2 LCB ITEMS--ANDREA

Here is my first item. I really wanted and intended to make a burlap bag for Jen, but couldn't find burlap, so bought some linen-ish fabric, which was a huge pain to work with. I discovered that Melissa and I were duplicating, so almost started over with something entirely different (what, I don't know), but as Melissa and Mom say, "you can never have too many bags." I guess that's true. So here is the one I made for Jen. I decided to make it more like a tote (short handles), since it ended up kind of big. Also I reinforced the front, back and bottom with heavy interfacing, with the hopes that it would stand up on its own, but no such luck.

Here is Laura's bag. I wanted to try a different block and bag pattern with hers, but ended up using the same colors, since I feel like browns, greens and blues are pretty universally liked in our family (correct me if I'm wrong here). With hers I put a pocket on the inside, instead of the outside like Jen's.

Both bags have this tan lining (the fabric that I bought to use initially), which ended up being a good lining fabric.

I'm still working on Elisabeth's, slacker that I am. Good thing she's so patient!

LCB: bubble throws

I've been so cold this spring, all could think of was blankets when the LCB came up. So, I made three throws with identical fabrics and top designs. I did try different edging techniques on the three. I didn't use any batting, so hopefully they'll be in use all year. My favorite part: the ultra-comfy bubble fabric on the back.

LCB :: bath bombs

I had intended to make something super fabulous for this craft swap, but somehow only managed these bath bombs (so I included a couple of Todd's cards as a consolation prize). I love baths, but not bubble baths or bath oil. Bath bombs, however, are great. Drop them into warm water and they fizz away to nothing but leave the water and room scented with essential oils. I made chamomile (to which I added dried chamomile flowers), sweet almond, tea tree oil, and spearmint. Yummy. I kept one for myself, but haven't tried it yet, so I hope they work. Melissa, Jill, Laura and Sarah will have to let me know. ox

Seeing Clearly

This is a combination of some of the themes that had been tossed around, all in the theme of clear glass.
First, one of My Favorite Things-- I don't know if you can see it well, but I picked up some little pendants that are crystal prisms. I love wearing my "rainbow necklace" because every time the sun hits it there are little rainbows around me and they always cheer me up. I just thought I'd share a simple joy.
Next, I shared a way to Pamper Yourself --my version of a foot massage in a minute. I use these marbles in the bottom of a foot soak to massage my feet. Then I end with a full pedicure --polish and all-- and I begin feeling more like a woman and less like a tired mommy.
To top off this LCB, I threw in my attempt at craftiness with some hand sandblasted mugs I personalized for the sisters I had (I don't sew or crochet or make cute cards, so what could I do? Also, Sarah's mug is not pictured here because I gave it to her before I took the picture). I've been doing this on people's pyrex dishes to earn a little extra money, so I already had everything set up. I have to admit that Richard helped me though, otherwise I never would have finished in time. Anyway, the mugs are so they can enjoy their favorite drink while they pamper themselves. Hope you enjoy it! I sure had fun doing it, and thinking of you girls!

LCB

My sisters (including sisters-in-law and soon to be sister) and I all love and/or appreciate homemade crafts. After emailing back and forth and deciding we that we needed sufficient motivation for doing some serious crafting it was proposed that we do a craft exchange. While this initial idea morphed into a gift exchange of sorts, our Long-distance Craft Bonanza (LCB) was born. We set a deadline, decided against a theme, and drew 3 names. So we will each send out 3 gifts and receive 3 gifts. Part of this plan was then to document the process, and thoughts behind our gifts. I am writing this to explain while there will soon be many LCB posts, and hopefully posts by other people. I am getting excited!

LCB bags

I love bags. I can't get enough. Everytime I go to the store, library, church, park, overnight, or anything I need a bag. So why not carry a cute one? Even better a reversable one, so that you have two bags in one? My original idea was to embroider "grocery" or "library" on the bag but I thought it might limit your limitless possibilities!

This is the first bag I made, patterned after an IKEA bag I love. It ended up with Elisabeth.

This side seems a little plain after that "Apple Octagon" on the other side :)

I love this fabric and think I might need to go back for more. This bag is smaller than the others but I was working with limited burlap.

This burlap is from a Basmati rice bag that I had. Jen had showed me these "burlap buckets" awhile ago and I wanted to try it out. The WIP is for work in progress, to keep any unfinished project in. Another great use for bags. You can kind of see the print showing through, but that is okay.

This is Shawna's bag. I hope it turned out okay. shawna said she loved this fabric and I hope I did it justice. I had thought of her when I bought it. I did the straps a little different with little ties at the top.

Andrea's pictured next. I hope she loves polka dots as much as I do.

I had so much fun making these. I have a lot more fabric with great plans for them. They actually don't take long to make (if your needles don't break, or you don't have to clean up potty training messes, or make dinner, or whatever else takes you away) You could make one in the precious hours during a nap, or after the kids go down. That is, if you have any energy left, and have a deadline :)

New fabric

Do you ever feel really rich? I am feeling so wealthy right now. I went to Home Fabrics to get some material for some projects I am working on. I had a very minimal budget. They were having a sale. I went up to get half this much fabric and it was so cheap I grabbed more! It all came out to under $14!