Grocery Bag

Signed up for a grocery bag swap. This is what I made my partner.

It's reversible.

Tote Bag

I've been doing some swaps on Swap-Bot. This tote was made for one of the swaps. My swap partner likes blue. I thought this fabric was perfect for a tote. We had to include some items in the tote we thought our swap partner would like. I included some note cards, sticky notes, recipe cards and some scrapbooking items. I love tote bags and don't think you can ever have enough, especially handmade ones!

I joined Swap-Bot. I love swaps and really wanted to find more crafty/fabric/button/trim swaps. I've particiapted in a Buttons & Ribbons Swap and in a Charm Squares and Button Swap.

The third swap I did was a Square Pin Cushion. I used the Heather Bailey pattern on All People Quilt. It was pretty easy, except the directions call for you to use a doll maker's needle and pull the trim through the pin cushion with the needle. I couldn't get it to work so tacked the ric rack in place instead. When I sewed on the button I made sure a few stitches went through the ric rack to hold it in place.

I used some fabric scraps I had in my stash and some teeny tiny ric rack I got in a swap. The button is from my button bag. I think this is so cute and my partner's favourite colour is blue. I haven't received my pin cushion yet, but I'll post a picture when I receive it.

Charming Handbag Swap

Charming Handbag from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules-Sewing book made for the BTRS Swap. The outside fabric is from my stash (I can't remember where it came from). The lining fabric is leftover from a dress made awhile ago. The pink button I convinced my daughter to part with from her button collection.

I love the look of this bag and it's the perfect size for going out and even to take to work. This little bag took about an hour to make, but the instructions were confusing in places. Luckily there are lots of pictures to help clarify the instructions. The handle I made is a bit longer than the instructions called for, but I wanted to make it long enough that you can throw it over your shoulder and not have to always carry it in your hand.

Part of the swap was to include something crafty - either handmade or some crafty supplies.

I decided to include 2 metres of pink velvet ribbon and some other ribbon from my notions stash - each spool has 18 inches of ribbon. Also included were 2 vintage buttons. The picture above is a little fuzzy, but it gives you the idea.

There's Still Time to Sign Up

You may have noticed (or not) the little button in my sidebar BTRS Swap. Well I've signed up for this round of swap fun. The project is the Charming Handbag. There is still time to sign up. Sign up deadline is February 28. Go here to get in on the fun!

Holiday Traditions Exchange - package received

I received my Holiday Traditions Exchange package from Tamara on Monday. Tamara is extremely talented and makes these fabulous gift tags.

The package I received from Tamara included a gorgeous handmade necklace, beautiful hand beaded tree ornaments, a recipe for shortbread, Merry Christmas stickers and ribbons for our handmade Christmas and Tamara's holiday tradition. I hung the hand beaded tree ornaments on my Christmas tree right away. They look absolutely beautiful on my tree.

Holiday Traditions Exchange

Tamara (http://www.inkredible.typepad.com/), my swap partner for the Holiday Traditions Exchange received her package, so I can now post my pictures of the Christmas decorations I made for her. All 3 ornaments are made from felt. The snowman ornament is just freehand drew and sewed some beads on for the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons. The ribbon is some scrap ribbon I had left over from some other project years ago. The mitten ornament is based on mitten ornament I saw on http://www.bhg.com/ only mine isn't stuffed and it's bigger. I left the top open so she can stick a candycane or little treat in there for her daughter. There are beads crazy glued on under the ribbon trim. For the snowflake I traced around 2 snowflake cookie cutters and cut them out. Any one who knows me knows how much I hate to handsew, but I do think the blanket stitch around the outside of these ornaments adds a little more craftiness to them.

Also included in the package was a recipe for chocolate cookies that I add crushed candycanes on top of, and some recipe cards. I also shared one of our family's Christmas traditions with her.

This swap was a lot of fun and I couldn't wait for her to receive her package. My package is in the mail now and I'll share when I receive it.