Squishing things into small boxes, Part 1

I really don't know why I keep signing up for pairs of swaps that are "due" within a week of each other. They're so tempting! I guess I like the deadline-imposed creativity.  But I think I am not so good with actually meeting the deadlines. Swap mamas, hide your eyes... of the four I've participated in: one was on time, two were a day late (but I sent Priority instead of First Class), and the last one, I feel bad sending it practically a week late, but I would rather late than half-assed. Cuz half-assed is just a waste of time and resources. Mostly it was a week of falling asleep with the baby (= no craft/anything time).

Anyway, no more of this self-incriminating blather; time to show off what I made and hastily stuffed into too-small a box (my shipping methods are perhaps a little inhumane ;) ) on their way to a new home.

My Sewn Spaces: Pincushions swap partner was the lovely Kylie (Flickr: Three Honeybees). She had an aesthetic I really appreciate, plus she was really proactive with comments, so easy to "stalk". Partner bliss!  I caught her swooning at someone's creation out of the new "Ruby" fabric line, and sneakily ordered a charm pack to play with. I saw Amy (During Quiet Time)'s tutorial for a cute armrest pincushion earlier and really wanted to try making one, so the two ideas fused together.

Funnily enough, right before I posted my montage, bluebirdluxe posted her creation from the same tutorial, from the same fabric line!! I think poor Kylie must've been hyperventilating at that point. ;)

I also got my first sewing machine injury while closing up the pincushion part. Reminder to self: Hands pass unwhacked by the sewing machine only when held low to the bed. :P I still have a cracked nail to show for it, but as bad as it looked, it didn't hurt. I also noticed later that one of my thread guides got bent, so apparently I gave back as much as I took.  Take that, machine!

That said, I had about a million ideas other that I didn't get to execute. I did get to embroider a cute bee for an bonus pinnie (not bad for a first time satin stitch, eh?) which actually got finished before the more elaborate pincushion.  I had the hardest time picking the coordinating prints for the front (aha, the orange you can't see is the Daisy print from "Now We're Goin' Places" by Monica Lee) and backing (from Ruby), but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Anyhow, Kylie also took some fantastically beautiful shots (including the one above!), so check it out in her Flickr photostream, She also has some other super-cute creations of hers, both in fabric and as cookies!