I figured that's what it was for.... or keys.  As well, as promised I give you the newest Duel Of Fates......


Darth Vader vs The Luggage in an epic duel for the prized shelf spot above the computer....

my money's definitely on The Luggage!

so i'm in the process of revamping our small apt dining area to more of a floor-cushiony, low table kinda deal, instead of rickety card table and hella-uncomfortable folding chairs (can you tell we're grad students?) and I wanted some exciting wall art.

corks to the rescue!

closeup


in context


I used corrugated cardboard as a backing and pushed 3/4" applique pins into the corks through the cardboard, 2 to a cork, to hold them in place. 

Looks like BeccaJane22 got her package at last, whew!

here's not such a great picture of what I sent her, but i hope she liked it.



Each of these was an exciting challenge for me in some way.  I'd never made anything quite like each of them before, so it was neat to have my "wings" stretched a bit.

[ducktape diva]

Sorry for the delay in putting up pictures of the goodies ducktape diva sent me, but here are the pics at last!  (Ignore the messy apartment in the background)

They came in a painted, decoupaged flowerpot:



And here they are in detail:



4 pins, a bracelet, shrinky dink earrings I can't stop wearing everywhere, a duct-tape coin purse, and some notecards.

Thanks ducktape diva!

Anyone else have pictures to share, hint hint?

[macaulkv]

wowza, look what macaulkv sent me!


as a wonderful little gift basket in a record bowl:


laid out separately:


She sent me a record bowl, 3 lemon bergamot bath bombs, a coffee & vanilla sugar scrub, a bergamot soap scrubbie, a lemon bergamot lip balm, and a clay mask.

yikes, you can tell what a mess my apartment is even from these pictures   maybe it's time to go clean.  anyways thanks so very much, macaulkv, it all smells so good and I'm really excited.

I have pictures of what I sent BeccaJane22, but I don't know if she got it yet, so I don't want to ruin the surprise.  I hope she likes those as much as I adore my loot!

Hopefully this is the right place to put this


My iBook needed something to keep it safe when I carry it around in my big tote bag or backpack.  I had some felt, and some sushi fabric...

so...  here it is next to my iBook (his name is stanley winesap):



closeup of the applique of my initial:



the shape is just basically a manilla envelope type deal, rendered in felt.  I just fold the end over.  Later, after finals and I get over my laziness, I will make a fastener, but folding has worked pretty well too, actually.  

[lorrieelizabeth]

Hey guys, i got my package from marianna today, i love it! there is a suchi beaded necklace, handmade sopa with sushi beads and a littel felt suchi that you can put things in. She did an awesome job and i cant wait to wear the necklace it is so unique.
-Lorrie

awww thanks lorrie, glad you liked!  Now that i know you've seen your stuff and I won't be spoiling the surprise, here are my pics of what I sent  lorrieelizabeth:



felt shrimp nigiri box



necklace with fimo sushi beads



"lemon towlette" scented soap with embedded sushi beads




the stuff you made looks awesome, lorrieelizabeth and paradise crane!  looks like everyone is a lucky swapper!

For my digi-cam. 





I kinda made it because it "needed" to be made, but then it turned out my camera fit perfectly. 

Just got my exciting new new moon pads and made myself a little pouch to carry a change in my schoolbag...



  EDIT for more description:  It's basically a lined, zippered pouch, with decorative stitching.  And I added a tassel to the zipper.  Just though I'd add more detail to my description now that it's not as crazy late as it was when I first put this up (maybe I shouldn't have been watching Firefly on DVD as an excuse  to stay up and sew...).

Thanks in advance, this is driving me nuts!

I'll try to be as specific as possible, and there are even pictures, because I'm desperate.

Here is my new sewing machine.  I love it, or the idea of it.


Here is the bobbin apparatus.


It is making me mad.  I load the thread as the instructions seem to be telling me to:


bring the needle down, back up to thread with bottom thread (blue):



then I try to sew.

Jams immediately,  thread wraps around front of bobbin case.



WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!  WAAAAAAAAAAAH!

sorry for the self-pitying outburst and I'll love you forever if you can help.