CRAFTEROO - Tote bag Swap

I decided to sign up for this swap as I fancied a change from beading for a while. Then I started getting orders for beaded Christmas decorations and began to regret signing up :( This weekend, I decided to just get my sewing machine out and get on with it - well, it was a bit of a failure! I made a bag but would not be happy to send it to anyone as I had twisted the handles the wrong way! Today, I found some plain tote bags that I had ordered ages ago, with the intention of doing up. I decided to use one as the foundation for mine, and incorporate the handles into my make. So, today I made a bag that I love. The plain tote is the lining for my own make, and I have included a little extra to the design which I think is cute. I hope the recipient likes it - full pics when she has received it.

Thank You Claire Payne!

Thank you so much to Claire Payne, the organiser of the Pincushion Swap, for sending me this lovely parcel. She felt bad for me that my partner had let me down, so sent me a few bits, including a fantastic orange slice pincushion. I love it! The 'Pincushion Swap' logo button has a link to her blog, so please do go and have a look at her lovely things.

Pincushion Swap

Further to my previous posts, I am sad to say that I have not received anything in the post, or any more contact from Greyfrog. I feel very sad and disappointed about it and my trust in the crafting community has waned slightly. However, this will not stop me from entering other swaps - I will just try to be more wary in future. The swap host has been great and very apologetic, although it is definitely not her fault. I hope all you crafty swappers out there take my experience and learn a bit of caution from it :(

At Last, Some Crafting

It seems ages since I put any photos on here. There is a reason, but I can't say what it is yet. It is taking a lot of my time and I will post photos when the recipient has got it! Meanwhile, here are a few photos.

These are the items that I sent my partner in the Pincushion Swap (see button to right, with link). I cross-stiched my own design and backed it with felt. I also made a pincushion from felt and trimmed it with beads. I particularly like this one as it is just so pretty. Finally, I sent my partner (I still don't have a blog address for her - please send me one GreyFrog) some pins and a few haberdashery items. I really hope that she likes it!

This is another card from the commission for my friend. I have this fabulous roller stamp that I have been using for a lot of the backgrounds on my latest cards. It is so beautiful.

Thanks to ClaireP for hosting the swap. Please see button to right of page for a link to her blog.

Hallelujah!

The camera worked last night and this morning, so I have lots of pictures to post...

Firstly, and most importantly, the goodies I received from Paula. A lovely floral knitted corsage, some sweets, some fab buttons and a magazine on garden 'stuff' (I really do not have green fingers!!!) Thanks again Paula and I promise that yours will go out at some point this week...

Then, here are three cards that I made recently. The embossing folder is another Cuttlebug one and it is really versatile. It works amazingly well in my Sizzix dinosaur of a die-cutter. I also have the Swiss Dots one which is probably one of my best buys ever! I have been really into making cards this week and beads took a back seat until Friday when I had my C&G course. That always gets me back in the beady mood!

Talking of my C&G course, we did Horizontal Netting this week. We have to make a netted amulet bag as one of our final projects. I decided to use the horizontal pattern to make mine, rather than the vertical, as I just didn't seem to want to stop making my sample and didn't want to waste my efforts!

This was my first sample and I stopped because I wasn't keen on the way I had mixed my colours.




This is the sample that I eventually turned into the amulet purse. I love the transparent brown bead, with the flash of two different lilac beads.



This is that second sample, turned into an amulet bag. I haven't done the fringe or hanger yet. The fringe will have to be a 'looped' one, but apparently that can mean a variety of things other than just a plain loop, so I am contemplating what to do. This photo doesn't really do justice to the bag as it is really fluid in feel and the beads look much brighter in real life.


This is a sample of vertical netting. It is so simple to do and works up really quickly. I do love the effect, but would not wear a necklace made from it.

PHEW...

And, breathe!

Blooming Camera!

I have received my garden swap goodies from my partner - they arrived this morning...thanks Paula! They are lovely, but you are going to have to take my word on that as my camera is playing up again. I have the go-ahead from the bread-winner of the house to buy a new one, but photos will have to wait unless my old one starts playing ball again. It does this sporadically, but the crappy stages seem to be getting longer each time.

I have finished my package of things to send, but they have been sitting on my table, waiting to go for a week now. I have been feeling a bit blue lately, so can't seem to get the motivation to do anything.

Anyway, let's hope for a sunny day and a cooperative camera tomorrow...

Garden Swap

Kerry at PennyDog has organised the above swap. My partner is Paula in the US.

The rules are:

You must make one handmade item in a garden theme, this can be something for the garden, or something with a gardeny theme- insects, flowers, etc.

An item of a crafty nature that your swap partner can use in their own crafting- fabric, buttons, stickers, etc

An edible treat- chocolate, cake, etc

I am really looking forward to this! I already have lots of ideas but am going to mull them over before finally deciding.

Time For Tea Swap

My items arrived today! Thanks to Vonnie at Blotted Copy Book who sent me this...

Thanks Vonnie - the bag and candle are especially brilliant - really funky. I will probably light the candle while crafting this evening!

Time For Tea Swap

Notelets



Earrings



Fruit Tea - because Vonnie doesn't like it and I am going to MAKE her!

I realised today that the deadline was creeping up on me and I hadn't started my items for Blotted Copy Book. So...I sat down this afternoon and got stuck in. These are the results, which I really like - I hope Vonnie does too...

Amazing what you can do if you have pressure on!

I am taking part in this swap run by Vonnie from 'Blotted Copy Book'

Have a look on her blog to read all about it. Poor old Vonnie has ended up being partnered with me, a dedicated tea hater! I like fruit tea though, so I am not a completely lost cause!

My Items From IncyWincy

Aren't they gorgeous! I am sending your parcel first class today, when I go and pick Max from school. I love the Russian doll brooch best and think my niece will love the hairslides.

Thanks - you are a STAR!

Child Swap Present

Just a quick note to tell you all that Juicy Fig's swap present arrived for Max this morning. Unfortunately, he whisked it away before I could get a photo, but you can see one on her blog. His first comment was, 'How cool is this!' so I think it was a big hit!

Jewellery Swap on CB Forum

I signed up to be part of the Crafts Beautiful Aug/Sept ear-ring swap. At the point that I was ready to make my swap, there was some indecision as to what colour they were going to be, so I made one pair in each colour. I am not particularly happy with the blue ones but don't have many blue beads, so was a bit limited. Luckily, red was finally selected and I really like these ones!

Kid Swap

No, this isn't an actual child swap, however much we sometimes wish we could!!! I posted about this swap a couple of weeks ago and have finally managed to get it sent in the post today...



And here it is! I hope your daughter likes it Juicy Fig!

Swap on 'Mee Crafty'

I signed up for the swap on Mee Crafty and got paired with Juicy Fig. Now, bearing in mind that she has a female teenager and I have a seven year old boy, Chloe didn't make it an easy swap for either of us! Anyway, having had more experience of being a teenage girl than a junior schoolboy (grin), I think I got the better side of the deal!

I have finished the items and have been meaning to send them off for days so I can blog what I made, but I am being ditsy as usual and need to sort myself out.

Watch this space...