#Stitchingsanta2017 Reveal

Tags

#stitchingsanta, cross stitching, Gifts, goodies, new zealand, project bag, project bags, stitch markers, stitching santa 2017, swap goodies, swaps, yarn

After my return from vacation, I also received my beautiful package in the #Stitchingsanta2017 Swap, that was all coordinated by the lovely Sheila (Sewchet)

I am always amazed at just how well people can get to know a person by reading a person’s blog.  🙂  I had loads of fun putting together my swap buddy’s package, and making things for her. I always love to hear about their surprise when they receive a package from my part of the world.

It is even more fun receiving a package with foreign stamps and packaging.  🙂  This year my package came from way “down under” and across the big pond.  Yes, all the way from Australia.  The lovely Emma of emmacraftdesign surprised me!

A really fun package to open!  I received yarn that has possum fur in, how amazing is that.  And the cutest project bag, just look at that little critter. And stitch markers, with a little marker that she made herself, that looks just like Miekie!

Stitching Santa 2017

Stitching Santa 2017

Stitching Santa 2017

She also crocheted my the cutest small Manta Ray, that I fell in love with immediately.  I have put the little ray in my car so I can have it around all the time.  I fell in love with Mantarays while on vacation in Cape Town and visited the Two Oceans Aquarium, where I spent hours watching them as they glided over my head in their huge tank.

Manta Ray in Cape Town

Stitching Santa 2017

Emma also sent me a small cross stitch kit, that was just the right size for me to kick off 2018.  🙂  My first project for this year!

Stitching Santa 2017

Stitching Santa 2017

Thank you Sheila and Emma for a wonderful swap.

 

#SAFestiveswap reveal

Tags

#SAfestiveswap2017, crochet, Gifts, goodies, lace yarn, mini skeins, notebook, project bag, scissors, snacks, stitch markers, swap, swaps, tea, treats, yarn, yarns

After a lovely long vacation, visiting Cape Town and a game lodge in the far north-eastern parts of my country, I am slowly getting back to my normal routine.

I had the most wonderful Christmas time with family, and we got to spend the day in the sun and enjoying the very warm weather.  The cool water in the pool made all the difference.

But of course, December is Christmas swap time.  I did a local swap, the #SAFestiveswap and got the most gorgeous package from Nicole (Divine Designs Crochet)  🙂  She knows how to spoil someone.

SA Festive Swap 2017

I got beautiful lace yarn, and sparkly crochet cotton, mini skeins, a notebook and pretty butterflies  (that I am already using) teas, bathsalts, treats, scissors, stitchmarkets, handmade decorations, a project baggie, and Miekie got her favourite treats too.  I even got colouring in sheets, that I am taking to work for those times when I need to focus on something else.

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

SA Festive Swap 2017

#Stitchingsanta2017

Tags

Gifts, goodies, Handmade Bears, stitching santa, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps 2017

My Stitchingsanta2017 goodies are all wrapped up and have left, winging its way across the big pond to its new home.

I hope I am sending early enough, as I don’t want it to be late.  🙂

Here are some of the goodies I packed, since I am pretty sure she would not know it is for her, and its still a secret to where my package is heading.

The bamboo item is similar to a needle holder, but from bamboo, as she is a very talented artist and I made it from bamboo for her to store some of her precious and special brushes in it.  I hope she likes it.

Stitchingsanta2017

Stitchingsanta2017

For the rest of the goodies I will let my buddy receive and reveal all.

Happy holidays to all.  🙂

#SAFestiveswap2017

Tags

#SAfestiveswap2017, Gifts, goodies, swap, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2017

My package to my swap buddy in the #SAFestiveswap2017 is heading out and on its way to its new home.

Since it is a surprise and only I know whom it is for, here is a little preview of the goodies I packed.

SAFestiveswap2017

Happy Holidays to you all.

 

#Stitchingsanta 2017

Tags

coasters, crochet, Gifts, goodies, handknitting, handmade, Knitting, mugrugs, sewing, Stitching, stitching santa 2017, surprise, swap goodies

I am happy to say that we Finally had a rainy day.  It rained beautifully for most of the day on Saturday.  I loved the rain, as we desperately need it.

It also meant I got to get crafting and hibernate.

I worked on my #stitchingsanta2017 partner goodies.  I am not good at sewing, but gave it a try and made some mug mats.  In bright and cheerful colours.  I also made a few crocheted coasters.

Stitching Santa 2017

And I still have some goodies that is not finished yet.  More to follow soon.

Stitching Santa 2017

I did some wool shopping as well.  I may keep those as a surprise.

Last swap for 2017

Tags

#SAfestiveswap2017, local swaps, lovelocal, swap, swaps

Just joined my last swap for 2017.  How awesome.  A local to SA swap for the Festive Season.

Looking forward to spoiling a swap buddy with some festive cheer.

 

That time of the year! #stitchingsanta 2017 time!

Tags

#stitchingsanta, stitching santa, stitching santa 2017, swap, swaps, swaps 2017, swaps2017

Looking at the calendar this morning, I realized that I have less than 8 weeks to work before I break for the Summer Holidays.  And I wondered where the year has gone!

But at the same time, it is #stitchingsanta time already too.

This is one of my most loved swap to do each year.

The very talented Sheila at Sewchet arranges this awesome swap.  As always I am looking forward to this years swap too.  I met the most interesting lady last year via the swap, and we have kept in contact since.

I can not wait to see my possible swap partner will be, I have already got a few possible ideas of goodies to make.  🙂

Spring Time.

Tags

African Expressions, Bryanston Organic Market, christmas, colourspun, colourspun yarns, early christmas decorations, furry children treats, Gourmet coffee, Grandiflora, Heritage 2017, Heritage day, Heritage day swap, Home made ice cream, lace yarn, Market stalls, moya, Moya cotton yarns, Moya yarns, ombre kits, ombre yarns, petfriendly, sock yarn, south africa, south african yarn, stitch markers, XMas, yarn cakes

It has been September, and a beautiful Spring.  The temperatures got warmer.  Much warmer than I would have expected.  Some days actually felt a lot more like Summer, and we had a odd day or two with temps as high as 30 degrees C.  We did have a few chilly morning starts as well, and with the weekend around the corner, we woke up this morning to a beautiful foggy day.

We celebrated our Heritage this month, and swapped packages.  I can now happily show off the goodies I sent to my buddy, and the amazing goodies (all SA) I got from a visiting German lady.  She loved the Heritage swap just as much as us all.  I sent my buddy mini skeins, stitch markers, dutch biscuits, coffee, fudge and treats.  And since she also has a furry baby, Miekie shared her best loved snacks too.

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

I got stunning yarn and mini skeins.  And my buddy even caked my yarn for me already.  🙂  It is on the worktable, I pet it every day.  And delicious coffee, and the cutest little tin with stitch markers too.  I popped the tin right into my current project bag, just in case.  Miekie got tiny treats, which is perfect for an older doggie with only a few teeth left.

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

Heritage Day Swap

 

I finally made my way to the Bryanston Organic Market.  I have been planning to go for a while, and each time something seems to happen and I don’t get around to this specific market.  It is not as close to my home as the others we normally visit.  What makes this one extra special, is that I could take Miekie along.  She loved it and got so very dusty and dirty.  It was a very hot Saturday, and not much of a breeze though.  The market has bowls of fresh water all around for the furry children to drink from.  Miekie rather enjoyed the home made ice creams more.

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

And Miekie and I got to meet the very talented Dana from Colourspun, who has a stall at the market.  I had a hard time deciding on what I want to get first, and settled for some soft summery colours in stunning sock yarn.  And a skein of beautiful lace yarn, just in case.  Dana also has the cutest selection of kits, including all kinds of pretty little animals, including giraffes, zebras and teddybears.  I loved the ombre kits, and I know I will be visiting Dana again to get one, at least.

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

Bryanston Organic Market Shopping

Colourspun Yarnstash

Colourspun Yarnstash

It is less than three months before Christmas, and I got to see the first Christmas display already.  This one was huge, and so much to see.  Even though very early, it was so pretty I did not mind at all.

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Early Christmas Decorations already

Heritage

Tags

lovelocal, proudlysa, proudlysaswap, proudlyswap2017, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2017

In 2 weeks’ time, we here in SA will be celebrating our Heritage.  We have Heritage Day, and it is one of the most enjoyable days and times in the year.

We all get to celebrate our own and unique Heritage.

This year I have joined the #proudlysaswap2017.  I had the most amazing fun putting a package together for my swap buddy.  We especially focused on all things local and proudly SA.  What we love about SA and our heritage.

My package is all put together and ready to go.  I will only be able to show more of the contents in a few weeks, as we will only open the packages and parcels on Heritage Day.

But here is a sneak peak!!

SA Cosy Winter Swap

Tags

autumn, birdie, birdies, birds, candies, candy, cards, jelly beans, SAcosywinterswap, stationery, tea, teas, yarn, yarns

You may remember the Alpaca yarn to sent to my buddy in the SA Cosy Winter Swap.  🙂

My package arrived as well, and it is stunning.  I have been looking online for some pretty autumn coloured yarn, and each time I got distracted.  Good thing, as my swap buddy sent me 2 gorgeous skeins.  How amazing is that.

SA Cosy Winter Swap

SA Cosy Winter Swap

SA Cosy Winter Swap

She also spoiled me with teas, candies (I love jelly beans) and stationery.  Plus the sweetest little birdy ornament.  She also sent me a lovely shawl pattern, that I have already printed out and it is awaiting me, patiently sitting on my workdesk.

SA Cosy Winter Swap

Loved this quick and easy and cosy swap.