Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Christmas In July Stocking Swap

Christmas In July Stocking Swap 2

Stephanie and Linda sponsored a Christmas In July Stocking Swap among their blog friends, and I was so pleased to be asked. The swap was set up in a round-robin fashion, so I sent my items to Gai in Australia and then received a lovely package from another Australian, Fiona.

I was so happy to receive a Christmas Bag full of handcrafted items from Fiona. Inside I found this lovely hand-embroidered, quilted tablerunner. Check out the close-up above. Just beautiful with the perfect cozy colors of a wintry Christmas with a little bit of shine in the fabrics. Most special to me, though, is the hand embroidery, and redwork, too! My most favorite of needlearts and especially the most appreciated because it takes such time and effort.

Christmas In July Stocking Swap

The little embroidered ornament and handcrafted mittens will be perfect on my blogger-swap tree. My collection of blog swap ornaments is growing now that I'm going on my third year of sharing ornaments with my blog friends. A little koala pin to remind me of Australia and some other treats rounded out a great swap package! There WAS a bar of Cadbury white chocolate, but it didn't make it to the photoshoot, hmmmmm.......

michele swap

When I received Gai's name as the person to whom my items were going, I pretty much knew right away what I would create. Since blogging around the world, I've been sort of fascinated with a summer Christmas for Australians.

Christmas In July Stocking Swap

I decided to go with the Merry and Bright fabrics I picked up last year and create a "Cool Yule" package for Gai, since the sun is shining and everyone is talking about the heat that time of year down under.

swap items

I LOVE the stocking. I sure wish I would make those items for my home! I included an embroidered ornament and some South Carolina sweet treats, too.

You'll have to stop by everyone's blogs above. They are all so creative, and I'm always very grateful to have bumped into you fun people through blogging.

7 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Lovely gifts from Fiona. Oh that tablerunner is just darling! Fantastic gifts sent and received.

Fee said...

I am so pleased that you love it all. I am going to make another of those table runners because I found it hard to part with when I had finished but I knew that it was going to a good home. Love the items that you made and sent to Oz. It was a pleasure having you as my partner.

Anonymous said...

Just lovely gifts....the table runner with it lovely warm colours the redwork stitching just sets it of...
My family loved the biscuilts.. we had them on the weekend..the nuts are so tasty...my little grand daughter Priya wont to take the christmas stocking home...it is my first stocking that I have had since I was a little girl so thank you... Gai

The Blonde Duck said...

I love your stockings. Are they in your store?

Courtney @ Sweeter Than Cupcakes said...

I love the stocking you made. Great colors!

Unknown said...

Such sweet contents in your parcels both given and received.

May Kristin said...

What lovley things you both got and sent in this christmas in july swap!