Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A Very Vintage Halloween Swap!

It's finally time to share my Very Vintage Halloween Swap goodies! My swap partner was the very talented Miriam, Crafter by Night, who really outdid herself as you will agree when you see everything she made and sent.

I'll begin with the main gift and that is the hanging art quilt that she made. She describes the process of making a quilt as painting with fabric and her quilt really is like looking at a painting.

I love the design Miriam chose. Her family comes from Iowa farmland so the Fall harvest time has always been an important part of her life and she has beautifully captured her love of the harvest in this piece.

There is so much that went into making this quilt that you really need to read her description of the process in her own words which you can find here. Even though quilting is the quintessential American art form, it's something I know very little about.

But I do know that I love looking at this picture. I haven't quite settled on it's permanent home. Right now I'm just enjoying trying it in different places.


This was a very loosely structured swap and the only guidance that I gave to Miriam is that I love Fall and for me Halloween is a whimsical time. As you can see she incorporated both of these themes into her gift with the quilt representing our mutual love of Fall and these little fellows representing the more whimsical side to Halloween.....

Both the ghost and pumpkin are crocheted. So cute. Mr Puffy loves this ghost. He says it reminds him of that great Halloween classic, It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Mr Puffy would love to be a movie star just like Snoopy and has written to him asking the name of his agent. He's hoping to have a role in next year's Thanksgiving Special.

But of course it wouldn't be Halloween without out some CANDY! Which came in it's own special felt pouch! This is just too cute and may serve as my private candy stash bag all year long!


Didn't I have the best swap partner ever! It was a very eclectic group that participated in this swap. You will have fun looking at all the Halloween swapping and get some cute Halloween decorating ideas if you head on over to the blog of our lovely hostess, Heidi, at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly who has links to all the participants in this A Very Vintage Halloween Swap!

So how will I celebrate Halloween this year. Thinking about the cooler days and looking at my cute little ghost put me in mind of how I shall enjoy the holiday. This Halloween in addition to watching a scary movie (link to Halloween Classics) I'm going to pour myself a nice glass of port wine. I will savor the sweetness of it with Stilton cheese, nuts, and maybe some pear slices while I reflect on the changing seasons and how important it is to make each day count.

26 comments:

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Great swap goodies! The wall hanging is amazing!!! ...just beautiful! :) ~Rhonda

SissySees said...

Very lovely. That wee pumpkin is just precious.

I wish Mr Puffy luck in his efforts to secure an agent. Does he understand the long hours though?

Anonymous said...

What wonderful handcrafted gifts! That quilt is just great and so is that sweet little ghost! Love your thoughts of watching great old movies while sipping a little "spirits"!

Please come over to my blog and see what my partner sent to me! Dana

Anonymous said...

What wonderful handcrafted gifts! That quilt is just great and so is that sweet little ghost! Love your thoughts of watching great old movies while sipping a little "spirits"!

Please come over to my blog and see what my partner sent to me! Dana

Tracy said...

WOW, Claudia...Miriam sent you tons of wonderful treats! I'm in awe that beautiful, festive fall wall hanging--just fantastic! That ghost is so cute...And it wouldn't be Halloween without a little candy too ;o) Such fun...Happy Day ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Wow, that wall hanging is impressive. What a wonderful gift. The same goes for the other hand made gifts s well. A great swap that I know you enjoyed. BOO!

Hugs...Jeanne

Hilary said...

Wow -- amazing stuff! The hanging quilt is just beautiful and the ghost is so cute I can't stand it. What a wonderful way to celebrate fall and Halloween!

Knitterary said...

All that, AND a candy necklace? You are so lucky! /jealousy :)

Anonymous said...

Oh lucky you....that wall hanging is beautiful. What a wonderful swap you had. :)

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

I love that quilt. Well done! And the candy was a nice touch in its own little pouch. Have a happy halloween!

Kitty

Anonymous said...

Claudia,

I just love the substance-iveness of your blogs, which I credit to Mr. Puffy's discerning nature, of course. They include this Halloween one and also the Topanga brunch restaurant which our family tried to get to while visiting CA this summer, but ran out of time.

How about as a front door hanging for your new quilt during the month of October? Our neighbor displays her Christmas quilt this way during the holidays. Hers is of the Italian Christmas witch,someone called "bonifana" or something close to that, i forget. exactly. That way everyone can enjoy it and it's very welcoming.
I'm sure you'll come up with the ideal spot yourself, however.

Polka Dot Moon said...

Wow! What wonderful swap goods! The wall hanging is beautiful!!
Denise

t does wool said...

now that was a VERY nice swap,I must say!

Susan Hickam said...

love, love, love the quilt and the crocheted ghost and pumpkin! Such beautiful goodies! Mr. Puffy may want to talk to Maddy Joy(my chocolate lab who is also my editor in chief). I think she knows the right people(animals too!).

KatCollects said...

The wall hanging is beautiful, what a great swap item. I love the little ghost and pumkin too. I am glad you had a good swap : )
Kathy

Sue said...

The ghost and pumpkin are so cute. I love the quilt too, just beautiful.

Ally Jay said...

I love the wall hanging. Amazing colours and patterns. Those glasses are pretty cool too, love the array of hues.

Mad Red Hare said...

Candy, of course. I wish I had thought of that to send my partner!

Anonymous said...

Lucky, lucky Claudia! I love that wall hanging (you know me and Autumn!).

We're away for Halloween this year but I've still bought oufits for the children anyway. :D

amanda said...

what a fun swap! you've certainly got me thinking about the holiday now.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous wall quilt! It's so bright, colorful, fun and festive. She did a wonderful job on it.

Bridget said...

What a great swap package, and how nice of your partner to make you the wall hanging! I would be tempted to keep it out all year round ...

Oh I hope Mr Puffy hits the big time - then I could say I kinda knew him when!

Monika said...

Wow- the wall hanging is gorgeous! The little ghost with his pumpkin is too cute! What a nice and fun swap!

Anonymous said...

What a fun swap! You are very lucky! Enjoy!

knittingdragonflies said...

I love the ghost. Good luck to Mr. Puffy. Let us know when he makes his debut.
Vicki

Firefly Nights said...

What a great swap partner! You really received some great things. I stopped by her blog and she seems very talented.