Patient? Not So Much...

Have I ever mentioned on the blog that I'm not a very patient person sometimes?  I think I have, but just in case, I'll say it again.  I'm not a very patient person.  Unless I HAVE to be.  Such is the case with any swap I participate in.  Don't get me wrong, I love being a part of them, and I love the anticipation of waiting for a package and then opening it once it has arrived.  It's so fun to open something knowing it was put together especially for you!  I encourage everyone to try it at least once.

Okay, back to the point...the nature of the swap is that it's a secret who you're making things for, as well as what goodies you choose to include in the package.  So when I'm knitting or making items, it kills me to have to keep it a secret until the recipient gets her package!!  That's why I like to share teaser photos...I don't get so antsy waiting to share.

And this time around, since my swap partner was Mel (womaninashoe) and she organizes the swaps, she knew I had her name.  So I REALLY couldn't share a lot of information!!!  Anywho - she has now received her package and I can share all the goodies.  Today I'm only going to expand upon the sewn items I included.  Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have the chance to post more about the swap.

I have been itching to sew more items.  But every time I think I will, I get caught up in knitting.  I don't really mind, though.  This swap gave me the opportunity to focus on sewing.  I even had the time to sew 2 items! :)  The first, was a project bag...well more of a notions bag to include in a project bag really.  I don't think it could hold very much by way of yarn and a project unless it was REALLY small. 

I used some light offwhite fabric with a very springtime feel to it.  Little blue birds danced around this little bag.  I love this fabric.  It says "delicate" to me.  It's a simple, lined drawstring pouch. 

The second item was a mini needle case.  Just enough room to hold a few needles/dpns, circs, interchangeables and their cables - whatever you'd like to include in your project bag without having to tote ALL your needles along.  And they're kept safe and secure. 

This was my first time making a needle case and now I can't wait to make my own.  The exact dimensions escape me at the moment, but it's something like 6" x 10" or something like that. 

The case snaps closed with a pearl snap.  This flap also acts to keep all the needles tucked safely away inside.

There are 3 lined pockets about 6" deep to store needles of any sort (w/in reason).  There is also one larger pocket below to hold circs, interchangeable cables, a small pair of scissors, anything like that.  It is also just deep enough to hold KnitPicks tips. 

I chose the fabric to compliment the swap theme of Springtime in Paris.  This fabric shows a "cityscape" of several different famous monuments and locations, including......you guessed it....the Eiffel Tower. :)  (it also included the Statute of Liberty, Big Ben, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (I think...) along with several others)

All the pockets are lined and I used a double layer of interfacing so that needle points don't poke out and the needles are sure to be supported and secure.  I considered adding batting, but I wanted it to be slim and trim, and I thought that might add too much bulk.

I hope Mel gets some use out of the case.  It was my favorite item in the entire swap package.  I was SOO tempted to keep it for myself.  :) But now I've done it once, so I can do it again! :)