Invite Your Partner Swap

The fabulos pinkmichk invited me to swap with her in the Invite Your Partner Swap on Craftster WAAAAY back in July.  I posted only a few photos of the amazing things she sent to me on Monday since the pictures I took way back when seem to have disappeared... 

Here are the things that I sent to her...

A crayon roll that I made for her son

 

A few sets of note cards cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  I quite like how the top three turned out.

 

A beaded Kumihimo bracelet done in pinks which is her favorite color.

 

Two stenciled shirts from some of her favorite fandoms. A Harry Potter and Hunger Games mashup and  Doctor Who featuring the tenth Doctor and the TARDIS.

 

Finally a key fob done in what reminded me of a race flag.

 

Since these things were made months ago I don't have links to all the sources but could track them down if anyone is interested.  I know I found the pattern for the Crayon Roll on Skip to My Lou, and the Doctor Who pattern is from a free pumpkin carving pattern I found online somewhere.

12 Days of Christmas

Monday I got to show off all the awesome goodies that I received in the Mini 12 Days of Christmas swap and now I am going to show off the goodies I sent.  My partner super spoiled me and I hope that what I sent was loved even if it wasn't as much as I received.

The first thing I made was a reusable advent calendar.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the design I used on the back.

 

Then I used lots of festive papers to decorate each box.  It was then filled with a few Kisses for each day.

 

I stitched up these mini hoops to be used as ornaments for her tree. 

The pattern is from Kimberly Ouimet on Etsy

 

I have been collecting wine corks to try out some new crafts and decided to make a few ornaments.

 I of course also had to make some jewelry!  I love the way this winter themed cluster pendant turned out.

 

Also a braided Kumihimo bracelet done in Christmas colors.

 

I made this fun felt banner using pre-cut snow flakes and felt circles.  I sewed the snowflakes to the circle by hand then used my sewing machine to get them on the ribbon.  The felt pieces were purchased from Pitterpattery

 

Two fun snowman magnets made from a kit I purchased at Retro Cafe Art Gallery.

 

I stitched up this cute coffee hoop using a free pattern from Wild Olive

 

And of course since note cards are my new favorite thing to make she got a set.  The Thank You cards are my favorite!

 

She had this super cute Santa wreath pinned so I sent that along too.  It's wrapped in yarn and I created the belt with ribbon and the buckle is paper cut with my Silhouette.

 

My partner also had these super cute felt houses pinned.  The Etsy seller actually sells the houses fully assembled.  I messaged her and she was nice enough to sell me a set of unassembled houses that I could put together myself.  These were also purchased from Pitterpattery

 

It's crazy that Christmas is about a week away.  The month has flown by!  I still have lots of Christmas things to share!

Note Cards Cut With the Silhouette Cameo

I joined a swap where you set up your own little store with premade items to sell for points which you can then spend in other peoples shops.  I made up a few different sets of note cards for my shop.  The first set is a  Spring Fling set that features an umbrella, flowers, and the silhouette of a rainy day girl.  I used the sketch pens on the umbrella card to write out Happy Spring.

 

The next set are thank you cards in three designs.

 

These are just note cards that can be used for anything.  I really love the one that says Hello.

 

Finally, another set of everyday cards with coordinating scrapbook paper.  These were sent to a partner in a different swap.

 

I really love how all the cards turned out but unfortunately they weren't very popular in the swap.  So now I have lots of cards to share with others in future swaps or to save and use for myself.  Hmm or maybe I will gift some to family with their Christmas packages???  I have lots of new designs to use so I will keep making cards and will hopefully find a good home for them!

Note Cards Cut With the Silhouette Cameo

I got a Silhoutte Cameo die cutting machine for my birthday a few years ago and for the most part it’s been a rather expensive paperweight.  I am not sure why it has taken me so long to really get down and use this machine since it can do so many different things.  I think because there is a learning curve but Youtube videos and other bloggers’ tutorials have really helped.  I have used it to cut freezer paper for stencils, cut felt, made rubber stamps, and cut some paper designs.  The project that really got me into this machine though is making note cards.  I am a bit addicted now. 

I keep buying different designs and picturing different ways to make the cards.  As with anything else there was a bit of a learning curve.  The first set of cards I made I cut the designs and the actual cards out and tried different methods of piecing everything together.

 As you can see they turned out okay but needed some improvement.

With my next sets I decided to buy blank note cards and envelopes and just cut the designs out and attach them to the cards.  I also decided to try using a spray adhesive to attach all the parts. 

Success!!! These turned out so much cleaner than my first attempts.  I now also have the option to layer different pieces to create my own unique cards using different elements from different designs.  I have two cutting mats and using 12X12 cardstock I cut a bunch of designs out of different colors and then piece things together.

Just about every future swap partner I have is going to be receiving either a set of note cards or one handmade card from me.  Also I don't think I will continue to buy birthday cards when I can just make my own!