OK! so I sealed the parcel and.....

.........forgot to put a hello note in to say what was what and from yours truly!

This means of course that the recipient ,my first swap partner that I choose to send to for the Grand Tea Swap hosted by Lucy at Lucy in the Sky, is about to receive a parcel from Spain or may have done so already because I sent it to the UK last Monday, with some goodies from an inconsiderate ME who forgot to put in a note being in too much of a hurry to get the parcel to the post office.

Now said recipient may wonder why they have received a sachet of BAY LEAVES in the swap parcel.

 I would have explained this in THE forgotten note of course.
There is a very simple reason because they are grown here in the province of Alicante ;in a small town called Novelda.

 I have decided that from now all my swaps or giveaways must contain something typical from this area of Spain and no I do not mean castanets,flamenco dolls or small black bulls!
So watch out peeps for some rather out of the ordinary bits in my parcels other than the normal makes or craft supplies.

****************************

My Puff or footstool cover is growing , albeit at a rather slow pace but to keep me crochet happy I need to do some distraction makes and here you have another .......distraction Nº 3!

 I found the pattern on  this blog here.
 I would like to give the blogger a mention but I can't find the name of the blogger however the pattern is in pdf format and is very clear and easy to follow.

 I used a 2.50 Aero hook and SMC Coats Catania Cotton in green,brown and yellow.
The mini pot is from Agost the pottery village.
 I bought two little pots;dropped one and it smashed to smithereens.
I won't repeat what I said at the time!



Tomorrow is MONDAY and I like MONDAYS....I really do!!!
I'm ready to take on the world again after replenishing my batteries over the weekend  :-)


Keep well

Amanda :-)

Where is my mojo?

First things must come first.

Last week I received my swap parcel from my partner in the Daisy Row's Springtime/Easter swap  Debi at Busy Little Chicken ....oh! but these swaps just brighten my days and Debi's parcel was no exception because just look at the colours of this lovely tote bag she has made for me and this notebook cover with my name on too.

 

Debi has also sent me a selection of English tea's which I so very appreciate because I am a Tea drinker!  I don't like coffee,or cappuccinos or hot milk,or cocoa,TEA is the only hot drink for me....lets just say I'm addicted for you to understand.There were several there that I've never tried before so I'm looking forward to sitting down relaxing and enjoying some new flavours.

 Can you see the bar of chocolate peeking out from under the tea sachets,well that is evidence that I received it because its gone now!  Debi also made a little key ring for me which was filled with lavender..... its making my bag smell so lovely.

 I think I've said this before but its worth it saying it again. I'm so lucky as I have met some lovely swap partners and received some wonderful swap gifts since I participated in swaps and I plan to participate in many more.
Thank you so much Debi for all these lovely goodies :-)

IMAGINATION IS THE BEGINNING OF CREATION 

 George Bernard Shaw

One of the vague reasons why I started blogging ,as explained in my very first post here,was to obtain constructive criticism about my crochet and pick up new ideas. I was feeling terribly brain dead where crochet ideas were concerned. The latter has been more than accomplished as I am amazed at the great ideas and creativity out there in blogland. It really is wonderful!

Some months ago and having paid particular attention if not rather enviously to fellow bloggers who in my opinion have found their craft niches to name but a few,Millefeuilles with her gorgeous hares,Lorraine and her cute toadstools and sweet bunnies,Susan and her fabulous knitting patterns which even makes me consider learning to knit.. As I also feel more comfortable and happy with the whole blogging set up I've been trying out for awhile now this make and that make to see if I can find my own niche within crochet or multicraft (crochet & other).   What am I getting at with all this chitchat, well just that it 'aint' happening I just can't find something I am happy with. There is nothing as yet that fills me or in other words makes me feel that this is it and inspires me sufficiently to make a couple more of without losing interest.
I am creative I know that I have imagination enough to fill umpteen fairy story books (if I could write) create unfathomable dimensions and other imaginary worlds but it just stays in my mind and does not transfer to my hands!!! )-:  sigh.....!
My plan is I have no plan just continue to try out new things sometimes mixing crochet with other crafts in the hope that one day I will find my mojo and what fills me craft wise.

Does anyone out there feel the same?

Amanda :-)

Compendium

Hello and welcome to my new followers Vicki on Vintage Vicki and  Aleksandra G.D. (sorry Aleksandra I can't make out which is your blog link,please send it to me and I will visit).
thank you so much for visiting my blog... the more the merrier I say!


News!!! Have you heard Madelief has a delightful giveaway on the go...... Madelief of the beautiful blog, full of gorgeous photos of beautiful gardens,tea parties,yummy cupcakes and doilies....pop by when you have time you won't be disappointed. :-)

My friend the Yarn fairy has been bopping around energetically in this part of the world again and low and behold I have purchased a little bit more yarn to add to my stash. Curiously I also discovered something about her Ladyship the Yarn Fairy she is also partial to tempting one with sewing supplies too.....

Not quite sure how those spools crept into my purchase when I was buying more buttons and bells!!!

OH! but my hands have been itching to get hold of my bright new sewing machine this week but as always work has got in the way....however I have focused on my first project which is a makeover of this grotty item here :

It has been on my mind for quite sometime now that I needed a new cushion cover for this large cushion which is on my grand-daughter's bed. It looks so drab! As the colour scheme on the walls in the bedroom is light apple green I thought I would look for some nice bright contrasting colours like green and purple and my plan is to make an envelope patchwork cover. I'll repeat that's my plan but we'll see just how it turns out. There is a wealth of information on the internet on how to make patchwork cushion covers and that's how I am going to learn how to do it. I've hand sewn cushion covers in the past but never patchwork. Lets hope I don't botch it up.

Last Monday Gracie from One Saylor's log ,my swap partner in the Snowflake swap hosted by Kate at  Granny taught me to crochet blog received my parcel all the way over there in Oregon.

 I was really pleased with the Christmas tree fabric I bought and I've kept some back for myself.....now I have a sewing machine he! he!

This means of course I can now show you what I made and what I sent to her:

The  pièce de résistance was this teapot cozy the basic pattern of which comes from Leah on Why didn't anyone tell me blog  beautiful teapot cozies, with a bit of tweaking I added holly to make it a bit more Christmassy.

I was very pleased with how it turned out and have had requests from other members of the family for one. However I have told them....so very sorry its haute couture range, unique piece each time.

Buttons as well ...of course














and

some snowflakes

except the sweeties because its too risky....I didn't want customs to open the parcel!

one of my wonky Christmas trees and a bell. I used the yellow yarn that Alessandra from homemade @myplace blog sent me in her last giveaway, to make the bell because it was nice and bright and being a firm yarn it kept the shape of the bell.
 Once again I thoroughly enjoyed making and preparing the goodies for that swap parcel and I am so pleased Gracie received it safe and sound.

Thats all for now folks

Enjoy your weekend

Amanda :-)

Heavan is packed tonight with all those angels who have gone there far before their time.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Connecticut families who have lost their loved ones.