The beast that wouldn't die....er, I mean, dry

Well, after it took a good couple more days to dry than I'd expected, the bag is finally fully completed and on its way. Although it's terribly, terribly late, I do think it came out kinda cool. I especially like the colors (if I do say so myself, lol)! I've taken some pics, though I'm not sure my camera does the colors justice (honest, I got lots of compliments whenever I worked on it ;-). Here it is unfelted.

It's a double-thickness of knitpicks Wool of the Andes, with graduating colors. The felted fabric is nice and thick---it should be good to hold a lot of stuff. Not that this matters in a bag, but it's also really warm, I discovered while sewing on the pockets. I'm really thinking of making myself mittens or slippers with the same yarn!

Below are pics of it completely finished, with straps attached, from both sides---it has pockets (slightly different sizes) on both sides. The "scenery" is needle-felted on. If my tote exchange pal doesn't like that stuff, it's generally not that hard to pull the needle-felting off (though I thought it was cute, er, obviously, or I wouldn't have put it on ).

I really enjoyed working on this and am excited about doing another exchange!

I'm the lucky one!!!!

I am the lucky recipient of Miriam's bag!!! Isn't it awesome? It's a funky long shape and is lined with some really cool fabric. I can't wait to use it! Check out all the cool goodies she also sent me. Delicious chocolate (yum!), a very cool yarn magnet that I'll put on my car (my kids are going to die of embarrassment!!! hee hee), a little holder gadget for my sewing or knitting accessories, some Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora that feels heavenly and some Kareoke yarn - I think it might be the same yarn that she made the bag with! Oh and check out the adorable little flowers. One is all loopy - it looks like it might be skinny I-cord that was felted and sewn into a flower - and the other is a lacy flower. Either one will look terrific on the bag depending on my mood.

I am truly doing the happy dance. Thank you so very much, Miriam!!!! And Miriam, your sewing was terrific.

Tote Exchange Weekly Update

I believe there are 17 participants who have not yet received their totes. Please check your email to see the list.

We really want to wrap this exchange up and move on to the next one so please do your best to finish your lovely projects and ship them off!

Soon to Arrive!

Okay, it's a week late, but I swear, it's the coolest thing I have ever knit! I'm worried that it's a bit unusual, but at the same time I think it has some panache. I really hope that my partner likes it. This was one of those projects that had a lot of hills for me to climb.

Guilty Hostess, but Well-intentioned!

Okay, much apologies to my secret purse pal. It's taken much longer than I would have liked to make this project, but I had come across various obstacles along the way that required me to use some limited creativity. Here is my purse - almost near completion!



More details about it can be seen on my blog: Counting Sheep

1st obstacle: I had run out of yarn. I had to improvise by pulling some dark purple yarn from my own stash of Cascade 220 Superwash wool. I know, I know, you're not supposed to use superwash in felted items, but I risked it anyway. I didn't feel like buying another skein just to knit the cast off edge of the ruffles.

2nd obstacle: Felting - After I felted it, it was supposed to be a clutch purse. But when I did the actual felting, it looked.. um... a bit too long lengthwise to me. So I decided to do the next best thing and make it a shoulder bag. On to hunting for a suitable purse handle.

The initial pattern calls for weaving a ribbon through the eyelet holes and leaving it as that. However, I needed a purse handle, too. I didn't like any of the purse handles I saw availabe because most of them were too short. However, after shopping at Joann's ribbon selection to look for an appropriate one, I was inspired by the leather ribbons they had availabe. A purse strap was born...

3rd obstacle: Finishing the purse strap. Should I sew the ends together or find a buckle? The hunt continues today. :)

I hope she will be patient with me. I just don't want to give her a goofy looking bag because that's how it looked like to me initally after I felted it. Heh. :P

To My Secret Pal

To my pal whoever you may be - I just wanted to let you know that I will be traveling for the next two weeks so if you have sent my bag and don't hear from me I don't want you to think I don't appreciate it. There will be someone home getting the mail so it will be safe - I'll just have to wait! Hope everyone is having fun and staying cool!

Gorgeous! Soft! Stuffed with suprises!

Thank you Lisa in CS!!!


Isn't my bag gorgeous? It's just so soft, too! She made it from Cascade 220 and Malabrigo. I love the colors and how they go together. And the button, isn't it divine? Really it's a fabulous bag and I feel just so lucky.



And look what was inside! A mini purse with strap, two sets of stationary, some very cute pencils (Knitting may be habit-forming), A lovely skein of Noro Kujaku, a Yarn Cocktail pattern and recipe, and a lovely note.



And take a good look at this awesome photograph. Isn't it cool! (all the photos are great).



Thanks so much, Lisa! I appreciate all the thought that you put into my bag and package. I really enjoyed your note, too.

Tote Received

My bag arrived yesterday and boy oh boy was the wait ever worth it! The pattern is very similar to the one below, except it is all made in my favorte colors. I think it is just perfect! I have never attempted to tackle enterlac before so I am especially impressed. And the felting.......spectacular! I'll try to get a good photo of it tomorrow and show it off for everyone.

I'd like to give a special thanks to the hostesses of this swap. A great job was done by all and it was super organized with great communication. I look forward to the next event. I already have my bag pattern all picked out and ready to go!

Woohoo what a bag!!

My bag came today all the way from Chrissie in Singapore. Words cannot say how incridebly cool this bag is. She did entrelac in a whole bunch of great colors. The picture doesn't really show them as well as I would like. As if that wasn't good enough, she then button hole stitched some embroidered felt embellishments. As you can see by the picture, it is already loaded with knitting. Thank you soooo much Chrissie! If there was a contest to see who had the best bag, I know I would win hands down!
Sue in OH

Look at the bloomin' bottom of this thing!

But I can't get anything done for looking at the bottom of this thing. Is this not gorgeous! It looks like this bag bloomed.

I got my bag yesterday

And I love it!
It's absolutely lovely and I call it the magic bag because it was full of surprises.
Thank You Judy!

Bag received!

Look, look, a blue-and-green bag! ^^


This morning I brought it from the post office.
I love the colours - light green is my first choice and recently I've started to tend towards blues more and more! ^^, I also receive a home made soap (how did she know I love everything with goat's milk in it?!... ^v^) and the bag postcard.
In fact, it's not the bag Darla knitted for me, but because she has some problems with her right hand and cannot knit right now she didn't want to leave me without a bag in the swap, so she sent me the bag she received from her pal (great job, btw, I love the lining that matches the outside colours!). How generous! ^^
And I've immediately decided to knit a bag for her because the girl cannot be without her bag, right? *^v^*
So, Darla, expect a bag from me some time in August and thank you one more time for your parcel! ^v^

Tote Recipients Listed

Today is the day everyone's bags are supposed to be in the hands of the recipient. I am posting a list of the people that we know have received their bags. If any of you have received your bag and your name is not listed, please please please let us know ASAP. We may have missed that you received your bag. We will be contacting the people who are supposed to be sending the bags very soon. If our list is accurate, only 25% of people have fulfilled their obligation.

I know that some of you have been in touch to say that your bag will be a little late so if we've heard from you, no need to email again.

Name / Nickname	Package Received?
Bonnie D.
Selina (Two-Socks)
Lisa L.
Sharon	yes
Marty
Colette (Colette in MB)
Laurie
Rose
Debra
Ann (knitting kitty)	yes
Judy (Sheep Rustler)
Sherri	yes
Vicki
Evelyn
Miriam
Bonnie K.	yes
Stephanie (Stephknits)	yes
BarBara (jesusismyrock)
Alison R.
Suzanne (IB Appiah)
JudyG.	yes
Tess
Chrissie
Linda	yes
Darla (Darla, just-ducky)
Leena (Leenat)
Wanda	yes
Sue
Joanna (Brahdelt)
Lisa E.
Melanie
Kristen (Kish)
Kim (Kim in NJ)	yes
Allison T.
Karen
Janet

Finished and Kitten Approved!

Hi everyone, i finally finished the bag, and it is kitten apprroved!lol, my kitten found it a very nice napping spot. I am putting it in the mail today and putting it in the express post.

-Jesusismyrock<><

Tote Exchange

I am the lucky recepient of the Tasha Tote bag
that Judy (Sheep Rustler) made. I received it on
Friday and I am totally in love with this bag. She also beads
and made the sweetest brooche that is attached to the bag.
Thanks again Judy. I hope you received an email I sent to you. Sharon

ONE WEEK TO GO!!! And Tote Exchange 2!!

Hard to believe that there is only one week to go until this Tote Exchange is officially over. Most of you have already completed and sent your bags and I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's works of art!

As Allison mentioned a few days ago, you all agreed to have your bag delivered to your partner by JULY 21st - next Friday. That means they should be in the mail by Tuesday at the latest for domestic delivery.

If you have an overseas partner (or you are overseas) and have not yet mailed your bag or if your bag is coming along slower than anticipated and you will not meet the domestic shipping deadline , please email the gmail account ASAP and let us know your progress and an estimated ship date. We want to let your partners know right away so they don't feel like they have been forgotten.

Finally, if life has gotten in the way and you will not be able to fulfill your obligation, please email the gmail account ASAP so we can make sure your partner is taken care of in a timely manner.

Now a little teaser... Kim, Allison and I are going to host a Tote Exchange 2!!! Please don't sign up yet as we will be busy closing down this exchange, however, we wanted to give you a heads up - tell your knitting buddies! We hope you'll all join us again. The next exchange will be similar to this one only shorter (two months from sign-up to delivery.)

Selina was our fourth hostess for this round and she did a great job maintaining the blog. She is not available for the next exchange so we'd like to solicit some help. If anyone is interested in signing up to be our "Blog Mistriss" (isn't that a cool title?), please send an email to the gmail account. The primary duties will include setting up the blog and maintaining it. We only need one person and we ask that they have blogging experience.

Bonnie
toteexchangehostesses@gmail.com

Two more things...

#1 - Remember that now is the time to get your submission together for the the next issue of For the Love of Yarn (and online knit and crochet magazine). If you designed your pattern for this exchange we'd love to publish it! Go to our site (http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com) and click on the submission page on the bottom to find out how you can go about submitting your work. The Fall issue (to come out in October) is a perfect time to get your own bags pattern published (or any other patterns you want to get published)!! If you have any questions on submissions you can email me directly at editor@fortheloveofyarn.com

#2 - I just wanted to let the person who is making a bag for me know that I am leaving on Saturday for a week (heading to the beach) and will not personally get any packages until I get home. However our dog/house watcher will bring all packages in side so they are kept safe and sound until we get home... I just didn't want anyone to worry when I didn't send a thank you note!

:-) AL
http://couldbefun.blogspot.com

Bag completed, mailed, and received!

Well folks I sent my bag off to Linda on Monday and she emailed me today that she got it!! As I told Linda, I joined this exchange right at the beginning of my pregnancy and it was at the time when I was still feeling good. I shopped around for yarns and patterns and I was all ready to make a nice felted bag.

Well then the morning sickness came on (that is all day sickness) and knitting made me sea sick. I always figured that it would go away. Well here I sit at 23+ weeks into my pregnancy and I am still not back to knitting. It doesn't make me that sea sick now (unless I try it in the car) but I am still not up for it. I am tired and it's a lot of effort and concentration that I am not ready for. I know that sounds lame, especially coming from me who never put her needles down before getting pregnant, but what can you do?

Well I was worried at what I was going to do for this Exchange. I was not about to drop out, and I just couldn't get someone else to knit it for me - so I decided to get crafty. I took this GAP wool sweater (child size) and felted it down in the washing machine:


I then cut and sewed it into a bag... but didn't really like the results. So I took the handles back off, and lined the bag with interfacing and some red snowflake fabric:


I then reattached the handles using the fabric with interfacing and D-rings - for a better look, stronger hold, and longer handles.


Linda - the recipient of my tote, wanted a purse big enough for her wallet, keys, cell phone, check book etc... and I think I came through for her!


Isn't it cute??? I just love it! It stands up by itself (I love that) and it's so festive for the winter!! And you don't even have to shovel it!!! It was hard to part with this bag as I just think it's so cute! Lucky for me I have a few more wool sweaters that will be meeting the washing machine soon! Linda - I'm glad you liked it!! Wear it in good health!

Sparta Bag

Here is a picture of the Sparta Bag that I did for my exchange person. I hope it made it to Singapore okay.

Treading Felting Waters

Hoo boy, so here I go to felt my item. It's my first time felting so wish me luck. I had finished my bag a few days ago, but didn't have the time (or at the time, the nerve) to go felt something. However, with the deadline approaching soon, I can't wait anymore if I want to make sure it arrives to my pal on time. :) After that ,maybe dry for a day or so, and then the finishing touches.

Bag Finished

My Felted Ruffle Bag is finally ready to go and will be shipped tomorrow so somone will be getting a surprise in the next few days! Here is a picture of the finished product! I have really enjoyed participating in this exchange and look forward to recieving my bag! Thanks All!!!!!

The END is Near . . .

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to remind you that the end is near! All bags should be delivered to your lucky recipients by July 21st. If you haven't already sent your bag please send an e-mail to us hostesses and let us know when you plan to send it. Thanks to all and I hope you have been enjoying this exchange as much as I have.

Another One Done!!!

Here is the final project. I just finished it up today and am preparing to send it out tomorrow! I had so much fun with this tote exchange. I hope there will be another one coming up!!!

Here is a closeup of the purse. It has 3 seperate compartments inside.

Here it is full length. It isn't a good shot of the color, but you can see the dimensions a bit better.

I am anxious to hear what my partner thinks. I hope she likes it!

I Got My Tote - Happy Day!

I received this tote in the mail from Debra over the Fourth of July weekend. It's great - the blue and green are my favorite colors! And it's just the right size for carrying a knitting project plus a few other essentials. Debra also included some lovely beaded stitch markers that I can't wait to use in my next project. Thanks again Debra, and I hope we meet up on another exchange sometime!

I hope this exchange gets renewed for a second go-round. I had a great time making my bag, and found so many more patterns to try.

Finished bag!

My bag is finished and posted. It worked out well, and I am pleased with it, so I hope its new owner will be too! It turned out a lot roomier than I had feared. It had intended to line it, but decided that I liked the drape of it the way it is, and as it is made from Rowan Denim Knit it can be machine washed and tumble dried over and over again and will fade and get drapier each time, and I thought the lining it might prevent that from happening. 

It's Here--Lucky Me!!!

MANY, many thanks to Annie for the bag she made and sent me. It arrived in yesterday's mail. Wow, can't believe it was for me, particularly because I had seen and coveted it when I saw the photo that had been posted. I really like the button, too. (I am a "girl" who appreciates a good button; button-fussiness is a genetic trait among the "girls" of my family.) I also love all the other goodies that arrived with it: patterns, thyme seed (which is the one herb I forgot to plant), lovely stitch markers (that would make beautiful earrings!) and two skeins of yummy yarn. Here is a photo of the bag in its new home. THANK YOU ANNIE!!

My bag is in the mail

My bag was mailed Thursday. Since it only has to go to TEXAS, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it didn't make it there by Saturday. For sure by Monday at the latest.
I hope my partner is pleased!

Thank you Secret Pal !!

I received a large package addressed to me today in a great big box, boldly addressed to me from Palo Alto. I asked myself, "I don't remember ordering anything", "I don't know anybody in Palo Alto".....then it dawned on me.... this must be my bag!! And WOW, what a treat to open this package and see the amazing bag (that I had read about here in and in this knitter's blog). The orange, blue and purples are my favorites and I love the mitered pattern.

The best treat of all is that Monday is my birthday so this makes for an even more special birthday. The bag came loaded with several individually wrapped gifts which I am waiting until Monday to open for my birthday!

After reading my pal's blog, I see we have other things in common as well and I thank you Allison, in Palo Alto.
From, Judy in Cleveland



Meanwhile, I am making progress on my Lucy Bag, and hope to have it completed and felted this weekend!! It has a long way to travel so I need to get in the mail soon!

Away to Play

I have no idea on this earth who pulled my name but... we're going to be away from July 10-16. (We're off to play at the beach.) Just wanted to mention this in case the bag arrived, say on July 12, and my knitter thought she was being ignored, or my knitter was working fast and furiously when she could actually relax a bit!

On another note, my bag was sent off and, while it has quite a distance to travel, the folks at the local USPS assured me it would arrive at its final destination by July 21. (We'll see...in the meantime I'll keep my fingers crossed.)

Sick computer is better now

sorry I didnot post in June, my computer got sick. I just got it back from the shop. I will be posting a photo soon of the tote I just received from Sharon, my pal!

Don't Worry Alone!

We've mentioned before that there was not a requirement to contact your partner in this exchange, however, now that we're down to the last couple weeks, those who have not heard from their partners are starting to worry that perhaps they've been forgotten. To ease any worries, I'd like to offer that if anyone has not heard from their partner AT ALL and is concerned, we (the hostesses) can contact your partner for confirmation that they are still actively involved. Just send an email to the gmail account and we'll email your partner.

I have communicated with almost all of the 37 members personally and I am confident that no one is going to be ditched. Although I am only speaking for myself when I say that after seeing all the cool bags posted so far, I can't wait to get mine but I bet that's what a lot of you are feeling.

And while I have your attention, let me publicly thank those of you that I've contacted over the last few days for your prompt responses! You have made your partners very happy.

Bonnie

It's on it's way!!

Just got back from the post office. . .my bag & goodies are on their way to their final destination. According to the mail clerk they should arrive by Thursday so someone's mailbox will have a white box from Georgia in it!!!

This was lots of fun---thanks for inviting me to play!!!

Yeah I'm done!

I have finally finished my bag and it is felted and ready to go. Now I just need to find the right box and will be shipping it off to my secret pal. More photos can be found on my blog www.resipsaknit.blogspot.com So if you haven't received your bag yet - watch your mail box and you may get a surprise shortly. This was a lot of fun to make and I sure hope my pal likes it. It has also been fun to watch as the photos of the finished bags are being posted. Thanks for the photos everyone! Happy 4th of July!

Tote Exchange

In the care of UPS

As of June 30th, my pals tote is in the hands of the UPS man, and he's mighty fine:-) Anyway Ms. Bonnie....be on the lookout. They got your address and your phone number.....
Its been fun and its been real.....real fun. Thanks for sharing of this group.