Some goodies for a swap...

So I am part of a flickr swap called {Urban} Home Goods - A Modern Swap. We were all blindly paired up with another person who gave us some guidance on favorite colors and items desired and then tasked to make them something that they would love. I decided to go with three things, the bird photo in the bottom, is a sneak peak at one of the items, one item only the fabric has been cut and no stitches sewn, and then the third item was finished last night. All three projects will be completed by weekend end and sent off on Monday.

I don't love following patterns, for anything, which I guess explains my aversion to making clothes. So for the sewing kit, as I am calling it, I just created my own pattern. I made the original (which I will take a photo of and post tonight) of this about a year ago with some Heather Ross Blue Gnome fabric, which I love! There were major flaws in the original, mainly that it was super flimsy!! So for this one, I used some Home Dec. weight fabric (Joel Dewberry) as well as some interfacing to give it a little bit more structure, and I think it worked out really well. I really liked making this one, and the one that's in progress (for myself) and they didn't really take too long. Maybe I finally found my etsy niche. I guess if I am going to make a lot more of them than I need to actually make a pattern, instead of winging it every time.

Also I got a new camera (Nikon D5000 and 3 lenses) and as you can see by the photos, I am still learning the ins and outs of it, but I love it already and can't wait to take it to Hawaii with me. I have only practiced with it twice and both times it was after dark in our fairly dimly lit apartment, so I think I need to do some outdoor shots. Also a shoutout to my friend Emily for giving me a lot of good advice on the camera (and lenses) and websites for more advice. I need to make a camera strap that suits me better than the boring black one, and I think I might take a photography class this summer at Santa Monica College.