Whee! I'm back from the STS meet-up in Vegas, and boy did we have fun! Aside from the usual Vegas hijinks, we also managed to fit in some quality crafting time. Before the meet-up, I was frantically working on small craft items (1/50 in 2010) to gift, AND a medium item (2/50 in 2010) for the white elephant gift exchange. Talk about swap anxiety! I knew I had to up my game because I was meeting up with a bunch of seriously talented crafters!!!
It took me awhile to figure out what to make, and I finally settled on sewing a bunch of pochettes (aka 1/50 in 2010). I don't have any pictures of the ones that were given to the girls, but here are examples of some that I made this week:
In the exchange, I received a plethora of small crafted goods from everyone...
My contribution to the white elephant gift exchange, was a knitted scarf (aka 2/50 in 2010) using the April Showers Scarf pattern. Being the procrastinator that I am, I was only 85% done with the scarf when I boarded the plane for Vegas. Thankfully, due to a significant delay in my travel plans, I finished the scarf in time for the swap. Oy vey.
Image provided by NP
And I managed to snag a couple of skeins of squishy yarn in the gift exchange!!
Other highlights of the weekend included...
A buffet of craft supplies looking for new homes...
Image provided by CDM
A mini felting marathon led by NP, in which I completed my first felt!
A duo of cards (destined to be framed and hung in my work office) that I purchased from a local artist at the First Friday event!
I can't believe how much we did in one wee weekend!!!
After my first batch of chunky houses, I've decided that my tiny houses (~ 3" by 4") are definitely bungalows (i.e. single storey, single-family residence)! RY and I did a personal swap for a chunky house. This is what I made for her.
Made for GF, who very kindly agreed to paint a portrait of S & Q for my sis (which by the way turned out way cool)!!! I love making customised wallets. No patterns, no rules...just a bunch of questions to find out what sort of features needs to be incorporated into the design of the wallet.
Frontal view of wallet (I love this fabric!)
Back view of wallet (with zippered compartment for loose change)
First glimpse of interior fabric
Inside details of wallet (note: special pockets for passport and travel pass)
Close-up of credit card slots and pocket for bills
This was a quickie blog swap, hosted by the lovely MC!! Here's what I received from my partner, SH (aka Miss Smarty Pants):
This time round, it's for a personal swap with VC. In addition to the requested afghan crochet hooks and a candy surprise, my partner wanted something to hold her crochet doodads. I hope she likes it!
Spring is in the air! For April, CC and I agreed to swap fabrics and a couple of store-bought items. As usual, she spoiled me with all sorts of goodies:
*off to play with new FQs*
CC and I decided to take a break from crafting. Hence, this is a 'strictly fabric' swap. She suggested a spring theme of yellows, pinks, and greens and I was happy to go along with that!
*squeal* I received the bestest (is that a word?!?) swap package from my favourite personal swapper, CC! Back in January, she suggested a Red/VD theme for February (for obvious reasons). Check out the cuties she spoiled me with: 
When CC received the package I sent, she sent me an email to warn me that I'm gonna do a double take when I received her package. Boy was she right! I sent her a needlebook too! Her take on a needlebook is wonderful! I love the random quilted look!! 
CC always sends me a bunch of extras in our swaps, just so because she's a sweetie. I know she's nuts about rick rack, but where in the world did she find a gift bag with a rick rack design?!? 
Thanks for another terrific swap, CC!
CC sent me an email to let me know that she has received this month's package of fabric goodies for our personal fabric swap! Here's the stack of red pretties I picked out for her:
For this month's small crafted item, I issued the challenge of trying to come up with something that measures less than 4" by 4". It sounded like a brilliant idea, but it took me awhile to figure out something that meets that standard. Voila. I present, the needlebook. In my mind, it was the perfect thing to craft for CC because she's a talented quilter! 
My buddy, MC, hosted a VD swap over at her bloggy not too long ago. She paired me up with her wonderful daughter, Babygator. We had a blast with the swap :) I received an awesome swap package, squealed in excitement, thanked my partner, mailed out my partner's swap package, consumed the yummy candy, yada yada yada. Somewhere along the line, I took pictures and forgot to post them! Better late than never, I gather *rueful* Babygator sent me a Noodle pillow (again, the dork in me had to Google that because I'm clueless...), the cutest little notepad, Swiss chocolate, panda socks (which I will share with my sister), a microfiber rag (however did she know that I needed one??), and a hat she knitted. Wow. I feel utterly spoiled! 
Back in December, CC and myself decided on a Black and White theme for January's swap. It was quite a challenge for me since I had less than 2 weeks to work on her swap package (yep, that's how much time I had between my Portland and Vegas trips). While I was in Portland, I came across a cute little drawstring pouch that was on display in a local craft shop. It looked fairly simple to do! Hence, I was inspired to make my interpretation of it for CC: 
Well, here are my selections of black and white fabrics. Along with the fabrics, I decided that CC needed to have a sewing-themed charm bracelet! I came across these charms (sewing machine, thimble, scissors and spool of thread) while I was in Portland, and they're simply adorable! 
Last but not least, I had to send along another piece of fabric (though it's not part of the black and white theme) that I purchased for CC while I was in Portland! Anyone who knows CC well, will agree that she's extremely fond of making quilts :)
Edited to add more pictures, courtesy of CC (because I'm all thumbs with the camera!)
We're off to a great start for the first personal fabric swap in 2007!! CC sent me a bunch of cool black and white fabrics for my quilt-in-the-making stash:
She also included a bunch of swap goodies. Tsk! Tsk! This was supposed to be a fabric swap with 'a little extra' on the side. It sure doesn't seem that way anymore! Check out the crocheted items (a wonderful scarf and a little pouch), buttons, and a bunch of beads with jump rings already attached to them:
Funny thing about that scarf. The other day, a friend commented that I'm always knitting scarves for folks but I never seem to have one. Well, CC's scarf couldn't have arrived at a better time! Here's a close-up:
Thank you kindly, m'dear! I hope you receive your swap package...soon!
I received my Winter themed swap goodies from CC, and boy do I feel spoiled! In addition to fabrics, we usually throw in a couple of extra items for fun. Here's the group shot of what she sent me: 
Gorgeous fabrics!
And hidden within the fabric stack, were these lovelies - awesome handmade cards, cool buttons, and a cute pillow to hang on the door knob! 
In the penguin pail, I found a ceramic mug, a bag of homemade cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, chocolate, a matching tea towel, and a couple of snowmen doodads!!!
Thanks for the Winter goodies, CC! See ya in 2007!
I didn't have any cool Winter themed fabrics on hand to send out to CC! No worries. It was easy enough to hit the shops! As it turns out, there were loads to choose from. Here's the bundle I decided on for our swap: 
Now, on to crafty madness. In some of our previous swaps, CC has muttered that I tend to go overboard. Whatever! That's simply not the case! I always have a blast crafting for her, and when one is inspired, God-knows-what happens. So there you have it. It's not my fault *grin* Enough rambling. Mindful of CC's comments, here's what I made her for our swap - a Winter themed tote! The combination of snowflakes and snowmen seemed to scream "Winter"! Hopefully, she'll find it useful for hauling her many wips!!!
