Signed up for 2015

OI have signed up for a second year with the Santa sack swap and I already have some ideas up my sleeve!

Wonder who my partner will be?

xx

Santa Sack Swap - I recieved from Joanne

This year I decided to sign up for the Santa Sack Swap organised by "Gone stitchin" and I thought I  would by ways a thanking Joanne ( I have already sent an email) that I would post about the lovely items that she made then another time I would post about the I items I sent off.

I hope these pictures are alright as I am struggling to find anywhere with decent light.  In the end I found myself on the attic stairs  as there is a skylight directly above and the camera seemed to like it much better.  Now we could request stocking or sack and as I do not have a sack I asked if I could have one of these.  I thought I might be able to use it at school too.

Lots and lots of handmade Yo-Yo's or Suffolk Puffs depending on which book you look at, all stitched down with a red button and added to a hessian cloth.  Finished off with s stripey cotton edging and a lovely size too.

A knitted and crochet wreath.  This really caught Sophie's eye and I could never make those leaves.  I really do need to practise my crochet more and it is stitched to a polystyrene ring.  So neatly stitched as well.  Yes Sophie really likes this so I may have to "gift" it to her. 

Hand appliqued design in an embroidery hoop.  Loved this way of displaying and now that I have seen it in the flesh I think some projects of my own will need to try out this idea.  Again very neatly stitched.

A  very detailed festive cross stitch.  I used to do a lot of this but I find my eyes are so tired in the evenings that I have trouble seeing it too well so Joanne has worked this design beautifully and the robin is such a cute chap!  Love robins, see in my side bar.

This also came in a picture frame and I thank the Post Office for its safe delivery.

This little chap is at the top of some cross grain ribbon so that Christmas cards can be hung from it.  Complete with little pegs!

Included were some candles, much needed hand cream (teaching art means i do tend to wash my hands quite a few times a day so this will be sitting by my computer at work.

A Christmassy felt mat with cute star embellishments and

 a gorgeous bundle of cotton fat quarters with which I shall make something for the spring or summer.  Maybe a bag as I do not really have a summery bag to use or perhaps something for Sophie.  Very generous to have added this to the swap, I was not expecting that.

I enjoyed this swap even though it was marred by a broken finger and swollen hand which then healed to then be operated on on August so I hope that my offerings were alright in the end.  Talk about badly timed, so perhaps I should make some items much earlier this year.......just in case!

Many thanks Joanne and I hope we can keep in touch now that the swap has come to an end.  I have also signed up for "Gone stitchin" Initial Heart Swap for Valentines day and I have had fun going through all of my books and magazines looking for inspiration and I think that i might have found something!

Take care all and keep warm.

xx

Santa Sack Swap is on its Way

I made the first of several trips to the Post Office today with my Santa Sack Swap parcel and it i snow on its way to North Wales.  We know who our partners are and we decide on whether we would like a stocking, sack or tote then add additional handmade items to go with it.

Joanne does visit my blog and she will be opening the main parcel and the sack which I wrapped and then forgot which one it is so someone may have to peek inside for her so make sure.  Here is a little taster.....

I hope you like them all on the Big Day Joanne and thank you for being my Swap Partner.

I am bringing back sketchbook Sunday tomorrow  so please pop back.

Take care all.

Santa Sack Swap

I have just realised that I have not blogged about signing up for this years Santa Sack Swap.  I must pop the badge in my side bar as well.

My partner is Jo and we have been emailing for some months now.  I have started my minimum of 5 items before my hand operation but since then nothing I am afraid.  I tried to do some sewing last night and it really did not like it.  Even though I am using the thumb and index finger mainly it is all connected right through all 5 fingers so the sharp pain runs across the whole hand .........so I reluctantly stopped and went back to Youtube again.  

However, I do have a list of what I am making (some items are done) and of what extras I want to send as Jo is in the UK therefore postage is not a massive issue.

It is my Mum's birthday tomorrow and in a way that has always signified the near end of summer and thoughts will start to go to festive things.  I would like to enter Chookyblue's swap too but due to time I may have to give that a miss this year and go next year instead.  I really did enjoy that and my swap partner Kris, was very generous. Her work has hung up ion my kitchen all year as it is red but not obviously seasonal.  Love it.

Hubby has been working in the garden today as I found some large daisy plants at Duchy Cornwall Nurseries last Sunday and due to everything we only got round to planing them today, but hubby has added to the edging to blend it with the decking etc.  It is raining now so I shall take photos another time. I was so leased when I found them as they will add to those kindly sent to me by Wendy.  I bought my MIL one as well.

This evening I am going to watch the next episode of The Village and try to cut out some felt as I am one of those odd lefthanders that use scissor in their right hand, and see how it goes.  I really am getting a bit cold turkey with the lack of evening crafting!  I hope that I do not sound wimpy but the stuff they put in my finger does not fully harden for 6 weeks and I have not really had any advice on how much I can oush the use of it.
I have had a follow up appointment date for 5th September which is ages away yet.  Need to go back to work before then so there is the issue of driving and the gear stick and handbrake.  Might have to ring someone next week  asI do not want to snap or damage the hard work that has been put into sorting it out.

I have  placed and order for my winter evening project but it has not arrived yet and I will explain more about that too once it arrives.  Itching to get started on it and stick with it thoughtout until the end of term.

Today I have managed to complete a lesson plan project overview and emailed it off to my line manager so not  too bad a day at all really.  Might need to swap my flip flops for slippers in the evening, a bit of a nip in the air this week and I hate having cold feet!

Take care

xx