Stationery Swap

I joined the Stationery Swap arranged by Elizabethd

My partner was Laura in the USA.... she was a great partner and sent me some very pretty things that I would have certainly chosen for myself - half the fun is receiving/sending things you know the other partner would not find in their own country ...Laura also enclosed four cards she had made, they are beautiful (as you can see at the top of this picture).

Thank you so much Laura for your generous and thoughtful package.  I am glad  mine arrived safely and that you like everything.  Thank you too Elizabethd  for putting everyone together.

my gifts to Laura

As you know I like reading Susan Branch and on her blog *here* is a little snippet on letter writing.  She also wrote in one of her books about the box she keeps of beautiful things to write with - stationery, cards, stamps, ribbon, etc.  I have been wanting to do the same, so Laura's gifts will make a perfect beginning.  Maybe you will feel inspired to make one too.

Letter writing is something that I love, there is the thrill of receiving post from another part of the world, the interesting news from someone who is experiencing another climate/season and lifestyle and the connection with a like-minded person; so I  hope the swap will inspire all us participants to get writing!

From My Home To Yours Swap

UPDATE:  IT'S TIME TO GET READY TO SWAP -

THOSE PARTICIPATING PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH YOUR PARTNER BY EMAIL, HAVE EXCHANGED ADDRESSES AND AGREED A DATE TO POST. 

DON'T FORGET TO GET SOME PROOF OF POSTING - IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF ANYTHING GOT LOST AND COULDN'T BE TRACED

AFTER ALL YOUR HARD WORK CREATING YOUR PACKAGE

WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR SWAPS PLEASE LET YOUR PARTNER KNOW,  DO A POST ON YOUR BLOG AND EMAIL ME SO I CAN DO A MONTH END POST.
LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS I CAN HELP WITH 

I WILL DO A POST AT MONTH END TO HELP PARTICIPANTS BLOG HOP THE SWAP.  THANKS FOR TAKING PART.

BETTY X

 

My own swap post follows below.....

My swap arrived on Tuesday - but I was at work and missed it ... the post man whisked it away and held it at the depot, two mega (12 hour) shifts later and the suspense was over, I rushed out early this morning to claim it!  It was from Claire at Thriftwood and was full of wonderful surprises. 

Inside were TWO beautifully sewn pictures, one was a Dr Seuss quote that I had told Claire I am fond of - I love Dr Seuss so much ... there was also another embroidered quote on a seasidy theme - I love them both - Claire had even framed them and they are already on display at Touchwood...

isn't this a lovely idea? a quote on a pretty print ...

There was lots more - some Kendall cake (never tasted it before - saving to share with the men) and a stick of seaside rock, some pretty pencils in a flowery pot, a Homes & Antiques magazine to settle down and read, some sandcastle flags, a pretty little star fish which is with my seaside picture in the guest bathroom, and the most beautiful little wooden acorn lightpull - just the ticket for my bathroom too, I hope I didn't forget anything!

I love my acorn sooo much!  This was a huge parcel and it was very exciting to unwrap and find so many lovely things to treasure.  Thankyou to Claire for being a fabulous swap partner....

For my side of the swap I sent Claire silk painted scarf and lavender bag gifts on a woodland/countryside theme - you can visit Claire **HERE** to see what was in my package to her.

THANKYOU CLAIRE!!! for being a fabulous swap partner xxx

From My Home To Yours Swap

Please post the button on your blog if you don't mind  To make this a good swap lots of us need to join in so please spread the word.

If you would like to join the swap and didn't comment on the last post, please leave a comment on this post.  

Please state if you would like an overseas or own country partner when you leave your comment.  If there are enough overseas participants I will do my best to accommodate.

I will pair partners on this blog on 20th June

It's everybodys swap, so if you have suggestions to make it better/more fun/easier, please feel free to comment.  Likewise if you/your partner agree to deviate slightly, that's ok too.  The idea is to send your swap partner gifts relevant to your location (country, county or town as appropriate).  I am suggesting 4 main items, one of which should be hand made (or if you aren't a crafter, maybe purchase handmade).... affordable additions to your main gifts could be postcards, recipes for your region, tourist booklet if you are lucky enough to live somewhere touristy, etc. Try to make your package packed full with interesting bits and bobs that your partner will enjoy discovering.  Remember to make the packaging as exciting as the contents - recycling pretty paper, ribbon etc. will keep your costs down.  Please check with your partner on what is a suitable budget as this will vary depending on likely postage costs and cost of living in your part of the world.  Most swaps these days seem to aim around UK £10.  It's a good idea to get to know your partner, her likes, dislikes and, of course, agreed budget,  and to find out what the postal rates are likely to be before you start, do you want the budget to include postage or to add postage for example? 

 Total 4 main items, at least one being handmade

-keep in mind some people may have allergies and some countries have restrictions

 on food/herbs/seeds through the post, so check with your partner.

There is no rush, there's nothing worse than joining a swap that has unrealistic deadlines and pressure to get it all posted, it's supposed to be fun.  It takes time to make something worthwhile, time to get creative, time to source gifts on a theme, so I am giving everyone plenty of time - I suggest we are all posted by 31st August - do you think that's enough time?????  Please mutually agree your posting date with your partner so if one of you is on holiday, this will avoid any delivery issues. 

The only big rule is:  You must take a proof of posting so your package can be tracked.
Any lost in post/delivery issues must be resolved by you with your partner. 

I would always do my best to help but can't be responsible for any disappointment.

When you have both received your swap please do a short post about it all.

  I will do a round up post in September so participants can visit each other and see how the swaps all went.

Please let me know if I forgot anything important or if you have any questions.

Thanks x

Bring Forward:  show pictures of all the fairies and angels from our recent swap: Done

Here are the links for all the fairy/angel swap posts:
http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/fairy-swap.html
http://lindawilksart.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/my-fairy-swop.html
http://nanagogoblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/there-must-be-angel.html
http://frenchvillagelife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/pause-in-advent-2.html
http://www.pompomsponderings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/dancing-and-swapping.html
http://nancymccarroll.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/christmas-exchange.html
http://followinglittlemossybliss.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/fairy-swap-with-betty.html
http://followinglittlemossybliss.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/fairy-swap-with-betty.html

Thankyou everyone for joining the swap - I think we all had great fun.


Reminder to self:  must send thank you notes for the following wonderful Christmas presents:

From our new Spanish neighbours: The boxed goodies come in a sticky block and taste a little like peanut butter - delicious. The piglet is a delicacy that is made from marzipan and jellied fruit - I must have been Spanish in another life - all my favourite flavours rolled into one!  I haven't eaten the piggy yet, he's too pretty.

 New handbag.  This lady lives near me and makes them to request - I had seen some similar on her blog ****HERE** and asked for mine to be all green tartan - it's soft and woolly with a spotty lining, a long, strong strap. I am very pleased, it's just what I asked for.

 My blogging penpal Nana sent me the most wonderful fairy mirror - I feel a little like The Wicked Queen of Snow White when I look in it!  It really does make you look beautiful - magic!  Also the most fabulously warm and snug (Jaeger no less) mohair scarf in black and navy ..(thankyou Nana) I am such a lucky girl...

To-do-list: 31/12/13

A.M. Work
P.M. ******PREPARE TO CELEBRATE ARRIVAL OF NEW YEAR 2014 ******

Fairy Swap with Hannah

Fairies and angels having been flying to their new owners.
This is the fairy I made for Hannah at Little Mossy Mushroom for our swap

ladies hair extention from the £1 shop.  Wired ribbon parcel wrap which I sewed on to her - it is a little awkward to sew but bends obligingly in all the right places.  The wings are butterfly tree decorations from Poundland which had clips on the back and she dipped her feet in glue glitter to get her nice sparkly shoes.  Her crown was cut from the same wired parcel ribbon and sewn in place with sequins around her hairline.

My swap partner Hannah sent me this

very pretty fairy with lovely long silky hair....

She has a clever skirt sewn in sections with wire which enables her to perch neatly on my tree

each section has a little lace insert - very dainty  -  her wings are made of lace - what a clever idea.

Thankyou Hannah for a lovely swap

Some of the other swaps have completed - I will do a post of them all when we are all done.  Betty

Angel/Swap

Some of us have swapped our fairies and angels but some participants are very quiet, when you/your partner have received your swaps would you do a blog post or email me please so I know everyone is happy and completed.  

I have received my lovely fairy from Hannah and mine is on the way to her - will show you soon.

If anyone has any problems, please let me know as I am happy to help.

Thankyou.

Hope you are all getting on alright with your fairy swaps - there has been a flurry of activity here as mine was to have leaf skeleton wings as below, but they were too delicate to assemble and broke! not to worry, I have a plan B and am getting on with it now. It's good to admit to the odd failure and half the fun of creating something is resolving little stumbling blocks like this!  Don't worry Hannah, your fairy WILL have wings!

Shopping news:  I buy my clothes for the season in one go and so have bought two new skirts for the Winter from my favourite White Stuff, they are velvet shorties with my favourite pattern - leaves! all around the hem - one in a lovely deep red and one in my favourite colour - purple.

www.whitestuff.co.uk

I also have new warm knitted ribbed tights found at the White Stuff Outlet in Portsmouth so I'm sorted for the cold weather that is just about to arrive in the UK if I get my Hunter sparkle wellies out (won on the giveaway at Amelies House blog last Christmas via a super £100 Harrods voucher) and my cosy warm Ebay  wins of two vintage mohair tartan wraps - I  should be snug!

Other news is that in a couple of weeks we will be opening our Sealed Pot of Gold to see how much money we have saved over the year with all the other super savers over at SFT blog for our Christmas weekend away!!!!  Last week hubby put in £15 from a lottery win - woo hoo - and I put in a fiver from savings by finding free parking near work.  We have no idea how much could be in our pot!

Update on our weekend trip to London:

We have booked a hotel room in London paid for already £35 during a promotion
Aromatherapy massage also on a promotion
We will be bringing our own wine and eating in one of the Lebanese restaurants on Edgeware Road
Visiting Borough Market and also Covent Garden and ....
if there's enough in the pot ....my fairytale dream come true, maybe, just maybe, a half hour session in the Ice Bar ... have you heard of it? the inside is of ice sculptures and you are given a warm coat and gloves, a glass made of ice and your chosen chilled drink (champagne of course!).... will there be enough in the pot to extend our treat to the Ice Bar????!!!!  Find out on 1st December.

Lovely Gifts

These beautiful gifts have come from Lou in Australia (http://www.prettyposiesandpapertrails.blogspot.com/)

Lou was my Swap for all Seasons partner and had been unable to make anything as she has been very ill and is only just starting to get back to normal.  I had already received my beautiful necklace so certainly did not expect to receive all these really special items as well.  I think I have been far too spoilt, Lou, you have been extremely generous and I love everything.

As well as the beautiful brooch there was a delicate, scented rosebud heart to hang up

A pretty little pill pot of decorated china

Thankyou so very much Lou for your thoughtful, kind gifts, I think you have much more than covered the swap with these lovely things!  I hope you are well soon and will be keeping in touch. xxx

Boudoir Swap

Well I know Justine has received this now so it's ok to show and tell. Mine is on the way so that will be a post for another day .... I have really enjoyed making this for Justine ((Sewjustinesew.blogspot.com) who is currently making bridesmaid dresses and her own wedding dress but still had time for a swap with me!

I am really at a basic level with sewing so have made a very simple pyjama case that folds over at the top with two ribbon ties.  I chose this Amy Butler fabric from the Love range as I know Justine likes the range.

the lining is a deep purply blue.

Also I copied a flower from the fabric design on silk to make a little lavender bag,

(it was the best of three flowers as I don't always get it right first time!)

This weekend I am off to a  Summer fair, a family picnic in the woods and a bbq.
Have a great weekend everyone. xxx

A Swap for all Seasons, to Lou

My parcel to Australia for the swap has now arrived safely so I can show you:

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue:

These are the things I made for my partner in the swap

who is Lou in Queensland, Australia.  Lou is a nurse, loves shabby chic, is an expert paper crafter and has taught her crafts.  I found she likes the same things as me.

I made Lou a silk painted neck scarf of carnations in her favourite colours pink/aqua.  It is bigger than the ones I have done before so challenged me a bit.

That was the something new, then something blue:

that's the lavender cushion I made her, I painted butterflies
on silk for this one and then made the back with a vintage linen hanky I found in a thrift shop.  I had stuffed with lavender but had to remove as Australian postal rules state no dried seeds/pot pourri, grrrr ... hope Lou can fill the bag from her end.


I used decorative trim, a bead and ribbon to finish so it will hang from a coat hanger.

Then a couple of purchases - the something borrowed was a vintage style heart found in a tea room near me and it is the same as the one on my dresser which I love, see..... hence 'borrowed'.  I was so surprised to see one the same and knew it was just right.

I can't tell you how much fun it has been doing this swap.  Lou has alreaady sent me the most beautiful necklace that I posted about  and is busy finishing another item for the swap at the moment so will show you later.  Lou is really unwell at the moment - have a restful weekend Lou and get well soon, sending healing thoughts your way. xxx