Joyful Abode

Meg at MontessoribyHand decided to host a holiday tradition swap through her blog this year. TONS of people signed up (at least 100, but I forgot the exact number) and I got to be Meg’s lucky partner, somehow!

Everyone sent a handmade holiday ornament, at least one family holiday recipe, and a “tradition” tutorial. Most people also sent a holiday CD full of favorites.

I got Meg’s package in the mail, all the way from Mexico. She had to resist her temptation to go “all out” in the packaging to appease folks in customs, but good things come in plain packages!

The recipe for gingered carrot soup sounds really good. I’ll have to break out the blender some coldish day and try it!
And fabric yo-yos! They’re so cute!
And a cross-stitch pattern. I’m guessing this is maybe a holiday tradition, to do cross-stitch? There wasn’t an explanation…Meg?

he CD isn’t shown, because it’s in my CD player. She made a really nice jazzy compilation, which starts off with Charlie Brown. Could it be better?

These little buggers are my favorite part of the whole thing. I saw them when she posted them in her blog, but didn’t make any. I’m SO glad she sent me a pair. They’re the cutest ever.

Thank you so much, Meg! I hope you enjoy your package from me as much as I enjoyed the one you made.

In case you haven’t gotten it yet, here’s a sneak peek.

I recently signed up for an swap through Craftster and was paired up with Tuesday as my partner. I was so excited! She basically told me that she loves turquoise and brown together, hates orange and red, and wanted a surprise apron!

So I set to work making a special apron just for her.

The apron’s pocket probably took the longest. I hand-embroidered it with her name and paisley to match the apron’s fabric.

The one she sent me is really gorgeous. She added all sorts of details, like folded-over pockets and decorative stitching on the waistband. And I love the fabric!

(Tuesday, I’m borrowing your pictures… I haven’t had a moment in the sunlight to take any of my own. Let me know if that’s not ok!… And I’ll upload them to my own flickr in a bit.)

She also added matching goodies… a matching pin (which will go on the lapel of my jacket) and hair pins!

Thanks so much, Tuesday! The apron you made for me is really gorgeous… the pockets are my favorite part. And I hope you love yours as much as I love mine.

Now and then, I like to visit Craftster and look at other people’s projects and occasionally post mine. Recently, I found a couple of swaps that sounded fun to me, so I signed up! One of them was a Mini Halloween Swap. We were supposed to send two “medium” and two “small” crafted items to our partners.

My partner Marci made this adorable scarecrow wreath for my door.

But when I close my glass door, its face gets smashed and it did NOT like that. So now he lives on the little flag pole holder, where he is much more comfy.

Then she decided to go crazy for me with an incredibly time-consuming project… a gorgeous and snuggly knitted scarf! I know how to knit but don’t have the patience for it, so I know how much work went into it. I love the way it feels, and it even has pockets for my hands! My yard scarecrow wanted to model the scarf for you, but he does NOT get to keep it!

Look at the pretty leafy cable design!

Marci also sent me a delicious-smelling jar of mulling spices. I’m so excited to try them out! I may go pick up some apple juice later today.

This is what I sent to Marci.
A jack-o-lantern zipper pouch:

Some embroidered Jack Skellington coasters (she loves Nightmare Before Christmas):

Halloween-y pennant flags (or garland) to decorate with:

And a jack-o-lantern apron (I couldn’t not do an apron):

More/bigger photos here in my flickr.