Apron Swap 2010

I had a great time making my pinny for The Great Apron Swap over at Red Gingham.  This is what I sent my partner (modeled rather unflattering on me).

I also made a couple of yo yo broaches to be pinned on the pinny too!

In return I received a wonderful pinny which I have been wearing a lot.  I love the fact the pockets are  handkerchiefs.  I never thought of adding pockets!

Fabric Addict Swap

I took part in the Fabric Addict Swap and was paired with the wonderful Serenta at The Balancing Kiwi.  Look at how my parcel was wrapped in Fabric, doesn't it look inviting.

She sent a couple of books for the boys, the pirate one has already been tucked into.

I adore the card

A wonderful Pin Cushion and needle case

A brill badge which is already on my summer coat

Some vintage threads and ribbons

A selection of buttons

Some delicious fabrics

And some felt and a sewing magazine.

I have really enjoyed the swaps I have taken part in and was wondering if anyone fancied joining me for another swap over the summer or maybe one to coincide with the children starting school, A September Surprise (to help ease the pain of losing both my boys to school)?  If you are leave me a comment and I will pop my thinking cap on.

Spring Swap

As you know I really do enjoy a nice swap and have signed up for quite a few recently.  I was paired with Helen for Molly Cupcakes Spring swap and look what she sent me

I was lucky enough to get some wonderful things including some CK smellies, napkins and chocolate of course.

A lovely tin bird house, which the minimads have popped on the front of their playhouse!

A hand painted sign, which is now hanging in my kitchen.

A beautiful lavender filled bird, which I adore.

A pink bead heart

A super cute bunny.  I was overwhelmed and love it all.  Thanks Helen

If you want to see what I sent Helen, then take a look at her blog here.

The joy of receiving and a great big thank you

Me and the MiniMads have been blessed this last couple of weeks by the kindness and creativity of bloggers.

Firtly we were lucky enough to win a copy of a children's book that Cystal Jigsaw wrote herself. The mini's and I are treasuring reading a little of this each evening and are trying to make it last. Did I tell you she wrote it herself!

The wonderful Sandy of Baby Baby, who I often think is me in disguise sent me some chocolate sustenance and some buttons for the boys (who open the package and ran off with them before I could take a piccie) and some fabric she has been meaning to do something with. Thank you Sandy the fabric is wonderful and I have my thinking cap on for what to make with it.

I was also blessed to win a giveaway over at Sew Mental Mamma, a very talented lady who makes the most wonderful clothes for her children, please pop over and say hello.

I was blown away with her generousness, not only did I receive a zakka sewing books, to patterns, some Alice in wonderland fabric, a stunning pin cushion, ribbon and a large button, but she popped in some green bath foam for the minimads and it is wonderful as it contains no nasties or SLS so they can use it! Oh and I almost forgot there was also some Gin and Tonic Chocolate in the parcel too. Thank you ever so much.

Isn't the blog world just wonderful. I have had a hard month and I have to say that I have been in awe of the wonderful things we have received.

Also a very special lady Ang over at Tracing Rainbows wrote the boys the most amazing letter all about the Easter Story and we have been reading it after dinner each evening and the now can recite it pretty much off by heart. It was such a wonderful thing to receive, such a joy and so perfectly tailored for my little men. It has bright images and well it is just wonderful.

She also send an Easter present for each of the boys and for me and MadDad too.

I was also given an unexpected Easter Present from the very clever Liz at Violet Posy.  Look up, see that new header, well Liz made that and I had no idea.  She is a super and very talented lady.

Flower Swap

I decided to take part in Sew Scrumptious' flower swap, my first real swap and I was very excited to get Kelly at A place of my own. 

I love the idea of a swap, it gives you chance to stalk their blog for all the right reasons and put something nice together, that doesn't have to cost the earth, but has meaning and tend to be based on a theme.

I received my parcel from Kelly on Wednesday, but decided to leave it until the evening before opening, as I know my children, they would want to do it all for me and as much as I love them, well I like to have a little bit of the joy too!

Oh and look at what wonderful goodies she sent me

The most divine pin cushion with one of the flowers of Kelly's wedding dress, how honoured am I?

3 lovely lavender cushions which are going to be going in to my drawers!

The most stunning note cards, which Kelly has made herself, not only did she made them herself, but she took all the images too.

A wonderful tea cosy for my teapot.  Woohoo

Some sweetpeas and a fat quarter of delicious fabric

Finally some cute little magnets.

So I wanted to say a great big thank you to both Kelly and Louise.  It has been great fun