as you can see we wouldn’t have seen much from the bridge, no matter how flat it is!  We also went to Steels, the famous fish and chip restaurant.  It’s great, it never changes, from the banquets to the decoration to the bread and butter and tea served on tap.  Coming from Grimsby I think I know my fish and chips and these are some of the best.  (I would have taken a photo but they didn’t last long enough…)

Its a fair old drive back home, around 5 hours and after doing it I really do take my hat off to reps who do it all the time and work, I’m good for nothing after driving that far!  To make me feel even more inadequate, you must read the blog caribou crossing chronicals.  Its who I sent my fabric swap too.  Karen is in the middle of a massive 8000 km drive to pick her daughter up from uni.  She lives in the Yukon Territories in Canada, what a fantastic address!

What I sent, some Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler and vintage fabric as well as some beads and silks.

But best of all, after my pathetically epic drive, I found this parcel waiting for me.

How beautifully wrapped!  And look inside…

3 exciting little bags

a detail of some of my faves

Thank you so much Linnhe!  I have made some great Internet crafting buddies and found some wonderful blogs through swaps and wee mindings is one of them.  Thanks to to Ali of very berry for organising a great swap too and introducing me to a load of new blogs xx

Cheryl of cherylbugs clearly loves sewing and is quite good at it, and I had found this pattern in my stitch dictionary that I had wanted to try and here was the perfect occasion!  What do you think?

I also included some little extras, some fabric, a little flower and of course some chocolate!  I heard back from Cheryl today and she absolutely loves it, the pincushion is in use, the flower had been worn and the fabric is loved – I love a good swap!

Update:  Just received my swap parcel

a really cute heart from Zoe of top floor treasures , isn’t the fabric gorgeous!

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.

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!

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…

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…

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!

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.

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)

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!