What 245 Mushrooms Looks Like

Sonya made a couple nice mosaics of the different mushrooms. It was a great time with great people. Thank you, Sonya.

A Sprinkle of Scraps

Here is a sprinkling of the scraps that I received from the kindly Emily in Linda's Patchwork and Scrap swap. The top three are vintage Japanese kimono fabric. The bottom three are Norwegian, I think. I'm all confused because, for a long time, I was thinking Emily lived in Finland. Ah, mamabrain — it took my vocabulary and my short-term memory. Emily has recently unveiled her wonderful blog, Ravenhill. Go check it out. She has lovely photos.



Thanks for waiting, Emily. My package to you is still sitting in a box by my front door. Bad swapper, no donut. :(

Craft Guilt: A Tale of Giveaways, Swaps, and Two Emilys

Ah, the craft guilt. Know what I'm talking about? Bitter Betty wrote about it and did something about it, too — she became pro-craftive and has been checking off craft chores left and right. Me? I'm just sitting around wondering when the hell I'm going to make good on my blogiversary gift for Emily. That was back in January for crying out loud. I'm stuck. I can't seem to hatch another chicken pincushion.

While I haven't been making Emily's gift (she's been so patient) I've signed up for swaps and worked on lots of personal projects, each time feeling at least a twinge of guilt, knowing I should be working on her project. Recently, I signed up for a patchwork & scrap swap set up by the lovely Linda P. I chose to swap with someone in Finland. Guess what her name is — Emily. I can't live with the guilt anymore — two Emilys overdue is too many. It's double or triple craft guilt at this point. Not only am I seeing another Emily, I'm late with my swap to her, too. ¡Ay, caramba! And, this, just before the big handmade holiday craft push. It must be resolved I tell you.

This sounds like I don't enjoy swaps and giveaways. I do, I do, but they torture me. I like to have deadlines, they usually kick my procrastinator butt into at least low gear — but, they do add an element of discomfort. Can you say craft masochist? Why put myself through this rigmarole when I could live in deadline-free luxury? It's the people. I love this silly craft community. Hi, my name is Michelle, and I have online friends. I enjoy sending a little handmade love into the world. It just takes me for friggin' ever!

So, Emily #1: is your heart set on a chicken pincushion? Can I make something else? Another style of pincushion? A mini quilt? A stack of vintage scraps, like the one in this photo — the one I'm sending to Emily #2? Oh, the guilt.

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Kitchen Imp: Batik Doll

This was the prototype for the fabric swap. I only dyed one color (blue) and then drew on the black parts. I sewed across the top of each leg so that she can sit comfortably on the kitchen shelves.

Fabric Swap Contribution: Sew-Your-Own Dolls

red1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


beths
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


alice
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


gnome
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Finally, I'm back online — our network was down — feels like forever, but I think it was only a week. Isn't it amazing how much you can get done when that happens?

These are a few of the fat quarters that I hand-printed for Bethany's swap. They're supposed to be sew-your-own dolls. I was inspired by a batik doll that I saw in a 70s kid craft book. I'll try to find it and scan it, but you know how that goes.

First, I needed a crash course in batik. Thanks, Sara. I think I called her twenty times that first day, when she loaned me her supplies. Then, I needed my own supplies. Thanks, Dharma Trading Co. Their stuff only took one day to get to me UPS Ground.

Several 1 a.m. nights and a week later I had eight sew-your-own dolls. They definitely have a bit of a creepiness that I'm digging. Finally, I got my dreary element I've been searching for in my craft. Who knew I'd find it with batik. I used some fabric pens to draw details and felt like I was cheating.

The top photo is Little Red Riding Hood. The second one I made specifically for Beth because she's got a collection of show-your-guts dolls. The third is a Franken-alice of sorts. She was born with a black eye. And, lastly, a gnome. Could have seen that one coming. I'm keeping him and have already sewn him up. I'll try to get photos of that, too, as well as the prototype. More photos over at Flickr.

I forgot to mention that I was a bit creeped out by the warnings on all the dyes, chemicals, and soaps that I used for this project and will be soon following in the footsteps of two inspirational natural dyers, Simmy and Siri. In addition to plant matter I think I'll delve into the world of mushroom dyeing, which I've been itching to do ever since I found some dyers polypore. I love it when craft interests collide — mushrooms and dyeing, sigh.

So much to do, so little time.

P.S. Even though I always turn up as Snape when I do those online quiz things, I really want to be Mrs. Weasley when I grow up. Sorry, Frick.

Mini Quilt Swap With Jules Knoblock

Mini Quilt, by Me
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Treehouse Quilt by Julie Knoblock
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Here, finally, is the unveiling of the little bird quilt that I made for a swap with Julie Knoblock. Many moons ago, Jules wrote a post about being inspired by one of my mini quilts. Since I admired her work, I suggested a swap — Jules enthusiastically agreed. I think that was about seven or eight months ago. Yes, I am the world's slowest swapper.

Jules was far more timely, and quickly sent this treehouse-themed beauty. I love it! The colors and motifs really fit our life: dog, flowers, mushrooms, and that awesome treehouse. Now, if I could just get it framed, I will hang it on this wall of our bedroom.

Julie and I were both inspired by Amy and her wonderful small quilts. A double congratulations to Amy on her book and her baby!

More details of my quilt over at my Fabric & Felt set at Flickr.

Sneak Peek: A mini quilt for Julie Knoblock

mini_quilt_jk
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I truly am the slowest swapper ever. Just ask Samantha, Tricia, Alice (not technically a swap, but I did promise that I'd mail her some craft supplies, which took me about five months to do), and now Julie. I don't even want to look back and see how long it's been since Julie and I started talk about this mini quilt swap. I've been enjoying hers now for at least a couple of months. This here is a little sneak peak at the one I'm making for her. It's almost done! Part of my delay is that I started a different one and couldn't get anywhere with it. Finally I gave up on it and made a new one in less than a week. I like how it's turning out. Soon Julie, soon.

P.S. Check out Julie's interactive painting project. You get to help art direct a painting.

Swap-a-roo and other mail, too

bird_atc
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Finally got my bird ATCs into the mail for a swap that the lovely Kristin has organized — looks like lots of good company. While I was at it I also mailed a little something to Claire and Renata. Phew! Man it takes a lot for me to package things up and ship them out with the kidlets around. Who am I kidding — I never liked to post things even before kids. Next up is a mini quilt swap with Jules, which I'm really looking forward to.

For the bird swap I painted six paintings of the same composition and color. I've never done an exercise like that before. I was thinking a lot about Diana from One Blackbird while painting. I just love her scratchy drawing in clay.

Needlebook from Needlebook

from_needlebook
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

My first and second swaps, shown together here, are both from Claire at Needlebook. The spotted mushroom needlebook was a complete surprise, as I was expecting a fabric swap only. Claire knew from reading my blog that I love those mushrooms and put that together on her own accord. Thanks so much Claire! Now for me to get your fabric swap goodies into the mail.