Swapalicious

I hate that I have been neglecting this blog the last month or so because of Graduate school. Actually, it's more because I started a library internship in January that took 15 more hours a week away from my free time. Obviously this is a really good thing for me career-wise, but it means less time for creative endeavors.

I have found though that doing a small swap every now and then satisfies my creative side and I can do them when I need a mental break from music theory or French for Reading (zut alors!). It feels a little like christmas when I get my package in the mail and open it up. Sometimes I leave the goodies in their boxes so I can re-open them if I am feeling a little down or stressed out. The swaps have also reminded me of the power of actual physical mail in this age of electronic communication.

Right now a have a few of them going on, like the vintage brooch swap, the petite inspiration swap and a pin cushion swap (see sidebar). I also finished a few swaps last month and haven't had time to post pictures, but I will soon.

Do any of you do swaps? If so, what are they and why do you like them? I have been thinking about doing a rockabilly-themed swap once school is done in May- would anyone be up for that?

Vintage Flea Market Swap

A new petite inspiration swap on Speckled Egg is starting and spaces are filling up fast! I can see why- the theme is flea market finds and it is specifically geared towards vintage. I just adore these swaps because you decorate a large match box and fill it with spectacular, but affordable, goodies. It doesn't take a lot of time, it's not too expensive because of the size of the box and the people who do these swaps have pretty amazing taste. It's like a mini-christmas every time you open it. And because you get paired with 2 other people you get 2 of these wonderful surprise boxes!

The last swap I did with Speckled egg gave me these two wonderful halloween boxes and goodies:

Sparkly Swap & Giveaway

pic from suchprettythings.typepad.com

Even though I need to be concentrating on my schoolwork I couldn't help but sign up for a fun swap with a bling theme. Ashley Getting Dressed is hosting an Earrings, Rings, and Other Sparkly Things swap with a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to a store of your choice. Sign up to participate by Nov 5th and the packages go out Nov 13th. Short, but very sweet and just the way I like it; not a lot of wait time for goodies!

Maybe you'll get lucky and get partnered with me.... I spoil my partners ;)

My Newest Swaps

I just finished up the Hot Mama Alice in Wonderland Apron swap. It was a ton of fun and a great theme. It is also most likely my last apron swap in a while as my graduate thesis is coming up soon and I won't have the extra time. My original plan was to restore a 1930s apron I found in my attic when I moved in, but that didn't quite happen. I was able to make a last minute alternate though, using a vintage pattern and wedding apron.

I'm still pretty addicted to supply swaps though and they are much more realistic for me since they don't take much time and it is a pretty good way to refresh my stash. I am currently in a fun Black & White Halloween Petite Box swap hosted by the Speckled Egg blog. I just got my partners and I am too excited to sit because they both have great taste.

I also just joined a swap with an interesting theme through the Our Life:Narrated by Lacey blog. It is called Help Me with My Collection mail swap and basically you are paired up with others who will send you items to add to a collection of items you have based on a one word suggestion from you. It was insanely difficult to choose which collection to add to and then even harder to pick one word that really describes it. I ended up choosing "millinery." I was worried that it may be too obscure for anyone who doesn't deal with it, but if I put "hats" then it would have been way off and "flowers" probably would have gotten me a few bunches from Joann's, which I have way too much of. Was there any other word I could have used? I was almost going to try and cheat and use a hyphen (vintage-flowers) but I decided to play fair ;) I'll let you know what I end up with in a few weeks.

Apron Swap

A few of you were interested in some of the swaps I have done so I thought I would let you know about the latest one I just signed up for. It is the last Hot Mama Apron Swap of the year and the theme is Alice in Wonderland. It sounds like tons of fun, so if you are interested head on over to the swap to get info. Sign up closes July 17th!

My Latest Swap Adventures

I just finished a fun apron swap hosted by the awesome Hot Mama Apron Swap blog. The theme was pin-ups so you know I had to do it! I have a ton of apron patterns, so I like to do these swaps so I am forced to get going on a pattern since it always helps to have a specific goal. This one was was a little bittersweet though because my beloved Singer 6268 sewing machine died on me and may not be fixable (I'll hear more by the end of the week). So I had to finish the apron with a borrowed machine as my back-ups are also waiting for service since I am a poor grad student.

But I digress...

To the above right you can see the pattern I used and to the left the end product. I originally wanted to add a pocket at the bottom of the apron where the ball trim is, but due to the way the pattern is put together (the pattern is slashed at the bottom and an extra ruffle piece is laid in, then restitched to the rest of the apron) the pocket kept making the apron lay weird. I think I know how to fix it when I make this again or I may just add on a top-stitched pocket. The instructions also call to add the bib piece by top-stitching to the waistband, instead of sandwiching it, which I will definitely modify next time around because it is just weird to me. I also think I will line the bib pieces, which the pattern also didn't call for. Since this is a 40s pattern I get the minimal use of fabric, but lining the bib will give a cleaner look and strengthen it.

Anyhoo, I am pretty pleased about this first try. I overshot on the ruffle length so there is a ton of yardage in them there ruffles, which actually works on this apron. I also adore ball fringe and the matching fabric bows. If anyone has a tried and true way to tie bows- I'm all ears. Mine turn out alright, but I know there is a better way.

Oh yeah, here is the apron I got from the Hot Mama Swap. I totally LOVE it! Pin up cowgirls on yellow and red trim, all tied together with denim. What isn't there to love?!? I have the perfect pair of red cowboy boots to wear with this when I cook.. and nothing else... needless to say, my husband loves this apron :)

Vintage Millinery/Flower Swap?

I've had a few people comment and ask me about the basket swaps I posted about recently. Just curious- how many of you would be interested in participating in a vintage millinery/flower swap if I hosted it? If you are like me, I tend to buy my millinery in bulk or take them off of damaged hats, so I have a lot in the same colors or styles. I thought it might be neat to mix it up and swap with others to refresh my stash and help others to refresh theirs. We could even open it up to include vintage sewing trims (like ribbon).

Leave a comment if you are interested and if you'd like to include vintage trims or just do vintage millinery/flowers. The swap would start once I can get enough people (at least 3-4).

Secret Garden Basket Swap

I posted a little while back about the basket swaps I did and I just got my first package in return! It was for the Secret Garden Basket swap and it was from my delightful partner Stephanie in N.Y.:

You may not be able to make it all out, but I got such lovelies such as a vintage tin full of vintage buttons, an art deco rhinestone buckle, a 1931 girl's schoolbook and, my favorite, a shabby chic framed art deco print.

Here is the full view of what I sent to her:

 This was WAY too fun! If you ever get a chance to do one of these and feel pretty confident in the blog that is hosting it (I made sure to talk to the blog owner first before I signed up), do it. It's really great to see how other people interpret the theme. I actually got an art deco buckle that I can use right away on a 1929 dress I am making. This is one instance where the internet really did facilitate a wonderful social encounter :)

Outside Activities- Blog Swaps

Okay, I may be getting addicted to blog swaps. I am in 2 basket swaps right now and I had SO much fun putting together the baskets! Here are some sneak peeks of what I put together. Click on the pics for larger images.

Talking about giving and receiving- don't forget my birthday giveaway for a custom hair piece. Ends Tuesday night, so don't wait too long!