Since there was some interest in a better shot of mpicky's cherry blossom earrings I took the opportunity to go for sunlight AND flash. Enjoy!

When it rains it pours! I received from devilninny, Lol Stein and mpicky yesterday!

Apologies ahead of time for the not fabulous photos -- It was overcast and rainly and dreary yesterday.

First up, my lovely new cherry blossom earrings from mpicky! The photo doesn't do them justice at all, the centers are a translucent creamy colour. They're lovely! Thank you so much, mpicky!



Second! A fantastic array of cards, note paper with matching envelopes and address labels from devilninny! I think my favourite out of the whole batch is the card with the girl in a swim suit, just because of the quote.

"Be not a slave of your own past - plunge deep into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience, that shall explain and overlook the old." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you for the awesome quote and the really awesome cards, devilninny!




Last but not least, I received a pile of notecards, envelopes, writing paper and a cute dover stained glass colouring book from Lol Stein! I'm madly in love with the little note card with a sewing machine on it and the funky flower paper cards and envelopes. Thank you for the gorgeous selection, Lol Stein! I can't wait to use them.

I received from Semicharm86 today! She sent me a lovely shawl (Sweet Pea Shawl from the happy hooker), and as an awesome bonus, a caplet, a handful of lovely crochet flowers and a brooch. Unfortunately due to some gauge issues the shawl ended up being too small for me. Luckily my daughter fell madly in love with the shawl and the caplet -- she hasn't taken the caplet off since we took it out of the box!

Pictures time!

The Shawl (in a tweedy grey wool):


The Caplet (in a grey marl acrylic):



And the stuff the kidlet *doesn't* get:

A lovely brooch!


And some lovely crochet flowers, plus check out the cool card!


Thank you so much, Semicharm86! It will all be well loved!

I did my write up about the great things I got from firehead4 on the last page, but I'd hate to have the pictures missed so I'm doing another post instead of editing.

The box everything arrived in:


And the awesomeness contained inside:


Thanks again, firehead4!

I convinced my flash card reader to work for me again, so I have pictures of the great stuff sarahrah and SeeMe sent!

I received from sarahrah 2 CDs in paper envelopes for a total of 244 songs, please forgive me for not posting the playlist.



I also received from SeeMe a adorable felt case with a CD containing over 100 songs!




Thank you both! I'm thrilled to have new music to listen to!

[Blind]

Some organizer reminders guys!

Communication has been all over the place lately, so I'd like to remind you all you need to tell me when you ship (including the Delivery Confirmation number if you're shipping within the states) and when you receive. Also really important is letting me know in a personal message that you may be late. Posting to the thread doesn't count as informing me of what's happening -- it needs to be a personal message.

To that end, here's my suggestion for formatting of your PMs to keep communication clear for the occasionally slow me.



1. Please put both addresses in the TO field. That way you, me, and your swap person knows that communication is happening. Plus if you don't include the name of the person you're swapping with in the message I can figure out who you're talking about.

2. Bcc means Blind carbon copy -- useful if you want to send a message and hide some of the recipients. Please don't use it with this swap, thanks!

3. Please include the name of the person you're swapping with (send or receive) in your message. Some people have also included the number of the swap exchange as found here, that's *awesome useful* for me. 

4. If you get a customs or delivery confirmation number, you need to send it to me too! It goes in with your info in the swap spreadsheet on my PC and my psychic abilities keep betraying me. Also, if you don't get a number for whatever reason, please let me know that too. And yes "the evil post office lady wouldn't give me one, I hate her!" counts as a reason.

Also, I respond to all swap messages with a confirmation PM so you know I got it and it's been inputed where needed. If you don't receive one within 48 hours of sending me a PM (regarding the swap, personal PMs... all bets are off) please resend.

Thanks guys!

We called them Gimp too.

I went through a stage of making them a couple years ago now when my Mom was in hospital. It's amazing how many people made bracelets with gimp growing up and how many good memories they have of it.

See?



Those are all butterfly style ones.

Since boarderchic received the tripod bag I made her, I figure I can post pictures now.

I based it on various yoga bags I've seen. There's a drawstring closure, a large patch pocket, adjustable straps to go from backpack style to over the shoulder to across the chest and the inner seams are covered with bias tape.



And the straps in backpack mode:

Since lafemmefatale received the bag I sent her, I figured I'd post the photos I have.

This was a bag of firsts for me: using ultrahold heat n' bond, adjustable straps, and an elastic and button flap closure.



Closeup of the applique:


The inside fabric, it's winter pine trees to keep with the theme:

So crochet has taken over my couch and my life lately. I decided that this would be a good time to use up some of the fabric from the fabric swap that I love but haven't used. Now... I'm impetuous. I decide "hey! let's do that!" and far too frequently I do things without planning or even thinking.

A fine example, my initial run at a crochet hook case using the insanely cute lemon fabric I got from one of the rounds.

Looks good...


Now how about the inside? The blue is my crochet stuff, the green my school pencil case contents, the rest... well I like pens, it's my desk pens... It's just a wee bit too big, eh?


So I cut the seams off and re-did it. Much better!


and all wrapped up: