up a couple of notebooks, paper, pens, and pencils.  She wanted a new pencil bag but could not find one that she liked.  So, I offered to make her one.  Now, I am always offering to make things for her but I am very guilty of not being fast about it.  I promised that I would have a pencil case made for her before the start of school.  So we headed over to the fabric store where she picked out the fabric and zipper.  And I searched online for a pattern.
I googled something like zippered pouch tutorial and found a blog post on one of my favorite web sites, Sew Mama Sew.  The post lead to a free class offered on Craftsy.  So of course I signed up for the class and printed the pattern and today I made this:

The zipper is orange (which is her favorite color) matches the bird's beak. 
Here is the inside:

I hope she likes it!

And now, I have to make my husband a pair of golf shorts.  And suggestions?

It has been a long time since I've swapped but Shawnee is hosting a Favorite Things Swap and I am so excited to join in.

Valentine Fat Quarter Swap

I recently joined in on the fun at Shawnee's Valentine Fat Quarter Swap.  My partner was Jennifer.  Here is the apron whe sent me:

 

She also sent me some wonderful goodies including the BEST Chocolate Covered Cherries that I've ever had.

Thank you Jennifer!