Recent Craft Swaps

So this year, I've been doing a few craft swaps I thought I'd share what I've made and received so I have a record I've what I've made and received.

Valentine's Swap

The first swap I did was a valentine's swap, it was a pretty simple swap where you had to make a small item - I choose a couple of pouches that I made from some scraps I had in my scrap bin that fitted into the whole valentines theme.  I also sent some chocolates and a card, as that was part of the swap, but I didn't take any photos of those.

 I received a tote bag as part of the swap, which has become a pretty great lunch bag.

I also got some popping candy, the packaging was super cute! I also received a sweet card and some lip gloss.

Box of Sunshine Swap

The basic premise of this swap is to fill a box of stuff to bring some sunshine into your swap partners life.

I didn't really take a lot of photo's of what I made, so I took these photos from the link on Craftster where my partner shared what I sent.

I made a tote bag, a drawstring pouch, a patchwork scarf and bow, and I sent a bunch of extras.

 I received a lovely package of sunshine from Japan, including this Studio Ghibli inspired hoop, some trims, Guedetama glasses cleaner and seal-able bags, phone charms and some lollies.

I'm currently finishing up a Galentines, Easter Basket and Woodland Swap - so a lot of crafting to do in the next few weeks!

Halloween Crafting for Vany - Part 1

So here's another post of some stuff I actually made ages ago! If you guys follow my blog regularly you will know that each year my friend Vany and I do a craft swap and  I usually share what I've made. Vany wasn't able to play along this year (but its ok, she's coming to visit in February!) and I still haven't finished all of the stuff I wanted to make for her (I'm still two days short) but I thought I would share what I  did make - even if we didn't have it as together this year as we have other years.

The first thing I made Vany was a cross stitch - I had a design in mind to make for Vany, it was one of Rich's designs and as soon as he finished it up I knew it was perfect for a Halloween swap! The pattern I chose is available in Rich's esty store if you're interested.

Here it is off the hoop, I really love stitching patterns like this, you feel like you have quickly achieved a lot by stitching up one motif at a time - I think I stitched quite a few of the motifs in one night, which makes for satisfying stitching.

Here's a bit of a close up, the eyeball is probably my favourite part of the design.

The second thing I wanted to share with you today is the bag I made for Vany, its a satchel style bag that I've made before - see here and here. I didn't make too many changes from the previous times I made the bag, however, this time I used some amazing fabric that I had been "saving" (all people who sew do that right?).

Here's a wee bit of an action shot in the making (sadly I didn't take too many) the fabric was incredible (like I already said) it was pretty much Hammer Horror fabric and I loved it SO MUCH. But I only had a metre, not really enough for dressmaking, but plenty for a bag. This time I lined the inside with black cotton that was a bit of a pain to work with (I don't know why, its black cotton) but I got there in the end.

For the earlier versions of this bag I had to rely on a door handle, but this time around I had the help of an actual model (thanks Rich). I really did enjoy making all of these bags and would like to make more in the future, but I always get put off as it seems so difficult to get the hardware for bag making - maybe I should just stop overthinking it and actually see what I can find and make more bags.

It probably seems a bit out of place to be blogging about Halloween stuff now, but in my world every day is Halloween and I really loved making this stuff so I wanted to share!

Hope everyone's countdown to Christmas is going well!

Quotes, Quotes, Quotes Swap

We are now home from the USA and I have about six million photos I could share with you from our trip and I  will do that eventually - but its going to take a while. So here's a selfie that we took on Waikiki Beach. I was the only person on the beach wearing skeletons - because I'm cool.

Rather than blogging all about the USA, I thought I'd share what I made for the most recent craft swap I did. The theme of the swap was "quotes, quotes, quotes" - simply you had to make something based about one of the quotes your partner gave you. My partner gave me a long list which included "anything from Scooby Doo". I've basically ALWAYS been a Scooby fan, so as soon as I saw that I knew where I was going with the swap.

Next step - to find a Scooby cross stitch pattern - turns out I found the perfect one on Esty (as always). The quote I chose was "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!". I really loved the font on the design and it was a lot of fun to cross stitch the various characters. Velma was always my favourite character of the Scooby gang and I'm pretty convinced her glasses are the best thing about this cross stitch.

This is by far my favourite cross stitch of the year and it was hard to sent it away to its new home in the USA!

Hope you are all doing well - I'm off to try and sew a dress in time for Armageddon - have a good weekend all xo.

Dr Who Swap

I recently finished up another swap on Craftster - this time it was a theme close to my own geeky heart, Dr Who. The name of the swap was actually "My favourite Doctor" which meant you had to craft a few things based around your partners favourite elements on the show. For example - favourite Doctor, favourite monster, favourite quote and favourite episode.

Here's what I made for the swap for my partner - two cross-stitches which were created by Rich.

Her favourite monsters are cybermen, so it only seemed right I made her a cyberman cross-stitch, this guy is a little bit friendlier that the average cyberman.

My partner was also a big fan of the tardis - so I made her a tardis cross stitch. Home is in fact, where the tardis is!

What did I receive in the swap - well as some of you know,  my favourite doctor is Tom Baker, so first up I received a Tom Baker scarf!

I also got this tee shirt with my favourite Tom Baker quote, although I'm considering turning it into a hoop to display. What do you guys think?

Finally, I recieved this pretty amazing bag - my favourite Dr Who monsters are ood, so I think this is pretty great!

Affirmation Swap - What I sent

My partner FINALLY received her package for the affirmation swap I took part it - it seemed to take a REALLY long time to arrive. So I can now finally share what I made for her - a cross stitch hoop with one of her favourite sayings.

I knew I wanted to make a cross stitch hoop as soon as I joined this swap, when I received my partners details she told me one of her favourite sayings was "don't let the bastards get you down". I searched the phrase on esty and I found the perfect pattern almost immediately. I bought it on instant download and started stitching!

This pattern was generally pretty simple, although I would be lying if I said that border didn't drive me a little crazy. Here's a close up of some of the stitching, the fabric is actually grey rather than white, I picked it up from one of my sewing blogger friends at on of our many WSBN swaps.

I added a bit of green ribbon and my project was finished and ready to hang (actually - it was ready to be posted to the USA and then hung).

I have to say I've become more enthusiastic about cross-stitching since I took a break from the epic cross stitch project I was working on last year. I think I'm more of a "quick win" kind of crafter, long term projects kind of make me lose interest. I'm currently working on one of Rich's designs, which I will share once I've finished it up and its reached its final destination. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Instagram - Week Seven

It's time for another snapshot of a week in my life via instagram!

Jaimee gave us these chocolates for feeding Luca - they were pretty good.

My coaster at work - my workmate Sarah gave it to me.

I tried this yoghurt last week - so delicious. I don't think I'll have it again though - a lot of sugar and fat compared to my regular yoghurt.

My workmate Sarah bought me this squishy stress cupcake (rather than a stress ball)

They sell bias binding at my supermarket - I'm a sewing geek, so I was kind of exciting to know I have got somewhere to buy bias binding when the fabric shop is closed.

Day two of the thirteen days of Halloween swap - awesome printed "Frankie" scarf.

Another on of the "treats" in the thirteen days of halloween swap box - brain blasterz!

I bought tights for $2 a pair!

I started a quilt project with some "love darlek" fabric that Rich designed on spoonflower.

Day three of thirteen day of Halloween Swap - a skull wrist pincushion - I've used this a few times and have asked myself why I didn't buy a wrist pin cushion ages ago. It's the best thing EVER!

"Gum Powder" also came with day three of my swap package!

I did some sewing over the weekend using "Built By Wendy - Home Stretch".

Day four of the thirteen day of Halloween swap included vintage cookie cutters and also German icing supplies.

My finished dress - which I have since decided is too frumpy and I'll most likely never wear it! Well - its all practice sewing.

Day 5 of the Thirteen days of Halloween swap - handmade bat brooch and various other creepy bits of jewellery.

My outfit of primary colours today - yellow tights, blue petticoat and red skirt.