Girls Day in the Country – The Swaps

This year we had two separate swaps. 

Firstly, on Friday we had a “Make it, bake it or fake it” Swap among the Blog ladies.

I didn’t have a great deal of time so I did a simple make, with a bit of a fake.  A couple of weeks ago I read on Bloom’s blog that she had found a wonderful new toy.  I arranged to get one for myself and also got one for the swap.  I then made a simple draw string bag to carry it in.

Ann was the recipient of this little package.

I received a lovely fat quarter bundle and a little mirror from the vintage quilt exhibition in Brisbane, prepared by Jenny. I’ll have fun with the fabrics, and it was a real treat to have a little something from the quilt exhibition, as it was something that I would have love to visit, but just not feasible.

Kerry had arranged a swap for Saturday using one of Lynette’s little patterns.  The project was for a needle book.

Time was not on my side, so I pared back the stitchery design to just one colour and simplified the stitches.  Instead of making a needle book, I made a pincushion, using some fabric I had, which matched the stitchery nicely, and some ribbon that came from Norway, wrapping a Christmas Swap a couple of years ago.

For the first time I used crushed walnut shells for the filling.  I was really happy with how it turned out.  I may have to make one for myself as well.

Funnily enough, Ann received this swap gift as well.

I received a very sweet needle book.  When I saw the wrapping paper I had a sneaking suspicion that it may have been made by Jenny, as it was the same paper as on my Friday night’s gift. 

Yes, I was right.  What a coincidence.

I love the rich colours Jenny used, the snail button and the lining fabric on the inside also matches, with snails and other bugs and flowers.  Just perfect.

Taking part in the swaps sometimes creates a little pressure, but is worth it to join in.

By the way, I used the little rechargable LED lamp for stitching on the Saturday and it was fantastic.  I’m very happy to have stumbled across it.