Spreading the Blog Love

I recently participated in a Valentines swap organised by Jackie at Sew Special Bears.

I was paired up with the lovely Anne from Nana Gogo.

Earlier this week I found this parcel in the letterbox.

My heart skipped a little beat when I saw the Royal Mail sticker

Don't you love getting parcels in the mail, specially ones from overseas?

Love the roses wrapping paper and that sweet little crocheted flower.

That's a great idea using little flowers to decorate parcels.......

There were parcels galore, I could see tartan peeking through the tissue paper, yippee.....

Anne, had sent me a lovely Scottish calendar which was quite funny as I usually buy a UK calendar each year but had been too slow off the mark and settled for one with nature photos.

There was fridge magnet, some lovely rose guest soap, yummy heart shaped chocolates, sweets which No. 1 snaffled before I could take a photo and there's more..........

Tartan, yeeeeeees..........

Must be my Scottish background, I love the stuff.

Oh, ideas are already swirling around in my head as to how I will use it.

I have to say that I have already cut into and used some and I'm loving it.

Wrapped up in that lovely rose paper, was this fab cushion cover, with a Scottish thistle Anne appliqued on it.

I had the perfect size cushion insert in the cupboard and then found just the spot for it it the snug.

On the wall above the couch is a print of some Highland cows by a loch in a glen, 'jus perfick'............

Now it feels like I have a little corner of Scotland in my home...........

Anne, really did spoil me, have a look at this gorgeous hand embroidered table runner she sent me.

It now resides on the table in the entry, I love it.

A closeup of the embroidery, just gorgeous

Just click on the photo if you want to see the embroidery in detail.

This swap has been so much fun and if you have never participated in one why don't you give one a go.

It's a great way to 'meet' new bloggers.

THANKS ANNE X

Well, as we near the end of another week (they are just flying by....) I hope it's been a good one for you.

I hope that you have found something exciting in the mail, apart from the usual bills and junk mail.

Thanks for dropping by and sharing the blog love with your comments.

Love hearing from you all,

Till next time, take care,

Claire X

Something in the Air..........

A month late, but who's counting?.........

This cushion was started back in January after I finished my 'foxy loxy' cushion.

Whilst the weather is still warm here, there is something in the air....... the heavy dew on the grass in the mornings, the cooler nights, the trees starting to change colour........

Autumn is making it's presence felt in so many ways.

This cushion was just begging to be made and I am very happy with how it turned out

The text reads:-

'No finer carpet was ever laid,

than that which

Autumns treasures made.'

I didn't have to search the internet for an appropriate saying, it just popped into my head and I quickly stitched it into place before it disappeared again........

Here it is on the couch in the snug.

A place where I like to spend some quality time, now that No.1 has moved his myriad of guitars, didges and other musical paraphernalia and I can reclaim parts of it......

A little bit of this has been taking place too.

I was going to do loads of granny squares an then sew them together, but knowing myself a little too well, thought I would be better off sticking to the one square.

I am enjoying the rhythm once I get into it and it's very addictive.

I tuck my crochet bag under my wing when I head off somewhere and start hooking away as soon as I am seated, having coffee in town, lunch break at work, you name it......

I figure the more I do and the quicker it grows, then the better the chance that IT WILL get finished.

Just need to head over to Spotlight and grab some more wool, when it is on special.....

And don't worry it's not your eyesight, the square is a little off centre and I am not sure what happened and where, but if you look a little closer the first 4 rounds, have gone awry.

It wasn't until a little too late down the track that I realised this.

Mind you, I do like wonky lines, but more in my sewing rather than my crochet.

When it's all finished and casually thrown over the arm of the couch or someone is snuggling up underneath it, it really won't matter will it?.........

Oh, nearly forgot to ask.......how do all you creative crochet types deal with your ends?

I have managed to crochet some in when adding a new colour, but would like to hear from you about any tips you may have.

Check out these wonderful little stickers I found in our local newsagents yesterday.

How could I resist these little cuties?

I love 'woodlandy' creatures and themes etc.. they just had to come home with me.

Not sure where I am going to stick them, or if I will even use them but for $2.00 I am getting a lot of pleasure out of looking at these and I wouldn't be surprised if a cushion appeared with a woodland theme........

Just had to add a pic from the garden, after all the pruning and chopping was done on Monday, I can now take a better pic of the beautiful Belladonna Lillies.

They sit there for months half in, half out the ground doing nothing at all, making me think they are d .e. a. d.

Then a little stalk, a smidge of greenery starts to appear and I think 'hmm, there is life in there after all' Before I know it there are beautiful blooms.

It seems that quick, I don't even notice the buds about to blossom..........

They belonged to my late mum, I bought them back to my garden and gave them a home.

The little statue in the pic is Curtsy Girl also from mums garden.

My mum had a green thumb and just loved her garden, that's where she directed her creativity.

I have inherited some of that from her and also her haphazard garden design too........

Beautiful memories of mum are scattered around my garden, making me smile and think of her.

There was mist rising from the dam and heavy dew on the grass. I had to put my boots on to go and feed the chooks.

There was a cool edge to the morning air ..............

I love Autumn and welcome it's presence.

GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY

To be entered in a fab giveaway just head over to visit Jules at Little Woollie blog.

She is one creative lady who know how to whip up some wonderful creatures with a crochet hook and yarn. Her giveaway is open to everyone she will post o/s but you must enter before March 7th. So don't dilly dally, head over there right now.

Oh hey, wait a minute .........hey waaaaaait a minute I haven't quite finished.

Well, that's another week over, I have to stop and think what I got up to. Yes, it's been a productive and creative week, a great combination.

Closer to home just 'across the ditch' as they say.

The terrible earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand has been on my mind and thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by it.

While life goes on around here as usual, I realise that for some people, things will never, ever be the same. So I count my blessings and appreciate all that I have.

For a wonderful post with a little insight into what makes us tick pop over to read Anne's 23rd February post at Ungardened Moments . It's food for thought.

So thankyou for your comments and thanks for visiting. I hope your week has been full of creative and productive moments and you have a wonderful weekend, recharge your batteries ready to face the coming week.

Till next time, take care,

Claire X