Secret swaps and fabric frenzy

I have been doing some secret sewing for the Bee a Brit Stingy Secret Swap. This new bee is up and running in January 2013 but we have had a couple of little secret swaps in the lead up to it's launch. The Christmas Secret Santa Swap is to make a basket following this pattern. We then can fill it with goodies of our choice. 

I wanted to make my partner a Christmassy basket without using Christmas fabrics, so that she will have a choice of using it all year round. 

'Christmassy' Fabric basket

I used linen for the base and the handles. I have made my partner a little crochet string tub and a lavender bag, made from a vintage handkerchief. When I saw the Christmas tree ornament at a local craft fair I couldn't resist buying it for my partner as it is so simple yet attractive. It is made by Georgia at Cross Donkey. It is made from an old blanket and is called a 'Blanket Bauble'. I just thought it was such a clever way of making something beautiful out of a discarded blanket. I have previously given my husband an old blanket for his decorating covers. I have now reclaimed it and now it is all washed and back in the linen press all ready for a future project!

Secret swap basket and goodies to be put in it

Of course no swap would be complete without a little chocolate, so I have added some Thornton's chocolate. This little parcel will be in the post by Monday to my secret partner.

I have also been indulging in a little fabric frenzy buying. I took advantage of the Black Friday sales in USA and put in an order at Pink Castle Fabrics. The discount basically paid for my postage. I have plans for the retro phones and the modern bauble fabric is for my growing stash! (Don't forget that I said that I wasn't going to stash fabric. Well don't believe me!).

Fabric buying

You might remember these cushions that I made just as I was starting blogging back in February.

Ruby cushions

We need more handmade cushions for our living room and my husband keeps asking if I will make more. When he saw this cushion...

Flower cushion

...he asked if I could make more in the Ruby fabric. I did explain to him that these type of fabrics are only available for a short period of time and it probably wouldn't be possible to buy more. I did do a little research and found some for sale in an excellent eBay shop that I have bought from before. It was for a fat quarter bundle and it was expensive, with a capital E. My husband asked if I would use it and after reassurance suggested that I pushed the 'Buy" button. So this morning this package also dropped onto the doormat.

Beautiful Ruby fabric

 I am so delighted to have found this fabric and now there is no excuse for making some cushions in the New Year. I obviously am not going to be using all this fabric for cushion making but I am February Queen Bee in the hipBees and I might just be using this in my quilt, so Sarah you too can stroke and play with my beautiful fabric too!

Another view of my beautiful Ruby fabric