Leftover Chicken

leftover_chicken
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

This was my first attempt for a chicken swap with Plump Pudding. It wasn't what I had in mind, so I moved on to another idea, which was more to my liking. So, this chicken is free to a good home. The chicken and the cushion/nest are separate pieces. Sorry, no Fimo pins with this one. First person to leave a comment gets it.

Wrapping Up My Swaps

I'm trying to wrap up my swaps before the baby comes--I'm at 39 weeks tomorrow, and long overdue on a couple swaps. The most tardy one is the chicken swap with Plump Pudding, which was started way back in February. I had an irrational aversion to cooking the Fimo and Sculpey while pregnant after reading the warning label about ventilation and such. Luckily, my friend Bitter Betty cooked them for me. I know I sound a little paranoid. Bethany's husband did say, "How much can a teaspoon of Fimo off-gas?" But, don't pregnant women get to be a little wacky since all the blood has left the brain for the uterus? Now I just need to find the proper packaging for a cross-Atlantic mailing. Hang in there Samantha.

painting_closeup
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

More recently, Tricia at Frizzelstix sent me a wonderful painting that she did specifically for me--truly a special treat! There are many similarities between the mini quilt I made for her and the illustration she did for me. I'll leave you with a sneak preview of her quilt. Really, I did the mushroom before I ever saw her painting.

quilt_preview
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Tricia: Send me your snail mail address, I've got your quilt packaged up. Since I'm still Using What I Have the background thread colors are different. It was difficult for a minute to let it go and not get more thread, but my mom talked me through it and now I like it with a two-tone effect. Another valuable lesson of UWYH.

Lambkins Three

lambkins1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Felt lambkins with embroidery made for a friend who had triplets yesterday--all babies were over 4 pounds at 35 1/2 weeks gestation! Free pattern generously posted by Pattern Bee.

I'm a Craft Binger, not a Purger

Crochet Guys
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

This was going to be a long post about how I hoard craft supplies and binge craft, but I'm running out of time, so here are the photos of my Bedfellows family. I'm still loving working with Camilla's designs. I think crocheting is the perfect pregnancy craft, even more than knitting. Maybe this is because I also have an active three-year-old. One hook is much easier than two needles.

Bedfellow Family
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Traded, Bought, and Gifted: Mail from March and April

Mail from March and April
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

An amazing piece of fabric from Sue at Comfrey Green--I mentioned that I liked this fabric and Sue generously offered to give me some, which I wasn't expecting, but am so incredibly excited about. My photo doesn't show it in all its greatness. There's an alligator, lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, tiger, and another cat creature. The graphics are sooooo cool, the colors are just right, and the weight of the fabric is excellent. Must not put this away, must turn into pillow so that I can live with it daily. Sue is a generous crafter with an awesome family. The embroidery and sewing her children are doing is inspirational.

Cool vintage cows from Abby from Abbytrysagain--Abby is lightening her load by putting some of her vintage bits and baubles in her Etsy shop, as well as her cool crafts.

Chicken swap with added value from Samantha from Plump Pudding--I'm later than I thought in my end of the chicken swap--I just realized that we started this transaction in February. Flu and pregancy are my excuses, but I still feel loads of guilt. At least I can thank Samantha publically for her thoughtful trade, which included, not only a chicken, but a pincushion and a tissue holder, too.

Bird print from Anna at Twelve 22--So cute and tiny, smaller than a postcard. The wrapping was so excellent that I let it sit for a week before opening it.

Mailorder #2 by Amy K from Kingpod--This issue has the cutest bonnet pattern that I'm itchin' to sew. I just got mine in the mail today. The question is, "Will my son wear a bonnet?"

Fast Craft Wrist Pincushion

Wrist Pincushion
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

This is probably the fastest craft I've ever done. In an old Woman's Day magazine I saw a sachet craft made of embroidered ribbon. Using the idea, I added the elastic wrist band--voila, instant wrist pincushion. I didn't add a cardboard backing like Claire at Needle Book did--thought I'd add a little danger to my craft.

Conquering the Stash

Bedfellows
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Couldn't help myself, I had to try another of Camilla's "Bedfellows" patterns from Happy Hooker. It's supposed to be a bear, but we call ours a racoon, although it mostly looks like an opossum. Again, I didn't follow the pattern exactly. For the face, I mostly did, but for the body, legs and arms I just went for it. The torso is a bit long, hence the possum factor. I find that if I follow the pattern for the faces they are too big in relation to the rest of the head. I want to be able to see the contrasting color from the front, so I make the face a few rows less than prescribed. Again, this is probably my fault for not using the correct yarns. But I am Using What I Have this April. And, these bedfellows are helping to conquer the stash one craft at a time.