Tea for Three Swap

It's swap time again! This time I signed up for a tea swap with three partners. I made some small drawstring bags from some left over scrap fabric and ribbon, each holds three teabags. As a small extra, I made each of my partners a coaster from 100% Irish linen and using the font 'Century Gothic', hand embroidered the word 'tea' on each one. Although this swap was very quick and easy, it provided me with great sewing and embroidery practice. I hope my partners like each of their packages.





I also made two coasters for myself. Using the font 'Girls are Weird' I made one simply saying 'tea' and to be a little more adventurous, I embroidered a quote from Monty Python's Flying Circus, which is by far my favourite, and a bonus, since I made it for me.



More at Flickr

Pincushions in Abundance

I have been doing alot of sewing practice over the last few days. I want to become comfortable with my mum's sewing machine before I attempt anything more advanced so I have been making a mountain of pincushions. My mum and I both have Brother sewing machines, but mine is very very basic, whereas my mum's is, well, progressive, to say the least, so it has taken a lot of getting used to.

Although they are practice pieces, I think they will make nice swap gifts/extras, and they weigh nothing at all so won't cost anything to send. :)




More can be seen on my Flickr page.

Hook a Book

It's been some time since I have done any beading, and while sorting through my bead collection in an attempt to put them in some sort of order, I found the motivation to pick it up again. I kept it simple and made some book hooks, which I know I will find useful (as I am always reading more than one book at a time) but will also be make nice swap gifts too. I have posted a few pictures, but to see all of them check out my Flickr page.

My First Swaps

So I wanted to start off slowly on swap-bot and when I cam across these matchbox swaps, I knew they were a perfect starting point. I joined four swaps, to make one each of, bead filled, button filled, brad filled and ribbon filled matchbox. I read my partners' profiles carefully and tried very hard to create something they would like. Together with the matchbox, I included a small extra that corresponded with something they mentioned on their profile. I have never covered a matchbox before, and had to purchase a bunch (I have an abundance of matches now), but I really enjoyed the process. It was very calming to sit down and do something so productive that I know will not only be appreciated but used creatively by someone else too. They are now packaged, addressed and ready to send.

I really think I am going to enjoy the whole swapping experience and I can't wait to receive my matchboxes. I am going to be cautious though, as I have read many of the forum posts about flakers, scammers and the ridiculous excuses used to fob off members who haven't received their swaps. I think the key is to take things slowly, and once I have built up my ratings with some mail swaps and proved my reliability, I will take part in more group swaps and private swaps, that way it minimises the risk of being flaked on or scammed.

Anyway, here they are, the matchbox line up. :)

I'm a Swap-botter

Whilst doing a search for penpals yesterday, I came across a website called swap-bot. How have I never heard of this site before? I am so excited to start swapping. I have finally found an outlet for all my crafting needs, and people who share similar interests. Yay! I am still finding my way around the site, and figuring out just how things work, but I am itching to get started on my first swap.

Look! I'm a Gardener

One of the first things I did when my eyesight returned and I was able to drive again, was go to Wimborne Market. I didn't go for anything specific, just a wander round to regain some of my confidence. I saw a stall selling flowers, seeds, herbs and a few vegetable plants. For a mere 75p I purchased my own little chilli plant. Its been a couple of weeks since I repotted it and plopped it in the garden, but it is coming along nicely and will be flowering soon. I am so proud of myself for keeping something alive. I can kill a cactus, so this is a real achievement. Yay me....and nature!


I have also potted two garlic cloves, and they are going from strength to stregth too. Look out Charlie Dimmock!

Craftalicious

My Doctor has signed me off for another few weeks, since she wants to wait until I have seen the Neurologist before signing me fit for work (ugh). So instead of sitting idly around the house moping I am throwing myself back into crafting.

Since I am able to drive again, I am planning on visiting my cousin Laura, in Wales this month. It will be the first time in 8 months I have been over the bridge, but I am looking forward to seeing her and her family.

Laura only drinks caffeine free herbal teas, with peppermint being her favourite. She always carries a few loose teabags with her, by the time she gets around to using them, they are crushed and covered in handbag fluff. In order to remedy the situation, I decided to make her a tea wallet. I am still very much a novice when it comes to sewing and I thought a small prject like this would be ideal practice for me and make a cute gift at the same time.

I am really pleased with the outcome. It is a great way to utilise FQ's and other scraps of fabric. I can see myself making alot more of these. I hope Laura likes it, although I am tempted to keep it for myself.