DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER ARRIVAL

I haven't played the secret sister game for a couple years, but decided to get back in.

Here's what my sister sent for January.

First, she made that paper-pieced cover for the person size calendar for my purse.  I love it!  There's nothing like a home made gift.

I'm enamored with the quilt lady pin.  Isn't she cute!  Her necklace says Dear Jane.  In her hands she's holding a DJ book, her credit card, and a pack of M & Ms.  What more could a girl need?  I will proudly wear her often.

Also there's a Mary Englebreit needle holder.

Along with these there was a chatty hand written note.  It's going to be a super year, I can tell.  And Dear Pal, if you are reading here, I know we'll get to know each other better this year.  Thanks so much!

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFTS

My DJSS got behind, as life got in the way for her. She sure made up for it with the lovely box I received this week.

For July and my b'day she sent sock knitting things -- a book, super yarn, knit pick needles, snacks for sustenance, and it was all wrapped in the gorgeous FQ.

Aug, and Sept. gifts were wrapped in wonderful FQs too.

August brought 3 lovely black on black FQs, a stitch marker/holder set, marking pens, and chocolates.  Yum!

For Sept. more beautiful fabric, Circleeze, a note pad, and a good read.

I sure hope her life is going smoother.  I can tell from the care she puts in to what she sends that she is a very thoughtful, giving person.

December and the big reveal isn't that far off.  Can't wait!  And thanks once again, if you are reading here, SP.

PLETHORA OF PRESENTS!

My Dear Jane Secret Sister gift for June arrived yesterday.  Yes, she's behind, but quickly catching up with a vengeance!  The fabric int he background may go into my blue/gray bag.  The black/white/red will go with current project.  New seam ripper, well who doesn't need one?  New marking tools, ditto.  And the sweet needle minder will get a work-out.  The little booklets have bookmarks, stickers, and postcards, all quilt-related.  Dear SS, you if you are reading, you sure are thoughtful!  Thanks.

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT

My DJSS February gift arrived yesterday.  I love the three FQs.  The yellow is almost the color of my great room walls, and I'm planning a quilt for there, so................  The little orange thing is a mirror for your purse, and the soap smells divine -- lavendar and rosemary.  It's made with goat's milk, olive oil, etc.  My skin can't wait to try it.  Thank you DJSS, if you are reading.

And a little not to her, the black/red/whites I'm gathering are the fun novelty ones that you see in the LQSs.  If you look back to last summer you'll see some of my blocks with them.  I'm also planning a quilt for next summer with reds in a variety, but just red and a bit of white or cream, but no other color.  Thanks for asking.  So many plans, so little time.

SJSS GIFT

My Jan. gift arrived today from my new Dear Jane Secret Sister for 2012.  She sent two beautiful FQs, a sweet wall hanging, needles, a book mark, and a Mary Englebright notepad and nail file.  Certainly cheered up my day!  Thanks SS, who ever you are.

DJSS QUILT FINISHED

I finished up my little quilt that I made using the little Dear Jane blocks that Marianne, my 2010 DJSS, sent me each month.

This was my first experience using big stitch quilting with perle cotton. I only quilted on the center of the sashing (1/2" wide strips) and around the outside of the quilt. It was easy to do and I love how it turned out. I used a thicker batting than I normally do, and I'm very happy with how each DJ block puffs up a bit.

Here's a close up of the quilt stitching.

Thanks again, Marianne, for being such a super secret sister.

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT ARRIVES

This wonderful gift arrived yesterday from my DJSS. She sent a kit with all these wonderful fall fabrics, a bookmark, a really sweet "Pin Your Hopes on God" plaque -- not sure if you can read it, but the little item hanging from the pin says 'hopes' -- and a really nice handmade card.

It was surely a real day brightener!

DJ SS QUILT TOP

If you've been following my blog very long, you know that last year my Dear Jane Secret Sister, Marianne K., sent me a DJ quilt block every month as part of my gift. Yesterday, while unpacking some sewing things from Florida, I came upon them. They were just too special to leave as a BOB (bag of blocks) so I pulled fabric for sashing and setting squares, and got busy. The sashing is 1/2" finished size. The blocks finish at 4.5". I put the top together yesterday.

This morning I pulled potential backing fabric from stash and also a spool of perle cotton. I've been itching to try large stitch hand quilting with the perle cotton. This may just be the project.

This will be a lovely table topper or wall hanging. Either way it will be a lovely memento of the 2010 Dear Jane Secret Sister Swap, and of Marianne.

ANOTHER DJ SS GIFT ARRIVES!

What a week! My DJSS has been traveling, and that is why my Feb. gift just arrived on Monday. But yesterday, Tuesday, my March gift came too.

Wow is all I can say! She sent me a beautiful beaded necklace from S. Africa. It is so bright, and so beautifully made. I just love it. She also sent me a tissue cover made by refugees in Beruit, a magnet from Boston, a DJ bumper sticker reading "No Pain, No Jane" 'Finished is Better than Perfect' (a Dear Jane quilt saying), and a container of yummy 'pills' for quilters only.

She is so thoughtful! I'm feeling very 'gifted' this week.

Dear Jane Oct. gift

 
Here's what my secret sister sent this month. Another lovely DJ block and chatty letter. Also a mini lint roller, note pads for the fridge, and yummy chocolate! She is such a sweetie!

DJSS SEPT. GIFT

My Dear Jane Secret Sister sent another wow gift this month. Again she sent a chatty letter and DJ block (always the best parts). Also I received 3 Christmas fat quarters, some perle cotton (to use making the shashiko bags I talked about the past couple months), and felt autumn leaf Favorite Findings. I've already started using the Christmas fabric, and will post about that project soon.

BAG UPDATE

This is the lovely tote bag that my DJ SS made for me for my birthday. You may have seen it on my blog last month. Secret Sisters being secret, I couldn't just ask her how she made it, since I don't know who she is. But in her note with my August gift, she explained that it is a Sashiko pattern, which looks a lot like Cathedrals Windows, which I called it -- Cathedral Windows Gone Modern, or something like that.

Well, I had to find out about the Sashiko pattern. I know Sashiko has large decorative stitches, but I've never seen it looking like jumbo cathedral windows before. Sure enough I was able to Google around and see pictures of this technique.

You start with a circle, not a square as in CW. And each little block is complete of itself, not when you join four as in CW. So interesting!

There are so many things to try, and life is so short, but I really do think I must have a go at this one in the future!

DJ SS AUG. GIFT

I'm feeling very pampered by my Dear Jane Secret Sister. For my August gift she sent me another very chatty letter with pictures of her current projects, including her setting for her Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks. She again made another DJ block for me, as well as including some 'Pat' notecards, 2 lovely coordinating FQs, a brochure from a rotatry cutting class she recently took (so I could have the tips too), and some tea. Wow! Am I lucky or what? Thank you, thank you, if you are reading, SS.

DJSS GIFT

This gorgeous hand-made bag was wrapped in that magenta FQ. My Dear Jane Secret Sister really spoils me!!!

I've done cathedral windows before, but this is cathedral windows gone modern. They are large, in yummy colors, and adorned with contrast quilting stitches. My Secret Sister is not only VERY talented, she's VERY generous.

I'm a luck girl!

DJ SS JUNE GIFT

 

My Dear Jane Secret Sister is so thoughtful. She even thought of me while on her vacation to Colorado. My whole family enjoyed playing with my 'Patricia' flashing Colorado key chain. Too funny! She visited the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, and picked up a card for me there, as well as the brochure of the current exhibit. She included an emory board from Celestial Seasonings in Boulder and a post card from Central City.

There was also the vibrant blue FQ everything is sitting on and a Quilters' Tool Necklace.

I'm most appreciative of the DJ block she made. She sends me one every month, along with a nice letter. She sure knows how to brighten my day!

DJSS GIFT ARRIVES & BOOKCASE UPDATE

My DJ Secret Sister was very good to me this month. She sent two bright FQs. I had to open them out so you could see all the colors. She also sent a spool of silk thread for applique, a tiny ruler (which will come in very handy making tiny blocks), and again, she made me another DJ block in beautiful green and white. This was all accompanied by a lovely letter. I am so curious who she is. Dec. reveal is a long ways off!

Update on my bookcase:
Thanks to so many of you for taking the time to help me. I replied to all I could. Some of you have your settings set so that I get a no-reply email when I try to answer your questions and thank you. It has to do with your account settings.

I posted my quandary here and on three Yahoo groups, the Friendship Swap, where the blocks originated, Stashbusters, where gals always help each other out, and Work In Producers, where there are some of the most talented quilters I know.

The majority suggestion is to border it attic window style. I've decided to try that, even though it meant I HAD to buy more fabric at my LQS. All your fault, LOL! But the other suggestions, including end it here, wood grain borders, tonal borders, and wall paper looking fabric borders, and others, were so intriguing. I think I'll have to make more of these quilts to try all the possible borders out!

My son, an attorney, and his wife, whom he met at law school, and their two little boys, are avid readers, and my head is spinning with ideas for books photos, etc., on their bookcase shelves. Maybe for Christmas. If I do that, I'll try another border technique on it.

Again, thanks so much for the help. Hope everyone finds some time to stitch today.

SECRET SISTER GIFT

My Dear Jane Secret Sister gift for April arrived in today's mail. She's teaching a course on repurposing jeans and t-shirts and made the ball of 'yarn' from the t-shirt, and the jeans are on the bottom and handles of the basket she made me. How clever! She also made me another little DJ block. There's a Luna Bar and tea to snack on, lotion, and an herb mix too. Plus that yummy FQ it's all sitting on. I think I have the very best secret pal this year!!!

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT

My March gift from my Dear Jane Secret Sister arrived yesterday. She sent me quilter's masking tape, a lovely dark blue Fusion FQ, a lighted un-sewer, and yet another lovely DJ block that she made. Along with this was a lovely, long, letter. She is just the best. It sure made my day. Thank you out there, whoever you are, LOL!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

This is my February DJ SS gift. What a wonderful secret sister I have this year. She send me two Dear Jane blocks, a 4 Patch Posie pattern, a magnet, the new wide Tiger Tape, lip balm and chocolates, as well as the yummy pink FQ it is all spread on. Then closer to Valentine's she sent the hand-stamped card. I make Stampin' Up cards too, so it was really fun to be on the receiving end this time, LOL!

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT 2

Another DJSS gift arrived yesterday! Now that was a true surprise! In checking, I have learned that this one is from my real Dear Jane Secret Sister 2009, Robin. Included are two ornaments, lotion, Fray check, a journal, fudgie bears, and a beautiful Christmas card.

I know Robin has had a tough year, and I often went without gifts. So maybe Cindy T., who sent me the prior gift, was being a quilt angel?

In any event, aren't quilters just the best? What a group of gals with big hearts!