Parallel Botany Fabric Swap

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Awhile ago, I mentioned that I had received a package in the mail from a fabric swap hosted by Lisa at Parallel Botany.

The crisp air has finally settled in, although I do not trust it 100% to stick around yet. But I have begun knitting again on my now three-year, two-color blanket. (It's only going to be banana and red now).

Although I haven't busted out my sewing machine yet, I am encouraged by Green Bean's success in making a simple bunting with her sons. If I can get my hands on some pinking shears that is, something I have long wanted to own. I wish I had my grandma's, and mostly I wish I had known when she died in 2002 that someday I would want to do handcrafts just like her. I would have kept her sewing basket, her vintage Singer and accompanying table, her crochet hooks and any yarn and fabric she had. Darn that hindsight!



But for now, I want to show you the fabric from the fabric swap. I am still not sure what I want to make with mine, but I know the idea will come to me with time and patience. My swap partner was Sarah in England who authors two blogs, Outside of Sarah and Circles of Rain. I can't tell you how fun it was to know the fabric I chose was going to make its way across the pond!

The ladies at Quilters Studio were so kind to teach me about fat quarters and I spent a long time wandering around choosing the above four fabrics for Sarah. I was duly impressed with the long arm quilting machine, especially because I haven't a clue what magic happens with it.




Here are the lovely fat quarters that I received from Sarah, packaged with vintage ribbons in that darling Orange Grove soap box I showed you last week.



You know, while composing this post, I found an inspiring link for myself over at Sew, Mama, Sew!. I have a hunch there is a new handbag in my future. Oooooh!!!

All this talk about handcrafting reminds me of some of my favorite lines in a well-known Jewel song: "My hands are small I know, but they are not yours, they are my own..." and her song is not about crafting but I do love to think about everyone using their hands to make things that only their hands can.