Cracker Swap 2014

I hope you have all enjoyed the festivities, we had a wonderful christmas and have now hit that lull that happens between christmas and new year when you aren't really sure what day it is and you haven't been out of the house (or your pyjamas) in days!!!

I came down with the dreaded christmas cold on boxing day and today I have lost my voice, which some would say is a blessing, whilst I'm finding it just, well, inconvenient!

I've also started a new project, I know I shouldn't have as I have far too many unfinished projects as it is, but I picked up this cross stitch kit in the charity shop for £5 just before Christmas and I promised to make it for Paul.

I've also been thinking about new year's resolutions, nothing too major but just some little tweaks and  some stash busting sewing! I will be revealing all on the 1st of January.

*****Cracker Swap 2014*****

Thank you to everyone that took part in this year's cracker swap I've really enjoyed seeing all your crackers and I hope that you have enjoyed taking part.

 I was partnered with Kerry from Blueberry Heart and Glenda (who doesn't have a blog but loves to take part in swaps)

This is what Kerry from Blueberry Heart sent me.

A lovely traditional red festive fabric wrapped cracker

It's amazing how much you can fit in one of these tubes!

I tried to convince my boys that the brussel sprout chocolates actually tasted of brussel sprouts so that I didn't have to share but they weren't convinced!

I love the button heart and the little mistletoe kisses heart

Tomas decided to peg this little fella on the tree.

And this tea light candle smelled deliciously of Christmas!

Thank you Kerry for such a fabulous swap.

Glenda's cracker travelled all the way over from New Zealand.

The cracker was wrapped in this very festive green and gold christmas fabric with added decorations. 

and was crammed full of goodies!

Inside were these delicious treats which didn't last long at all.

A foxy rubber and some beautiful butterfly magnets

Some festive nail varnishes and christmassy embellishments.

This little fella is so cute and has been added to my keys.

I'm getting used to using my handmade dishcloths now, (I was very much in the camp that they were too nice for washing up!) and I have a growing collection, this one is super soft.

And finally some vintage goodies.

Thank you Glenda for being a wonderful swap partner.

Now in my mad last minute rush to get my crackers in the post I completely forgot to take any photos of the crackers that I put together for Kerry and Glenda, I'm hoping that they will take some photos and I can pop them on my blog sometime in the future.

I've added a little link list to this post so that you can share your cracker swap posts in one place xx 

just fill in your details below x 

Cracker Swap Partner List

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for this year's Cracker Swap. I popped all your names in a hat and below is a list of partners and (hopefully) links to each of your blogs xx any problems just shout and all the details about the swap can be found on the cracker swap post

Pop over to your partners blog and say hello, get to know each other a little better and happy swapping xx

A Little Bit Country and Creative Chaos (Kimberley)

Fat Dormouse and Feltabulous (Ellie)

Busy Little Chicken (Debbie) and Lavender Basket (Annie Bananie)

The Snail Garden (PJ) and The Patchwork Robin (Melanie)

Blueberry Heart and Tracy (me)

Crafts @ Home (Sue) and Gilly Makes (Gilly)

Daisy Row (Joy) and Moonstruck Creations (Helen)

Tracy and Glenda (Glenda doesn't have a blog but I will post about our swap)


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Cracker Swap

They say absence makes the hearts grow fonder, so I'm hoping that a few of you have missed me just a little bit! No excuses, just a busy life, probably like the rest of you. 

I'm hoping things will settle down after Christmas and I can get back to blogging regularly and taking part in more swaps.

Talking of swaps do you think it's too late to run my 

Cracker Swap???

It would be lovely if I could and if you haven't taken part before and are wondering what on earth I'm talking about here's how it works.

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

*****

SWAP RULES

This swap is open to UK and overseas bloggers

Last posting date for your Christmas cracker will be 15th December (before if you are posting overseas) - if for any reason you can't make that deadline please let your partner know. 

Blog about what you receive and what you have sent so we can all see your wonderful goodies.

I will set up a flicker group and post the link when I have partnered everyone up.

Right, I think that's everything, if you have any problems during the swap then please let me know, but bear in mind that I am only the organiser of this swap it is up to you and your partner to swap details, likes and dislikes etc and to arrange a time to swap (by the deadline hopefully). I do understand that sometimes things happen and if for whatever reason you can't take part in the swap and need to pull out then please let me and your partner know, it's so disappointing not to receive anything!

Here are some pics from previous cracker swaps

If you would like to join in please leave a comment below by the 

29th October 2014 and I will announce swap partners on the 31st.

Don't forget to let me know whether you prefer to post UK or are happy to post overseas 

xx 

Here is an image for your blog posts and a link (if I can get it to work!)

http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/cracker-swap.html