#stitchingsanta Reveal

I've really enjoyed the swaps I've taken part in this year. The #stitchingsanta swap, hosted by Sheila on her Sewchet blog is a great one for crafters. There were two categories, Sewing or Crochet/Knitting, I opted for the second.

This was a Secret Santa type swap so I was given someone to send a parcel to and someone else sent a parcel to me.

It turned out that Leah from Faith's Craft Box had been given my details and she sent me some wonderful gifts. First of all I must show you the beautiful card she sent. This is Leah's second attempt at cross stitch and I'd never have guessed, it was absolutely perfect and such a lovely design. I'd have thought she'd been cross stitching for years. I'm sure you won't be surprised that this is one card which hasn't gone in to the recycling box, I thought I might have a go at turning the stitching in to a lovely Christmas tree ornament which I can display each year.

Inside the card was this Lizzie Kate Dreaming is Free Believe in Miracles cross stitch chart. Such a lovely motto.

The gifts were wrapped beautifully. They resided under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning when I couldn't wait any longer to find out what was inside.

These are the things I found inside. Wasn't I spoilt? Some luxury yarn, a handmade toadstool which is now residing on my dressing table, a knitted pouch to hang on the Christmas tree containing treasure of buttons, a stitch marker and some brooch pins, a pair of Rudolph slipper socks, a candle in a cute robin candle holder, some snow berry yarn, a wet-bag which is perfect for holding crafting projects, though I'm intending starting swimming soon so this will be ideal for my wet cossie, some fruit tea and some delicious Green & Black's ginger chocolate.

These slipper socks are so cute. I've put them away so that I can wear them throughout the Christmas period each year.

Such beautiful yarn. Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal. It's merino wool and cashmere, luxury. I've been saying that I fancy having a go at knitting a shawl for quite some time and I think this yarn would be perfect for that. It's such a beautiful colour too.

Thank you so much, Leah, I'm absolutely thrilled with everything and you've been a great swap partner.

I was given the details of a different blogger to buy for, Tracy from Mad About Bags and so much more......... I hadn't come across this blog before and I couldn't email Tracy to ask what sort of things she liked with it being a Secret Santa swap so I did a bit of reading through her blog and hoped that I'd bought things she'd like. I sent a few sachets of Tea Pigs so that she could enjoy a brew whilst opening the gifts.

I sent a couple of balls of West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Lecister Aran, a couple of balls of Drops Love You 5, a Crochet Mini Makes book, some wooden buttons and some ribbon.

I also knitted two little stockings to hang on the Christmas tree with some stitch markers and Hand Made charms inside.

This scarf was the only hand knitted item I gifted this year. It was made from Patons UK Wool Blend Aran.

I didn't follow a pattern, I just made up a checkerboard design.

I can't send a swap parcel without including chocolate so I sent a box of Toffifees.

Finally, I discovered through her blog that Tracy is a fox lover, so, even though it was nothing to do with knitting or crochet, I sent this little fox magnet.

I received a lovely email from Tracy thanking me for everything, she seemed very pleased. She'd been away just before Christmas to Lapland and I'm extremely jealous, I'm waiting to hear more about her trip now.

Thank you for organising this swap Sheila, I had such a lot of fun with it.

I think I became a little obsessed with swaps over Christmas, you do have to be quite organised to buy everything and send it all off on time but I've loved taking part in each and every one and I shall definitely be taking part in more this year.