12 Days of Christmas Swap

Tags

festive season, Happy Holidays, Holiday Swap, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016

The ladies in South Africa were planning a local swap, for the 12 days of Christmas.  I asked to join in and was so happy to still be in time for the swap and the buddy draw.

What fun! 12 little gifts, one to open each day before Christmas.  It is the best fun to be able to get gifts for your buddy,  as you don’t have to keep to just one or two.  You can knit and create and make a whole 12 off.

Some of the items I bought, and shopped around for, and some I got to make specially for her.  She had hinted for a teacozy for her teapot, and while I was at it, I  also made teamug warmers and coffee warmers.  The stitchmarkers was just as much fun to make, I could play around so nicely.

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Blues Swap Package 2Blanket Progress

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

In return I received this stunning box of packages all the way from Melkbosstrand in SA, thanks to the very talented Pinkhairgirl.  Yes, she really has the brightest and colourful pink hair.  She excelled at stalking and surprised me each day with something that meant the world to me.  Even Miekie got in on the action, and was spoiled with doggie treats and a bandana.  Just look how cute she looked during the holidays.

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

I loved the soap and shell I received, it is very special, and off course, a stunning mug and tea. This mug features all my loves in one.  My favourite colour, my favourite season, and snow, and sheep.  You just can not ask for more.  It has been used a LOT this holidays.

Finland Swap

Tags

chocolates, fingerless mittens, finland, mittens, Moomin, needle case, socks, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016, treats, yarn

Earlier in the year, I got the opportunity to swap with a buddy all the way in stunning Finland.  And what a super swap it was.

My package quickly made its way to Birgit in Finland.  I made socks for her, and they were the perfect fit.

Then the wait began.  By now you all know that my post here can be slow at times, and once again it seems to have been the case.  The darling Birgit was really worried, but I assured her all the time not to worry, it will arrive eventually.

And it did.  Unfortunately by the time the package arrived, Birgit had already sent a second package and they both arrived at the same time.

I was so very happy to receive these stunning gifts and goodies.  Gorgeous socks, my favourite yellow mittens, and a stunning pair of fingerless mittens, with beads and lace detail.  So pretty, I am looking forward to winter to show them all off.

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

I got yarn, that I have already caked, stitch markers, a Moomin tin, chocolates, stationery and a notebook, the cutest needle holder, so much to mention.

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Love from Finland

Yes, I have already caked the yarn and will be looking for a pretty idea soon to knit myself a pretty something with real handdyed yarn from Finland.

12 Days of Christmas

Tags

12 days of christmas, Gifts, goodies, Happy Holidays, Holiday Swap, Holidays, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016

Santa came early.  My package for the 12 Days of Christmas swap has arrived, and I am super excited.

It is so much fun digging in the packaging snow, finding the packages.  Some really feel very interesting. I can not wait for the 13th when I get to open the first one.

My package is all the way from Melkbosstrand (Western Cape, South Africa) put together by the very interesting and very talented Sally Jane.  We all know her as the girl with the pink hair, and you can see what she and her family get up to here.  She has a wonderful podcast that is just amazing to watch.  Pop on over and enjoy.

Thank you so much Sally Jane, I am going to try very hard to be very good and open them on the 12 Days of Christmas, and only one per day.

🙂

 

 

The last swap for the year

Tags

12 days of christmas, festive, festive season, Gifts, goodies, Happy Holidays, Holidays, swap, swap package, swaps, swaps2016

The year has started to draw to a close.  It is Festive Season all around.  The shops are full of happy shoppers and lights and sounds and gifts.

And so it is time to start getting ready for our Happy Holidays.

This is the last swap for the year that I am sending out.  (I will be showing you what I sent out a bit later, and also what I got in return.)

For this swap, we are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas, and you get to make up 12 small gifts for your swap buddy, and then on the 12 Days of Christmas you get to open a little gift each day.  I was thinking of numbering them, but then decided against it.  My swap buddy can shake them and squeeze them and sniff them if she wants to, and then pick a package each day.  🙂  I can not wait to see what she thinks when its time to start opening these, and I really had fun making some of the items, and shopping for the others.

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

Swap Package 2

#Stitching Santa 2016

Tags

#stitchingsanta, Holiday Swap, Santa, Secret Santa, stitching santa, stitching santa 2016, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016

It is nearly December!!   And Stitching Santa time again!

 

The good news is that I am again taking part in the #Stitchingsanta swap for 2016.  This lovely swap is organized by the very talented Sheila of Sewchet.  This is the third year of the swap, however only my second.  I had so much fun last year putting together a package for a friend (it just happened to be Sheila herself) and then receiving a package from MollieandClaire, a blogger I was already following and loving her blog.  Just today a colleague again commented on the pretty crocheted coasters on my desk.  (they were part of my gifts from Claire last year, and I have them on my desk to cheer me up each day.)

So I received my swap buddy a short while ago, and I immediately started stalking her.  What an amazing and interesting person she is.  I spent hours and days going over her blog to see what she is getting up to.  So much fun.  Then I had a pretty long list of ideas, and unfortunately had to cross some of the ideas off, as not everything I had in mind would be allowed via mail or customs.  🙂

I have already done my shopping.  I am including some of the favourite treats to share with her as well.  I did a little bit of sewing for her, I did not want to attempt a knitted project, as I want to get my package out well in time in order to get it winging its way across the big blue seas to her and arrive in time for Christmas.

Secret Santa Swap 2016

Secret Santa Swap 2016

Safe travels little South African Package!

Swap update

Tags

African Expressions, bag, beads, buttons, handmade buttons, project bags, ribbons, socks, south africa, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016, yarn

The package I sent to Finland, made it safely.

I am happy that the socks I knitted for her, fits just right.  Now I can reveal the goodies.

I knitted these socks for her, in one of her favourite colours. And I included a SA handmade batik project bag for small projects.  African Expressions yarn, it is lovely and soft and knits up so well. Sweets and treats that are some of my favourites, and a handful of knitting goodies and notions, including stitch markers that I made myself.

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

 

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

 

I have been knitting on goodies for another swap, and so my sweater and blanket has been slow going.  I will show the swap gifts a bit later, it is for a local SA swap, and I should be sending out very soon.

Also working on the #stitchingsanta swap package, and until that package has arrived safely at its new home, it will have to remain a secret until Christmas.  🙂

Soon I will be back to my sweater and blanket.

#stitchingsanta 2016

Tags

#stitchingsanta, stitching santa, stitching santa 2016, swaps, swaps2016

Yay, it is #stitchingsanta time again.

Sewchet is again hosting this fabulous swap.  I did the swap last year, and got to put a very nice package together to surprise my swap friend.  And I received the most wonderful package from a super swap friend, that I have already gotten to know via her blog.  It was like having a sister visit, and bring lots of gifts along too.

Today I got the details of my swap friend for this year.  Wow, what an amazing surprise.  I am already stalking her, just ever so slightly, and am fascinated.  So interesting to learn about someone I do not know yet.  I can already tell that I am going to enjoy getting her little gifts and goodies.

I will share more of the gifts and goodies and surprises as I put my package together, but alas, it may be mere snippets, as I don’t want to ruin the surprise until she gets my package.

 

 

Completed winter projects

Tags

alpaca, cowl, crochet, Handmake, Knitting, scarf, Shawl, swap goodies, swaps, winter, yarns

With the weather suddenly warming (literally overnight) to the late 20’s here in Johannesburg, I think I finished the warmer knitting just in time.

I finished knitting my grey Alpaca Wrap, and even got some cute labels and a tiny ceramic flower to add to it.

It turned out beautifully.  I may keep it around during Spring and Summer even, as we may just have a cool evening so such that I can drape it around me to snuggle up nice and cosy.

Grey Alpaca Wrap

Grey Alpaca Wrap

Grey Alpaca Wrap

These two wrap scarves knitted up in a matter of days.  The yarn is amazingly soft and light.  If we have another chilly day or two, they will be perfect.

Wrap Scarf

Wrap Scarf

I also received a beautiful package all the way from Slovenia.  In the package was awesome treats and goodies, including very fine crocheted earrings.  So delicate.  I got Slovenian knitting yarn, and the finest crochet cotton I have seen in a very long time.  These I have to try, but I will be looking for a very special pattern.

Package Gifts and Goodies from Slovenia

Package Gifts and Goodies from Slovenia

Package Gifts and Goodies from Slovenia

The doily is already in use in my kitchen, it is perfect, and adds a gorgeous splash of summer sun and colour.