I'm definitely going to keep one eye on this swap and one eye on my list of tasks to be done.  Whenever it seems like I'm getting caught up on something, I decide to take on something else.  I took a year off after my MA (in English) and just jumped into the PhD program.  But since it's at the same school, they've already got me busy mentoring incoming students and teaching classes.

But this seems up my alley.

I received a most excellent alternative to both plastic bags and those ugly Our Family bags that the grocery store sells from Reconstructed T-Shirt.



Close-up of the trees and fabric:


Next to a regular notebook for scale's sake:


Sorry no action shot, but the only full-length mirror is in the bedroom, and my husband's already gone to bed.  It's for the best because I've been roofing all day and would hate to commit that image to film.  But rest assured, the bag is great and she even included directions on how I can sew more of the same for myself!

Thanks again, Reconstructed T-Shirt!

I'm among the people who are clueless about Serenity, but this still made me laugh and laugh.  It works well out of context...

I was clearing some space off my digital camera and thought I'd post these photos I took of what I sent to ktlady before I forget that I took them.

Here's one side of the packed jar:


And some sort of close-up group shots:
 
  

And the Disney charms I made for her:

[Crafted:]

I claim la_chrystelle for a stenciled t-shirt and I'll throw in a bleach pen for good measure.

First claim, obviously none sent.  I'm in the United States.

My wishlist:

Crafted:

Big wish: My current handbag is tearing so I’m in the market for a new one that is more interesting than the selection at the local department stores.  I’d like one that’s smallish with a strap long enough so I could put it over my shoulder and have the bag tuck under my bicep, if that makes sense.  I really like the size and style of this one: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=1316.0 but I’m really open to different styles (except I don’t like the slouchy, sling-looking ones).  Nothing loudly patterned or in any color I dislike (as listed below).

A microscope slide pendant, resin pendant, or really any unique pendant necklace (gold looks terrible against my skin, so I’d prefer silver connectors).  I wear predominantly button down shirts, so if there’s a chain, I'd like the length to be around 14" or else no one will be able to see it.  I'm not picky about style, though I prefer chunky to delicate, especially because I’m pretty rough on jewelry.  I’m in love with the ones I’ve seen that involve text, especially.

Unique art for my office walls – I don’t like to make art for myself, just for other people.  Something square or rectangular would be ideal since everything else is squared off and right angled, and I think a round anomaly would bug me.  I’m also not big on cutesy things, with the exception of bunnies.

My husband and I just got some nice tables for the living room, so we could use some coasters to prevent them from getting screwed up.  I really like the resin ones, like these in style, not necessarily in content: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=83837.0 (we had knit ones, but they became blankets for my stepson’s dinosaurs).

I'm trying to give up using plastic bags, so I'd love to receive reusable grocery bags.  I plan on learning how to sew them myself (well, to sew period), but I'm a tactile learner and it would be great to have something to use as an example.  I’m flexible on styles and materials, as long as they’re sturdy and a bit more stylish than the Our Family ones I buy at the check out counter.  Extra points if they are sturdy enough and with a long enough strap if I can carry it while I ride my bike.

Something based on The Little Prince (the book, not the show) would be great also.  Really anything.  Maybe something that can be worn?  I received a great t-shirt from la_chrystelle in an earlier round, but I can always use more.

I'm into animals that defy logic (the platypus, the kiwi, the narwhal), so anything crafted on one of those themes would be great.

Handmade note cards based on various song lyrics (if chosen, I’d link my claimer to my last.fm profile for my top artists).  I received some lovely ones from Lunanne in round 30, but I’d love some more.

Something made from old typewriter keys.  Or using typewriter font.

A surprise – whatever you feel like you’re best at or what you’d most like to make, I’d love to see, especially if it pertains to my interests listed below (or my mostly empty wist http://www.wists.com/parlophone).  I’m really open to most anything.

Supplies:

I’m new to embroidery.  I’ve been playing with some things and received some floss and needles in an earlier round, but if there are other helpful things you could think of, I’d appreciate it greatly.

Anything to help get me started making my own resin pendants.  I feel strange when I’m not wearing a necklace, so it would be handy to be able to have more options when I buy and wear different things.

Extras:

I’m fascinated by local culture, so anything unique to your area.

If someone has a button maker and can make one that says "This is what you do with a degree in English," that would be the best thing ever.

About Me:

I’m a mid-20s English teacher in North Dakota.  I prefer offbeat to traditional, drab to bright, dark to light, severe to rounded.  I dislike warm colors (especially pinks, reds, yellows) and jewel tones, flowers, anime-style, and most things that can be described with the repeated consonant + y equation (silly, frilly, etc.).  I like the way that words look (especially from a typewriter), Scrabble and crossword puzzles, trains, urban exploration, downtowns, 1950s propaganda, subcultures, monsters, coffee, greens (that aren’t grass or forest), blues (that aren’t bright or navy), lots of things, really.

I can always get more specific as necessary – just ask!

It might be dichroic glass - I'm not familiar with the terminology, but I love how the colors reflect differently depending on where the light hits.

I received from ktlady in today's mail!  Very exciting, hence the lots of pictures:

In my questionnaire, I said I'd like to receive anything having to do with letters or words and mechanical or electronic bits.

First, the jar packed and then spilled out (it was actually a recreated spilled out because I got to sorting before I thought to take a spilled out photo) on the beautiful fabric that the jar's lid was wrapped in.


And some close-ups:

Electronics!


Misc!


Jewelry!


And a great card holder (I assume inspired by the one on my wists)!


Sorry the pictures are blurry - I'm a camera novice.  Thanks again ktlady!

I was checking the status of my package on the USPS website and at 4:30 this morning the status said "missent."  Now it says delivered, so someone has received it, I guess.  Hope it's the right person!

parlophone - your avitar cracks me up

Thanks - I got it from this comic (http://xkcd.com/146/).  xkcd is great, even though a lot of the math and science jokes go over my head.   

I finally shipped today.  Now the waiting begins to see if it makes it there safely.  I worry about the post office sometimes.  I've received packages marked "fragile" that have been shoved into my tiny mailbox.

My dh has some things I can add to the jar - now I am just waiting on him to finish the last few additions to the jar.

I'm so glad that we're both going to be done at about the same time.  It seems like every time I get the jar filled, I shake it to see if it would be okay to ship and the level goes down again.  But looking through the gallery has given me a few ideas, so it should be good to go in the next day or so.