Swap Heaven

One of the simplest pleasures in life is the giving and receiving of
gifts, and when the gift is something you made yourself, then the
pleasure is all the greater.

I am relatively new to this blogging lark, only realising this little
universe existed after I bought myself 'the crafters companion' using a
book voucher I had been given for my birthday - I had deliberated for
weeks over what book to purchase, and found the CC in a small
independent bookshop in the local town.
I read it cover to cover in a couple of days, and realised that I wasn't
alone in my crafting addiction, I no longer had to hide myself and the
things I made away from the world, in fear of being labelled a hippy!

Each chapter of the book was like reading another version of myself, and
needles to say, as soon as I could grab some computer time, I had to
look at this world of blogging. I cannot tell you how it has changed my
life so far - nothing dramatic, just a gentle drift towards the person I
have had lurking inside waiting to burst free for most of my life, and I
can tell you, it is so very exciting!

One of the things I found most fascinating were the swaps. I was a keen
observer of this strange phenomena, and finally took the plunge - it has
been a really pleasurable experience to say the least.
from signing up, getting your swap partner, trying to get a feel for
what they would like, the creation of the swap item, the parcelling up,
posting off, then waiting to see if they like what you have made for
them, and if that wasn't enough, there is the anticipation of what you
are going to receive, when will arrive? what will it be? and before it
ever arrives, you know you will love it - it is a wonderful buzz!
One of the strange things is seeing your own work on someone elses blog
- it must be similar to seeing your work in a magazine or a book.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, my mood is philosophical today, in
preparation for my first ever time selling my own work on a market stall
this Sunday. I need to take my mind off the whole 'will they won't they
like/buy my stuff?'

Last Saturday, the post man woke us up. SSB ran down to the door, and
returned with a tray of coffee, and 3 parcels!

the first was his, but the second 2 were mine - I really could get used
to this!

Just look what Sarah at Pink petal designs made for me in the kitchen
swap!

I had been coveting some of those dish cloths from the first time she
posted them on her blog, but now they have arrived, I realise they are
far to nice to use for there intended purpose. I was going to put them
in the bathroom, but for this week so far, they have remained
beautifully bundled up, and proudly on display in my sewing room, so I
can look at them!!!

And look at all the gorgeous things she sent with them - an Owl egg cosy, a mini rolling pin, napkins, the famous cleaning cloths, and a gorgeous card!


then, another parcel, this time from Canada!
The lovely StayMa at L' Univers de StayMa sent me this in addition to the fab
toadstool I received the other week!

A lovely necklace, some fab-ric, little wooden wot-nots, a pendand and a sand dollar

The sand dollar is so cool! check out the link telling you what a sand dollar is.




So - despite the rotten weather, it has been sunny here in the juicy fig household.

Keep your fingers crossed for me for my very firstest market stall this Sunday! If you never hear from me again, well, it was either a total disaster or I made millions and am celebrating on a tropical island somewhere!!!