serious swap goodness

I've been so very lucky recently with the swaps I've participated in. I have been very slack, however, at posting the wonderful stuff here on my blog. If you look at my flickr photos at all - you'll see everything there. I've been finding it so difficult to get my act together posting here as well.

So - my apologies to my wonderful swap partners who've been incredibly thoughtful and generous.

Starting from the most distant swap I haven't posted...

The September Kaleidoswap theme was "back to school" and I was partnered with the organiser Isabelle. I received the most amazing box full of great things - sweets, notebooks, pens, perfumes, games. I absolutely love everything. Isabelle really took notice of all the things I like and dislike and everything was great. I think she has a real talent for choosing gifts for her partners!



I had posted the wrapped parcel of the things I sent her, so here it all is now before I wrapped it. I also tried to make sure I put things together that Isabelle would really enjoy.



Here's a close up of the sterling silver and czech glass beaded earrings I made for her. They seem to go perfectly with one of her favourite necklaces! Perfect!


The next swap I received recently was in the Sweetpea "Something Old/Something New" swap. I was matched up with Julie (aka sewitsforyou). Julie has a shop in Etsy which you must check out too.



The teatowel Julie embroidered for me is so perfect - to the extent that the teapot is eating a DONUT! Wow - I didn't realise my 'Homer'ness' was so evident on the internet...And the buttons are just beautiful! And the embroidery patterns are so cool - in fact I'll be starting a tshirt project today if I get the time.

Here is what I sent to Julie. I must admit that time was an issue for me and I didn't get the time to make something for Julie to post with this. However, I did find the cutest Japanese print fabric, and over did the chocolates to (hopefully) make up for it a bit.


The final swap I am posting today is the "Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap" organised by the wonderful Jo and MaryAnn. Unlike the swaps above, this isn't a direct swap. I was sent a parcel from Beth, who has a really beautiful blog and shop on Etsy.

I was completely in love with the beautiful handcrafted gifts I received from Beth. The style of vintage Beth made for me was (again) just perfect! The Christmas Angel is adorable - and my grandmother was very impressed with her. Here's a photo of all the good stuff.


The stocking is just beautiful.


Here's a peep inside. The fabric lining the stocking is very cool. I wish it was easier to see it/show it!


And finally, the beautiful corsage. I can't wait to wear it! I've decided to wear it to all the Christmas parties and Christmas drinks I go to as well as on Christmas Day.


I have sent my Christmas stocking and goodies off to Cheryl nearly 2 weeks ago. So far it doesn't seem to have arrived. Of course I hate the waiting part - I hope it gets there soon and all OK! Once I've got her confirmation it's there, I'll post photos I took.

Happy Season Swapping everyone!

kaleido-swap

I joined the flickr kaleido-swap this month and the theme is "Back to School".

Kaleido-swap is cool in that you buy your swap partner something in each of 5 categories - beauty, drinks, food, animal and surprise. Everyone has to includes details of their likes and dislikes. Good huh?

Anyhoo, I thought this theme sounded cool - but then I realised how difficult it was going to be to get 'school' related items in each of those categories...[sigh]. So, I did my best with it. I've posted a photo of the wrapped bundle on flickr. Soon the innards will be on display...once it arrives safely in Paris!

the speed of life

This is going to be a crap post, because I haven't put any thought into it, or done anything lovely and crafty recently. I've been working hard and trying to find time to plan for our rapidly approaching trip to Turkey. Anyone want to go on the postcard list?

I've been keeping in touch with Flickr, so I'll post some recent favourites. It'll be like looking into the magic mirror on Romper Room. Did Miss Kim see you today?

1. L and Wawa, 2. Pincushion thrift, 3. rodney 012, 4. Green cup, 5. Fethiye, Turkey., 6. chickie, 7. Simon the sock monster, 8. Presley's homework book, 9. ATC, 10. Tea Towel Swap, 11. bear collage, 12. summer bunny collage, 13. dragonfly spring collage, 14. needlefelted gang, 15. My creation, 16. Favorites 4-30, 17. crazy with the pincushions, 18. Embroidery, 19. thinking in color, 20. Running around...

you're my cuppa tea party

Picture of my party for one. For the virtual tea party organised by Flickr girls Maryann and Jo.

embroidery blog for EVERYONE

I am lucky/silly enough to have become involved in a very cool new blog with some very talented crafty women. It's quite humbling to be a part of this new venture, which has really made me feel like a real contributer to the online craft community.

Flickr Embroidery Blog is only about a week old - but if you're interested in embroidery, I think this site will be a great resource for inspiration, ideas and mentoring of creative embroidery. There's a lot of stuff out there. This blog will help sift through what's good in embroidery - resources, useful links, tutorials, etc.

My job is to post on Wednesdays. Sounds so easy, but my day job is creeping into any/all my spare time at the moment. Resulting in a really huge cold sore on my bottom lip which looks very much like a raisin stuck on my face. Very attractive. I'm a walking billboard of stress and exhaustion. I'm going to have to get up REALLY early to do my duty this week! [yawn - it's making me tired already]. But I want to do it, so I'm looking forward to it!

Here's some Flickr favourites from the last few days. You might catch some of this over at the new blog tomorrow...

where have you been?

wow - exactly one month since my last confession. I've been doing crafty stuff too! I guess I only have time to do one or the other... I can't craft AND blog.

I made a really cool bag which go with my new shoes....

I wore them to a wedding. I love camper shoes.

I've also been keeping up to date with what's going down in flickr. Here's some of my recent fav's - there's been heaps though.

1. It's spring time at my place!, 2. blue_flower_skirt1, 3. Wilbur Likes Leaves, 4. Kup,Kup & Chloé, 5. Sukie, 6. Inspiring houses on flickr, 7. The diver - zippered pouch, 8. 13 birds detail, 9. table linens - day 8, 10. Scout the Shmerpi (#22) - Cuddle Arms, 11. Untitled, 12. cup of the day : feb. 21st., 13. hot chocolate, 14. Owly tea for me, 15. mini.hug#25, 16. It's Winter Time, 17. tea, 18. rewind-button, 19. Tea set, 20. "my cup of tea".

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
I'm also participating in 2 swaps. A seasonal swap and a 'you're my cup of tea' swap. They're both being organised through flickr and I'm really looking forward to both of them!