The Artful Dodger

Spring Poochie Bags

You can never have too many Pooch ie bags.  They are just the right size for small projects or a couple of books or your lunch.  This one is in a spring theme and is covered with dandelions.  It is made from a tutorial here: http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=368  Though I've made so many I think I could make them strictly from memory now.  I'm happy to keep swapping them on swap-bot.com.

Crocheted Dishcloths

I have gotten a little crocheting in.  I took part in a swap for a crocheted dishcloth in yellow, or shades thereof.  I also sent along the fat little one on the left, which would probably serve better as a hot pad.  They're both made of worsted weight cotton with a G hook.

Easter Egg Mug Rug

Another Mug Rug for a swap, this time in an Easter theme.  Mine had a bit of a bump on one side, but we can't all be perfect.  It's from a tutorial here:  http://www.thesplitstitch.com/2011/04/spring-time-eggstravaganza-stripey-egg.html.  I stamped the bunny on the back, but it looks like I need to get some new black dye ink.  It came out a bit faded.  But it was fun to make and I might make some as gifts next year.

Black & White Christmas Ornaments

I enjoyed making the fabric house so much, when challenged with making 2 black and white Christmas ornaments for a swap, I thought it would translate well.  And it did, as far as I'm concerned.

Purple Mug Rug

There was a flurry of swaps for Mug Rugs, something I'd never heard of before.  They are supposed to be big enough to hold your cup and a cookie or two.  I made this one from tidbits in my scrap basket, an old sturdy Easter basket, much more well made than the ones I see for sale nowadays.  The little quilt is about 6" x 9" and was well received by my swap partner.

Animal Themed Fabric House

I took part in a swap that called for a fabric house in an animal theme, so here is my giraffe house with an elephant roof.  It's backed with felt and made from a tutorial here: http://belleandburger.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/home-for-hollydaze-ornament-tutorial.html.   It's about 6 inches high, not counting the hanger.   This was the last in a series of swaps that I missed, but fortunately, a new swap series for fabric houses has been started.  It's fun going through boxes of fabric, buttons and embellishments to find just the right pieces.

Cathedral Window Ornament

I received this beautiful cathedral window Christmas ornament from Michelle in a swap-bot swap.  She made it from a wonderful tutorial here:
http://gogokim.blogspot.com/2011/12/cathedral-window-pin-cushion-tutorial.html   I've made cathedral window pincushions and ornaments, but completely by hand.  This great tutorial shows how to make one by machine sewing, so it should work up faster.  This one is a decent size while my hand sewn ones were a bit too small.  I can't wait to try this tutorial myself.

Apron Quilt Block

This is the 8 1/2 '' quilt block I made for an apron block swap-bot swap.  Usually these kinds of swaps are based on a tutorial someone has published on their blog.  I didn't realize this one came with no instructions. I made this block from scratch.  It has two pockets and a little handkerchief tucked into one of them.  For my first ever self designed pieced block, I'm very happy with the results.  I received a lovely quilt block in return, but I can't put my hands on it just now.  I'll share it with you when it surfaces.

Quilted Potholder for Swap-bot Swap

This potholder was made from a tutorial found here: http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/potholder.pdf.  It isn't a single quilted layer but has two pieces added to the back so you can put your thumb and fingers in the back, fold it over and use it like an oven mitt.  I think I added too much batting, because I couldn't get the binding to wrap over the edges when cut to the width in the tutorial - 1 3/4 inches.  I think I wound up using 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inch binding, doubled over.  It's a good size, about nine inches square.  I plan on making some for myself, but just plain potholders without the extra flaps on the back.

Purple Poochie Bags

 
I have managed to make some Poochie Bags for trades.  Both recipients liked purple, so purple it was.  The tutorial for these bags is available here: http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=368

 

Flower ATC's

 

Here are two flower ATC's I recently made for swap-bot swaps.  The theme of the first one is blue and the other is a Rose for Norway.  I made them days apart and it wasn't until I put them side by side that I realized how similar they are, even to the placement of the gems.  Maybe its just because they both have flowers that I made them so much alike.  I shall have to do something completely different next times.

Halloween ATC's

 

I made these two ATC's (artist trading cards) for a swap-bot swap.  I finally found some use for some self sticking foamies I bought awhile back.  Everybody seems to love Halloween.  My next door neighbor is a major fan and decorates in a big way.  I crocheted a Halloween snake scarf for her a couple of years ago and have been promising myself one.  I have the yarn, I just need to get started.

Christmas Dishcloth

 
I wanted to crochet a Christmas dishcloth for a swap-bot swap so I went to the store to pick up some cotton yarn in Christmas colors.  I was hoping to find some variegated, or at least red, green and white and there wasn't a skein of Christmas anything in sight.  Not a single skein of Christmas green.  So I settled on red and white and made a simple six sided granny square dishcloth.  I love crocheting dishclothes, they're a fast project with almost instant gratification.  The truth is I don't use them myself.  But I appreciate receiving them and have started to build quite a collection. They make great last minute hostess gifts when tied up with a ribbon gathered round something else, like wooden spoons or a jar of some delicacy.

Bug ATC for Swap-bot Swap

 
This is a bug ATC (artist trading card) I made for a swap.  The rules of the swap were that the bug could be any bug other than a butterfly, so I choose a lady bug.  I added a few punched out leaves under the label.

Tag Swap

 
I recently took part in a 'Tag' swap.  I've ever only made a few tags before and none to swap.  I have a Dover book full of old product labels so I started there.  I took 3 manilla tags and removed the hanging string.  I then glued down decorative pieces of paper for backgrounds.  Next I added fibrous tissue paper and then the label, backed by a solid piece of card stock to make them stand out.  I finished off with yarn fibres in the top.  I also made 3 ATCs in the same color schemes (Aqua, Purple and Hot Pink) to go along with them.