Simple Swapping

Even the simple swap is tough. Limited to 3 items, its hard to edit yourself sometimes. Especially when you find something that “perfect” for your partner. The three-item swap though might even make the contents more particular, or more special. A huge thanks to Steph for a perfect 1-2-3.
Before:

After:

Two skeins of Crystal Palace Merino 5 in an ominous blue-gray (love), a sheepy tape measure (one of those things I’ve always wanted, but am way too practical to buy myself…and as I think about it, how is a tape measure inside a wooly case not practical…I’m way too ridiculous sometimes, I may need to add to the flock…), and a handmade  Amy Butler fabric notebook case (as well as a great little handmade card which is technically item #4, but I’m not telling Crystal).
While the boys are breaking in the new “measure sheep”, I’m off to doodle in my new project planner…

My Other Hobby Swap, ed. Winter 2010

Thanks to Bobbi (Ravelry: grammybee) for a super generous swap package in the latest edition of My Other Hobby Swap.

As if one giant box (read: large flat rate that was super heavy) wasn’t enough, it was followed up by a nice and squishy package too. Refer to photo 1 above for large child with large box and smaller squishy child with squishy package.

Here’s the yarnage: a wonderful skein of superwash malabrigo sock in Caribeno (take me to ocean, STAT), a shawl pattern, and Classics Knits (a real book of patterns, holy jackpot!)

And then a bunch of major extras…

Some great handmades: crocheted kitchen scrubbies (small squishy child thought they were cookies), knit washcloths, embroidered microfiber towels, and a flannel giraffe blankie (now dubbed “giraffe fuffy”) for our new baby that will be appearing in May.

Kitchen and treat bonanza: sandwich cutters, spoon rest, prickly pear and cactus treats, batteries, hollyhock and morning glory seeds, sticky notes, chip clips, mac’n’cheese recipe, and a pot scraper. And that’s just what made it into the staged photo…

Here is what is in the process of being played with: spatula, mini-prep bowls, and a nice stash of yarn balls to “fish” with. They are apparently being washed at the moment.

And now that its bedtime, I can sneak into the boys’ room and find the goodie bags that Bobbi put together for each of the boys…yep, one per boy, in true grammy nature! Their own “project” bag each filled with: Nemo, a book, a flashlight (how did you know “shy-shys” are a favorite around here?), magnet clips with their initial, Reese’s pieces, necco wafers, an Arizona sucker, matchbox cars, a growing towel…did I get it all?

All topped off with a very sweet note. I think Bobbi’s other hobby is shopping! You made our day and we’ll be enjoying this package for a while. Here are some more shots from the opening ceremony.  Enjoy!

Envelope #3

Another round of hobby swapping brought a trio of fun stuff.

Here is the latest installment from the very talented Aryn. The requisite envelope was filled with some point-earners: Clover (being an Asian company and all) stitch markers, scrapbooking stickers with an air travel theme and some blue car buttons. I'm thinking I know a little boy's hat that those will look very cute on. Also included was a magentic notepad, a bird zipper pouch (is that bonus point for flying), a turquoise zipper that is calling to be installed in a little project bag of some sort, and a packet of Crystal Light.

I. love. mail. Thanks Aryn!

Travelling Duck #16

Among the groups on Ravelry, there is a fantastic little corner set up for Odd Duck Swaps, swap that don't really fit in any one category. Well, except the super unusual and terribly creative one.

To add another facet to the swap is the travelling duck. The Duck Fairy happened to have sent me #16.

The following is the (somewhat) exact transcript of the opening ceremony:

Me: I wonder what it is, the envelope says its from the Duck Fairy?

T, 3yo: Its a duck, its a duck… rips open package

T: …it is a duck, its a pirate! Look at his pirate hat. See? See? Its a pirate hat.

Me: Wow, is it Captain Jack?

T: No. Its Captain Caillou! I wanna take a pitcher…

And there you have it, the brief, but true story of how Captain Caillou came to be. Welcome to Seattle.

Swapping Love

While sending care packages in the mail might seem so summer camp circa 1986, there is something to be said for gathering together items, collected with thoughtfulness and purpose, and sending them off to a loved one. But what if you don't even know them, at least in person? Welcome to the world of swapping, this world being Ravelry. Thanks to a fabulous moderator and some very generous fellow knitters, I was totally showered with swap after my original swapper wasn't able to participate.




Thanks to Jen for box packed full of heartfelt gifts. Chocolate chip cookies, bread starter, card stock...



...some little balls of yarn (beautiful colors at that), and two kinds of homemade jelly.

And to Julie. For the huge flat rate box, cram-packed with all sorts of things...





















...handmade washcloths, an TJs bag from AZ, a Ravelry bag, a huge bag of cotton yarn in a colorway that take me straight to the ocean, a tin of raspberry tea, a salad dressing shaker, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

Its never too soon to appreciate people you don't know. Their effort was completely unexpected and one that won't soon be forgotten.