It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas....

We've been having a bit of a technology crisis for the past few weeks, firstly, the Internet decided to stop working and we were without a connection for nearly a week (the teenagers thought the world had ended!) and then on the day that was fixed the computer decided to stop working and after a week of trying to fix it a bright shiny new one had to be bought to replace it. We are now back online and I'm playing catch up with emails and blog posts in between trying to make things for all the wonderful swaps I have signed up for. Talking of swaps how are your crackers coming along!
And talking of crackers, December is just around the corner and as this weekend is the closest to the first day of the month we decided to put up our Christmas tree and decorations. The conservatory is looking very Christmassy indeed!



We've even bought some new Christmas presents lights....



...but what I loved most is finding all the wonderful decorations and gifts that I have received as part of swaps both here in blogland and on Facebook. Some have been sent from overseas and some from closer to home but they have all be sent with love and friendship and for that they will always be treasured, thank you I do love this little crafting community that we belong to.

December is going to be a busy month and I've already signed up for Julie's Advent Calendar and Joy and Eileen's Winter Photographic Scavenger Hunt. If you fancy joining in too just pop over to their blogs to find out more.

Dish Cloth Swap

Back in June I signed up for a dish cloth swap over on Kimberley's blog Creative Chaos.

I was partnered with Louana from NZ Green Buttons.

Here is what I received from Louana

A bright and colourful tea towel

A beautifully made dishcloth.

Some handy kitchen gadgets.

And here is what I sent to Louana, I added a few extras as I a little (a lot) late sending out my parcel.

I wanted to make a stripy dishcloth in bright colours and after getting into a bit of a tizz with my original dishcloth pattern, it just didn't seem to like my cotton yarn, I decided to use one of my favourite stitches to make this stripy dishcloth. Oops, it seems in my rush to send my parcel I didn't actually take a picture of my dishcloth but I used this pattern to make a bobble/popcorn stitch dishcloth. Hopefully loan too a photo and will post it on her blog. 

I also made some flower coasters,

using this pattern, in the same colours as the dishcloth. These were really easy to make up and I even managed to make some whilst watching Tomas' swimming lesson.

And finally I made use of some vintage patterns I had in my studio and used them to wrap all the gifts in my parcel.

Thank you to Louana for being a wonderfully patient swap partner and to Kimberley for organising another super dishcloth/mug rug swap.

Cracker Swap 2015 - Swap Partners

Cracker Swap 2015 Partners List

Kimberley @ Creative Chaos and Glenda

Tracy @ Mad About Bags and Suzanne

Ellie @ Feltabulous and Melanie @ The Patchwork Robin

Maria @ Dotty's Daughter and Debbie @ Busy Little Chicken

Pen @ Rosa Lily and Alison @ Fat Dormouse Getting Thinner

Here is a reminder of the Swap Guidelines 

Each of us will make a fabric Christmas Cracker filled with goodies

1) Take a kitchen roll tube (much roomier and nicer than a toilet roll!)

2) Fill your tube with goodies (you're be surprised how much you can fit in!) I think it would be great to include your favourite Christmas joke or recipe!

3) Wrap you filled tube in some lovely Christmassy fabric and tie the ends with ribbon

4) Send your completed fabric Christmas cracker on it's merry way to your swap partner

5) Receive a gorgeous fabric Christmas cracker stuffed with goodies and a lovely piece of fabric too!

*****

Suggestions to fill your kitchen roll

sewing and crafting goodies in the way of buttons, ribbons and threads, needles and pins, stickers, beads, charms and lots more

Christmas chocolates, sweets etc

Pampering goodies like nail varnishes, bath bombs, soaps etc

Something handmade (as long as it fits in the tube! 

Although it could also be wrapped around the tube underneath the fabric too!)

Key rings, brooches, earrings etc

A favourite Christmas joke

A favourite Christmas recipe

*****

Your cracker needs to arrive in time for Christmas so post in plenty of time please.

Pinch, Punch, First of the Month.....

....and no returns

(I did start writing this post at about 9am this morning but have only just got around to finishing it off! So apologies for it being past the midday cutoff)

November is here!

I love the beginning of the month, it heralds a fresh start, new beginnings

and, as we start counting down towards December, this month is going to be super busy.

I feel a list coming on!

I have blog swaps to start and finish,  as well as a few makes that I would like to start just for me. I also take part in craft swaps over on Facebook, trading talents with others, it's a great way to add handmade gifts that you don't make yourself to your Christmas Lists or, as I do, to decorate our home.

If any of you would ever like to trade talents with me then just let me know as I think I love swapping more than I do selling my makes!

I'll be posting the Cracker Swap partners tomorrow so there is still a little time to join in, 

please feel free to add the button below to your blog and share the swap amongst your friends.

We are back to school tomorrow and our week and a bit of the half term break has been a mix of lazy days and family fun.

We have enjoyed a trip to the Sealife Centre in  London.

Pumpkin Carving in our local country park.

Building a Lancaster Bomber!

 Finishing off the week with a Light Party at our daughter's church.

As well as watching movies, playing board games and some much needed rest and relaxation.

Phew! I'm exhausted after all that lot but I am also excited for what the month of November is going to bring.