swap time

I don't know what possessed me but sometime in January I joined in with a swap! 

It looked easy and I thought yeah, I can do this one in between all the other jobs on my Never Ending List. After all, a zippered pouch takes so little time to whip up, right, and I'll get a nice surprise in the mail! 

And I did! Get a nice surprise, that is. A week ago a most exciting parcel arrived from Cassie, who not only created this unique little pouch but birthed a sweet baby girl at around the same time! Clever mama!

A book cover. Complete with bookworm lollies - that were quickly confiscated by the younger clan members - and plastic pocket on the front for a book title (or maybe it should hold a small sign saying 'read only one chapter and then get back to work'!!) 

All in my very fave colours! Thankyou Cassie!

And what about my contribution? I wanted to do something different to my usual zippered pouches. Of course, I think to myself now, why is it when there is a shortage of time I always want to create 'something different', something that will take more time instead of less, more thinking and figuring out..... oh, my capricious nature!! As I mentioned I've been popping into a few German speaking blogs and had stumbled onto this video tutorial which I'd bookmarked for later. 

And later had arrived!! 

My swap partner Michelle, likes pretty girly colours and I found the ideal fabrics in my stash. Now pattern and fabrics were found but alas where was the time to sew? I did cut out the pieces but laid them aside while tussling with 'this-really-is-too-much-to-think-about' thoughts. 

So the cut out pieces languished for a few weeks until finally I found some time (wish I could find it again!!) and zipped it up in no time.... pun intended! 

Isn't it cute? Really pretty and elegant with those pleats and they were not even very tricky to create. Filled with some wickedly delicious chocolates, I think Michelle was happy! 

And I was happy because I'd created something and learnt a new way to sew the zip in, which eliminated those top corners looking funny. 

I have a love hate relationship with swaps. I enjoy the thought of it and I love the parcel that comes in return but thinking of what to make is always so hard. Will my partner like it? Will it be just right? I always get a bit worried and nervous by the time it comes to sending my creation off to its new home. On the other hand, I've always been very happy with all the nice swap gifts that have landed in my mail box, so perhaps I need to "get over it" as my children would say!!

I'm linking this with Natural Suburbia's Creative Friday. There are always so many creative ideas to be found over there on a Friday!

Letzte Woche waren bei mir diese zwei kleine täschlein für einen swap. Eins war ein Geschenk Für mich und das untere hab ich genäht für jemand anderen. Das obere kämm mit der post und ist ein buch überzug. Ganz süss ihn meine Lieblings Farbe!
Das rosarote täschlein hab ich nach diesen video tutorial genäht für meine swap Partnerin. Es war gar nicht so hart zum nach machen und jetzt wenn ich wieder mal zeit finde, mochte ich für meine Freundin auch eines nähen.      

mitten love

Do you ever have those kinds of days where life just seems to weigh really heavily on your mind? 

When I got up this morning I felt like I had been squashed flat. I just couldn't see the bright side of anything - the cottage is too small; my creative space is cramped and doubles as too many other things; the dishes hadn't been done properly; the children were sluggish about getting up; it was cloudy; ugh, everything looked gloomy, I was in a funk and ready to cry about anything! 

I moped and doped through my morning.........and then the Best Man whispered that he had something exciting to share with me and could I make us both a hot chocolate and then join him outside! Well, sure! 

I did think for a moment that he was going to show me a completed extension but no, it was a small brown parcel........ and all of a sudden the world didn't look quite so bleak anymore. 

All because a beautiful lady on the other side of the globe had reached out and offered a lovingly handmade gift to one of her lucky readers! That lucky one was me and her thoughts couldn't have come winging their way here at a better time!  

Although I had won gorgeous milky white mitts, Lori ann kindly offered to knit me a pair in a colour more suited to my farm-y, gardening self and I asked for her to choose what she thought might suit. 

So watched by a friendly cow, the Best Man and I sat and sipped chocolate, as I slowly unwrapped the paper and waited for the surprise colour - and oh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!! 

Love the colours, they are just MY colours! Love the two 'different' mitts, the quirky way they are not identical! Love the extra bit of warmth they generate on my wrist! 

The Best Man said very succinctly, "Wow, they are just You!" 

And they are!! 

Lori ann, you truly made my day! 

Thanking you with much gratitude.

My offerings

A couple of months ago Linda from Natural Suburbia hosted a swap that I just couldn't resist joining in with! Although I sent my offerings a bit later than the recommended deadline, I received mine in good time (thank you Ruth!) and truly enjoyed my first ever overseas swap!

After deliberating quite a while, as well as having a few email chats with Ruth, I decided that I'd make a reversible banner using repurposed materials and felt. I've made a few of these but only one sided so it needed a bit of tweaking! To send them in, I made a little zippered pouch complete with kookaburra's as well as a couple of Aussie craft magazines that Ruth had mentioned she liked reading. 

I found this swap much harder than the previous ones I'd taken part in. I've joined in with the Southern Season Exchange twice before and I think because there was a guideline (the item was to be something for a seasonal nature table display) it made it easier. Also both my swap partners had children, so that narrowed the items down a little too. But a bit of brain strain is good and I feel that I have overcome another hurdle in my life by stepping out of my comfort zone and having to make a decision without having all the facts!! 

I liked it so well that I am terribly disappointed I'll be away and won't be able to join with Linda's Christmas ornament swap! This one really appeals to me because once again it has 'boundaries' (actually, I even know what I would make if I had the time) and also I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know a lovely lady from far far away!!! 

Thank you Ruth for your lovely gift to me, and thank you Linda for hosting these swaps! 

Oh yes, and Linda is having a giveaway for her 700th post. Pop over and have a look!! You will also find her over on my sidebar.       

King Winter

He's a handsome fellow, isn't he? He might be a little late to spread his frost and snow around, but I welcomed him never the less! My sweet swap partner from the Southern Seasons Exchange sent him my way - I waited (yes, patiently!) but he is oh so worth the wait! 

It actually feels very symbolic to tuck him away in the Seasonal Box at this time of the year. While we have had slightly warmer weather here, there is still always the chance of frost and I hope that by tucking him neatly into crisp white tissue paper, he will (figuratively) stay there until we are really glad to see him again next winter!

Good bye King Winter, it's been nice having you around but please stay away for a good six months. 

Thank you Julie, the story of his creation has made him even more special.