A Down Under Swap

Consider it a Winter-Summer thing. Here, we are supposedly mid-winter (hello, can we please get some snow already?!), while in Australia it is high and hot summer.  Nova sits, patiently awaiting my end of our swap bargain, likely enjoying a long tall glass of lemonade or iced tea.  At least that's what I'd be enjoying if it was 100 degrees!

I had a peek at Nova's favs and read up on some of her likes (blues, greens, maps, linen). I was super excited to use some of this perfect Japanese linen printed with a sort of made-up map of some European city that may be Prague, or Paris or Frankfurt. Who knows what goes through the mind of these Japanese designers, but whatever it is usually produces the most interesting of fabrics! ETA: Thanks to Kerry, I can now tell you it is Berlin! This fabric was designed by Marie Jacobi for Yuwa. And Marie is German, not Japanese. My bad.

First up is a hoop project pouch so Nova can take her stitching to the beach!  It's lined with some of Lizzy House's Castle Peeps and a piece of Moda marble provides a handy divider to keep hoop and floss in their own little compartments.

Next we have the requisite swap-with-Poppyprint thread catcher.  I believe that Nova has a fondness for repurposed fabrics, so this one is lined with shirting and the outside coordinates with her hoop pouch.

And last but not least, a sweet little linen house tape measure made with Laurraine's pattern.

someone recently asked me why all my houses are either #4 or #7. It's because those are the easiest numbers to embroider in small size - no curves! Sometimes I can be incredibly lazy.

We've been thoroughly enjoying the gorgeous pillow Nova sent weeks ago. It's time for me to package these goodies up and send them on their way to the sunshine!