Learning something new.

Two days ago my teenage daughter asked me if I could teach her to crochet. This was at 5.30 pm and she knew I was going out in an hour. I didn't want to discourage her as she can give up on an idea easily ( and would probably never speak to me again if she knew I had written that). So I took the time to show her how to do a chain and double and treble stitches. Then I had to go...... But I left her with a wonderful tutorial from here.

By the time I got home she had created the little granny square and since then she has gone on to make the larger square. The reason she has stopped - well she has run out of wool. And of course we only had one ball. But never fear we will get some more.

I think she is on to something and it makes me happy seeing her doing something crafty.

As for me, well, there seems to have been nothing crafty going on at all, maybe next week when the kids go back to school.

Thank you to Shelley at Spincushions for the wonderful tutorial. It certainly helped one teenager to learn to crochet.

 

Christmas Swap Goodies.

There has been quite a bit going on here lately. Of course there was Christmas where we were at my inlaw's for two days. A few days later, my brother in law had his sixtieth birthday party and the next day we went camping, with no internet, phone coverage or showers. We saw the New Year in while we were away. We came home to a 50th birthday event. A few other things kept me busy which not worth mentioning,and now life is becoming normal again.

A few things which are worth mentioning are the wonderful gifts I received in swaps. I've been in Chookyblue's swap every year so far and it was great to participate again. Here's the main gift I received from Carole in the USA. It's not the best photo as it doesn't show the beautiful appliqué work. I just haven't had time to find a place where it will show off the stitchery. There was a photo a post or so ago which showed the other things from the parcel I received - the ornament,chocolate and cute pattern. Thank you Carole and also Chookyblue and Googy Girl for the organising.

 

In the Santa Sack swap which Cheryll runs I was partnered with Dasha who sent so many wonderful things. Unfortunately the actual sack didn't make the photo because it was in use as a carry bag for everything over Christmas. Dasha made me a name tag, a bag for my cut off threads, beautiful zippy bag, a really useful pincushion to sit at the front of my machine. It is long and skinny and will sit just in front of my machine where I won't knock it off, which is something I do regularly with my other one. And finally, check out my cute Christmas Angel - isn't she just fabulous!

 

Peg was my partner in Maree's 6 item swap with something smelly (lovely soap), something for the sewing room ( a Rosalie Quinlan stitchery,a fat quarter,and one of Peg's little sewing sets) an ornament for the tree, ( a cute wooden reindeer) something to eat, (mug and coffee's and chocolate!) some thing to read (magazine and a great clip board which has been in use constantly)and something for under the tree. I just realised that my collage picture wasn't the clearest for that gift but there was a lovely table runner,a cupcake tea towel and a Christmas stitchery. I think I might do another photo to show these things better.

So thank you Peg for all the wonderful Peg goodness,I love it all.

And thanks Maree too for running this swap.

 

I can't say how blessed I have been this Christmas with my swaps and swap partners. I want to thank each and every one for the wonderful things I received and the wonderful people who run these swaps as well.

Thank you and warm wishes to all.