Aside from a brief break for Independence Day, the majority of my free time this weekend has been dedicated to meeting the Swap deadline.  Just as fatigue was setting in, and everyone in the house was swearing that I would never do another swap ever again, a wonderful thing happened:

My swap package arrived from Emily! I love, love, love my new placemats and napkins.  She used Amy Butler prints, and "bent the rules" by doing this great patchwork top. They are so fun.

 
She also somehow tapped in to my current obsession with all things Asian and included this fun candy from her local Asian market.  (Note: Emily is from Raytown, Mo.  I grew up very near Raytown, and I cannot imagine that it now has a "local" Asian market...Must check this out.)

I love that the napkins are all different prints, and it was so nice having breakfast this morning on our matching placemats. 

This plate once contained Challah French Toast from the Contessa.  It just might be the very favorite breakfast around here.  Husband showed up from work on Thursday with flowers and Challah bread.  Subtle, no?

Receiving my swap package was just the boost I needed to get going on my placemats...and until my bobbin ran out, I thought I might actually get them finished tonight.  But I have a rule: If the bobbin runs out after 10 p.m., it is a sign that sewing should be finished for the evening. Because, frankly, it's all downhill from there.