More green swap goodies!
Look what I got in the post yesterday!
Unfortunately, unlike Emma, my swapee, I was too excited to take pictures of it all wrapped up (her blog post is lovely about my bits), so sorry, I was excited! I could I could take a picture of the magazine wrappings in the recycling bin…
So what to show you first, well, how about this
Isn’t the card wonderful, it must have taken hours, they are cut out from the scraps Emma has left over (and I think its in the recycling logo), and that pincushion – how cute! Much to my shame I’d never have thought of keep such tiny scraps and then to make something so great from them! (a lesson learnt)
My favourite colours too.
Next up is some lush fabric which has got my mind whirling already, especially the teal one on top…
Yes, there is more! Some ’green’ toiletries, I’m looking forward to trying the face scrub tonight, I’ll also be sampling the chocolate too, in the interests of politeness of course! Though it is perfect for me, I love sweet and savoury together, if I have a bit of chocolate I have to have savoury nibbles too, so this chocolate has caramelised salted almonds in which sound totally lush!
And finally an inpired idea. Made from left over hessian Emma has made these vegetable bags – not only are they gorgeous and well made, they are mega practical too!
A huge thanks to Emma and Rachel for not only organising but coming up with the idea too for this swap, its been brilliant, the making and the receiving! If you keep popping over to thatlittlebitgreener blog they are going to post links to everyone’s blogs who took part so you can see all the other lovely goodies that people have made and received.
Green Swap goodies
Well, Emma aka bagladee has received her parcel…. and I can show you what I made!
First up is the shocking pink, organic, fair trade scarf. I saw this on Ruffles And Stuff’s blog, from a link on crafteroo and fell in love immediately with it. So simple, so recycled and plain fab! I used an old top of mine that I’d ear marked for this exact project ages ago and seeing as Emma likes bright colours, and I have like a gazillion scarves, I thought I should make it for her instead!
What do you think? (excuse the face, It was 7.30am and Rich was rushing to work, the boys were trying to sort out their breakfasts, mornings aren’t generally good etc etc…)
It is such a simple pattern, and coming in at 158 inches makes for lots of drape!
Second up is a little pot I crocheted, from an old music tape from my long and distant carefree youth (the Prodigy if you were interested!), no pattern, just sort of made it up as I went along. Although a little squeaky to work with, it is so soft when crocheted and has a fabulous sheen to it so it almost looks like woven metal. Topped off with a button from my stash. Look at the gorgeous shadows it makes
I also added some buttons in an upcycled paper bag ( an idea I complety pinched from Rachel of contented who I did the pincushion swap with and will use again and again as it was fab!), some ribbon and a lush bar of fairtrade chocolate. With it being a completely green swap I made a couple of boxes from a cereal box to pack everything in that were very bright and quirky and I like them!
Luckily Emma loves her scarf and pot and I’m sure the chocolate has gone down a treat! For this swap I was organised for a change and sent it early, with us being away last week, so when Emma sends her bits through I’ll let you have a peek!
Secret stuff!
I haven’t talked much about the Green swap I’m doing have I, from thatlittlebitgreener blog, well, I’ve been beavering away and I’ve finished it! I was partnered with Emma which is very exciting, her blog is great and she makes and sells the most amazing bags and clutches and has just written a ‘how to’ book that looks, well, the only word is scrummy!
I remembered to take a few pictures this time, but you’ll have to wait till Emma receives it first, but the general theme was ‘green’ as in recycled/repuroposed/thrifted/enviromentally friendly so wasn’t a problem for me, I think a lot crafters are horders and recyclers, seeing new uses for old things – I just hope Emma likes what I’ve done!
Now I’ve finally set up my etsy shop, ( have you noticed the pretty cool showcase I put in the side bar – I did that!) I have a bit of time for other things, which is great timing considering my baby is going to be 7 in 3 days!
However, weeping aside it is also a good friends landmark birthday soon, if It wasn’t for Jill, Rich and I would never have a night out so she is an absolute angel in my eyes! I wanted to make her something special so I’ve found this pattern on the without seams blog for a delicate shawl, and I’ve bought the most gorgeous lace weight wool from fyberspates, hand dyed here in Wales, I’ll post a picture when I get it. I’ve never worked with such a fine wool on anything bigger than a flower so its going to be a challenge, but I’ve been wanting to have a go for ages, and what a better reason to start!
And finally a picture of my ‘baby’, who obviously got up to play when I’d put him to bed…
Meet me (minus 5ft)
We had a bit of sun around 1.35pm so I quickly took some photos to prove I have been making ’stuff’, not just sat here with a mug of tea and a slice of carrot cake typing away randomly!
Firstly my new top, not finished but its too cold anyway yet! Crocheted in Kon-Tiki which is a lovely cotton/acrylic mix. Its going well, such a simple pattern. I’ve tweeked it a bit, the top part was supposed to be buttoned, but I thought that might be a little bulky so I joined it up with a slip stitch. You then work in rounds down from that and I have to say its looking lovely!
Next I’d like to introduce you to Janebutalittlebitbetterthoughalotsmaller!
Wearing my usual get up of red converse (not a mouse Julie/Rich!) jeans and a floaty top with jewellery. I was going to go with a nice little skirt and funky top but as I rarely make the effort myself I thought it wouldn’t be a true interpretion…
Obviously the hair is quite similar i.e scruffy, though I have to be honest and say my mate Nicki came round to do my hair today (dye, cut, try to style) and gave mini me a little snip too. You can imagine how bad it was before!
And of course, I had to be crocheting, well that or drinking and I didn’t fancy crocheting a bottle of wine! I’m quite chuffed with this bit, I used a cocktail stick and a nail file to shape it!
And finally, another swap, but its okay because its green …
Rachel from contented has another blog with a friend of her’s, called That little bit greener, full of info and tips and documenting their green journey.
And they are hosting a swap – a green swap – so I couldn’t say no, could I…
Pincushion swap
Today feels like my birthday but even better as I’m not a year older – I received my pincushion swap! Talk about exciting, look at this magnificent speciman
and the back too
I honestly don’t know which side is my favourite, I mean I feel cruel not to use the front; look at that fabulous stitching and as for the design, I totally love it. But the back; how glorious are those fabrics!
And the other ‘bits’ lurking in my parcel – sock wool – my mind is racing with possibilities already and my hand itching to get my 3mm hook out I mean, look at those colours!
And the buttons, yes, vintage buttons and that print, look at the colours, can you tell I’m excited!
There was also a lovely little treat in there for my boys, Rachel, thanks for being a wonderful swap partner and Claire thanks for organizing it!
p.s. Rachel should have received her’s now too, but just in case I won’t post a picture, just a little teaser instead!
Swaps!
14th December 09
Well, I’ve posted my secret santa – I really hope my swapee likes it, I think she will. I really, really enjoyed putting it together, it is so much fun creating something for someone who you know appreciates the thought and enjoys handmade. And on the plus side, I too received mine - SO EXCITED!!!
Also the craft neutral bauble swap I was doing is finished, Emma of Paddymade received mine and loved it! And I received hers and really loved it – look
And this is what I did Emma, she said she had a liking for black tinsel and I thought the pink would go nicely!
A massive thank you to Elaine of cup of tea for organising this – it really was a great idea, a simple bauble swap- beautiful in its simplicity like all the best things are.
Another swap!
3rd December 09
I’ve signed up for another swap – I know i’m a muppet, but I do love a swap and this one is a quick and simple one, and its Christmas decorations and who doesn’t love handmade dec’s?!
Eileen, over on her wonderful blog came up with this fab idea of making a decoration from stuff you have already, with a little edible pressie if you want, see, simple!
I’ve been partnered with Emma who does some amazing origami, (and has a great taste in men!) I can’t wait to see what I get!
I’ve also been busy on a new idea I kinda got from my mum, handwarmers, that i’m going to do as a set with the scarflettes, so I’ve been playing with different ideas. If we get some sun here in Wales i’ll post some pics. (Don’t hold your breath)
19th October 09
This is from my (small) stall at the craft fair in Dinas Powys last Saturday, and to be fair, the set up didn’t change much during the day – but ever the optermist, I nearly finished another scarf while I was there! Also, a lovely lady with a gallery in Pontyclun loved my stuff, and might be stocking it soon, so, every cloud eh!
Also, Gemma, my button swap partner finally recived her parcel, only 3 weeks to get from South Wales to London! I can finally post some pics of what I sent now. I tried a new idea for the necklace and I’ve been dying to know what she thought … she loves it! So I’m going to explore some variations of it that have been brewing in my mind, so here are some pics, I’m off experimenting – have a good week all!
As well as the jewellery, I sent some white chocolate (her favourite) a handmade notebook, some vintage fastenings, beads, some brilliant stickers that really reminded me of her work and of course, some relaxing tea!
Busy, busy, busy!
8th October 09
Just a quick post as I’m off to work in a minute, but I’ve just finished a new batch of earrings and brooches for a craft fair next Saturday, (in Dinas Powys if anyone is in the area!) that I’m really pleased with, so much in fact that I had to make an extra pair of the green earrings for me!
I have to thank my good friend Rita really for the inspiration for these. She went back to Hungary in the summer and brought me back lots and lots of gorgeous crochet cottons, and when I finally started tidying up the spare room, (note - started, not finished!) and I sorted them all out into a box, they looked so lush , all those vibrant colours together, it just got my mind racing… and here are some of the results
Also I got my part of the fabulous button jewellery swap organised by incy of incywincy today, from Gemma of Jimjamsandwich. How lucky am I, I love the vintage button brooch, it goes perfect with my jacket, the chocs are yummy and I have several ideas already for those extra buttons!
Busy, busy, busy!
17th September
I am rubbish at this blog keeping aren’t I, could you imagine if I kept a diary? The diary itself would be a beautifully handbound book with lots of inviting crisp white pages, I would sully it with enthusiasum on the 1st of January, probably with a list of what I intended to document, and it would go downhill from there…
However, I do have valid excuses, the boys are back at school so its getting into the routine of clubs, I only got the time of 2 of them wrong, 1 by an hour, the other by a day! And I have just finished a hugely exciting, though for the time being very secret, project that if it comes off will be FANTASTIC!
The other project that has been keeping me busy is also secret, though for a different reason! I’ve signed up for another swap over on incy wincy stitches blog
and I am very excited! Ive been partnered with Gemma from jimjam sandwich and her stuff is beautiful! I love her use of fabrics and delicate embroidery, look at these
and she has a 15% discount in her folksy shop for National Cupcake week, I’ve got my eye on that blue one!
I’ve had great fun making Gemma’s jewellery, her favourite colours are teal and cerise, and i’m really pleased with what i’ve done. Its an idea i’ve had trundling through my head for a while, and I think i’ll do some for my shop, but I can’t post any pics, it’ll spoil the supprise!
