Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Thursday 29 August 2013

Autumn Swap

Autumn comes late in this part of Europe and we begin to notice a change in the air and temperature starts dropping around about mid September .



 September is also the thunder storms month; the build up after the hot summer months when the last rain fall was mid June .


Lightening over St Barbara's Castle - this evening-not taken by me!


It is one of my favourite months of the year because it is still warm,still swimming weather but not unbearably hot . I can walk again properly at a good pace without feeling exceedingly hot,devoured by mosquitoes and totally uncomfortable.

Autumn is also the season for participating in the Autumn Glow Swap  generously hosted once again by Blueberry Heart .



 I enjoyed it so much last year that I was very keen to do so again this year.

We now have our partners and I am paired with Helen from Moonstruckcreations .  A tantalizing name for a blog which brings to mind magic,fantasy and mystical things. I wonder now.....would Helen be Gemini?
There you are that is why I delight so in these swaps. I am already wondering!!!
It is the opportunity to meet another blogger virtually,the fun of stalking the swap partner a little to try and determine what is best to send. Then there is the anticipation of the swap partner receiving the goodies and if one has hit the mark....it then turns it all into a success swap story.
I can truly say to date I have had the most wonderful swap partners and thoroughly enjoyed each experience.

Helen has already been in contact and queried what things I like and crafts I like to do. Therefore to be able to offer Helen a coherent answer to her queries I decided to include my reply to her in this post.
My mind is full of rather erratic thoughts as I think of all that I like and the crafts I have done or do therefore to place those thoughts in some sort of order I have decided to do so in list format:

  • Crochet reigns supreme for me where craft is concerned. I am a sworn fanatic and a total addict. It is also my saviour ; therapeutically helping me through difficult days. I used to do a lot of fine lace crochet and some Irish crochet too but I find my eyesight is a problem now . I mostly use yarn or Nº 5 cotton. I rarely make the same thing twice I find it boring repeating things, once I have done it then I want to go on to something else
  •   
  • During the intervals when I would put crochet to one side I have done a lot of cross-stitch and embroidery. However of late I've been finding it more difficult to do, once again because of my eyesight,although I do wear glasses. All the same I still embroider small things if I wish to embellish a crochet project. 
  • Machine sewing. I bought myself a sewing machine last January and little by little  I have been teaching myself how to use it. It is a slow process. I find I like the possibility of making projects where sewing and crochet is combined but I really don't think I am going to be an ardent sewer. I can't see myself making clothes or big projects as yet. I do like the end results but I can't tuck it in my bag and take it with me to do when I want nor can I do it in front of the TV or while I am chatting to someone.  The machine actually scares me and it is all because I don't really know what I am doing . It is quite an odyssey when I have to change a bobbin.
  • Buttons... I love buttons. I am tempted to have a go at button pictures. I've seen some lovely work. I think I could make things with buttons, not sure what...pinterest could probably put me on the right track.
  • I like mixing! That is a crochet project embelished with embroidery,beads or buttons and felt
Now things I like:
  •      I love reading,watching a good film,time to myself,music, a good discussion,history,inspirational quotes, the origin of names, classical art,family history research,swimming,photography (taking and receiving),flittering through a home improvement magazine,  art deco , British comedy,Devonshire clotted cream and my mother's steamed chocolate pudding. I am also an animal lover and have always had pets. I like walking through the woods,cycling and visiting home at least once a year.
Phew!! enough!  If I add anymore I think Helen just might ask to change partners!!! )-:

Amanda :-) 



17 comments:

  1. Your Autumn sounds lovely Amanda, you never know I may get out there yet, the Autumn glow swap sounds like a lot of fun and you have given plenty of hints there, I can't wait to see what Helen comes up with. Oh and congratulations on 200 followers! :)

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    1. Many thanks Linda!! Looks like I'll have to do another giveaway but I think I'll wait until the next 250 followers. Congratulations too on your fabulous success!

      A xx

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  2. Lovely photos Amanda, I can just imagine your relief after the summer's heat, growing up in Africa - I know how hot days like that can be!

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  3. WOW! That lightening photo is amazing Amanda. So beautiful. Our weather must be similar in the summertime. At least the no rain from June until September part. I don't think it gets as hot here though.
    You do have lots and lots of interests. I like reading your list, it helps me feel like I know you better. :-)
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  4. You sound like the kind of person who crafts while watching the TV and reads while cooking.... Have I guessed right. Enjoy the slightly cooler weather. Jx

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    1. Hello Jan
      I certainly do craft while watching the TV,in fact if I don't I feel as if I am wasting my time. I am always doing something else while cooking not normally reading though. I multitask plenty :-)

      A xx

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  5. The evenings are starting to get darker earlier here, but we're still enjoying some warm days - warm by English standards, that is! I did the Autumn Glow swap last year so this time I'm taking part in the Hocus Pocus Halloween one - should be good fun as always.
    Happy weekend to you,
    Xx

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  6. Helen and you are going to have a great time together. I read both of your blogs and you are both so much fun. I see many beautiful things being made by both of you. Hugs and enjoy your weather, we are still hot and horrible here.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  7. Our temperature's only dropped by a few degrees, but we can definitely sense the fact that Autumn's on it's way - the dark's creeping up on us earlier and earlier, and some of the leaves are just starting to change colour.
    Carly
    x

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  8. Ηallo Amanda!!!It's still hot here in Greece!!!
    I like most summer but Autumn is welcome too!!!
    Such lovely pictures!!!Have a happy weekend!!
    Dimi...

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  9. Hi Amanda!

    Thanks so much for the insight into the crafting you love to do! This is all very helpful as I am collecting things for the swap! Great minds certainly think alike - I love crochet and cross stitch!! Machine embroidery is something I would love to try but just haven't got around to it yet.

    We visited Granada in February this year, and although the evenings were bitterly cold, the daytimes saw lovely warm temperatures - didn't even need a light jacket some days. Absolutely loved my time in Spain - I hadn't been before and fell head over heels in love with the place. Granada was truly magical.

    Hope its ok to include my interests and likes here in this reply:

    Love crochet with a passion - I learned when I was about 7 years old.

    Also love cross stitch - mainly small to medium size projects.

    Hand sewing with felt is another favourite of mine, and I also really enjoyed paper-pieced patchwork. Sewing by hand is great as it takes so little time to set up and tidy away - essential in my house as I have 4 kids!

    Just starting out in quilting, very baby steps as yet.

    My favourite colours are those of the autumn - browns, dark, sagey greens, oranges, yellows, reds and black.

    So excited about this swap!!

    Helenxx

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  10. I can imagine how relieved you are in your corner to have cooler weather Amanda and the first signs of autumn are showing themselves here too (it's my favourite time of year!)
    Your swap sounds like great fun and Helen has plenty to consider here....I've just read her comment and it would seem to have given her lots of ideas which will make it much easier and great fun to do!
    Happy Weekend,
    Susan x

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  11. It must be nice to have cooler days to enjoy there now. Loved reading your likes list, they will be very helpful to your swap partner! An autumn swap is a great idea, just as things are changing and most of us do even more crafting! Wishing you a happy Sunday, Amanda.
    Helen x

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  12. Fall is my knitting and crocheting season and I look forward to having a ball of yarn feeding through my fingers while my kitty, Rosie, sits next to me. I do wish we lived closer, XOXO

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  13. Good Afternoon Amanda, I am sorry I have not been leaving comments, but as you know my mum has been visiting and when she is with me I like to spend every moment with her. She is 83 years this month, so time is preciousl
    The photograph of the lightning is fabulous. We used to have exactly the same type of electrical storm when we lived in Cyprus. I know what you mean about the heat, August was a month when we wanted to leave the island and visit family, but July and August were always the months everyone wanted to visit us.
    I think your swap partner has an idea of your likes and dislikes and it will really help her. Just a thought, you mentioned you were having problems getting to know your sewing machine. Did the shop which you bought it from not offer a lesson. I bought my Brother in Cyprus and they gave me a quick half an hour tutorial. It might be worth asking, because it is always easier when someone shows you rather than reading the instructions.
    Enjoy your cooler weather, we are having some lovely warm September weather.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  15. Hello Daphne
    Many thanks for visiting and for your comments! Please don't worry pop in when you can!

    You can get lessons here if you buy the sewing machine from a specialized retailer however I bought mine from Lidel. A nice cheap one and I am very pleased with it as it is exactly what I wanted something to learn on! However you don't get any lessons with it. I totally agree with you! I'm a visual learner so I pick things up easier if I can see it being done. I am making use of the numerous video clip tutorials I've found online,they help a lot!
    Thanks for your advice always welcome.

    A xx

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)