#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.

 

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#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.

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!!

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.

#stitchingsanta #secretsanta The Reveal

Tags

#stitchingsanta, bandana, crochet, Gifts, goodies, Knitting, Secret Santa, swap, swap goodies, swap package, swaps2016

 

This has now been the third year that the gorgeous and super talented Sheila at Sewchet organized this amazing swap, and the second year I got to partake.

Each year Sheila askes those interested to let her know, and then she pairs you with a buddy that is a secret until the swap packages are received and opened on Christmas.

This year I got to send a package to someone I have never been “introduced” to. I got to “meet” the very talented artist Anne Lawson.  Anne is one of the most interesting persons I have had the privilege to meet.  So very talented and interesting.  I could not read enough on her blog of what she does and what she likes to do and get up to.  So many gorgeous photos of her country, for me to browse and enjoy.  I learnt so much from her via her blog.

It was with joy and happiness that I went about making a list of what I think I could send her, and then getting it all together.  Admittedly I took some off the list again, as I was not sure about the laws and customs.  I would not want the package held up.

And no sooner did I mail the package, that I got the excellent news that it has already arrived.  Safely at Anne’s home, and she is enjoying her gifts and treats.

#stitchingsanta Package to my buddy

Sheila did not say much on her blog of what she is making for the secret santa swap, and with good reason.  I was her swap buddy, and I read her blog with great interest.  🙂  So how huge was my surprise when I opened the package and recognised the gift wrapping paper immediately.  Thank you Sheila for spoiling me and of course little Miekie  She really looks so cute in a bandana, and she loves wearing them.  Old age is getting to her and she loves the cozy warmth.

#stitchingsanta Gifts and goodies received from my Buddy Sewchet

#stitchingsanta Gifts and goodies received from my Buddy Sewchet

#stitchingsanta Gifts and goodies received from my Buddy Sewchet

#stitchingsanta Gifts and goodies received from my Buddy Sewchet

#stitchingsanta Gifts and goodies received from my Buddy Sewchet

I never owned a proper needle case, and I can not thank you enough for the one that you specially made for me.  It is stunning and I love it so very much.  It is getting a very special place in my little crafting corner.  The flower I may just pin to my project bag and carry it around with me all the time.  🙂  Great memories and a great discussion piece.

Swaps are just the best, you get to meet the most interesting people all the time.

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.

🙂

 

 

#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!