My name is J. and I’m a craft-aholic.

I’m still alive, folks! Just literally buried under fabric, yarn and flour. Sometimes I think I have to stop to blog about (insert latest crafty or culinary obsession here), but then…I don’t. When I’m knee-deep in crochet, or quilting or baking so much that all the days kind of run together in these long, craft-crazed weeks, I don’t want to lose momentum.

But there are posts to be written and blogs to visit, and I have to come up for air some time! And so, I’m jumping back in first with these curly updates on the Creative Swap (organized by Caryn) that I’ve joined.

First off, many MANY thanks to my awesome craft swap partners Fernand and Cyd. I  got this in the mail yesterday, all the way from Japan. Mini heart-shaped Hello Kitty muffin cups (which are just too cute to use), candy, green tea Kitkat and a lovely hand-painted tee done in my favorite color combination of black and pink. Beautiful!

Next are the two projects I did for two swap partners, which went out last week. I hope the recipients get it soon (one of these is a replacement and it had better get there this time!)

Bem’s Quilted Market Tote

Made with fabric I already had on had, lined with muslin. My first tote with a gusset!

Since Bem sews herself, I thought she’d appreciate something sewn as well. Made these in some of her favorite colors, with one panel of brown and pink, and the other panel of orange and yellow. For the many faces of Bem.

Sent with my favorite candy and a Simplicity craft pattern for plush, stuffed animals that she can make for her little one.

Gwen’s “Little Maddie” Doll

Because Gwen had mentioned she wanted a little doll, I found a pattern for one created by craft artist The Black Apple on Martha Stewart’s website. (If you want to try your hand at it, the pattern and cute hand-drawn instructions are HERE.)

Little Maddie was fun to make, though I have to admit her arms and legs made me want to pull my hair out and cry. They were so tiny and my big monster hands just ripped them to pieces when I’d turn them inside out.

I finally gave up and made my own. Crafting=improv. Haha. It turned out ok, yes?

Also sent with candy and a pattern for a cute peasant blouse that Gwen might want to try her hand at.

For more on this swap, Caryn’s blog is over HERE.

All in all, it’s been a couple of crazy, crafty weeks—with more ahead.

Stay tuned for more curly ramblings about:

-    a purist’s baked strawberry cheesecake that I made for a graduation party

-    fabric finds

-   discovering food in modern art

-   my current crocheted afghan work in progress

-   my awesome quilting class with Alissa at The Urban Craft Center (and I’m giving something away, too!)

I hope you’re having an awesome week. May your pots be boilin’ and your hands be busy!