RATZ and Super Swaps

Just a quick post to share some swap items I sent out. 

The first is a coffee cozy (which, incidentally, also fit around the individual sized Ben & Jerry's ice cream containers...just sayin') made for my secret partner in RATZ (Rapid and Tiny Zakka) swap.  She had lots of likes to work off of, which somehow makes it harder, including red and white combos.  She also seems to have a liking for the French General style fabrics. (Warning:  lousy inside-at-night photos to follow.)

I really liked the button (a tulip) on this.  Also the added bit of satin ribbon.

Just love the feminine feel of this softly colored fabric!

While I was making coffee cozies, I also made one for my Super Swap partner.  (I used the pattern and tutorial found at InColorOrder by Jeni Baker for guidance.)  For my partner, I had Michelle (a.quilter.2) who is quite talented and based on her favorites reminded me of my younger sister--lots of fun, whimsical, modern likes.  She also likes giraffes, but more on that in a second.  So I made her a bright kind of silly cozy with a cute little worm in the center (you know...early bird gets the worm...okay, maybe its only hilarious when you're up really late).  The center is made in log cabin block style only using folded strips of fabric (think iris folding only not as complicated).

Isn't that a cute little worm?  The button is actually two buttons stacked.

I had some gray houndstooth, which coordinated with the gray on the front, plus houndstooth is just fun.

Now to the actual swap item for Super Swaps---this round was pincushion or small animal.  And, as sort of mentioned earlier, I made a giraffe for Michelle.  When I saw that she liked animals, particularly owls and giraffes, I knew I had to make her a little creature.  However, when I decided on a giraffe and went looking for a pattern, there were almost none out there!  The few that did exist were more floppy or child styled or were out of print.  Mmph!  I did find another cute one, but the etsy seller was on vacation.  Left high and dry, I was.  So, I made a pattern myself (go me!) and created my very own giraffe!

Hello there!

I used felt for the ears, regular quilting cotton for the body and for the antlers I made two tiny French knots out of wool embroidery yarn.  I used variegated DMC perle cotton floss and wool embroidery yarn for the mane and tail. 

Isn't this little guy a cutie?  I did the mane in loops, but it would look cute as fringe too.

Michelle likes Tula Pink which is what I used for the body---which worked out perfectly as I had all the color coordinating flosses, yarns and felt.  It was meant to be.  :)

Figuring out the gusset (underneath belly part) was the hardest,  (I think I might tweak it just a touch more) but after three test ones, I got it to where I liked the results.  This giraffe is just the right size to be either a fun little shelf sitter or a pin cushion, so Michelle can use it either way.

You can see the tail here--it is braided and matches the mane.

I need to write up some instructions, but then I'm going to have the pattern available for others to enjoy.  I think I may make a larger size too that would be more child toy size.  We'll see how the pattern translates to the larger scale.  Anyone interested?  First though, I need to make me a giraffe--this one was hard to give away!

Could you stick a pin in him?

RATZ Swap Magnets Received

Here's the package I received this last week containing the magnets made for me in the RATZ Swap.  They were made by Mary (FairlyMerry).  She knew I liked Kaffe Fassett!  She also included a cute little handmade card and a lovely button (sigh, I do love buttons).

I've already put them in my sewing/craft area!  That note is quite fitting as I just got a Singer 201k handcrank machine, which I adore.

Besides enjoying a fun package--I've also enjoyed eating some of these cherries!

These were Rainiers and the box before were Bings--all yummy!

I finished my Anda dress this weekend, so as soon as I get another person around for photos, there'll be a little fashion show.  :)

Hexagon Magnet Madness

Finally, finished and shipped!  My RATZ Swap magnets that is.  I think I greatly overestimated my handsewing speed, haha!  But I really wanted to give tiny hexagons a try after seeing this sample by Susan (chickenfoot) that just amazed me.  I mean 3/8 inch hexagons are pretty teenie tiny and they look so cute there in her hand.  (Note to self:  teenie tiny cuteness equals double the work of simple cuteness.)

So as I was stalking my partner, I happened to see that not only does she love hexagons, almost to the point of obsession, but she also had this adorable sample of more teenie tiny cuteness marked in her favorites---and so did I!  It was meant to be.  Plus after stalking researching my partner, I discovered that she is a really amazing woman with a huge heart of gold, so I figured I'd make her something special (I know, I know.  I end up doing this on all my swaps, why?  Simply because I keep getting the most amazing, inspiring swap partners!  Really.  I think my swap mamas give me their best ones.  Ones with backstories that just floor me and make me want to go to the ninth in creating something.)

Well, the description said 1/4 inch hexagons, so I printed some up and started in on cutting.  Hmm, these were looking kind of tiny, but I needed tiny, I was making magnets.  So, I pulled out my less-than-an-inch-size bag of scraps and started pulling colors for flowers and butterflies.  Then I went about basting and sewing hexagons as usual to make the shapes.  Really, not too bad.  A bit hand cramping and blinding to sew such little buggers, but the first flower done really got me going.  Here's a tip:  have really good lighting, especially when stitching black to black with black thread, lol!

Aren't they adorable?!  Am I totally crazy now--because I want to use up the rest of super tiny scraps this way!

I backed each with a color matching piece of eco felt (I didn't know if she was allergic to wool, so I didn't use wool felt--but you could) cut in the overall shape (note to self:  in the future cut the felt just a teensy bit larger than the piece so that it's easier to stitch) and blanket stitched it with two strands from a six-strand cotton floss (I like DMC, but use what you can find.)  I also stuffed the butterfly just a bit to make it a little more interesting.  I used E6000 to glue button sized magnets to the back of the felt prior to stitching the felt to the fronts so that the backing piece could lay flat while drying. 

What do you think?  Kind of some teeny tiny cuteness going on there, isn't it?!

Edited 7/3/12:  Okay, now that my partner has received these, I can tell you who she is.  My partner this round was Caryn (Caryn211) from Nebraska.  She loved them and left me a very nice compliment on my Flickr posting of this picture, totally made my day.  If you want to know how really special this woman is, just read this article that I found when I was snooping around to get ideas.  Like I said, I just keep getting the most amazing and inspiring women as partners for swaps.

RATZ Swap--Key Fob

I received my key fob from the RATZ swap earlier this month (hey, it's only day 9).  My little fob came all the way from across the ocean in Norway!  That's a long way to travel!

Made for me by Synnoeve (Synnovekri), this key fob is full of hand crafted goodness.

We weren't supposed to include extras, but the fabric and ribbon were what she "wrapped" it in, sneaky girl!

This is a really cool style that is starting to show up here and there.  (I think a lot of it started from the Japanese craft books on the market these days.)  The keys actually hook to a clip that's hidden inside the key fob.  The clip pulls down through the bottom to use the keys, but then for the rest of the time you pull the wrist loop on the top and the keys are pulled up inside--no rattling around when walking or scratching up phone screens in a purse.  So simple, and yet, genius!

The reverse side is a liberated or wonky log cabin in black and white and red fabrics.  (And we all know how I love me some black and white fabric!)  There's also a small metal charm tag that says "Handmade" near the bottom, a very clever touch!  You can see the hand crocheted wrist loop cord with the adorable little fish and bell at the end.  She didn't even know how much I like the sound of little bells, coolness!

I love that the log cabin block is angled and wonky.  Also, the use of the bits of linen colored fabric in with the black and white really makes this dynamic and pulls in the crocheted lace edging and cord.

The front side is just plain gorgeous!  A hand embroidered butterfly and floral design are front and center in multi-colored floss.  Her stitching is, by the way, impeccable.  There's also a little red heart button, so cute!  And, as if all that weren't enough work put into one little key fob...there's hand crocheted lace edging along the bottom!  I can't crochet worth a thing, believe me, but I love crocheted lace, so this was just icing on the cake.

A linen fabric makes the perfect background to show off some lovely embroidery work!

Synnoeve really nailed this--embroidery, crocheted lace, little bell to hear when I walk, butterflies--she's either slightly psychic or a very good "stalker" of swap partners.  Hmm...

No more stuffing my keys into pockets creating unsightly bulges, nope!  Now, they will dangle from my wrist in style!

Sneaky Peek for RATZ Swap

Here's a quick look at what I'm making for my secret partner in the Rapid And Tiny Zakka Swap (RATZ).  I finished up the hand embroidery for one side of the little zipper pouch I'm making.

This cute little vintage pattern was found at the Hoop Love Vintage Transfers group over on Flickr.  (If you love vintage embroidery like I do, then you really must join the group--they have one of the largest collections of patterns I've found anywhere!)

Just waiting for my zippers to arrive.  After hearing all the rave reviews about Zip It on Etsy, I decided to give them a try.  (Review to follow.) I'll be putting the front and back and lining of the pouch together so they're all ready to go once the zipper arrives.  I'm following the tutorial found here on Noodlehead, although I may make an adjustment in size, we'll see.

Now, I'm going to go eat some pancakes and enjoy this gorgeous sunny Mother's Day---Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful, talented ladies out there making the world a better place!



Rapid And Tiny Zakka Swap--RATZ

A fun new swap group is starting--come join me in the fun!  It's the Rapid and Tiny Zakka Swap or as we like to call it the RATZ Swap!  RATZ

Some of us from the Doll Quilt Swap wanted some quick, easy swaps between rounds, so this new group was born.  We'll be making and swapping small usable items like grocery bags, cup cozies, zip bags, luggage tags, inches, etc.  Our first round is key fobs--how fun is that!  There are so many cool tutorials and patterns out there that I've always wanted to try, now I have the perfect excuse.  This is an international, no extras included, swap--keeping it simple--you just create the item, stick it in an envelope and mail it off.  Everything is fairly small and light weight keeping postage down--and everything is quick and easy to make, keeping time involved down!  Join in on the rounds you want and watch on the ones you don't--but always have fun in the commentary!

For those who are wondering what exactly a zakka item is, here's Wikipedia's definition:

Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin, but it can also be Japanese goods, mainly from the fifties, sixties, and seventies. In Japan there are also so-called Asian zakka stores; that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.
Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. "Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext."

I hope you all join in the fun!


Oh and here's a bit of fun now--a discount code for Fabric.com.  It expires 4/30/12 at midnight, but you can use it as many times as you want.  For 20% off a purchase of $40 or more, just use code FB412.  Have fun shopping!