I think I’m the latest one in my Creative Swap group to do a post on the crafty gifts I’ve sent to my swap partner Jen. Aside from it being a challenging past few weeks, I lost the cord that goes from my camera to the computer, prompting an even later post. Still, I’m happy this got sent out (finally!) and had fun making the crochet needle holder with some fabric I had on hand and ribbons, and embroidering the front, too.
I used some muslin stuffed with a thin layer of quilt stuffing and sewed a ribbon into the inside with different-size slots for needles of all types. I tried it out with my own (humble) set.
Embroidering the outside was something I knew I wanted to do before I even started. Embroidery is one of my favorite things to do, craft-wise, but I never get the chance to do it anymore. I started with printing out the design and holding up the needle holder against a window for a quick mock-up of how it would look like.
As a kid, I used to hate tracing patterns onto cloth. I would do it the painstakingly stupid way: lay the design over cloth, outline it by tracing over it REALLY HARD and lifting the paper to trace over the indentations on the cloth lightly with pencil. I know, I was young and dumb.
But for this project, thank God for my brother who suggested I use transfer paper—the kind he uses for art school. (I didn’t have no transfer paper growin’ up in the boonies of Negros Occidental, yo!) The brand is called Saral, available online and from art-supply stores. All he had was yellow (it comes in other colors), and I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I gave it a test run and decided I could live with it. It works pretty much like carbon paper of yore. You simply place it in between your design and the fabric and trace away.
I did the embroidery with whipped stitches and French knots in her favorite color, green (I wonder if it’s because of the university she graduated from? If so, I’m not telling her na lang what fated school I’m from! Hee.) Here’s Jen’s loot again, with some crochet mags and resource books, my favorite guilty-pleasure candy, a hokey postcard (I love how fake the bears look!) and a ball of Sugar ‘n Cream yarn with some of her favorite colors in it. (Doesn’t it look good enough to eat?)
Till next swap, folks!
(If you’re interested in joining our little band of rockin’ crafters, see details on Caryn’s blog HERE.)
October 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Spreeee!!!!
Maring, am glad you treated yourself. Please update me on your Ma. Ang dami kong dala for Bali! We leave tom naaaa! I want dises http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/collections/collection.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY28148
October 14th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
The personalized needle holder is too sweet! Great gift idea.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
so cute - Needle Queen! love the font and the embroidery
if only i have the time, i’d really love to join the next creative swap *sigh*
October 14th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I love what you made for your Craft Partner, very cool, I sure wish I could sew, haha. I am actually planning on enrolling myself in a sewing class soon, if time permits me anyway.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
OMGosssssh!!! I love the stuff you sent! (I don’t have it yet but I love what I’m looking at right now.) Squeeeeeeeeee!!! I can’t can’t wait to get this!
I went to the university I graduated from because of its school colors (secondary lang yung gusto ko yung course na kinuha ko hahaha!).
Will be back for more gushing!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Hi got here from Caryn.
Those are lovely stuffs. They are so cool. Makes me want to join the group
October 15th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I adore that crochet needle holder! I want to make something similar for my knitting needles, but I have yet to get around to it. What a lovely crafty haul! Thanks for the tips on embroidery. I always wondered how people could confidently sew in their designs.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:06 am
watda??!!! talent is just about everywhere and you sure have a lot of em!
October 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Via
- Have fun in Bali, friend! I’ll think of you the next time I’m at the Mac store!
Jess
- Thank you, I had fun figuring out how to make it, and finally putting the whole thing together.
Sleepless
- I DON’T have the time. I barely got this one sent out before the next swap. I think you should join!
Sheng
- You’re already crafty, so sewing class should be a treat.
Jen
- I’m so glad you like them. I hope they get there soon! Oh and by the way, three words for you: I like blue. (Heehee!)
Jeanny
- Hallo! Thanks for stopping by my curly corner!
Sinta
- I imagine this would work for knitting needles too. I’d make you one if you were my craft partner for the next swap! (Maybe we can ask Caryn to rig it, haha.)
Mai
- (Blush)–thank you. You sow your own brand of talented magic in the kitchen yourself.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
huwaw! love the needle book J! hm, i’m thinking of making the same for my brushes. heehee. i have a similar one for my pencils, but instead of folding, i just roll it up