It's done as a secret swap instead of it being a straight swap between two people, so I knew who I was sending my swap parcel to but I didn't know who would be sending a parcel to me. It turned out that my parcel came from Lynn at Tialys and I received some wonderful gifts.
Two skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed in a lovely lilac colourway, a beautifully knitted neck warmer which will keep me warm and cosy whilst walking Archie, a cute drawstring bag which contained some lovely charms and stitch markers, buttons, a purse clasp, and an enamel pin badge, and two glass coasters covered in a beautiful crochet design. All these gifts have been photographed on some Christmas fabric which they were wrapped inside. Thank you, Lynn, I'm really pleased with everything.
The person who I sent my parcel to was Hannah from Quirky Hannah blog. One of the great things about any swap is making new blog friends and as I hadn't come across Hannah's lovely blog before, I had a good time reading through her previous posts and finding out what she likes.
This is what I included in my swap parcel.
I wasn't sure whether Hannah knits socks or not but I figured the yarn could be used for things other than socks if she's not keen. There's a skein of Knitglobal Sock Yarn and two 50g balls of Drops Fabel, enough to make two pairs of socks if Hannah so wishes. There's two small kits which came from magazines, one to make a crochet flower garland and one to make a fairy tree topper, two boxes of chocolate novelties, some sachets of flavoured tea and in the bottom corner you might just be able to make out some 'made with love' charms to sew on to finished items.
You may remember the Antarktis Shawl which I finished back in May. This was the first thing I completed for Christmas this year, well in advance, and it was knit with this swap in mind.
Last year, I sent my #stitchingsanta parcel to Kim at The Material Lady blog. I included a book, The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown, in the parcel and after reading it, Kim returned the book to me so that I could read it myself, which I've done. I thought that Hannah might enjoy reading this book too so I popped it in the parcel.
I've thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this Christmas swap again this year so thank you, Sheila, for organising it and thank you to Lynn and Hannah for being great swap partners.
I'm so pleased you like your gifts Jo - I only noticed the little photo of your dog after I'd sent the parcel off otherwise I'd have included one of my dog collars for him.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you had Hannah as your knitting partner recipient as she was my sewing partner recipient :)
Thank you once again, the gifts were lovely. I shall have to check out your dog collars, Archie could do with a smart new collar as Santa didn't leave one in his stocking. These swaps are great for making new friends and finding new blogs, I haven't come across your blog or Hannah's blog before so it's nice to be introduced to them in this way.
DeleteI make the dog collars and sell them in aid of a refuge run by an amazing English couple here in France. They take up to 30 very old or disabled dogs into their own home - dogs who would otherwise live out the last days of their lives in a cold concrete kennel without any cuddles. I do have an Etsy shop but it's closed at the moment for the Christmas holidays. Let me know Archie's neck size and his favourite colour and I'll get a collar in the post to you - as I would have included one in your parcel if I'd been more compos mentis at the time :/ www.thetialys@gmail.com
DeleteThank you so much, that's very generous, I'll measure Archie's neck and then drop you an email. I'd read the post about the little French bulldog on your blog, I'm glad his owner was found, though very sad that they'd let him get into that state. I was pleased to read that they'd now got him the help he needed.
DeleteWhat beautiful things you've both given and received. I do love that shawl, you are so very, very clever.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that Hannah likes the shawl, I've only just started knitting shawls but they're a bit like socks, addictive. I can see me knitting many more in my future.
DeleteSeasons greetings. You did receive some lovely gifts and sent some lovely gifts, too. It was my first time taking part in this swap and I too received some wonderful items. Wishing you all the best for the New Year, Pat
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you enjoyed taking part in the swap too. It's a great swap to be a part of, I'm sure I'll be putting my name down for it again.
DeleteSuch beautiful things you both chose to include in your parcels. The handknitted cowl looks very snuggly you received.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Christmas Jo with the family and mum is doing well x
I have such fun doing swaps, I really enjoy them. We had a wonderful Christmas but my mum and dad stayed in their own home this year, it's the first year they haven't been to us for a very long time. We went to see them in the morning but they had company all day so they weren't alone.
DeleteWonderful gifts, both given and received. I particularly like the fact that the book is getting such good use...it would be nice it it continued to be passed on in future swaps.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the book being passed along again once it's been read. I do try to pass most of my books on to others once I've finished with them.
DeleteLovely gifts :) I didn't take part in a Secret Santa this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've had a wonderful Christmas :)
I find I have to be quite organised when taking part in swaps, but they are so much fun. I've had a fabulous Christmas, thank you. It's just a shame that Daniel couldn't stop longer but he had to be back at work.
DeleteGreat gifts, both sent and received. You're such a generous blogger & your swap partners must be thrilled when they open their parcels. Hope you had a lovely Christmas with family & I've sent an email today. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI received some lovely gifts in my swap parcel, I hope that my partner liked everything I sent to her. I had a lovely Christmas, thank you, I hope you did too. Thank you for the email, I'll be answering it shortly.
DeleteOh lucky you getting Madame Tialys as your partner! I joined in again this year and was (again) exceedingly fortunate with the gorgeous gifts I received. I'm sure your recipient will be very happy, and I hope she enjoys the book too.
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how generous people are, I've received some wonderful gifts and I'm pleased to hear that you have too. I'm pleased to be passing the book on again, it's a lovely Christmas read.
DeleteWhat wonderful gifts on both sides. isn't it lovely how people spend time making something for someone they don't know? I took part in both the sewing and knitting swaps and will have to blog about them soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely swap for crafters and I always find that bloggers are so generous. I look forward to seeing the gifts you sent and received.
DeleteI'd say the swap was a success all around, such lovely gifts sent and received. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a big success each year with lots of people joining in. It's always lovely to receive a parcel full of craftiness but just as lovely putting one together for someone else too.
DeleteSuch beautiful and thoughtful presents each of you presented. Lovely idea about the book, sharing the love xcx
ReplyDeleteI love joining in this swap, it's such a great one for crafters. I certainly enjoyed reading this book so I like to think of it winging it's way through Blogland for others to read too.
DeleteLovely to see and read this post - you've given and received some wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Christmas was good ... sending Happy New Year Wishes.
All the best Jan
I was very lucky to receive such lovely things in my swap parcel. I had a lovely Christmas, thank you. Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2018.
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