Triple Zip Pouch

  I was a bit late to the table with this one, as in I missed the original sew along when it was happening, but found out about a great swap over on Flickr for this cool pouch. I wanted to make one for ages, and this got me motivated!

Of course, I wanted perfection, so I had a wee practice. The first one was for me....and I am pretty happy with it!

It's the perfect purse for my work bag-the zips all open into separate pockets, so I can have tea bags in one, headache tabs in the other, lippy and hand cream in the big one- you get the drift, and in neat little compartments!

 

The 2nd one didn't get as good a review as the first one (which was always mine mwah mwah mwah) but I've kept it for the 'pressie pile'.

 

There's an extra tute to go with the original one for finishing it off, see here

But I still wasn't happy. So I started what I thought would 'the one'

 only to find my zip had been written on! Another present pile add on...

 

And finally I was happy!

This one was stuffed full of goodies and is probably over the ocean right now. I'm excitedly checking my mailbox too. It's so nice knowing someone is making something for me, hopefully as thoughtfully as I did haha. And I know what I'm making for Xmas pressies!

CHA Craft Swap

 I cant remember now where I saw the details for this swap, but I thought it looked like a good idea, something to mix it up a bit from my day to day 'sewing for myself' theme I've got going on.

My swap partner details arrived, and Rachael was my swap partner. After spending the weekend with Abbe and co, I got back on the Dresden bandwagon and thought a vintage-y style cushion could appeal to most people, and got cutting! It was mainly machine sewed, but I hand stitched the Dresden onto the backing, and hand quilted with Perle 8 thread.

I added a little label to remind her where she got the cushion (I cute idea in the official 'swap rules', I haven't done that before!) and a zippered back.

And I close up here- I blatantly stole the got the centre circle inspiration from here and here!

Due to the size of our items we did a pick up/drop off meeting, as the cushion was huge and my pressie heavy! Here it is....

a cute heat pack named "John", just what this single lady needs! Guaranteed to cuddle back!

and some of Anne Marie Creations signature items, parachute silk earrings.

 

The girl and i picked it up on our way out to dinner, and she had a bit of fun with him while we waited for our friends to show up.

"Burping" the baby!

 

 and unintentionally looking like a tired mama!

It wasn't as funny when he was 'stolen' off me and warmed up for herself when we got home! I'll allow her that one night, then he's mine!

Big thanks to CHA and Rachael for the swap, it was heaps of fun!

Kris Kringle 2011

I joined a swap a little while ago, over here at this girls' blog. I liked the idea of the whole 'secret' bit- we didn't know who we were making for, you found out once you were finished making! Well, I didn't cheat, that's for sure!

So here's what I made. I got the pattern from here after I saw them at the NCB Xmas Party (thanks Mel!). after I made them the girl and I said to each other that we'd like to keep one they were so cute!

And her's what I got in return! How lucky was that! In a Liberty print, I think. 

Clare (blogless I think) also sent this gorgeous bunting. Her card said that she'd bought this fabric in Amsterdam on a recent work trip, so I feel extra special she used on me! Well, someone she didn't know, really.

Hopefully Clare is reading this so she can see I LOVED THE GIFT! Thanks!

Finally!

God, the waiting nearly killed me! The swap only finished on Monday, but when you know people have been posting earlier, you kinda start waiting earlier!

So I've been looking at the linky list Vic created, and checking out the goodies, trying to work out which one was mine.....and missed this one not on the list!

And the kid was soooo happy to be included!

Awww, double love! and we both felt the love, thanks Beck! It's perfect on the couch (leaning on it now while I'm posting), great design, so simple and sweet.

a beautiful little card (with such beautiful words, I love it!) and some little treats for the girl and me

Beck, you made our day, and Vic, for this great cushion swap! I had just as much fun making as I did receiving (now the anxious wait to find out if my recipient likes her!)

The Cushion Swap

Another thing I've been occupying my time with is procrastinating and finally making my cushion for Vic's cushion swap. It's an anonymous swap, so we don't know who is making for who, which always adds to the tension excitement.

I so hope she likes it!!

pattern from here; my original attempt here

A more serious one

Ok, a 'non'staged' one this time. Glad I made you laugh, though! And Murray wolfed it down, parsley and all! He's the well-behaved child teehee

I got the best pressie yesterday when I got home, my apron from the Great Apron Swap! Michelle made me this amazing apron, it's more like an outfit, and so much hand sewing, it's amazing! The packaging was equally gorgeous, but I forgot to take a pic in my excitement, so have a look here.

Fully lined!

beautiful base fabric

and layers of ruffles, sweet!

Michelle's brief was NOT pink, I find it funny she made this so pink! But I love it, having a bit of a tomboy child, who's favourite colour is blue means I don't see a lot of it.

Had a break from the last of the pencil rolls last night and made these little purses, I followed this tute to do the covered zip ends. It makes them look a bit less messy than my usual purses. I also used some interfacing on both the outer and lining fabric, so they are pretty sturdy.

The piggy/shroom one if for work- as I am change bags a bit, I wanted something I could put all my work stuff in (id lanyard, Paw Paw cream, stamp for good kids etc) that was easy to move bags but not let me forget anything! And of course the top one has my business cards!

I'm having a procrastinating/lazy Wednesday, how about you?

It's finished!

I finally got a chance to do some sewing, and the Sew It Together name tag swap was calling a bit loud, as it was a wee bit late.

I hope they like it! All sorts of anxieties run through you as you are sewing, I'm kinda glad I didn't enter the Pincushion swap now!

New stuff

I've been getting a few goodies in the mail lately, and have been loving it! Even if I have to pay for them, it's fun to receive stuff.

Today I got this pile delivered to work. Then I didn't have to wait till I got home to look it over! I ordered this from the flash-whizz-bang new online shop over here, it's great! A quick phone call to give credit card details is essential, as you then have a lover-ly chat to Leah, and can discuss your postage options. Xmas pressies sorted, and Betty-Jo's bag....

After seeing these guys in person on Saturday, I had buy the pattern from here, and it and it's friend arrived yesterday. Check out Selina's effalunt Marsha. As the lady herself commented "You have killed me with cuteness!"

And the Xmas decoration swap is over, and mine is in the post, so can't show you the pics yet. But how great is Janice, she even included Little Miss in it! Can't wait to get the tree up after official 6yr old b'day celebrations are over on Sunday.

Now I have to enter some more things to win stuff and receive more mail!

Polka Dot Swap

I wanted to show what I made for the Polka Dot Swap.

It was great fun to be in, and i've never gotten things finished so quick!!

Read about it here.

Hope I'm in another swap soon!

Swaps and stuff

The Polka Dot Swap has been huge fun, I'm about to send my parcel off, so can't post a spoiler pic, but look what I received today- gorgeous, isn't she? Little Miss and I squabbling over her at the moment. Thanks GB! (Don"t you think she looks like Katie Holmes? GB, not my doll!).



I got this groovy mag today. Here's my friend Fi's stuff- does she ever stop? Here as well.... (she made Pepper!)


And on a different page, completely different article- my phone cover! Well, an I-Pod/ i phone cover, does mine nicely in chenille. Hmm... this is becoming a habit.

So, technically I have SAVED money by buying the magazine, as I have MADE a phone cover, rather than BUYING one- makes sense to me!

And I have all those things to make with buttons!