Amazon.com Goodness

Thanks to some generous gift certificates from family members for my birthday and college graduation, I was thrilled to have an extreme Amazon.com shopping spree this afternoon. Most of it was crafty, so I detailed it below...expect reviews once I start getting them.

Naughty Needles, by Nikol Lohr
To be released Dec. 19, 2006, so this is a pre-order. No description was available...but if this is half as good as it looks, it'll be well worth the purchase price. Can't wait to get this one!

Sexy Little Knits: Chic Designs to Knit and Crochet, by Ashley Paige
More scandalous knitting. What can I say? A girl can only make so many sweaters and scarf sets before she starts craving something a little saucier.
And, oh! This is doubly exciting because I can do any of the patterns in this book, because I FINALLY TAUGHT MYSELF HOW TO CROCHET! Mad props to Craftster users Quincy134 and redheadskydiver, who gave me the materials (supplies and hooks, and 'Stitch & Bitch: Happy Hooker', respectively) to light a fire under my ass for crocheting! I will post my first WIP sometime soon.

Mason-Dixon Knitting, by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne
I have heard good things about this book, and a quick flip-through at Michael's convinced me that this was worth buying.

The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, by Nancie M. Weisman
I've been meaning to get this book for a while.

In Stitches, by Amy Butler
Another pre-order. I'm a big Amy Butler fan, though her patterns and fabric are, in my cheap-o opinion, too expensive. Usually, I do what I can of hers on the cheap. I was on the edge about buying, until I read that there is a pattern for a 'luxurious kimono-style robe for the bath' within. Done deal.

Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects, by Denyse Schmidt
I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for her designs. The reviews said this book tended to lean more towards the beginner end...Well, I'm not a beginner sewer, but I'm still a beginner quilter. This looks like fun.

The Modern Quilt Workshop, by Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle
On the other end, this has been hailed as an indispensable resource for the serious quilter. This will be just in time to help me finish off my first quilt that I posted a while ago, the right way.

Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To by Jenny Hart
I bought three Sublime Stitching patterns ages ago and they are lost somewhere in my room. Le sigh. Regardless, I *love* Jenny's work. I'm getting more and more comfortable with embroidery, so this should be a great buy.

Subversive Cross Stitch, by Julie Jackson
This just cracks me up. I sense some Christmas presents in the near future. ;)

And last but not least:
I finally gave in and got myself a subscription to ReadyMade. The first issue can't come soon enough...

Poptarts and Zombies

Swap Name: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Partner: ChloeIsCrazy
ChloeisCrazy picked me for items off of my wists. She sent me a ton of little crafty goodies!

First, here's a pin based on one in my wists. I love so much that I'm planning on making a denim bag especially for it.

She also made a magnet in the same style. This one I'll take to work to cheer up my office.

Here's a really sweet little bracelet. It fits perfectly!

And a Pop-Tart stuffie, which I *would* have pictures of, but my sister stole it from me. Once I can grab it back, I'll take a pic or two. It is really adorable. :)

She also decorated the cutest little coin purse for me. I love the flower on the outside, and she embroidered my initials on the inside! Thank you, ChloeisCrazy!

Swap Name: Zombie Swap
Sent To: nikkidear
Anyone who knows me knows that Shaun of the Dead is pretty much my favorite movie of all time. It has everything...romance, an abundance of comedy, gore, guts, and ass-kicking zombie action! Plus, it's British!

My original partner for this swap had to drop out, and nikkidear graciously offered to send me a package. I'm *almost* done with the package that I'm sending her in return. Look how she spoiled me!

She sent me not one, but *three* shirts! I love them all, but the green one is my favorite :)

Close up...check out the excellent transfer quality!

She also sent me a set of three Shaun of the Dead magnets. One is in Italian, and one is in Spanish. "Zombie Party....una noche de muerte!" And a zombie finger puppet, which completely cracked me up.

Thank you, nikkidear!

Little Pouch

Right now, I'm trying to cut back on swaps a bit, to have some time to make things for myself. I wasn't able to finish anything in time for my beach trip...I have a half-finished halter dress and an almost finished Amy Butler bag that are mocking me from my sewing table.

In the meantime, I'm having a good time finishing things up. I think I'll stay on with the ongoing wish swaps, because I can moderate my swap activity. I can choose a lot of people if I have a lot of time, or not choose anyone if I want to concentrate on myself. I mean, winter's coming up...and that means MAJOR knitting in the next few months!

Swap Name: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Sent to: sneeg
These are sneeg's pitures of a knitting pouch that I made for her. She asked for a 6" x 3" pouch to hold scissors, a darning needle, and other knitting accessories; and she wanted retro fabric.

I love how it turned out! I used a very small scrap of vintage cotton, and centered the pattern I made on the large flowers. I added darts on the bottom to give it some volume, so it could hold a bit more. It's piped around the outside, and I added a little bias tape loop for attaching it to other things. It's lined in pink cotton.

And this is the back. I might make some of these for myself...It was quick and easy, and it's a very handy little thing to have.

Swap Stuff!

Swap: Friend of Craftster Round 4
Partner: ??? (though I'm formulating an idea or two...)
Let me start by saying that I ADORE THESE PILLOWS. I squealed (really and truly) when I opened the package. They are based on a log cabin pillow that I had in my wists. The fabric selections are just perfect. Both pillows are so unique and beautiful!

Here's a shot of the backs.



And there are closeups of the two fronts. I can't tell you how much I love these! Coordinating with these might just be the only criteria I have in mind when we start sofa shopping. ;) Secret FOC, you ROCK! I can't wait to find out who you are!

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Partner: knottydottie
Check out my new wallet from the talented Ms. Knottydottie! After years of carrying around the same old beat-up leather wallet, it's very nice to have something pretty to put my stuff in. And it also served as a catalyst for me to clean out my wallet...which is always a good thing.

Isn't it cute? :) Thanks to the creator for these pictures. They turned out way better than mine!

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Partner: dontlookback
This is the recipe binder that I got from dontlookback. I am super excited about this swap goodie! She included a TON (and I do mean a ton) of recipes for me to try out. Including a lot of chocolate desserts! A girl can't go wrong with chocolate...

Here is the back, also very nicely decorated.

And look at these pretty dividers! Thank you, dontlookback!

How did I spend my vacation?

...in the arms of the man I love.


Soft shell crabs eaten: 2
Total crabs eaten: about a million
Large holes dug on the beach: 2
Times bikini top misplaced during boogie boarding: 5
SPF 50 used: about half a bottle (only on me)
Breakfasts in bed: 1

I'll post some crafty things after I'm done unpacking. :)

Occasionally I do send out swap packages.

Finally, a few of the things *I've* made!

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 12
Sent to: anime_girlie
Here is the circle skirt that I made for anime_girlie, as modeled by the recipient.

In all my years of sewing, I've never actually made one. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. It probably took me longer to re-thread my serger than to make the skirt!

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Sent to: dontlookback
I sent dontlookback an Amy Butler pattern for Madison Bags. I'd bought a bunch of her patterns a while back and had just never bonded with this one. I'm glad it's being appreciated by someone else! I also included a little something extra: a yard of fabric with cherries on it.

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Sent to: SonjaBoo
This is a tote bag / zip pouch combo that I made for a girl who's going to Hawaii in October. She wanted something neat to bring along on the trip. I had just the thing! These have been cut out for over two years, but I've never gotten around to making them.

Closeup of the fabric. Aloha!

Edited to add:
Here's a picture I took myself, which is closer to the true colors. Isn't the fabric great?

More swap goodies

I'm trying to be more organized about posting the great stuff I get in swaps. Let's try this...

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 12
Partner: xladyluckx
This is the biggest package I've ever gotten in a Craftster swap. Can you believe all the fantastic things she sent? Read on...

This is a log cabin pillow from my wists. xladyluckx added her own little twist to it, and made it with sushi fabric! I am very fond of sushi, now that I have been introduced to it by the boy. Surprisingly enough, raw fish does not equal gross! Anyway, back to the pillow. The fabrics are gorgeous!

She also sent me three pieces of asian brocade fabric. Aren't the colors lovely? And they are *big* pieces, too...I'd say a yard each. Lots of crafty possibilities...

What looks like an innocuous toolbox...

...until you open it up, and it transforms into a MICROSCOPE SLIDE PENDANT KIT! Aaaah! I was so excited when I opened it that I kind of did a happy dance. Hope the neightbors weren't watching. It includes: plastic gloves, flux, a flux brush, slides, jump rings, thick and thin copper tape, lead free solder, and a whole ton of different kinds of paper to use in the middle. I love getting crafty kits, and this one takes the cake. Everything is so neatly labeled, and there is everything I could possibly need.

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 12
Partner: catpants
A Domokun stuffy! Domokun is a Japanese cartoon character that I'm kind of obsessed with. This stuffy lives in my sewing area, in a spot of honor.

And a bonus gift! I am now the proud owner of my very own nestlace. The 'eggs' are such a beautiful color. I've gotten a ton of compliments on it already. And check out the Vote for Carl campaign sticker! Ha ha ha...

Swap: Ongoing Wish Swap 13
Partner: redheadskydiver
Thanks to redheadskydiver, I finally have a cop of Stitch 'n Bitch: Happy Hooker! For those of you who don't know, this is the crochet counterpart to the wildly successful Stitch 'n Bitch knitting books. I am very excited to learn how to crochet. This may test my patience, as I've failed in the past, but I am highly determined.

Check out the hadmade crochet hook roll that she sent! Is that the cutest fabric ever, or what? And it came with crochet hooks in it, so I can start working on some projects right away.

So, as usual, it appears as though I have been thoroughly spoiled by my Craftster partners. I can't tell you how much I love swapping! It is so thoroughly satisfying to make something for someone else. It gives me a chance to try out new techniques, and to stretch the boundaries of what I make. Half of the time, I forget I'm getting something in return! The real reward for me, is making something for someone else to enjoy. Receiving crafty gifts from others is just the icing on the cake. Damn good icing, though... :-D

I know it seems like I haven't been posting a lot of things that I've made...I've been doing a lot of swap stuff, and some of the people I've sent to haven't been putting up pictures. I'm going to try harder to get pics of stuff before I send it out. It makes me a little sad when I work hard on something for someone, and they don't take the time to snap a photo of it. So from now on, I'll take my own! :)

Incidentally, my secret partner for the Friend of Craftster Swap (Round 4) has posted some great pictures...but I can't put them on here yet, lest she figure out who I am! I can't wait to show you guys what I made/am making for her...I am very proud of my work.

Once I get a chance to hardcore finish up some swap stuff to send out, I'm going to be working full tilt on dresses and skirts for my beach trip in only two weeks. I can't wait! The boy and I are staying at a beautiful B&B right by the beach. Very relaxing, very romantic, and exactly what I need right now. :)

P.S.

I made yarn, y'all.


It ain't perfect, but it's all mine. :-D And I'm getting better as I go along.

I got *two* packages from bhean on Craftster:

One for the DIY Kit Swap Round 5. It's a scrapbooking kit! I am a fledgeling scrapbooker, so I'm very excited about this one.

The second was for the Ongoing Wish Swap 12. Look at all the Blythe goodies she sent me! Apparently this was her first time making Blythe clothes. I find that hard to believe, though...everything is so well made! My favorite are the little teeny bunny slippers...they're so cute!

Annnd....I got my first package from the Friend of Craftster Swap Round 4 today. It is so awesome! My craftster sent six beautiful kanzashi hair clips, and some adorable thank you cards from my wists. I am already *very* curious to find out who my partner is!

First, you may notice that I've changed the title of my blog. Now that I'm no longer a college sudent (I'm getting used to the 'alumni' thing), it doesn't make much sense to be 'Of College and Crafting.' Unfortunately, my clever wordplay ends there. Any thoughts?

On to the swap stuff!

A fabric thank-you from snacker. I crafted for her in the Friend of Craftster Swap, Round Three. I love the owls!

Spinning kit from hoxerice for the DIY Kit Swap, Round Five.

And a close up of the lovely colored fiber she sent. I can't wait to get started!

And last, but certainly not least, here is the lovely embroidery that I got from kittykill.

Not one, but *two* pieces! They're destined to be applied to tote bags for knitting and other crafty endeavors. Aren't they beautiful?

And a bonus! Two tea towels that she picked up at an estate sale. The blue one will be the center of some kind of quilted wall hanging, and the asian print is destined to become yet another purse. Purses, like shoes, are one thing a girl just can't have enough of.
One thing I forgot to take pictures of is my booty from the QUILT CONVENTION that I went to this weekend! Or, more accurately, the quilt convention that my BOYFRIEND took me to. He told me that I had to post about it here, to show my crafty friends what a fantastic and supportive better half he is. Well, I already knew that, but now you do, too. ;)

It was his idea, believe it or not. He patiently followed me around for hours looking at beautiful quilts on display, then acted as my 'enabler' at the merchant section. I mean, he had me try out a $3K long-arm quilting machine! I almost died. I got four patterns, which I'll post as soon as I get the chance.

You're the best, babe. :)

How I Spent My Summer Vacation, by Amanda

At a farm. In ten foot tall corn. Obviously. ;) Farm >> Sheep >> Wool >> Knitting, so of course this is a craft post.

Chicks dig me.