Ignore the tomato, look at the sepals

Second Swap Package

I have been a Bad and Neglectful Blogger, and not shown you (yet!) what Kristen Mary sent me in the Flibbertygibbet swap package.

The fabrics were all kitchen related:


But look at the extras! A cute little bag (its reversible as well) with sewing themed material. Just right for a set of scissors, tape measure and a few other little bits and pieces. A badge, and a copy of Adorn magazine. It's really interesting to read, especially as it has a crafter's guide to London.
It's far too long since I had a shopping trip to London, I've been there for theatre trips, and for exhibitions, and even to take the children there for the day. But I haven't been shopping properly for a very very long time. I know Covent Garden still exists (we went to the Transport Museum there), but for all I know Oxford Street vanished in a puff of smoke several years ago.

Everything in the package is lovely; Thank you very much Kristen Mary.

I find the swap thing really interesting: we all had the same brief - 3 strips of 4 inch wide fabric, and yet everyone's parcel was so different.

Edited: to change post title

Meme - from Ferret

A while ago there was an art meme going around: bloggers offered up five pieces of their art, in exchange for a piece of someone else's art. I got a postcard from Kate, and the promise of a piece from Ferret.

Ferret's has arrived: it is a quilt called "Bermuda Triangle North". It's full of brightly coloured pieces, with a black border and binding, and quilted with a feather pattern in variegated thread. It's gorgeous work, and very neat.




I've still not had any takers (but then I haven't actually made anything yet...).

Look Around You - Paper Bags!

Did you know that the decorated paper bags are made from the waste of other types of printing?

The way it works is the pattern that is going to be printed onto the material is put onto paper, but as a mirror image. The paper is laid onto the item to be printed, and ironed (I think): the dye transfers onto the material, leaving a beautifully printed piece of material, and a roll of paper with a faded, but usually quite pretty pattern on it.

These rolls of paper are cut up and turned into paper bags, and used for ... well whatever comes in pretty paper bags. The purchaser never knows that it is actually wrapped in what could otherwise be rubbish.

I am told (I've never done it) that you can open up paper bags and then iron the remains of the dye onto material, printing your own version of the pattern.

I was reminded of this today. Rarely is the origin of the paper bag quite so bltant:


For those interested, the website can be found here. They operate an industrial laundry service. I was a bit disappointed, expecting it to be lavender related.

I tried - and failed - to find a website explaining the details of the paper bag manufacturing process. I did find that there are people who collect airline sick bags. Not only that, but if this hobby appeals to you, he is willing to send you a sick bag starter pack to start off your collection.

Update

Since I last posted, I have made a camp blanket, written two 900 word essays, and visited both the ILs and my mother.

I haven't taken any photos (now it is too dark to take them) to show either the art meme quilt that Ferret sent me, or the swap package from Kristen Mary. Both of them are really nice, and deserve some good photography.

I haven't taken a photo of the camp blanket either, because the sewing wasn't up to standard. But it is good enough to keep you warm at a camp fire, and to make you think of home when in a tent.