Here's some more swap goodies I found I never posted!

Scrappy striped tote (which technically uses something from another Craftster-CraftyMamaBee sent me the fabric used in the lining!-proof here at the bottom of my post)


Bookmark


Journal Cover

I made this journal cover for my partner in a recent swap. The quote was one she had pinned on her Pinterest. I tried something new (to me) out for this one-printing on to fabric. I ironed a piece of freezer paper onto the fabric I wanted to print on, and cut to the size of a normal piece of printer paper. Making sure it would feed through right side up, I printed out the quote in a font I liked and in a couple of different sizes (spaced apart). I let it sit to make sure it was dry, and then cut out the size I liked, centered it on my journal cover, and stitched around it. I was very pleased with how it turned out and have no doubt of using this technique in the future!



Thanks for looking!

For a recent swap, one of the items to make was a bookmark. I knew I would like to make one with something embroidered on it for my partner. However, I am not very confident in my embroidery skills, so decided to try out the freezer paper method in hopes of making neater looking stitches. I found a free font online that I liked, and printed out "READ" onto a piece of freezer paper. After constructing the bookmark, I ironed the image onto the bookmark and went to town! Once fully embroidered, I started gently ripping and pulling away the freezer paper. If you ever try this method, I definitely recommend having tweezers handy...of which I do not own .

I was pleased with how it turned out in the end. My husband liked it so much, he asked for one himself with a different image embroidred. Let's just say Im still trying to figure that one out...it isnt going as well as this one did.



Thanks for looking!

I recently made this tote for a swap. My partner liked blues and purples, but I didnt have any large enough pieces in my stash to make a tote in those colors. After hemming and hawing for a few days, I finally sat down and went through my scrap bags to see what I had there. Strips! Lots and lots of strips! After making sure to pick out ones that were long enough to make a front and back piece out of, I tried to arrange them so that the darker purple faded into lighter purple, into lighter blue, into darker blue, with the floral strip in the middle to pull them together. Sewed them together to make a front and back piece, interfaced them with some sturdy interfacing remnant, and lined with some blue fabric that I had just received as an extra from another swap. I also boxed out the bottom so that it could stand on its own.

I had a lot of fun making this and figuring it out on my own, and really want to make one for myself now (and I have plenty of more strips to looks through haha ).

Here it is!


A little bit closer...


...and flat to see the colors a bit better.


Thanks for looking!

Yay! My partner received so I can share...I made her the house pouch on the right. The left didnt quite work out. You can read about them here if you'd like.

I recently made this for my partner in the Tiny House swap. She wanted something functional, and I knew right away that I wanted to try a zippered pouch. First I wanted to try one with a zipper down the side (inspiration here). I made it, but because the swap requirements were for the house to be under 4" in any direction, it was so small to maneuver the zipper, and the fabric kept getting caught when I opened or closed it. I definitely couldnt send it if it didnt work 100%! So back to the drawing board I went. My husband let me bounce ideas off of him and we decided that I should put the zipper vertically down the middle of the back. Yay! It worked! And partner said she likes it, so I am happy.

Final (functional) house:


The original:


And together:


Thanks for looking!

I received a fantastic package from Averia today! I am so excited about it!

First, the books. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, and Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. This swap really was perfect timing for me-I didnt know when I signed up that I would be taking a work trip to Las Vegas in a few weeks, and these books will be great to take with me. Im forcing myself to save them for it haha!


Next is the bookmark. A quote from Mr. Darcy! I was secretly hoping for some sort of Austen incorporated into my package, and also for a bit of Averia's fantastic needlework- and I got both in one!


Check out this mini book necklace! I love the leather cover and the brown beaded chain!


And finally, this amazing bookbag! I love the style, the PURPLE, and the print on the flap. It is very well made and I cant wait to use it.


I wish I had better pics, but by the time I got home from work and opened my package, daylight was fastly fading.

Averia- Again, thank you so much! I love everything and had a great time swapping with you! I cant wait to use all my goodies.

I received an amazing package from my pal Calabaza today! She super spoiled me.

First, this awesome bag. It is lined in the flower fabric, has pockets on the inside and the back, and also has a zipper closure under the flap. It is going to be just right for my upcoming trip to Las Vegas!


Next, this awesome papercutting of Robin Hood and Little John! I love all the tiny details. (the paper isnt wrinkled, it is just the reflection from the glass)


Close up:


Here is one of Calabaza's cute macaroon purses! I own one already, and I still cant get over how small they are. She went a postal theme (we both love), one side has a postmark with LA/California, and the numbers are my birthdate, and the other side says "Par Avion" with the tiniest airplane. The stitches are so little!



Look at this garland!! Ballerinas made out of thesaurus pages, colored paper, and backed in felt. They are strung onto a spool of ribbon so that I can spread them as long as I need to and then cut it myself. Im pretty sure all of their skirts are completely different "snowflakes." They really are amazing and I just have to figure out where I want to hang them.


Close up:


Next, some super cute ATCs for my collection. Tiny houses, which I love, and 'E' bc I am collecting letters of my last name, and a cute retro ornament complete with a silver string. They are already in my ATC book!


C said this is her very first felt badge and Im honored to own it. I love old campers! It is a great addition to my felt badge collection.


Handcarved stamps!!! A bunch of tetris shapes and tiny houses. They are all SO small (I should have put a quarter in for reference, but those houses have to be under an inch tall).


And some extras: an autobiography that takes place during WWII, and cute felt notebook, and some candy!


I really love everything- Calabaza always crafts the perfect stuff for me! What a great 5th IYP for us! Thanks again C!

Swap Thread

Blue - Sent package.
Green - Package arrived to partner.
Strikethrough - Feedback done.
Orange - Sending late with communication.
Red - problem, contact your organizer/co-organizer, please.

StickerChic87-Thimbles71
johnson.mom2two-FoxyBlue
Smmarrt-bec99
Jen Sews-dreadlady---deathbeforedishes(sendouts 4/24)
SonjaBoo-beccas_song---gotgrey (sendouts 4/15)
mink_bikini-Kitty_Catty
fabricfriend-spidermom
teag-thisbirdsabsurd
MissingWillow-Zephyr
.:dollface:.-PickleGlitter---Jen Sews (sendouts 3/26)
stepharella-sewmess

Not quite a project, but I did spend a few extra minutes on a couple of these at work today:



Just something fun to share!