Bend the Rules Sewing Swap

I joined another swap! For this one I had to make a Charming Handbag from the Bend the Rules Sewing book. I included some home made bias tape, made using a super fun bias tape maker. I hate sewing bias tape but making it sure is fun! I also included a little jewelry pouch with one of Lara's sticky beads inside. My swap bag is headed to Gabriola Island, BC. I'm not sure who is making me one but they have to be in the mail by March 31st. I was uncharacteristically ahead of the game and mailed mine on Monday! A phenomenon of the internet and craft books nowadays is that people that buy the books create Groups on Flickr where we post photos of our projects, for example the Bend the Rules Sewing group here. This is a great way to see how the projects turn out and to get ispired to make them. People also swap tips and hints for the patterns.
I've made these little Charming Handbags before, here, here, and here.

The Handmade Toy Swap

A few weeks ago I joined a Toy Swap! Bird and Little Bird organized to bring awareness to new legislation that could potentially make life difficult in the US for handmade toy makers (law makers response to hazardous toy materials coming out of China). Annie invited people to make a toy and send it to their swap partner. As it turned out, Annie was my partner, and vice versa. She sent me this lovely Blue Fox from sunny California and I sent her this sunny yellow house with front flower bed that can't wait to be in it's new warmer climate! I've seen swaps on line before and have always wanted to do one (I've since signed up for 2 more, stay tuned!). It was a lot of fun as it also involves sharing photos of the construction process and final product on a Flickr group. A great way to get new sewing ideas or just to get inspired. Thanks Annie for a great first swap experience!