Runaway October » Swaps

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

Katie — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:31:56 +0000

The theme for the Back Tack 4 Swap that is. I know my partner has received her goodies, so here’s an almost full reveal of what I sent.

Gold {something that sparkles}:

A simple necklace made with hemp and fair trade glass beads. I bought enough to make one for myself too. I also included an altered journal which had a little bit of shimmer to it.

Frankincense {something that smells or tastes good}:

These are homemade soaps and an assortment of itty bitty chocolate bars. The soap was fun, easy and such a blast to make, even Declan helped. We will be making more soon.

Myrrh {a little something for you}:

Another beautiful Emmeline apron, complete wth pockets (with extra goodies inside) and decorative stitching. This is the 5th one I’ve made, still not one for myself yet. I need to learn a better way to photograph an apron. Not pictured are 4 little Otedamas that are just adorably addictive, both to make and play with.

That’s all for now. We’re off to the Tamale Festival today, and maybe a little craft fair that I heard some buzz about. I’ll let you know.

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Back Tack 4 Completed!

Katie — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:22:40 +0000

Finally.

I have a tendency to get in trouble with swaps. The fear of my partner not liking what I make literrally freezes me up until the last minute. Then it’s a mad rush.

This time it was different. I knew what I wanted to do, but my paycheck was late, so I completely missed the deadline. But it’s been wrapped, boxed and shipped as of last night! Go me! Only what… 8 days late?

Back Tack 4 was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the openess of the central theme: Gold Frankincense and Myrrh

This time there are no colour, size, or material restrictions, all we ask is that you take the theme and run with it, and make 3 items according to the individual outlines below.
The first item is something that sparkles [the Gold part]- cards, decorations, calenders.….see where your imagination will take you. [It doesn’t need to be gold]
The second item is something which has some sort of sensory aspect to it [the Frankincense part] — either smell or taste. Baked goods? Shortbread? Chocolate, soaps, the mind can run free here, but be mindful of customs regulations in different countries. Sealed food stuffs are generally ok, but check with your partner before sending anything.
The third item is a small gift for your partner for Christmas [the Myrrh part] Perhaps a small item for the tree, or mantlepiece. Quiz your partner to see what their theming is for this Christmas, and tie in your gift! or make them something they might like to use through the year — a calender, a purse, a scarf.

Here’s a sneak peak. When my partner gets her package I’ll post more photos.

In the meantime, check out the Back Tack Flickr pool. Lots of gorgeous goodies! And my partner, Kristin’s, beautiful blog: Kleas.

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Market Tote Swap done!

Katie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:59:21 +0000

(As always, click for bigger pictures.)

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I used a pattern from Hip Handbags and love the way it turned out. I’ll definitely be using the pattern over again, as both my mom and myself really liked the size and shape.

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Only problem is that it’s more of a medium purse than a market tote.

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I went ahead and put a regular double welt pocket in it anyway, using matching piping from the outside. The lining is the Sage Kleo from Alexander Henry’s Fashionista line that I am totally in love with.

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I totally love the way it came out, but I realized I could really use one of those itty bitty mini irons. I just could not get the wrinkles out of the bottom corners. It got pretty mangled trying to sew the bottom on. Apparently my machine does not like tight corners when using buckram and heavy interfacing. Who knew?

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I hope you enjoy Elizabeth. I’ll get it in the mail as soon as I have someone to watch the kids!

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On another note, here’s the ironing board cover I did recently. Cute, no?

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I really need to work on taking pictures indoors. Summer sun is just too harsh to take stills outside.

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As Declan would say…

Katie — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:22:03 +0000

“Phew!” with a dramatic swipe across his forehead.

I’ve actually been pretty busy of late. Remember those 17 loads of laundry stuffed on the couch that I mentioned? ALL folded, hung, sorted, organized and put away!! After 3 weeks it was hard to come up with excuses for why it was still there. But I’ve also completed 2 more aprons — one for Grandma Betty’s birthday, along with matching placemats and one for Nicky’s birthday. I finally got a new ironing board cover made. It’s super simple but took a day because of the nooblets… I mean the kidlets. (Does anyone remember Sixlets? Those were awesome!) I started a third apron for Ann today. Next up is my bag for the Market Tote Swap. I have the idea all worked out in my head, I just hope I can transfer it to reality easily.

So after all that’s done I’m going to start working on some smocking and shirring and posting items to my Etsy shop. I promise. No more swaps or birthdays and whatnot. I’ve found some gorgeous designer prints mixed in with the cheapy cottons at JoAnns and have totally scored bolts of them with 50% off coupons. I’m afraid to cut some of them up.

I’ve also been comtemplating getting a cottage license to sell the aprons that I’ve been making. The thing is it’s $100 for a year but I’m not sure if I could cover the cost with any profit I make, ya know? The license gives me the right to make and sell anything by Sew Liberated, formally Montessori by Hand, where as now I can only make and give such as all that I’ve made so far. It takes me about a week of fiddling to make an apron because of… interuptions. The hardest part is choosing the fabrics — I always worry that someone will get their apron and go “WTH was she thinking? This isn’t me at all!” I’m debating on just going it alone, or using someone else’s patterns. Any thoughts?

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Here’s Grandma’s Apron. The reverse is a very pretty white Poppy print.

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Things that have made me happy recently

Katie — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:21:40 +0000

Hippos! Yay! My Grandma sent me this adorable family of hippos as a Mother’s Day present. Aren’t they cute? Now I just need to find a home for the rest of my hippos.

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My ability to successfully complete a double welt pocket, as demonstrated here:

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I received my Spoonflower Beta invitation! I am so excited to try and get something of my own printed. I am thinking I’d like to do some logos and what not to stitch onto my completed projects. Heaven forbid someone come across one of my aprons when I’m dead and gone and not know who made it. That would be a shame. Plus, I’m really getting to the point where I’d like to start getting some stuff done for my Etsy shop. I really like to have things tagged and labeled. It seems to up the professionality, ya know? My biggest concern with premaking things to put in a shop is what if it doesn’t sell and it just sits there? Especially if it’s girl clothes — I have no use for those unfortunately.

I also got my Ravelry invite, but it’ll be awhile before I actually get anything going in there.

I’m excited to get started on the Market Tote Swap. No last minutes for me this time. I’m getting it done and out of here. I need to make some stuff for myself for a change.

I thought I had more than that but I guess not. I’ve got a big post in the works on sewing FAQS and another on ‘Pretty vs Functional’. Maybe you guys can weigh in with me and convince Matt that I need to have free decorating reign on the ENTIRE house.

Stay tuned my wonderful readers. Same blog time, Same blog channel.

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Market Tote Swap

Katie — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:16:55 +0000

So I went ahead and bit the bullet. I joined the Market Tote Swap hosted by InANutshell. The last couple swaps I’ve participated in have been a complete flop. I’d put so much love and time into them and received, well… I’d rather not say. On top of that my last apron I mailed is still missing in transit. I’m hoping that this one will pull me up out of the dumps and it sounds like so much fun.

There’s still a couple hours left to sign up, head on over and join me. It looks like a great bunch of crafters so far! (Nudge nudge Nicky)

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