My buttons from the button swap arrived!



They are absolutely precious.



I realized guiltily as I opened the package that I sent mine off with no way to know they were from me. Oops. No cute tag or backing, like these. How clever.



Not sure what to do with them now to be able to maximize admiration of them. Maybe pushpins or magnets, so they don't get tied to a single finished project.



Love them all!

52 Nights Update - (Night 15) I am still anxiously awaiting the return of my mojo. I think I see it lurking on the horizon, but still no crafting lately. Last night was an easy no tech night, though. It was girls' night with my mom and visiting cousin. We did watch a movie, which might seem to break the no-tech rules, but since it was social, girl time, I say it doesn't count!

Labels: 52 nights, needlework, swaps

It seems like so long ago that I signed up for Michelle's animal-themed embroidered button swap. At the time, May 10th seemed so far away!



I kept putting off work on my buttons, because I couldn't come up with an idea I was pleased with. I threw away many sketches.



Finally, just last week, I came up with a plan that I liked and set to work getting it in thread!



See all six on flickr.

So though I had moments of doubt, times when I thought I might be a dreaded bad swapper, I got my buttons to Michelle on time. I can't wait to see what I get back!

Also... I redesigned the blog! If you check in a feed reader, be sure to click through to look.

Labels: needlework, swaps

So I kind of cheated for my 2nd unplugged night - I slept through it, since I was still recovering from the flu. I got home from work, took a three hour nap, got up for a tiny dinner, and was back in bed around 9:30. Maybe I'll have to have a secondary unplugged night to make up for it...

Now I just have to share my latest project - I finished this a week or so ago but had to wait for daylight to take some pictures. Jeanine, one of my best friends from high school, is due with her first baby in just a few weeks - official due date is March 20. In honor of her impending bundle of joy, I put together a Mommy Bag for her!



I'd call it a diaper bag, but I figure she has one of those already, and my sister insists she uses about five bags to get all her things everywhere now that she has Charlie... So it's a mommy bag!



On the outside there's a small front pocket lined with ribbon, and a large back pocket with a magnetic snap.



On the inside there's a large divided pocket, an elastic-edged bottle pocket, a key clip, and a pacifier holder.



The whole thing closes with a zipper and is very large. Here, I'll model -



I didn't quilt it like my other totes this style because this one is so big, it would have taken forever. I did interface the outer fabric and lining, so it holds its shape very well. I filled it with usefull goodies like wipes and diapers and made a little matching pouch for small things.



Although the length of this post kind of exhausts me, the project came together in a weekend, a lot faster than I thought it would! Now it's all wrapped and in the post, I hope she likes it!

P.S. - If anyone's interested, Michelle is hosting an embroidered button swap! It's animal-themed and should be a lot of fun, I joined and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Labels: 52 nights, bags, sewing, swaps

I really rely on the weekends to catch up on photos so I have things to post during the week. During the summer I do better, because it stays light so late I have natural light after work. But during the winter, it is so depressing. Dark when I go to work. Dark when I get home. And I hate taking pictures with the flash. Well, my weekend-picture-taking failed me this weekend! It was cold and dark and rainy all weekend.

Luckily, thanks to flickr and the holiday ornament swap group I can show you a picture of the awesome ornament I received late last week... I was lucky enough to get one of these in the mail:



I have received a couple other ornaments, and I can't wait to share them! I really hope this weather clears up for next weekend, otherwise I might go into a funk from lack of sunlight! I would never survive in Seattle...

Labels: swaps

I've now started to receive my ornaments from the ornament swap! One in particular I can't wait to show off, it is really above and beyond.



For my contribution, I really wanted to do something with beads, and this is what I came up with. Beaded snowflakes. I really like them. My husband described them as delicate, and I think that works best as a descriptor. I hope the recipients like them, too - they certainly aren't as elaborate as some of the things I've gotten! I feel so lucky!



I've moved on to other Christmas projects and am making enough progress not to panic that I'll never finish everything... Hopefully I'll have some good light to take pictures this weekend so I'll have post fodder for next week!

Labels: swaps

I've already received a few of my postcards from the swap! How exciting!! I am thrilled to have received one of Beki's. I just love it!

I am quite happy with how my postcards came out... I wanted to do something using fabric, but not just quilted cards since I've done those before. The beaded snowflakes that have shown up in earlier posts were sewn onto cardstock, and an address sticker across the back of the card kept all the threads in place.



I was trying to take pictures of these, but I made the mistake of putting them in a sunbeam, so I had some "help" with the photos:



How can you resist that face?

Labels: swaps

Today has already been a crazy day, despite not having much going on... I ran bright and early in the cold weather (hey, 40's for Houston is cold!) with my training group, almost 10 miles. It felt good, even though my last long run was three weeks ago. Then I got home and packaged up my ornaments for the ornament swap, followed by cutting and sewing my postcards for the postcard swap. Just in time!



We'll swing by the post office on our way to soccer - it's already closed, but thanks to the awesome automatic package mailing postage thingy, I'll be able to get everything out today, only one day late!

Labels: swaps

As I sat last night catching up on shows from during our vacation that my Tivo had lovingly saved for us (I told you I was a TV junkie!), I was able to finish up the stitching for a few different Christmas projects. The rows of neatly stitched shapes was very pleasing to my Type-A side. These will eventually become my annual card set I send along with goodies to out-of-town family. It was fun this year coming up with a different idea from what I've done before! Stay tuned for the finished product, hopefully next week.



The beaded snowflakes are for the postcard swap. Yes, that is still a WIP, despite the deadline of Dec. 1. I am pretty sure I will be able to get them finished up and to the post office tomorrow - there is only one step left to finish them. I also have to package up my ornaments for the ornament swap to get them in the mail. Shame on me! Many of those are international, and I will feel quite bad if they're late... Hopefully one day will not ruin me!!

Labels: swaps, wip

I am having so much fun playing with different materials for the various swaps coming up... I went home sick Tuesday, and sat on the couch with my box of tissues playing with wire and beads for the holiday ornament swap.



The weather changes we've been having down here in Houston are wreaking havoc on my sinuses. I get allergies this time of year anyway, and when it goes from the high 80's one day to the low 60's the next and back, my body just can't handle it. Laural was asking if this fall seems colder than normal, and I have to say I agree. But, when it comes down to it, I'll take the cough and stuffy nose in order to wear my sweaters!

Labels: swaps, wip

As if the postcard swap and NaBloPoMo weren't enough, I just signed up for the Holiday Ornament Swap hosted by freshly blended and cake + pie!!



I had been resisting this swap because I didn't want to overload myself, what with trying to make some Christmas presents and post more and make postcards... But then I had an idea for an ornament, plus I kept seeing links to this swap all over the place, and I couldn't handle it any longer! Crossing my fingers I didn't just get in over my head...

Labels: swaps

I signed up for Nikki's Christmas postcard swap! I got my list of swap partners today, and only one lives in the USA, how fun. The rest are from all over - Australia, Japan, England... I hope I get several international cards, too!

My last postcard swap went so well, and I am already so excited! Can you believe it's getting to be time for Christmas already??

Labels: swaps

I received my tags from Dacia's tag swap!



I love getting snail mail, and it was so much fun to see which tags I received from the assortment made by all the contributors.



It will be so hard to give these away with gifts, even though that's what they're for. I think I'll have to save them long enough to display in my new craft room, and then start sharing.



I might have to keep one or two for myself, though...

Labels: swaps

One of my motivations for joining Mochi's postcard swap was how much I love getting snail mail. And sure enough, it was so much fun receiving all my postcards! I finally stopped procrastinating and got all the wonderful postcards scanned!

This one is from Amy:



And from Candie (left) and Tania. Does it make me a big dork that I was super excited to get Tania's postcard? Hers is one of the first blogs I started reading, and I absolutely love her illustrations!

  

This is from Christabel:



And from Jennie. Is this not the cutest puppy ever??



Check out these buttons from Tabitha!! I can't wait to be hit with inspiration for how to use these.



This one is from Katie:



And from Megan:



Last but certainly not least, from Susanna:



This was such a fun swap, and turned out to be a great way to find new blogs!

Labels: swaps

As I mentioned in my last post, I am participating in Mochi's New Year's postcard swap. Since we're painting, and I've been working late, and we've just felt really busy lately, I was worried I wasn't going to get mine done in time! I've had the idea since I signed up for the swap, so it was just a matter of execution. Well, I made it! Here are my ten postcards, ready to go in the mail.



They're on pastel cardstock, with a little felt doggie with embroidered eyes and nose. Here is a close up:



I don't think anyone I'm sending to has ever been to this site, so I'm not worried they'll see them early. However, I am worried the felt doggies won't survive the ride in the post! I glued them down as best I could, so hopefully they'll arrive unscathed.

I have so many project ideas floating around in my head, and three very busy weeks coming with no time to craft... It's going to drive me crazy! Cross your fingers I can make it through to some free time.

Labels: swaps

I received my swap goodies from Jenn yesterday!



In addition to the gorgeous fabric that initiated the swap, she sent some beautiful buttons, a fabric fortune cookie, and some other great goodies. Here is a closeup of the fabric:



I can't wait to get going on a project for it!! Now I've just got to get my things in the mail to her... I'm stopping by the post office tomorrow!

Labels: swaps

I'm participating in my first-ever fabric swap with Hillary from WeeWonderfuls. I wanted to include a little something extra with the fabric, since what she's sending is so awesome. I've also been wanting to try to make a little felt flower hairclip, since I might make them as favors for Lauren's bridal shower. So I combined the two, and I'm going to send this with Hillary's package:



I'm pretty sure I'm going to send Hillary some of my Curious George fabric, since she has an adorable little boy and all little children need some Curious George! It will be hard to part with it, so I might have to get some more. Darn, fabric shopping!!

Labels: sewing, swaps