Swaparific

So I was getting swap withdrawal, and visited my old haunting grounds, Hyena Cart. Thought I'd re-acquaint myself, and maybe sign up for a swap. Oops - I signed up for:

-1 Valentine's swap ... for mamas ... you list stuff you like, fave colors, size, etc, and you're randomly assigned to someone else. You're probably not giving & receiving from the same person. I made mine some jewelery - a bracelet/necklace set (pic below), plus 2 memory wire bracelets, a re-covered journal, and a piece of fabric to round it out:



Then I signed up for a reverse swap. This is where you list stuff you could offer, and also email the coordinator to say what stuff of other people's you'd like, and she matches people up. Again, probably not giving & receiving with the same person. I got FOUR slots for this swap! Yipes! One was already done (after-the-bath caps), one was pretty easy & quick - a magic yarn ball, one was a needlefelting kit, and one was a needlefelted wallhanging. She wanted something relaxing for her sewing room:



(In return, I will get: one pound of freshly roasted coffee, 1 set of doll clothes, 1 set of tea towels, embroidered with coffee-themed motifs, and 1 jewelery set (necklace & bracelet)).

Oh - signed up the kids for a valentines swap - we did this last year, and they loved getting their parcel - only Emily thought herself too old for it, but happily, Joshy stepped in.

Then - despite realizing I'd over-swapped - there was a swap I absolutely could not resist. A fibre/handspinning swap. That is, you send a spinner x amount of fibre for yourself, and the same amount of fibre for her to keep, as payment for spinning yours. Mmmm. Only I got 2 slots - one for four ounces, one for eight. So, I needed to come up with 24 ounces of fibre. Naturally, they don't run with basic plain fibre - handpainted it is. So - my first spinner (the 8 oz, unfortunately), sounded very picky, so I felt the need to buy her some handpainted fibre from someone whose business it is to do that. The rest, however, I intend to do myself. Last night I did my red/natural/brown fibre (16 oz):




I'll dye some more, and this time, colors that Maya chooses, and then the yarn can be "hers" - not really hers, but for something for her.

I'm coming to an end of my swap responsibilities. So far, I have received the pound of coffee (mmmmm... why don't I treat myself to good coffee more often?!). So the mail should be fun for the next little while. (o:

Well

I'll admit to being startled.

Perhaps a big difference is that I don't see Monday night as 'my night' or 'me time'. I see it as 'our time'. There are lots of other little spaces I find for myself. This was/is my time to interact with real live humans. It's hard to build friendships and maintain them now that I'm a mother. It's far too easy to go for weeks without seeing a friend or talking on the phone if there isn't a regular rhythm to it. I hate that feeling, feeling like there are people who are special to me but not part of my life.

So, yeah, I want it to continue. I can host if need be, since my place is quieter than Jen's with everyone out at Judo til 9.

WTF?????

Pardonnez moi, but allow me to rant. Since I can't talk to you guys face to face since Craft Night seems to be on hold indefinitely I will have to speak up here.

You guys were my only social outlet for grown up girly talk. You were what was keeping my sanity through being trapped at home by myself with three kids most of the time.

Would it help if we started meeting at the church again? I know there are no snacks then, but at least no one has to clean house.

I don't want this to drift away into the ether like potluck night did. I want it to keep going somehow.

I need this.

That is eerie!

I have been having the same feeling as well. My one day being commit to craft night isn't always what I want.

I would be willing to host once a month if people want to get together. But I would prefer the freedom to wander through the library or mall without kids sometimes.

Anyway next week on Monday I was going to cancel because we will be in Regina. But I will check back to see what everyone else thinks.

The time has come...

I've decided to withdraw from craft nights.

It's been enjoyable to carve out a weekly night for myself, and of course, to do lots of fun crafts in the company of friends.

However, I've come to realize that when I have one night that's mine, I don't necessarily want to use it crafting all the time. There are dozens of other things that I'd like to do - or at least, to have the option to do with my "me" time. Crafting is one of the things I can actually quite easily do on most other nights.

So, starting immediately, I won't be hosting craft night, and probably not attending either, at least not often.

Ed Allen

So at craftipoos on Monday, I mentioned Ed Allen, and his frequent use of household items (books, tin cans, etc) as weights & accoutrements for exercise. I wanted to find video of him - I'm sure it would be a blast to watch - but alas, there seems to be none to be had. Here's a link to his info at Wikipedia - not even so much as a picture for ol' Ed.

It is my turn.

Because I am still unable to host craft night, I realllllllllly want to offer something to the group. I would like to bring snacks/whatever to at least one craft night per month (healthy eaters noted). This week is out, but perhaps I can bring somethin next time. :-) Sound alrighty?

I am still hoping to have some kind of area available for hosting in the next few months. Stay tuned...

Sarah - before I forget

Where did you get the shoe holder thingy that Tias painted for Sandra? (& how much was it?) I like the style, with pockets that stay open like little bins.

FWIW, I don't think the textile medium would be necessary when it's not going to be laundered - just paint would have been fine. I have not had problems with runniness when using textile additive - maybe I don't add enough. Oh - that's not entirely true. Some of my craft paints are runnier than others, so they would be no good to use with it. Babble, babble, babble.

Hey y'all knitters yo!

Can someone bring some sort of book or device that will be able to tell me whether I have enough yarn to make a particular pattern, on Monday night?

Or just tell me what to do?

The yarn is handspun, don't therefore know the yardage, but could easily get the weight. Guess I can figure out the gauge by swatching (gasp!). Um...???

Calling all crafters!

I am offering up my house for this Monday night craft. I hope to see everyone. April I am holding your gift hostage until I see you again. ; )

P.S. I will be providing tea, coffee, and a very low calorie snack. Alas, my scale was a little to honest with me today.