::Online Swaps:: Pin Cushion Swap 2012

I signed up to participate in House of Pinheiro and Sew Far Sew Goods Pin Cushion Swap for 2012. This is the first swap that I've ever participated in. So it is pretty super exciting for me :)

I was matched up with Sulieen, a lovely lady in Florida, USA. Sulieen told me that she liked blues and pinks so I had a rummage through my stash and found a few fabric options.

I used this Offset Square Pincushion tutorial from Planet June to make my pin cushion part. However, I combined it with the concept of having an adjustable strap inspired by the wrist pincushions Sunni used to sell in her shop. (see the D ring here?).


I liked the idea of the D-ring and velcro adjustable wrist strap, but the problem with making something for someone that you have never met is that I wouldn't know where would be the best place to put the velcro.  I had a brain fart and though - of course 2 D-Rings! Just like they use on motorbike helmets. So I had to make a change to the pincushion.

I'll publish a post of how I put the pincushion together another day. But here are a couple of pictures.

Here are a couple of close-ups the pin cushion top and the strap setup

With my pincushion I sent a box of snack Tim Tam. Tim Tams are famously used by Australians for Tim Tam Slams. Sooo yum! And I also sent her a mug rug so she can place her mug there between Tim Tam Slams :)

On the 20th of June I had a day of training at work, but when I ducked back to my desk during lunch a saw a package there. Upon closer inspection I saw it was from the US. Eeek. How exciting. I decided to open it when I got home so I had something to look forward to. After a very long woeful day I got home and this is some the amazingness that I found inside...

An awesome crocheted owl 
pincushion - with pins too!

Sulieen mentioned in the lead-up to the swap that she was keen on crochet so I'm really glad she was able to incorporate it into her pincushion.

All the amazing goodies I got in my package!

And here is everything that was packed into the package Sulieen sent me. WOWZER!!! She asked me if I liked a particular candy; I said that I liked Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and boy o boy did she deliver-she sent me 3 types! I also received a card, a mug, 2 really cute crocheted doilies, 2 bundles of ribbon, a postcard from Miami and a length of stretch fabric.

So I totally got the better end of the stick in this swap and I feel a bit guilty that I didn't send her stuff that was as awesome. So I'm going to have to make it up to Sulieen (and her kiddlings) with some other goodies.
That's the story of how I participated in the Pin Cushion Swap of 2012.

I hope you have been doing something new and exciting lately,
Vanessa xo