Advent Swap, a new start and new goodies

My friend Clare and I continued our annual Christmas advent swap in 2022. We don't have a set plan so we can pick any gifts for each other to include in the swap.  I always start collecting things at the start of the year as I also do a swap with a work friend, and then add throughout the year.

Once again I forgot to get a photo of Clare's gifts but here is the stitched ornament I made for her, design is by Heart in Hand.

These are all the lovely treats I received from Clare.

I was also received this gorgeous Santa as part of our stitching group secret Santa exchange.

The beautifully stitched and finished ornament I received from Clare.

Art & Frame in Christchurch had a new shipment of needle minders arrive a few weeks before Christmas so I couldn't resist this cutie:

 

I've had this Birdhouse design ready to go for ages so decided to get it started prior to going on my summer holidays. I'm using Cosmo thread and the design came pre printed in the kit.

I picked up this cute little tin at one of our local shops, thought it would be the perfect size for storing threads, my handcream, etc in.

This year I decided to purchase the Book of Days, a journal by Needlework Press for stitchers to record all my stitching progress and plans.

Of course, it couldn't travel alone from Stitch Witches, all the way down south in Dunedin, so I added a few other goodies - fabric for an up and coming project when the pattern arrives, a Lori Holt needle minder and a tiny pair of Kelmscott scissors.

Lastly for today, the dahlias in the gardens at my work are all out right now and look just gorgeous right now:

See you soon x

Advent Swapping

2021 was the third year I've participated in an Advent Swap with my dear friend Clare. I collect or make things throughout the year, so much fun!

These are all the lovely goodies I received from Clare:

A Lizzie Kate ornament, I've stitched this design several times over the years but never for myself :)

 I just loved everything Clare gave me! Sadly, once again, I forgot to take a photo of what I gave Clare, this year maybe, lol.

See you soon x

Christmas Gifts, Advent Swaps, New Stash & 2021 Plans

Catching up here continues today with some of the lovely goodies I received at Christmas from my stitching pals. 

These are the lovely gifts I received from Kath - we were able to have a quick catch up for morning tea just before Christmas which was wonderful.

Whoops, upside down - from work friends:

From Wendy, who popped by on Christmas morning

From Elizabeth, gorgeous stitching

This is the 2nd year I've participated in an Advent Swap with friends Clare and Val. These are so much fun, I collect small gifts for the ladies throughout the years or make things.

These are the gifts I received from Clare:

Received from Val:

I just love everything I received, such a fun swap. Sadly, I forgot to take photos this time of the gifts I gave the ladies, I will try better this year!

Some lovely new stash arrived in the post just before Christmas too, from 123 Stitch, my first stash order in a few months.  

I couldn't resist buying the PDF for the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery Ho Ho Ho, so cute!

My new 2021 planner, purchased for $3 from Kmart,  is already in good use - I'm using this to track projects each month and also forward plan any gifts I'd like to make throughout the year.  I have a separate journal, also from Kmart, to record any new designs started and supplies used. 

As for stitching plans this year? I'd ready like to complete some unfinished projects, some of which I've been stitching on over my holiday break. I've planned out and kitted up the first of 2021's ornaments for family and friends, and bookmarked a few other crafts to try. Perhaps I might go back to sock knitting? I thought I might even do some dish cloth knitting, especially since I came across this idea, Year of the Dishcloths, which is being run by the Kitchen Sink shop. Each month a new pattern will be released, which is then free to download on Ravelry. The first pattern can be found here.

See you soon x

 

Advent Swapping

I had the happiest afternoon on Saturday, spending time with two of my dear friends, Kath and Clare. This year, for something different, we decided to have an Advent Swap. Back in January a list of suggested gifts was put together and then it was up to us how we interpreted the suggestions.

It was so much fun! I started collecting items back in January, also picked up things on my travels to Australia, and then spreading out the swap ideas throughout the year.  

Kath, Clare and I decided to have a pot luck lunch, which was delicious, and have an unwrapping session, so we could each see what the others got in their swap.

These are all the wonderful gifts I received from Clare:

This has coffee sachets in it :

What a neat idea!

A beautiful cushion:

From Kath:

For my scissors, I love this :

A little bag to match some of the other sewing accessories Kath has made me over the years:

I completely forgot to take photos of the gifts I put together before they were wrapped but both Clare and Kath have shared these on instagram - @clarebear610 and @kath_hintz. 

It was such a fun day together, lots of laughs and plans made for 2020's swap!  We're also going to have a few stitchalongs next year as well. 

See you soon xx