Woolfest Swap

I really enjoy sharing Woolfest with lots of fibre loving bloggers and facebook fibre fans...the anticipation of crafters going to browse and buy,...the frenetic activity of sellers meeting the deadline for production...and then the wonderful photos of vibrant and textured purchases bought in all shapes and sizes, woolly wildlife,  tales of friends meeting...followed by plans for the purchases and final reveals! This year there was the added excitement of torrential rain in Cokermouth and its surrounds.

The power of the internet makes me feel involved even though I wasn't there!

Tracey over at Baking and Making organised a Woolfest swap this year...where one person who was going to Woolfest bought something for someone that wasn't. In return their partner would send something as Tracey said 'to brighten someone's day'!

My swap partner is Anne who writes  Frayed at the Edge, she sent me the most wonderful parcel:

...containing two exciting packages with pretty polka dot ribbon!

The Red Cross notelets reminded me of embroidery on tablecloths that my mum has.

Anne kindly sent some wonderfully squidgy and colourful felt pieces and some vibrant Masham curls from Woolfest

and some lovely creations from her studio including this frayed at the edge lavender heart (it's resting on one of the colourful nuno felt patches from Woolfest)

Anne's blog is full of beautiful photos of her surroundings, and creations. I really love the way she is able to take an ordinary subject and make it beautiful, as you can see in the notecards she enclosed in her studio parcel:

I sent:

..a needlefelted cake..Anne regularly has mouthwatering photos of cakes on her blog..

a cotton crochet flower from Tracey's pattern and a double sided butterfly with a needlefelted middle!

As Anne sews so beautifully I wrapped the parcel in some fabric...the patterned piece from our old sofa and the shiny purple from a favourite blouse (that no longer fits!). I am hoping she enjoys making something with it  - as I find incorporating bits I am given so inspiring!

I'd like to say a big Thank you to Tracey for organising the swap and to Anne  - its great to see and feel other's inspiring felt, my lavender bag is put to good use and I'll be using the cards soon. Some of the beautiful Masham fleece has already been incorporated into a piece of wet felt...

YAY! Yes, you have read that bit right..I've finally had the chance to play with the soap and fibres...

more of that in another post when we have some picture taking weather!

Looks like a weekend for staying in and being creative...hope you all have a good one!

Ali x

PS Tracey has had quite a few commissions for publications recently including a fab Boho scarf in Craftseller Magazine number 13

Snail Mail Holiday Swap

I've been really excited about the Snail Mail Holiday Swap hosted by Tracey and Emma - the planning, cyber-meeting, making, posting, waiting and receiving! 

My partner is  Jay and I am amazed how she is able to make such fantastic goodies, participate in festive events and meet her essay deadlines!

This week 2 almost identical squidgy packages arrived, they were nearly the same but one jingled when shaken!

Inside such temptingly squashy parcels....

 Perfect mini festive stockings..in my team's home colours!

Mr Hedgehog...complete with cuddly red scarf. We captured on video a wandering hedgehog meandering across our frozen lawn last winter leaving a spiky trail...so now we have a much softer and warmer reminder!

 

Mr Penguin - the source of the jingling on his lovely looooooong striped headwear!

 

This little girl reminds me of my younger days - her hat is fab - its so long I'm sure she could sit on it! I had knitted hats as a child too - but not of this magnificence!

Jay has obviously spent lots of time with her yarn and needles creating such cute and intricate Christmas goodies.

Whilst not wishing to detract from the swap... our tree (chosen brilliantly by RW Jnr) has  these cool candle like protuberances on the top branches - we think they're quite effective!

I'd like to say a big thank you to Tracey and Emma for the swap hosting and admin, and a huge, hot chocolate flavoured, cup cake sweetened, woolly warming thank you to Jay for your e-mails, inspiring ideas and wonderful woolly creations!

I have several ideas to try in the new year thanks to Jay!

Swapping has been really fun!

Preparations...

As the season to be jolly fast approaches I have been beavering away making exciting festive felt - hence the silent nights on the blog front! 

There are lots of things still to be finished and as many of my makes are presents I can only reveal small snippets!

The eagle eyed will be able to spot the very useful rainbow pins from Becky's givewaway.
(I have also been putting the rainbow embroidery cotton to very good use, although not for stitching!)

 Can you guess what these shetland merino mixed spheres will transform into?

I love the thickness of these wet felted sheets, which were designed to be double sided

. 

It took me a while to build up the courage to slice them but what an unexpected treat when I did! 

I'd like to say it was part of the design to have a striped side.....but it was just a happy accident which I will be repeating!!

You may just be able to spot the angelina fibres in the top ones and the sari silk in the ones below.

There has been lots of experimenting with how to hang some of my felt pictures, this is the newest idea...glad its on the back as my sewing isn't as neat as I'd like it to be!

Over the last few weeks I have had great pleasure and fun making and wrapping items for my swap partner Jay as part of the snail mail holiday swap.

My parcel is ready for the post....

I'm also really excited to say that when all the festive creativity is over I will have something to start the crafty New Year...a commission!! I'll be sharing lots of ideas with you about this piece as I know it will involve some new skills that I am keen to try!

In the meantime - Happy Advent to you all hope you enjoy the preparations for Christmas! x