Swapping books and more with new friends . . .

Recently, I joined my first swap in ages. I confess I was a little nervous (having been burned in long ago swaps). But I had such fun planning what to swap, making my gifts, then packing, mailing and eagerly anticipating, then receiving my own package.

"Fall into Reading Book Swap 2022" was hosted on InstaGram by @wwarner27 (aka Wendy). She matched participants into one-to-one swap partners. Everyone in the swap filled out a questionnaire including favorite book genres and other interests. My partner and I were able to chat via emails while deciding what to send to each other. 

Here's a peek at the books I soon purchased for Mandi  ...  My puzzle now is which one (or two) to send to her .... or maybe send more?  

See any titles below that intrigue you? 

 

 

Wondering where I purchased this stack of books? Why, at one of my favorite independent book stores! I am lucky to have two located near me. If you're in Houston, be sure to visit "Murder By The Book" on Bissonnet and "Brazos Bookstore" a block away also on Bissonnet. While I frequent both, the books above are entirely from Murder By The Book. Now to decide which books to send to Mandi....hmmm....

Meanwhile, the swap includes sending small gifts. Mandi and I are makers and crafters, so I wanted to make something special for her. But time was short and I needed to whip something together quickly. What could I make for my new book-loving-&-crafting-friend? Inspired by the name "Fall into Reading", I looked through my unfinished blocks, pulling two made in fall colors. I decided to finish both.

 

The first block is a variation of the classic Jacob's Ladder quilt block. 

It was originally headed for a Sampler Quilt, a quilt never came together.

I confess, I enjoyed quilting this block into a little quilt.

 

The second block is called "Leaf Love Wreath." It is an original design and paper-piecing pattern by Kristy Lea (aka Quiet Play). 

The pattern is currently available on her Quiet Play website. For your ease, click Leaf Love Wreath pattern for a direct link to this pattern. Click Quiet Play patterns to see all of Kristy's wonderful patterns. To learn more of my creative quilty friend Kristy who lives in the Land-Down-Under (aka Australia), take a look at her website: https://quietplaydesigns.com/ 

I finished this sweet leaf wreath block into a small quilt too.

Both quilts are finished and ready to go to a new home .... as soon as I decide which to send or whether to  to splurge and send both quilts to my "Fall Into Reading Book Swap 2022" partner .... What would you do?

Send BOTH of course!

... along with three books and more gifts which filled the package nicely.

 

 

All have arrived safely and best of all,

Mandi is pleased! Yea!

 

I love my package that she sent to me too!!!

This was a fun swap & I look forward to swapping again.

Wendy mentioned hosting the next swap in February (possibly?)!

Have you joined any internet swaps lately?
If you have, I hope they were as delightful as this book swap was!

Another ending ....

It is that time when summer is beckoning .... schools are winding down, teachers and custodians are cleaning classrooms, bulletin boards are being disassembled ....

But I took a break from the cleaning and final lesson planning to make a small gift for my 10 young students this year.  Each child selected the colorful zip-pouch they liked best and then picked out a new pair of sunglasses to tuck inside. I love sending them off with a little something made by me and specially for this class. They are my first class back at the preschool where I first discovered my fascination with working with this unique age group, their parents and their families (siblings, grands, cousins, etc).

 

What a year it has been ... but we (my co-teachers, students & families) safely navigated the full year of in-person school during a pandemic. While I and some of my families did test positive for covid at some point during the year, and our class closed for a single day, we never spread it to other classmates! I am extremely proud of that (and very thankful too). This class came with an awesome group of parents!!!

Happy summer to everyone! 

 

Have a fabulous time whatever you do and wherever you may wander.  Me? I'm excited to have a renewed passport and am ready to wander .....  See you in the fall!