Handmade Stocking Stuffer SWAP CHALLENGE!

I love swaps, I love handmade stocking stuffers and I love a good competition! Here it is, all in one shot; I'm hosting a swap on Swap-Bot and it's going to be awesome.

SWAP: A perfect Holiday swap! Send your partner 6 HANDMADE (by you or someone else) items for their stocking. Only send things that your partner likes (check their profile) or that you would be happy to receive. Ideas below.

WIN THE CHALLENGE: This isn't just a swap, it's a challenge! Post what you're mailing to your partner on your blog or Flikr account. I'll chose the best package and send the winner a little gift!

OPEN TO:
Residents of US & Canada,
Swap-Bot users with a rating of 4.5 and higher,
Newbies with a current blog and well filled out profile only.

IDEAS:  Magnets, Coasters, Slippers, Mittens, Scarf, Hat, Jewelry, Candy, Cufflinks, Socks, Bath/Body products, Pincushion, Stationary, Notebooks, Reusable bags and the list goes on. Check out Martha Stewart, Pintrest, Tip Junkie and other crafty sites for fun, unique ideas. MUST BE HANDMADE.

You can sign up on the Swap-Bot website. Spread the word!

New Look for the Blog!

Now that I have a logo, I am working on my branding. Of course....this means a new look for Tutorial Adventures!

I finally figured out how to put text onto my banner.
First: Copy your banner and paste it in powerpoint.
Next: Add a text box and type in your text.
Then: Hold command while clicking on the textbox and image. Right click. Choose: Grouping>Group
Lastly: Right click: Save as Picture>jpg

Voila!

I also have a new Flikr Account and Facebook Page. I still can't bring myself to open a Twitter account...

I received a few new stamps in the mail today, and am looking forward to making a new matching game. That's one thing I can do with a bum shoulder. Happily, it's starting to heal, so I'm hoping next week I will be able to whip up a few black and orange gnome sets. Etsy loves black and orange in the Fall!

One more mention...I got my gift this week from my Crafty Goodness Swap Partner. She didn't send any info, so I all can do is shout into cyberspace and hope she hears...
"THANKS KAITLYN!"

Aqua and Avocado Swap Gift!

Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly hosted a vintage swap for all things Aqua and Avocado.  And I just got my package in the mail! I feel very spoiled!

My partner is fellow Canadian and Etsian Danielle Todd. You can find her work here -and FYI her prices are great!


Just look at all this loot! A necklace, bath sponge, fabric (well...actually a table runner, but to a sewer everything is fabric), buttons, recipe cards (I'm always out!) and my favorites: an awesome little casserole dish and coffee cup cuff.

I am wishing that I had tucked a few handmade things in as well, but knowing that she sews, I couldn't resist the piles of aqua and avocado linens that I found!


Thanks Danielle! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!

My craft swap gift is ready to send!

I am SO excited to be a part of Callie's craft swap over at The Magical Bean. It's my first swap, and I can't wait to send the gift to my partner sometime next week. I crocheted her a neck warmer with two strands of bulky yarn and a #12 crochet hook. I am including a choice of 2 different brooches to close it with.

It turned out to be so soft and cozy, and I love how the brooches turned out. The flower was based on a Martha tutorial. It was simple, but took a little fiddling to glue it all nicely in place. I also wished I would have had a bit more than 1 yard of lace on hand. Although it turned out to be a nice size, I would have liked to have the option of making it bigger. The other brooch is made from a wooden circle. I stamped it with a stamp from my Yellow Owl Workshop Cityscape Stamp Set. I love how it all turned out and hope it suits my partner!