My first swap - part two

So a couple of posts ago I told you about the lovely little parcel that I received through the post as part of my first swap. I've had to wait until my swap partner received hers before I could post about it here but I've now got the all clear.

To remind you, the swap needed to be a pincushion or a  needle case made using fabrics from your stash.

Introducing my little parcel! (Very 'me' with the greens and pinky red packaging!)

I had wanted to make a pin cushion as I've been thinking about them recently (I need to make a few for the classes that I'm now running). I wanted it to be cute, bright, charming and homely. I had a look through various images on the internet to get the creative juices flowing and got back to thinking about my little house lavender bags. 

So I tweaked them and came up with this.... what do you think?

Certainly more folksy.  I love the mixture of colours, the ric rac and the ribbon chimney! In fact it was quite hard to package it up and send it off!

I used a check cotton for the back to add an element of surprise, and also to add a little more charm.

All in all I was dead chuffed with the finished article and would have been very happy to have had something similar land on my doormat.

Fortunately Janey, my swap partner, thought so too. Thank you Janey - I'm glad you like it.

I'm now busy making up a few more for the classes!

xx 

My first swap....

When I browse through other peoples blogs I often come across 'swaps'. A great way to craft with a purpose and hopefully bring a smile to someone's face as they open your little parcel. I've decided it was time that I had a go.

I spotted a pin cushion/needle case swap the other week and it seemed just the ticket. A little project that could be completed in an hour or so.. or even longer depending on what you fancy. The rules are that you have to use fabrics from your stash... Not really a problem for me - plenty to choose from... too many may be?

I've been partnered with a lovely lady called Janey and we've been getting to know each other online. I've pondered lots on what to send and my little parcel has gone off.

Today my surprise arrived through the post. I'm rubbish at waiting for things so rushed in and opened it before even thinking about taking a photo! Janey has chosen to make me a needle case which is just perfect as I don't really have very many and it can be added to my holiday sewing bag ready for our trip in the summer to Morocco. She sounded really apprehensive when she sent it off, and it is slightly nerve wracking, but she was daft to have worried. 

It's got a gorgeous fabric on the inside, Janey is a  liberty fan and I'm wondering if it is or not. But the outside has all been done by hand and I know how time consuming that can be and it's lovely. Janey has a little boy toddling around as well so I know she will have had to have grabbed odd minutes where she can.

It was  a lovely surprise and has brought a smile to my face this morning.

I'll post about what I made her in a day or two as I just need to ensure that she's got it first. I wouldn't want to spoil her surprise.

I think when I know I have the time to do the swap justice that I'll do another. It's been great making a treat for someone and getting to know them.. the surprise that lands on my doormat is the icing on the cake as they say.

xx