Swap Fever

Yes, it's true. I have swap fever.

I just finished my ParTea Swap package for Dolly and mailed that off.

Next up, a tiara for the fabulous Justiss over at Girl Hysterical for Holly Doodle Designs Tiara Swap. Then, I'll be creating a collage for Sallie at Sparks in Life's Engine for Everyday is a Holiday's Bits and Pieces Swap.

Finally, I'll be putting together a summer/yellow/red/thrifty/crafty bucket of goodies for my soon-to-be-discovered partner in the latest Sweet Goodness swap. This bucket swap is open until Friday if you want to sign up.

My mailbox should be filling up soon!

Life is good.

Yarn Harlot Inspiration

I got to go to a Yarn Harlot booksigning a few days ago and it was great! I have been to booksignings at this store before. In fact, I went to a booksigning there by John Grogan at the height of the MARLEY AND ME frenzy. There were probably 20-30 people there. I think there were close to 200 at the Yarn Harlot signing. Amazing! She is so funny! I had a good time. It inspired me to get knitting again.

So, I broke out the needles and started knitting a bunny from a Kate Gilbert pattern for a friend who is due in August. It's going pretty quickly but I'm nervous about how big this bunny is going to be. I also had to try out the backward loop cast-on which I hope I did correctly. Guess we'll find out...

*spoiler alert* ParTea Swap

So, I am almost finished with my package for my ParTea Swap buddy, Miss Dolly.

Miss Dolly, read no further if you want to be surprised.





So, these are the three crafty things I am including. Dolly loves cherries so I created a cherry-themed table centerpiece. Then, I collaged a box to hold tea and created a door hanger. The door hanger is still drying and needs its ribbon.

Here is a close-up of the door hanger:



And here is a close-up of the box:



I lined the box with cherry print fabric. I am still having problems with paper. It keeps rolling up when I try to glue it down. I have tried all sorts of fixatives. Grrr... And my painting isn't the best. But I hope Dolly will appreciate the effort.

Door Hanger for Caitlin

I am working on a door hanger for my co-worker, Caitlin. It is almost done and I am considering using a crackle medium over the top that Caitlin lent me. It looks pretty thick though, so I'm a little worried. Thoughts or suggestions?

Another Creative Idea from "How About Orange"

"How About Orange" just posted yet another cool idea for a project--a votive decorated with cut paper. It is so simple but it looks so cool!

Check it out here.

Domino Bracelet

Here is the finished domino bracelet that I made for my mother using ArtChix loteria cards, glitter and modpodge. It isn't perfect but I think it looks pretty good.

Visited by the Tag Fairy!!!!

Remember that scene in "Little Miss Sunshine" where Olive jumps around yelling "I won! I won! I won!" after getting the message about the Little Miss Sunshine contest? Well, I feel the same way! I just found out that I won some beautiful tags from the uber-creative lady at Creative Chaos!!!

See my winnings here.

Oh, boy! I can't wait!!!

Knit in Public Day Etc.

Did you know that Saturday is Worldwide Knit in Public Day? Maybe that will be a good excuse to get started on those baby booties that I need to knit.

Also, I just found this funny post about these knitters who are doing "knit graffiti." They go out into public places and leave knitting on public sites such as lightposts. Check it out here.

And here is a non-knitting craft question...

Does anyone have a suggestion for painting wood pieces with acrylic paint in a way that the brush strokes don't show up? I have tried sponge brushes and regular brushes but I hate how it is looking.

Tiara Swap!!!

Today is the last day to sign up for the Crown/Tiara Swap over at Holly Doodle Designs. I couldn't resist!!!!

Link

Productive Weekend

I have a bunch of three-day weekends coming up and this past weekend was the first. It is amazing how much you can get done by just having an extra day!

I have carved out a small corner of the garage for myself and I sat down and started working on gifts for my ParTea Swap partner. The frustrating part is when the ideas you have in your head don't translate really well to the finished product. But it's a work in progress. I also worked on a bracelet for my mother which is almost finished. Not perfect but it's a first attempt. I'll post photos soon!!!