I have just taken part in Tracy's (from
Mad about Bags) Christmas Cracker swap and I was partnered up with the lovely Joy from
Welcome to Daisy Row . We exchanged a few emails and looked at each others' blogs to get a few clues and then got going on making/buying things to go into the cracker. I thought it was a lovely idea because we all had to use the inside of a kitchen roll, fit as many things inside as would go and wrap the cracker in some Christmassy material and tie the ends with ribbon. So, not only would we get all the goodies inside, we would also have ribbon and material to add to our craft stashes. Above is Joy's cracker which arrived yesterday morning. Mine to her arrived on Saturday.
Here are all the goodies.
A bag full of lovely flower shaped buttons that I am going to use in a jewellery project (but don't know what yet), a knitted rose and pink gingham ribbon.
Shiny sparkly ribbon, lace, a red knitted rose, chocolate lollipops, a tape measure, and two reels of cotton.
The organza ribbon (which was on the ends), some multi-coloured paperclips, a pen and post-it notes and a bookmark, together with a lovely flower card. Oh, and not forgetting the lovely fabric, which is going to become part of some Christmas bunting that I shall be attempting to make over the next month. All perfect things for a bibliophile, stationery hoarding, crafter like me. Thank you so much, Joy!
Here's my cracker for Joy.
Cosmos seeds, a felt heart, earrings, a key ring, ribbons, chocolate, stitch holders and stitch/row counter, red heart decoration.
It was a lovely swap to be involved with and was great fun to decide what was small enough (or pliable enough) to fit inside. To quote Brucie (yet again - I really need to find some new quotes), "Didn't they do well?"
I shall be keeping an eye on your blog to see the bunting and jewellery project, Ellie. So pleased you liked your cracker, I didn't pick up that you were a stationery hoarding bibliophile - that was just pure luck! Are you sure you're not my long lost twin sister?
ReplyDeleteJoy xx
Dear Joy
DeleteThank you for commenting. I shall try to get on with the bunting and jewellery projects as soon as I can. I have several other things on the go as well though - I wish I could just work on one project at a time, but it doesn't seem to happen. I thought my cracker was absolutely perfect and yes, I am a major hoarder, not just of stationery, but gemstones, sewing notions (I love that phrase), pens, and especially books. I am sure Chris and I could only our own bookshop/library. We just need more space to put all this stuff! Chris is also a hoarder, only probably even worse than me, so you can imagine the chaos that surrounds us! I don't think I'm your long lost twin sister, but you never know!
Best wishes
Ellie
You got me to thinking about hoarding, and I may do a blog about it. Rog and I share a stationery cupboard, and when he was working he often used to say that we have more stationery at home than at the office. I collect books, craft books, paperbacks, all sorts, as well as a very old collection of books that my Dad's printing company published before the war, I have fabrics, yarns, pens by the dozen, original artworks (by unknowns), picture frames, and I used to sell greetings cards (Phoenix Trading) so I also have a huge stock of cards, and other stuff as well. Mugs everywhere, postcards. I hate to throw anything away! Thankfully Rog is very tidy and methodical so we dont live in COMPLETE chaos!
DeleteWhat I meant to say was that Chris and I could own our own bookshop/library...I really should proof read my comments more carefully!
DeleteDear Joy
DeleteThanks for your comment about hoarding. I think that it can sometimes be a useful thing as more often than not, we have something I desperately need for a project already, so I don't need to buy it. However, sometimes it can be frustrating if you know that the item is there somewhere, but just can't find it. Perhaps 'controlled hoarding' is the way to go? If you find a way control hoard, please would you let us know?!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ooh, what a gorgeous swap! Love the sparkly ribbon and lace.
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
Dear Victoria
DeleteThank you for your comment. I think I was very lucky as I received some lovely things, which have started me thinking about lots of projects. So many things to do, so little time!
Best wishes
Ellie
Dear Jooles
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It was a very exciting thing to be involved in and I really enjoyed taking part.
Best wishes
Ellie
That looks like a lot of fun, and so many lovely things squeesed inside a cracker, what a nice idea. I recently won some cracker snaps and so I am going to have a go at making my own crackers. x
ReplyDeleteDear Gillian
DeleteThank you. It really was a lot of fun and exercised the 'little grey cells' with what would fit in and be appropriate for the recipient too. I would definitely take part again next year if Tracy runs it again.
Best wishes
Ellie
What a brilliant idea for a swop and what a lovely haul of bits and bobs :)
ReplyDeleteDear Annie
DeleteThank you. I thought the idea was a terrific one and I think I was very lucky to get such super gifts. I am still thinking how to use those gorgeous buttons...
Best wishes
Ellie
Hi Ellie, thank you for joining my blog and entering the giveaway.I have joined your blog too and think its lovely, all my favourite type of things!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anne
DeleteA big welcome and thank you. Your blog appeals to me too for all the same reasons!
Best wishes
Ellie
Our first swap posts, well done to you and joy looks light you both received wonderful crackers, really must get my finger out and getting crackering!!
ReplyDeleteDear Tracy
DeleteThank you - it was a great idea and we both really enjoyed taking part. I hope it will become an annual event?!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ooooooh, lots of lovely ideas (I am still compiling mine!) - didn't you both do well! I adore those buttons!!!! I think the aspect I adore most about these swaps is nosing what other people sent!!!! Loads of loveliness! How did you make that lovely polymer clay keyring mixing it so neatly to be swirly?! Working on mine right now...
ReplyDeleteNice to 'meet you' via this swap!
Dear Kezzie
DeleteThank you for commenting. Yes, we did do well. I really like the buttons too and am still considering how best to use them. The polymer clay beads were made using an extruder tool to create the lovely patterns. If you haven't tried using one yet, do give it a go - it's my favourite thing with polymer clay at the moment. I bought mine from jewellery maker. You can see other beads and pendants I have made on previous blog posts - there was one earlier in November where I have posted about it.
Nice to meet you too. Good luck with your cracker swap and I hope it goes well.
Best wishes
Ellie
Lovely swaps pressies :) I've nearly finished mine, just one small thing to buy then posting time :)
ReplyDeleteLovely blog by the way - I am your newest follower :)
Dear VintageVicki
ReplyDeleteThank you and a big welcome! I hope your Christmas Cracker swap is successful - it was such a lovely thing to be involved with and there are very generous people out there. I hope you'll enjoy reading my blog.
Best wishes
Ellie