The Summer Themed Mini Quilt Swap...

Today I received a lovely surprise in the mail...

Inside this parcel was a lovely, whimsical mini quilt from Illene...http://retdairyqueen.blogspot.com.au

And some other lovely goodies...

And a letter which told the 'story behind the making ' of the mini...

Illene described how she was discussing the Summer Mini Swap with her sister who suggested that she 'make a bikini one'. Illene said that later that night she thought of that 60s song, 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'...and then next morning that song was played on the radio! Illene wrote, '...so that was that, I had to make it!' 

Just in case you don't know the song, here is a You Tube link with Bryan Hyland singing it...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=ICkWjdQuK7Q...it was a favourite song of mine too!

But Illene's story doesn't end there...Illene had made the mini but wasn't happy with it. Then the Travelling Treasures package arrived at Illene's place last week...and in it was the perfect fabric...so after some 'reverse sewing', the mini was ready to send. What a wonderful story...and what a wonderful little quilt now takes pride of place in our dining room. The colours are brighter in real life btw. Thank you so much Illene!!

Now the Summer mini I have made will head off to its new home tomorrow morning. Because I have been checking all my storage cubes of craft fabrics due to the 31 Days of Decluttering, I had found some perfect fabric for the border. I bought this last year in NZ and kind of forgotten it but it was just perfect...

Just a peep at the embroidered central panel of the mini...

Proper pictures when the new owner receives the parcel :-)...but it has been a fun project to work on.