Fat Quarter Birthday Club

At the beginning of the hear Lisa rallied around for a few people to join a Fat Quarter Birthday Swap. The idea is that you send each person a fat quarter on their birthday, and of course for your birthday you get a fat quarter of fabric from all the other swappees! Sounds a bit irresistible doesn't it?

Anyhoos, birthdays came and went and lots of happy parcels have been sent off. In July some happy parcels started arriving in my letterbox!

Look at all those delights and treasures!  Goodies are from Leonie, Ange, Cat, Juliet, Lisa, Treena and Angie.

Thanks everyone - I felt super spoiled and am still getting great pleasure from seeing and patting my pretty fabric!  Not to mention all the extra lovely goodies!  Of course all the treats have been consumed, some quickly and some more restrained, hence two photos ;)  I really love everything xx

Blue is wonderful too

For Miriam's Little Bit of Wonderful Colour Swap, I was teamed up with Georgina, one of Miriam's friends in Australia.  Georgina's favourite colour is blue, duck egg blue to be specific!  My favourite colour is blue too so I had even more fun creating a package for her : )

The items were based on the things she enjoys and likes.  I forgot to take a photo but each parcel had a wee note/clue on it and also a personal note complete with a poem (well the first stanza) that I love.

Something old: A second hand book
Something new: Small blue glass vase
Something borrowed: Book borrower cards
Something blue: Nail polish
My mama always said: Chocolates
Magic: Blue crochet mushroom
Nipper grabber: Blue mini tongs
All that sparkles is not gold: Blue sprinkles
Mollie, my sisters, and I fell out, and what do you think it was all about?: Coffee
Roses are Red, Violets are blue, when you're in bed or have a sore leg, I can come too!: A wheat-bag
Fee fi fo fum: Blue jelly beans

Thanks again Miriam for organising a really fun and happy swap!
L xx

A little bit of wonderful rainbowness

A few weeks ago I signed up for Miriam's Little Bit of Wonderful Colour Swap.  And last week I received my parcel from Treena-Marie - surprise!

Treena sent me a rainbow of goodies - lots of lovely wrapped goodies.  It was a delight not knowing who was sending to me and then unwrapping it all!  And a bunch of lovely quotes accompanied the notes, straws, cotton, nail polish, washi tape, container, pens, game, pencils, chocolate, jellybeans and loom bands.  All delightful!

Thanks Miriam for organising and hosting and Treena-Marie for a fun parcel!
Did you sign up?  Who was your lucky recipient?

Hope you're having a good week so far!
L xx

Stationery Swap Goodies

In April I signed up for Lisa's Stationery Swap... Gosh that seems a long time ago!!

My partner was Kerrie from One Paisley Apple.  She was happy to be "surprised" in terms of style and colours so I had a field day at Typo selecting items I hoped she would enjoy as I really liked them!

Here's what was sent:

A lovely journal, magnetic peg memo holder, wooden initial, pen, hello kitty bulldog clips, gift/note cards, animal post it tags.

All wrapped up in different fabric along with some lollies and chocolate.

And here is what I received from Kerrie:

Lovely goodies contained in a vintage tablecloth and a handmade brooch or hairclip.

A journal, coloured markers(!) notepads, cards, tags and bookmarks with a lollipop for each of the girls.

Thanks Lisa for hosting the swap and thanks Kerrie for our lovely goodies!  They've been put to good use already!

Have you joined any great swaps lately?
L xx

Sew Sweet Swap - Rainbow Received

I had some lovely mail on Monday - my Sew Sweet Swap Pouch/Package arrived!

Tracy was my partner and I loved everything about this parcel!  A super sweet zippered rainbow pouch with lots of rainbow lollies!  And the extra goodies were perfect - gorgeous ribbons, trinkets and twine!

It was a perfectly sweet package and I loved how much thought Tracy had put into it.  

Thanks Tracy, the girls and I loved it all!
L xx

You can see what I sent here.

Show & Tell: A pinch and a Pouch

Hi Everyone,

Last month I signed up for Cat's Sew Sweet Swap. My partner was Tracy who loves all things orange :)

After a bit of browsing, I decided on the Triple Zip Pouch. Naturally it was predominantly an orange pouch with the linings in blues.  The back is a continuation of the freestyle stippling on the front.

Tracy is a talented scrapbooker and is also learning to sew this year, so in went a few relevant goodies for her crafting endeavours. And of course lots of orange lollies!

I was quite pleased with how it turned out, and Tracy was very happy with her package too - win!
Have you been working away and swappy goodness lately?
Looking forward to getting my weekly dose of your crafting goodness!
L xx



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An InLinkz Link-up

Dishcloth Swap - Done like the dishes!

Swaps are great fun and I always thoroughly enjoy them - stalking the recipients blogs, finding out about them, working at the parcel, hoping they love it at least half as much as I did putting it together...

I've really limited the number of swaps I've participated in this year - I think I've done one? two? Not sure but not many!  One was Leonie's International Dishcloth Swap, a secret swap in which you didn't know who was sending a package to you!

My partner was Tracy from Mad About Bags who lives in the UK - her favorite colour is green, but her kitchen is red (from what I could tell from the blog-stalking!)  I knew I wanted to give these awesome dotty cloths a go and love this gorgeous design from Louana, so choosing colours and designs was easy : )

The package also included a few other goodies, things that I thought she might like based on what I'd read on her blog.  Buttons, woollen yarn, a pretty pouch, lollipops, a couple of fat quarters, some buttons, yummy soap and a wee necklace that I made with some fabric, mod-podge and bits of an old deconstructed necklace.  Fun!

I also received my dishcloths from Treena-Marie in the last week or two.  Thanks Treena!

I have some cotton left so will be making a few more dishcloths... perhaps a colourful rainbow dot one?  Am super keen to have another go at the dots!

Are you a fan of cotton dishcloths?  Seen any great designs?

Hope you're all having a good start to the shorter week!
L xx

Ironing Board Covers Unite!

Happy Monday Morning!

A few months ago a few friends were considering the sad state of their ironing board covers... one thing lead to another and the IBC Swap was borne!


Details were distributed, partners assigned and we got cracking! Last week I received my brand new cover from Karyn, who sews gorgeous things! And the cover was no different - just look!

Pretty and happy, fits perfectly and has been tested and is performing well!

Extra loveliness in my parcel.

Thank you Karyn - I love it!

Here's more or less what I sent... and lucky for me well received!

I cant wait to see all the other ones! If you write a post about your cover received and/or sent, link it up below so we can admire each other's creations.

Thanks for joining in ladies - I hope you've enjoyed it!
L xx

Sign up Reminder!

Just a quick reminder...Sign up for the Ironing Board Cover Swap, closes today!

If you're still thinking about it - go on, just jump in and do it!  Look I've even made a wee button for you to grab if you'd like to!


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I'll be in touch about Swap Partner details soon.

Have a fab day : )

L x

Swapsies, Swapsies!

A little while ago I put out feelers to see if anyone would be interested in an Ironing Board Cover Swap...

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...and a few ladies were keen!

So let's kick this off shall we?  If you would like to join in on the Ironing Board Cover Swap, leave a comment or send me an email to let me know.  Sign-up will close next Wednesday, the 1st of May.

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You will receive an email from me getting your details and some information and shortly after next Wednesday, we'll start partnering people up.

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There are a number of tutorials out there on how to make them.  This is a simple non-padded tutorial.  And this one is for a padded cover.  I recommend having a wee looksee on Pinterest and the web and finding one that you're happy with.  In all of them - as far as I can tell - you do need an outline of your board.  So we will be sending our swap partners a template of our ironing boards - just so you know!

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So, if you'd like to join in, sign up! (And if you've said yes already but are thinking perhaps not... let me know too...)
Looking forward to having you on board : )
L x

Gauging interest...

Happy Tuesday!

The other day a friend lamented the state of her ironing board cover... and another, and mine... well... lets just say there are a few covers out there that could do with replacing!

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And so an idea started to form... is there anybody out there that would be interested in an "Ironing Board Cover Swap"??

Initial thoughts were: sending an outline/template of the top of your ironing board to your swap partner, who would them make you a new one based on the template.  I've had a look at quite a few tutorials and there are many and they all seem simple enough...

So, I thought I would see who'd be interested before sitting down and working out details etc.  Let me know if you are and I will organise something a bit more "official" if we get say at least 5 people.

Hope you're keen!
L x

Loving A Month of Adventing Joy

The Advent Swap finished this week. It has been such a lovely month of unwrapping gifts, emails and lots of warm fuzzies.

Day 18: Delicious Muffin and Cupcake Recipe book

Miriam was a fantastic swap partner and I feel lucky to have been paired with such a thoughtful person. Back when we were first assigned our partners, she sent me a whole list of extra questions.

Day 19:  Yummy Chocolate :)

I have been saying ever since, that even if there were no gifts I would have been happy as these extra questions showed so much thought, care and consideration for the person and process. She had already exceeded my expectations before we had even begun!

Day 20:  Gorgeous Handmade Flower Yo-Yo Cushion!  The girls: look Mummy! There's 5 flowers, just like us! Same same!  Proudly on display in our living room :)

We have emailed each other every day with thanks and stories of present opening and children.  It has been one of my favourite parts of the day.

Day 21:  A cup with a special message baked on :) But Miriam was concerned time took it's toll on it and sent up some additional goodies - way too kind!  Books for the girls, mallowpuffs, white chocolate, jaffas and spearmint leaves (ironically I was heading out that same day to purchase those very items!), an angel decoration and bookmark.  Such loveliness :)

This process has allowed me to get to know Miriam and her family a little more.  And although in different cities, and not having met her boys, the glimpses into their lives has made me feel like I know them.

Day 22:  A NZ wine, food and art book.  Immediately claimed by my husband who has since used one or two recipes in it!

Thank you Cat for hosting a great swap and pairing us together.

Day 23:  Handmade pouches, fabric, ribbons and thread!  Bliss!

Warm and fuzzies on a daily basis - to know someone thought of you with every item.

Day 24:  A book with a lovely message for us all.

True Christmas spirit experienced daily - special.

Day 25:  Gorgeous silk and pashima scarf, necklace and novel.  Loveliness :)

All the quotes have been put on a wall.  Encouraging and uplifting.  Perfect for me :)

It has been a wonderful month of joy in which we have felt loved.  Thank you Miriam for being such a kind thoughtful person and swap-partner.  We have loved every moment. : )
L xx

Linking up with Meghan over here for a lot of loving.

Adventing Days 12-17

We are loving this swap so very much.  Look at the adorable gifts from Miriam we got to open these last few days!

Day 12:  The most adorable tiny nativity made in Peru...  I had to try very, very hard not to put it in my pocket and carry it around with me all day... just so I could pull it out and look at it all the time...  And now when I walk past it, I have to slow down, take it in and smile : )

Day 13:  I have worn this most days since opening it - Love it to bits and am proud to own a Miriam Handmade creation : )

Day 14:  Cute hairties!  The girls have worn a special new one every day since opening it.

Day 15:  Cookie cutters! The girls needed lots of reassurance that we will definitely be using these... just not right away!

Day 16:  Cute Christmas Cupcake wrappers - baking will be filling these this week!

Day 17:  And today this adorable package.  A nativity story telling glove - we are in love with it!  Seriously - how cute is it?  And the girls are so wrapped with their individual items! Pink butterfly pin for Anya, Orange bead necklace for Heidi and cutesy reindeer hairclips for Liezel.

Only 8 more days to go!
Thanks Miriam - we love it all so very, very much : )
L xx