#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

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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.

 

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.  🙂

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!!

Stay Cosy Winter Swap

Tags

alpaca, bags, Made in Peru, Notion Bags, Peru, Peru Yarn, Pompoms, project bags, Rowan alpaca, Rowan Alpaca Colour, Sirdar Colourwheel, Sock pattern, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap, Winter swap, Yarnbling

It is winter here, and of course, time for a nice Stay Cosy Swap.  It was just a quick and comforting swap, as no knitting or crochet was needed, just the kind and warmheartedness of buddies swapping something warm and cozy, with would mean Yarn, of course, and something nice and warm to drink.  My buddy likes coffee, so I got her a lovely toffee flavoured coffee to enjoy and my favourite Dutch cookies (Koffieleutjes).  And since she has recently indulged in knitting her first pair of socks, I could not resist sharing a pretty sock pattern with her.

Winter Cozy Swap Goodies

But since I was in the yarn store to get her some Alpaca, which was on her list, and she has never knitted with it before, I could not resist bringing some lovely Alpaca home for myself as well.  These lovely neutral colours just had to be part of my stash.

Rowan Alpaca Colour

Made in Peru

Rowan Alpaca Colour

The yarn store also had some new goodies, like these super cute (fake) fur pompoms.  Not so widely available here, and I was lucky to come across these.  They also had a Sirdar Colourwheel, that I had not seen yet, and I opted for something cheerful, but not overly bright.  I think this cake will knit up pretty well into a comfy shawl for those very grey chilly winters days, when you just need to feel like Spring is around the corner.

Furry Pompoms

Colourwheel Yarn

And the lovely Sally at Yarnbling updated her store.  New Project Bags!!  The fabric of these are stunning, with butterflies and dragonflies.  I got a really huge bag this time, for those big projects.  And some notions bags to match.  She also had a few bags left in a previous range, and I ordered this stunning white bag with embroidered flowers on.  Just the right size for a lace shawl, or my sock projects.

Goodies

Project Bags and Notions Bags

Project Bags and Notions Bags

I was very pleasantly surprised when I opened the one little notions bag, and got these super cute stitch markers inside.  What a lovely surprise and way to spoil a person.  I love these small markers, they work so well on lace projects.

Stitch Markers

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.