My inbox is bulging at the seams!

Thank you all for signing up! I am working through the inbox as quickly as I can. This last week was VERY busy for me and I didn't get a chance to post all the swappers names. I promise to get them up later today. I may not get a chance to reply to every entry, but just look for your name on the swappers list.

It seems that 4 swappers from the Pleated Beauty Bag swap did not receive bags. These ladies made beautiful bags for their partners, but did not get a bag in return. If you would like to be a "bag angel" ;) and make a Pleated Beauty Bag for these wonderful and very patient ladies, please send me an e-mail. I'll take the first 4 e-mails I recieve and send you the information you need. Thank you so much for volunteering. I'll make sure you get double good karma points!

Pleated Beauty Bag Slide Show

Here are the images I found when I searched "BTRSswap" and "swap" on the flickr group for Bend-the-Rules Sewing: (Put the cursor/arrow on the photo to reveal the flickr ID)

If you don't see your bag please e-mail a jpeg to jimmydogbrand(at)aol(dot)com. I would like to include all the bags on the slide show.

Did you get it? and Vote for the next project

First, I am so glad everyone is so excited about receiving her bag in the mail. I love mail... I will be compiling the flickr photos and posting all the thumbnails here so we can all easily admire our creations (thanks to the amazing design by Amy Karol).

If you haven't yet, please let me know when you both send and receive your bag. E-mail me at jimmydogbrand (at) aol (dot) com. Even if you have/are sending it out late, let me know so I can forward a note to your target partner.

To keep the momentum going, there is a vote on the side bar to decide the next project. Make your choice and vote by May 23 and I'll open the sign-up for the next swap on May 24.

Thanks again for participating in the swap!

One week to go...

Just a reminder, all bags should be mailed by Saturday, May 3. Many of you are really on the ball and have already sent out your partner's bag...kudos to you! I should be making mine today. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, but I'm working on it.

If you haven't yet, definitely take a look at the Bend-the-Rules Sewing flickr pool. Several bags have been posted recently. What a great source of inspiration and motivation!

Please be sure to send me an e-mail -- jimmydogbrand (at) aol (dot) com -- when you receive your bag. I want to make sure everyone sends and receives in a timely fashion. Be sure to let your sending swap partner know you received your bag. Either send her a note or post a comment on her blog or flickr photo.

My sewing machine is calling...gotta go!

Pleated Beauty Bag Partners are Sent

All the partner info has been sent! You can click on the names in the side bar to see blogs and flickr photos (if available).

If you didnt' receive the info for a swap partner, let me know. Well, check your SPAM folder, then let me know.

Thanks to all of you for joining in on the swap. I can't wait to get sewing!

Swap sign up is closed

Time's up and the swappers are in! I should e-mail you your partner's info in the next few days. I'll put up a post when all the e-mails have been sent.

There are 82 swappers from 5 countries and 29 US states. This kind of blows my mind...way more than I ever expected.

I'd like to remind everyone that (at least in the first edition of Bend the Rules Sewing) the dimensions for the pocket are incorrect. The pocket should be around 10" x 9". I've also read that some of the metric conversions may be incorrect. Please head over to the discussion on the flickr group to find errata and some helpful construction hints.

If you've made the bag before, feel free to add a comment with some advice, tips or tricks. My only mishap: I was really conserned with matching the inside and outside pleatson the top when edge stitching to finish the bag that I forgot to keep the constrasting fabrics matching on the bottom of the bag. You can't see it because it is the bottom of the bag and it's not off too much, but I will pay more attention to the top and bottom seams next time.

Any one else have any tips or tricks?