I signed up to the Summer 2011 Handmade Gift Exchange and exchanged a couple of emails with my partner who seems to have similar interests to me. I’ve been meaning to make something from Scandinavian Stitches for a while, the book is full of amazing projects, and I put my own spin on the birds mini art quilt. I got to use my favourite bondaweb for the bird applique (which I finally feel I’ve mastered) although missed out the quilting as I didn’t want to ruin the quilt top! I also got to try some freehand machine stitching on my…
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I love fabric and was pleased to receive a parcel from Ali as part of the Very Berry Scrap Swap. Fabric, embroidery thread, ceramic buttons and an essential bar of chocolate – thanks Ali! I also put together a little parcel for my partner. I haven’t heard from her but I hope she got it. I even popped in one of my lovely new business cards – which I hope you agree looks very professional! I love participating in swaps, especially fabric swaps. They’re a great way to diversify your fabric stash, especially if you love patchwork as much as…
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I’m excited as I’ve signed up for an International Craft Swap, hosted by Zoe to keep my crafting mojo going. The ‘rules’ are simple – there isn’t a price limit, or a time limit, to what you make. Make it with love and they will love it. Be as generous as you can, the point of this is to put a smile on a stranger’s face, but don’t put yourself out. Try to use materials you already have in your stash, and maybe even do a little de-stash to send to your recipient! Basically I have 6 months to create…
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I’m trying to collect a range of fabrics so I don’t just have Cath Kidston fabrics. With this is mind I recently signed up for a Scrappy Fabric swap over at Very Berry Handmade. I sent off a pack of scraps to my partner Nikki (which I hope she liked) and received a little parcel from Teresa at A Time for Stitching. I love getting mail and this packet was no exception as it was stuffed full of lovely fabrics. Teresa also included some vintage buttons which will be great for my stash. My next project is a mug rug…
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As part of my Day Zero challenge I’m aiming to take part in at least one swap a month. So in the run up to Christmas I signed up for a couple of Christmas swaps. First up was the Blogger’s Secret Santa organised by Leanne where I received a copy of Cath Kidston’s Sew! from Helen. It’s full of beautiful projects to make (some of which will probably end up as birthday and Christmas presents). I sent a Moleskine recipe journal to Domestic Goddesque. Then I joined up for the Secret Christmas Ornament Swap organised by Denise and I received…
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I was busy sewing, sewing, sewing…. I’ve taken part in a few handmade decoration swaps lately and made these lovely little birds for a garland from my favourite felt sewing book Fa la la la Felt. My partner asked for something red so I hope she likes it. We also managed a shopping trip for some more Christmas presents (see, I told you I was addicted to buying!). Edward now has some new socks, Christmas bibs and adorable suede booties.
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Well it seems some lovely lucky ladies have recently been receiving flowers from a well established florists. Sadly I wasn’t one of them but I did receive a rather lovely bunch of flowers from my hubby as it’s our second wedding anniversary today. I also received this lovely Cath Kidston necklace which I have been coveting for a while. It’s called ‘make do and mend’ and features a mini sewing machine, cotton spool and scissors – I love it! I also received my Secret Post Club parcel – some choc, a lovely shopping bag and some cream!
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I had seen lots of mentions of Heather’s Secret Post Swap in the blog world and as I love swapping I decided to join in the fun. When partners were assigned I had a couple of weeks to cyber stalk my partner and find out what she likes. Cyber stalking felt very wrong but through reading her blog and tweets I managed to find out enough to buy some treats for her and her family. I spent a morning wrapping it up and took Edward for a walk to the post office to send the parcel on its way. I…
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Today I received an exciting parcel from Megan at Maximum Rabbit Designs who was my partner in Claire’s Pincushion Swap. Megan likes buttons, felt and all things vintage as much as I do 🙂 The parcel was beautifully contained in a round box, decorated with button stamps and plenty of space for a photograph – no guesses for whose picture I will be putting in there! The pincushion has been made from vintage fabric embroidered with flowers. Megan also included some vintage buttons, threads and some of her ‘button’ cotton reel stamps. I can’t wait to try it out for…