Swap Shop.

I've got a list of "ideas" to write up here.  To be honest I'd probably be better getting my A into G and finishing some projects so that I've got something new to write about rather than pulling up old stuff but the novelty still hasn't worn off this and so I'm using it.  60% of my ideas can't be put here yet due to things not being finished so I'm really stretching myself here!!

At the end of last year I did my first craft swap from TNN.  As I do with everything I went overboard.  I'd never done a swap and wanted it to be super special.  I think my recipients words were something along the lines of being "blown away" so I got a good reaction LOL.

Swap Number One

The "I Love You" swap was one where you submit three words which go into a hat and in return three words are randomly drawn and given to you.  From there your swap is based on those words and the recipients likes.  I got Delicious, Kiss and Like.

I went mad!  If you've popped over to my Ravelry page you would have seen it there.  This is the "Delicious" component.  It's berry stitch with a seed stitch strap.  It also cotains a portion of the "Like" which is etched into the four sides of the knitting needle ends.  My recipient liked earthy colours and I had a tonne of brown corriedale purchased from the local op shop - too scratchy for anything but a bag.  The lining fabric was in her favourite black and white patterning with a black snap topped pocket.  The button embellishments were polymer clay and tied this piece into the rest of the swap. 

The stitchmarker case is not looking the best and needs a little perfecting before I get it ready to seel on Felt in pattern form.  I hated the look of safety pins inside pretty and well made cases so I figured out how to do it better - buy the pattern if you want to know.  I love the "petal" idea but that's what needs the work.  Again the polymer clay button and another label sewn in by hand - purposely not looking neat and tidy.  The Kissable stitch markers were my first and I'm hoping they are holding out - none of my others have :o)

A couple of weeks ago I bought my first set of interchangeable needles.  I made this case without ever having sighted a pair!!!  Another item I'm going to perfect for patterning.  The chocolate is polymer clay on a container of homemade lip balm - chocolate and vanilla flavoured - I think THIS was the most expensive component of the lot.  This was the "Like" component - bascially because she likes knitting.

Swap Number Two

The Bag Swap.  I had everything sorted in my head so I knew I could do this - it had two months lead up time and I was on a roll.  Things went south though and although I got it done it took me a month longer and I was thoroughly embarrassed.  Having finished the smaller and quicker third swap this was the last swap I did.  I'm not ready for another yet although I do have a peak at them now and again.  I'll keep my eyes open for something small and only do one at a time.

Based on a bag that my recipient liked and that I could not afford to buy a pattern for I made this pattern up from scratch.  The Michael Miller fabric was really expensive.  My neighbour friend LOVES the material I used to make the trial bag so I'm going to finish that for her birthday - it was a cheapie fabric from an end of line store - a fraction of the cost of this stuff.  I used stashed zips (there's an internal pocket) and plaited some leather thonging (I think it was 6 strands rom memory so tha was a new skill to learn) for the handle.  I also snapped the bottom so that it could sit on the ground without getting damaged.

At the moment it looks a little TOO much like the item I copied it off to make up a pattern for it.  But I have an idea for something along similar lines but with enough differences to be totally mine.  I have to say here that all I had to work from was one website photo of the original and anything I do make from it will be based on my own measurements.  The only similarities will be a similar shaping.

Swap Number Three

The Dishcloth Swap.  Quick and easy but not very effective as far as I'm concerned.  I was really disappointed with the outcome of the patterned cloth.  My recipient is a knitter so the "Yarn Ho" cloth was ideal - but you just couldn't read the words.  At first I thought it might be the orange colour of the cotton but when I checked the pattern photo I realised it wasn't all that clear to begin with and that I'd been relying on what the pattern text was telling me.  I threw in the pattern so that she could see what it was and I added an extra simple cloth I'd made up, two orange and black scrubbies made from tulle and put it all in a crochet plarn and ribbon gift bag.

The Big Reveal

Swaps are organised independantly.  The first two of mine were organised by the same person.  I was horrified when I drew the organiser for the "I Love You" swap.  Her crafting is impeccably made- absolutely beautiful stuff.  When I drew here again for the Bag swap I had to laugh.  But what had me in stitches was my third swap recipient - organised by someone completely unrelated (other than belonging to TNN) and I drew the SAME recipient AGAIN.  So I 've done three swaps and all of them were for this one lady.  Thank goodness she's such a nice person as I was pretty much all over the place near the end!!!