Saturday 25 July 2015

Feeling much happier - Christmas in July Swap 2015

 
You may remember that I took part in the Christmas in July swap, run by Kim at Wisdom with needle and thread and today was the opening day! The idea was to make three Christmas things from a list, and then send them to someone whose name and address was emailed to you, but without them knowing who was their Secret Santa - until they opened their parcel.  I received my parcel in very good time and waited patiently until today to open it up.  Inside were three carefully wrapped  presents.
Here's what was inside.  A card and Christmas picture inside the card, a wooden Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, a red heart and a cross stitched decoration, which could be used as a pin cushion, although I don't think I could bear to stick pins in it!  I discovered that my Secret Santa was June.
The beautifully made cross stitch decoration.  I know I wouldn't have the patience or skill to create this!
 The bright and cheerful red heart.
 The Rudolf decoration.
 The card within a card.
The Christmas Card which gave me the identity of my Secret Santa.  A HUGE thank you goes to June for her lovely gifts, which I shall love displaying on the Christmas Tree each year.  Thanks to Kim, the organiser, as well, for organising, keeping in touch and keeping us on track!
 Of course, Scruffy decided to have a closer look at the parcel - "Hmm, I think I shall just have these for myself! If I sit on them, she can't get them!"
 "I told you, they're mine.  You can't have them!" (I have since removed them from harm's way!)
My recipient was Nina, from Turkey (and I hope she doesn't see this before she opens her gift!). Here's what I sent her: red and white bunting (some with reindeer patterns!), some polymer clay decorations with peace, joy and love stamped on them. and a felt star with embroidery.
(I added some non-Christmassy things too, just for the fun of it.  A notebook cover with felt flower, a pair of sterling silver, quartz and pearl earrings and a coloured quartz bracelet.)
Here were my gifts ready to be packaged up.  The parcel arrived, so I shall wait to see what she thinks.  It was a lovely swap to be involved with and I really enjoyed making the gifts and enjoying the anticipation and excitement of the build up to today.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds a lovely swap to take part in, I took part in a similar one last year. Lovely things you received & sent x

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    1. Thanks, Jo. It was a great swap to be part of and I loved the Secret Santa part of it, all adding to the excitement. I was very lucky with my swap and I hope my recipient likes her gifts too!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Thank you very much, Ellie! I love everything - both Christmas and summer gifts are perfect! I will post in my blog 1 week later becouse its last week of our holiday without wi-fi)) thank you again and warm hugs from Turkey! Nina)

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    1. Thanks, Nina. I am so pleased that you like your gifts. I really enjoyed making them for you.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. What a truly lovely idea. Fun for the givers and the recipients.
    I am sure that your gifts will be very well received - and laughed at the cat hogging the package. Ours do that too.

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    1. Thanks, EC. It was a lovely swap to be part of even though it was a bit strange to be thinking about Christmas already! Scruffy just has to be involved in everything we're doing (and invariably sits down on top of the very thing you need! He has a gift for that!
      Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. What beautiful things you both sent and received!!! So very kind of you and the other participants!! xx

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    1. Thanks, Amy. It was a great swap to be involved with and I really enjoyed taking part.
      Best wishes (and apologies for not replying sooner)
      Ellie

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