Secret Santa Gifts – Sent and Received

If you’ve read much of my blog, you’ve probably heard me mention Wombat Stew – a paper piecing bee I’m part of. Love my fellow wombats. It’s such a wonderful group of gals. We talk pretty much daily online – whether it’s sewing, kidlets, fabric or snakes in the kitchen.

Yeah that’s an example from today. Gemma (from Pretty Bobbins) totally talked me down off a ledge while I was dealing with a snake in my kitchen (non venomous and the wildlife people took it away and released it hopefully far far FAR away). Naturally while I was cowering completely terrified standing guard watching the saucepan cupboard it was hiding in, making sure the vile thing didn’t disappear into the rest of my house (desperately praying that the WIRES guy would show up fast), I had to inform the Wombats of my crisis, if only to keep me somewhat occupied while on stake out (or should that be snake-out?!). Thankfully the gals helped me stay calm (ish) until the snake was removed.

So when Christmas was approaching and Fiona (from Finding Fifth) suggested a Secret Santa amongst our group, we all jumped onboard rather quickly. My secret partner was Alyce (Blossom Heart Quilts). She just got her parcel today so now I can share what I made!

I had a pretty good idea of fabrics/colours Alyce liked, but was stuck for ideas of what to make. Until the awesome Erin (Missy Mac Creations) mentioned this fabulous embroidery hoop storage idea! Then it was on like donkey kong. Well mad sewing anyways.



A bit of linen, some Simply Color, and some fussy cut tape measure fabric (+ a million or two emails to Erin for support) and I was away!



I paper pieced Alyce’s blog header and ended up embroidering her initial in the centre.

I used this pattern as a guideline of how to do it, but the templates didn’t help as I could only find one embroidery hoop in town. Yep the whole town. I spent hours traipsing around with Miss Lulu trying to track down an embroidery hoop. Was happy to finally get one, didn’t care what size! So it ended up being a 10” hoop.



A few tips if you make one of these. Don’t bother with interfacing, unless you personally know the Hulk and he can fit the frame back together over the stupid amount of layers that the pattern calls for. Me? I don’t know anyone with super human strength so the interfacing had to be cut away so I could actually make it all fit.



Those fancypants posts on Pinterest that tell you to glue the fabric to the hoop when you’re done? LIE!! It does not glue. It goes stiff and wonky and bumpy and looks like you let your 2 year old do it. (Was tempted, but it is all my own work Alyce, I assure you!). So I just trimmed off the excess fabric as best as I could.

That said. I’m totally going to make another one for myself. If only to have an awesome looking place to store my sewing tools high up on the wall where climbing half-monkey children can’t reach them.

So that’s what I sent! Now what I received! My secret Santa was Fiona and she totally spoiled me!



Look at this loot! Thank you Fiona!! Love love love!

A gorgeous Flower Fairy tote bag (already being eyed off by Miss 2 and a fabulous framed purse (I so wanted one of these!) – double sided – with a sewing goat (love!) and Good Fortune on the other side.

Plus fabric! A whole panel of Autumn Flower Fairies and some Very Hungry Caterpillar food scraps. Spoilt indeed! You can pop by Fiona’s blog and read more about what she made here. There’s also a hint about a prize she’ll be offering for the BoM! Only a few days now folks until the first pattern’s released!


And on that happy note, I shall end here and head to bed. And hopefully not dream about snakes in the saucepan cupboard.