A week of surprises...

This week has been full of lovely surprises.An angel arrived,a sampler block,fabric and then to cap it off I got a lovely surprise from a 7 year old boy called Aaron who made me the most gorgeous bag.It was his first attempt at making a bag and the only thing his mum helped him with was the handles.I had sent him some fabric so he could make more yo yo's in with his mum's swap parcel and apparently because it came with the swap he said he needed to make me a swap item in return for me.I just couldn't resist putting his efforts onto my blog to show everyone his fantastic work.Thank you again Aaron,you made my day when this arrived.

fabric journal no.2

This is the second journal I've made.The first was for my sister for christmas and this second one is for me.I was thinking of making myself one and was just about to go through my stash when a parcel arrived in the mail containing some scrummy pink floral fabric and a pink DMC thread.As soon as I saw these I knew just what I would make with them....a fabric journal for me of course.A very big thank you to Gail for thinking of me,it came just at the right time too....

sampler swap block '08:birthday block

This is the lovely block Trsh'n made for me in the sampler swap I am in on the craft forum.I think it will fit in beautifully with the other blocks I've already received.
The second picture is the block I made for Karen.I hope she likes how it turned out?

Angel doll swap '08:Angelina....

This is the doll thtat Trishj made for me in the angel doll swap on the craft forum.Doesn't she just glow in her crisp,snowy white dress,with just a touch of the gypsy/hippy with her silver headband.Trish made her so she can stand on her own.I think she'll look fantastic with all my other christmas suff I'll be putting out in the following couple of weeks.
Thank you Trish for being my swap partner.

PAY IT FORWARD.....

This is such a wonderful idea.I was one of the lucky first 3 to sign up with Clare.
All I have to do is have a link back to Clare's blog,which I've done on the left side of my blog.(Why don't you pop in and visit her wonderful blog).
I also needed to add the "Pass it forward" symbol to my blog(done).
The pay it forward idea is an act of kindness without expecting anything in return.The first 3 visitors to leave a comment wanting to join in will receive a handmade gift from me within 365 days of joining in.I'm happy to send internationally.These 3 visitors must have there own blog and be prepared to do the same for their first 3 visitors.
If you'd like to join just leave a comment and I will get in touch with you re:colours,likes/dislikes and snail mail address.

Anne's journal...

This is the quilting journal I've made for my sister for Christmas this year.Anne fell in love with this fabric on one off our many shopping expeditions this year and I secretly bought some with the idea to make her something with it.It took me most of this year to find the perfect pattern/idea to make with it.I've never done a fabric covered book before but I think I'll be making a few more of these as this one turned out beautifully.I might even try making a recipe journal with all my favourite recipes to give as a present for someone next year....

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is what I made for Giania in the mini-stitchery swap on the forum.I think the fabrics I chose to sash the cushion blended in really well with the colours in the stitchery.I had a lot of fun making it up and I think it turned out really well....

Bee Sew Whimsical Swap:Secret Santa Honeypot Swap...

A couple of weeks ago I signed up to join in the secret santa honeypot swap that I found via a friends blog.
I found this swap at http://beesewwhimsical.blogspot.com/
Since I'm not very good yet at taking things like the santa icon and putting it on my blog I hope Darlene doesn't mind me putting her blogspot on mine???
With this swap you were given a partner with their choice of christmas colours and asked to make a christmas ornament and a handmade card in their colourway,which I've finally just finished.I'll be posting off to my swap partner this saturday.I really hope she likes what I made for her.....

Here comes Santa Claus......Christmas Advent Swap '08

Well denni,
2 registered parcels are heading your way today so keep an eye out for the postie....I'll post the final parcel on Saturday,also registered post.Can't have these pressies getting lost in the mail.I hope you enjoy opening them over December,as much as I had searching for little gifts to buy and things I could make for this swap......

#62 theme spring swap

This is what I made for Guiliana in the spring swap.Her favourite colours were green,orange and purple.Not my usual colour combinations.I had left over strips from the cushion so I made up one of those addictive baskets and filled it with yo-yo's.Even her kitty got a bonus with the box I sent the swap in claiming it as her new bed.

#64 case swap

This is the rotary cutter case I made for Kim in one of the swaps I entered on the forum I've joined.I loved making it as I've never attempted one before.I also filled it with some embroidery threads in purples and greens as a surprise.I hope Kim liked the final result.

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is the stitchery I made for Allison.It's a Leanne Beasely design from the magazine Australian Homespun.I found a plain wooden frame and painted it green to put the stitchery in.I had so much fum making this stitchery and it was a nice change to frame it. I hope Allison loves the finished result as much as I did making it.

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is the fantastic stitchery I received from the swap I joined on my craft forum.It was made by Allison and she used the most beautiful blue planter box button for the stitchery.Allison's embroidery is so fine and delicate and I love the colours she used,it will go well in my house which has a lot of blue and yellow,my favourite colours.Thank you Allison for being my swap partner I've had so much fun making ang receiving my stitchery.