A Bowl of Felt

Last weekend I received my gift from the FUNCTIONAL FELT SWAP.

The person making for me was none other than Jen from Painted Fish Studio herself. (My contribution went to the sister of Annie the other organiser!!)

I got a fabulous deep bowl made from the most gorgeous purple felt.

It was accomanied by 2 hand-made Lavender scented glycerine soaps also covered in felt.


"How do you do that?" I hear you ask. Well the answer is here.

This was a great swap to be involved in and although it challenged my skills I'm glad I participated.

Swap Update

Here's a round up of the Swaps I'm involved in.

FUNCTIONAL FELT SWAP

The Clutch bag I made was well received but I'm still waiting on my item to arrive from the US of A - hurry up Mr Postie!!

DOLL SWAP

This was organised by Chloe at MeeCrafty and my swap partner is Camilla at Madebymilla.

I had been formulating a new design of fabric doll for months, but when the first attempt of making her revealed a few flaws that need tweaking, I decided to make a more "conventional" doll!!

She is now finished and is on her way to her new home. But here's a sneeky peek ...

TOADSTOOL SWAP

This was organised by LucyKate and my swap partner is Amy at AmyWishbone.

I received my toadstool last weekend from Amy and its gorgeous. It's made from a pink fabic with a tiny floral print and burgundy felt with a lovely bead detail on top. It was accompanied by a little tray for it to stand upon.

This was another swap where I'd already had a design in my head for my contribution, so I through caution to the wind and the outcome did pretty much actually resemble what I had in mind!! Here again is a little peek.

MINI QUILT SWAP

I still have to make my Mini Quilt to adorn LucyLocket's wall!!

VINTAGE SHEET SWAP

No sewing here!! This has been organised by Elizabeth at OhFrannson.

The concept is that you send her a number of Fat Quarters cut from vintage (pre-1980) sheets/fabric, and you get the same number back selected from what's been sent to her.

It's a fabulous way to received some new stash. You can see some of the contributions on Flickr.

KITCHEN THINGY SWAP

This has been organised by Sarah over at PinkPetalDesigns and my partner is Katy from imagingermonkey.

You have to make "something" that will be useful in the kitchen - be that crocheted, knitted, sewn etc.

As always Katy was quick off the mark and this arrived today - a lovely little House Tea Cosy. I don't drink tea but i'm going to use it in the kitchen to cover something else instead. I have a few ideas what I'm making in return so watch this space!!


RUSSIAN DOLL SWAP.

This has been organised by the above mentioned Katy - and my partner this time is Christine at Papercloth.

The creations have to be inspired by Matryoshka - or Russian Stacking Dolls. Again we have a free rein on what we create. I love these dolls and already have a few ideas!!

WOW - I'm certainly involved in a lot of good challenges

Update #3

It's been nearly 2 weeks since I last blogged - but I promise I have been busy!!

Of my "To Do" list I've completed:

1 x Duvet Set
1 x pair of Curtains
1 x Voile curtain
1 x Uplighter
3 x strings of bunting
1 x Doll Swap
1 x Toadstool Swap
15 x Voile squares for a playgroup

I also added in a Cot Quilt and a drawstring bag - my first international sale!!

What's definately left over is:

1 x pair of Curtains
1 x Mini Quilt Swap

I need to check if these are still needed:

4 x Cushion Covers
ITNG Makka Pakka Soft Toy
ITNG Haa Hoo Soft Toy

And I've now added on:

1 x Cot Quilt
1 x Cot Bumper
2 x strings of Bunting
2 x Duvet sets
1 x Buggy Liner
1 x Baby Car Seat Wrap Blanket
2 x Swaps

Weekly Update #2

Checking over my list, here's what got finished:

1 x pair of Curtains
3 x Voile curtains
1 x Mini Quilt Swap
Functional Felt Swap
1 x Uplighters
1 x string of bunting
Roman Blind

Still Outstanding:

1 x Duvet Set
2 x pairs of Curtains
1 x Voile curtain
1 x Mini Quilt Swaps
Doll Swap
1 x Uplighters
3 x strings of bunting
4 Cushion Covers
Toadstool Swap
ITNG Makka Pakka Soft Toy
ITNG Haa Hoo Soft Toy

The only addition I have is 15 x Voile squares for a playgroup.

On a more "technology" front - I've joined Flickr !!

I have my own Photosteam and have added the badge to my blog homepage (a feat in itself!!), and have joined the groups set up in conjuction with the swaps I'm involved in.

I also set up a Group of my own so that the Mumsnet Crafters have someplace to show off their talents.

Updates on My Swaps

It's been over a week since I last made an entry but the time has been quite productive, so here's an update on the swaps I'm involved in.

LucyLocketRecycledHerPocket Mini Quilt Swap

My "official" swap partner is Lissa. After a lot of provaricating (my thoughts of what I wanted to make totally outnumbered my skills to make it!!), and asking my colourblind DH his opinion, I finally finished and it is now on its way to a land down under.

It involved my first attempt at "real" patchwork, and also using Bondaweb, but I think the finished article is pretty good!!

Here's a sneaky peak - I can't show you more in case until it arrives with Lissa.

I'm also going to be making a mini quilt for LucyLocket herself. I have found a "traditional" pattern that I like, and I've picked out some fabrics that I think will go well in it - so I just need to pick up my rotary cutter and make a start!!

Functional Felt Swap


I'm glad to report that the start of this process - the felting - was a success, as I shrunk a ladies UK size 10 jumper to one just about big enough for my DD to wear (she's nearly 4!!).



As you can see the jumper has some lovely eastern inspired details and I wanted to keep something of this - I went in the end for the "buttons"and not the mandarin collar. Again the next stage involved lots of sketched on tiny pieces of paper as I put off again and again cutting it up. But I at last took the scissors into my hands and chopped away.

I decided to make a little clutch bag that my swap partner Ellie (she has no blog so I can't link to it) can use when she goes into the city. I lined it with pink satin and stiffened the walls with cardboard. It closes with 2 press stud fasteners.

The only problem was the topstitching as the jumper has strings of beads on and these and my sewing machine foot didn't always enjoy each other - so some of the stitching is wobbly which I'm a bit miffed about - but that's life.

Doll Swap

I have been designing a doll for some months and thought this swap might be the perfect opportunity to unleash it on the public!!

I've been paired with Camilla - but after looking closely at her blog and e-shop I don't think it's her style (sorry Camilla) - so I'll be making a more "traditional" doll but she will be dressed in a style that's close to Camilla's heart.

Toadstool Swap

This has been organised by LucyKateCrafts and I've been paired up with Amy - whose blog shows some mighty inpressive and lovely things she's made.

This is still "on the drawing board" - but again I have ideas of what I want it to look like so just need to get on with it!!

WHOO - now what else have I had time to do ???

Weekly Progress

I've decided that I'm going to to keep track of what I'm up to by having a weekly post with what I have to complete.

This will either have the effect of totally demoralising me when I realise that I've "too much to do in too little time" or else it will inspire me as I realise what I've achieved!!

Over the last few weeks, DH, DD and myself have all had tonsillitus but my "done" list is not too bad.

• Coverlet for a doll
• 5 x Bandana Bibs
• A string of personalised Bunting
• Little Girl Fleece Bag
• 1 x Duvet Set
• 1 x Pair of curtains + tiebacks
• 3 x Drawstring Bags

Looking forward my "to do" list consists of:

• 1 x Duvet Set
• 3 x pairs of Curtains
• 4 x Voile curtains
• 2 x Mini Quilt Swaps
• Doll Swap
• Functional Felt Swap
• 2 x Uplighters
• 5 x strings of bunting
• 4 Cushion Covers
• Roman Blind
• Toadstool Swap
• ITNG Makka Pakka Soft Toy
• ITNG Haa Hoo Soft Toy

Whew!!

A Package From Australia

Whilst I was chin deep sewing a pair of curtains today, I was rudely interupted by a bang on the door, where upon opening was thrust a package by our new, and always in a rush, postie.

"What's this?" I asked myself. "I'm not expecting anything from overseas".

It was then I realised who had sent it. It was from Lissa, my swap partner in Lucy Locket's Mini Quilt Swap. When I ripped open the package, this is what I found.

My mini quilt, a lovely card and a copy of Australian Homespun.

The quilt is named "Spring Star" and it is absolutely FABULOUS. The detail is unbelievable - the little squares around the outside are about 1cm square!!

The back holds a lovely little message in Lissa's beautiful handwriting.

The card contains the following message - " Now I know you weren't a fan of green, but I made this to change your mind about this. It screams "Spring" to me. I do hope you like it."

She refers to my answers to Lucy's preferences questionnaire. I've never liked the colour since I had to wear a bottle green school uniform. It suited my auburn haired sister but it did nothing for me - and I've never had any item of green clothing ever since!!

Lissa - I'm well chuffed with my quilt. Thank you so much xx