Zoë's Knitting Bag

Rose Swap and Vintage Lover Fair

What a great weekend I had.  On Saturday morning I collected a parcel from the sorting office which had been sent by very kind Ella of Home is where the yarn is.....

The patchwork bag (very Cath Kidston looking) which Ella made was part of the Rose Swap hosted by Melanie of A Country Dream
Thanks so much Ella for the gorgeous bag and other yummy items. We had to send four items as part of the swap.  Look how lovely the lining is too.

Thanks Melanie for organising the swap and putting me in touch with such a nice swap partner.

Yesterday was a great day too as not only did Roger win the French Open for the first time but I just got home in time to watch it.  Sublime Rogi! 

Sophie and I spent the morning at Blakeney and went to the Vintage Lover Fair.  There were lots of gorgeous vintage clothes and accessories and I spotted a fellow blogger there and met a new (to me) blogger too.  Kitschen Pink was there with her lovely stall from where Sophie bought this little green puppy. Also, Mrs Bobo Bun was the next stall along and I treated myself to one of her lovely embroidered brooches.  It was very nice to meet you both and to see your fabulous work.  I just wish I had taken my camera.  Oh and not forgetting there were real cupcakes too with sparkly toppings.  Lots of people were there and I hope they all enjoyed it as much as Sophie and I did.

Thank You Gemma

Yesterday I received my Words & a Bookmark Swap parcel from Gemma.  There is something delicious about receiving a parcel wrapped in crisp brown paper and tied with string.  The box contained hand dyed Blue Faced Leicester Aran wool and it was wound into a cake (something new to me).  The colour is beautiful and it's so soft to touch.  I think another pair of Fetching mittens which are ideal for Autumn dog walks.  The book is Jane Austen's Persuasion which I must admit have not read before!  I was also spoiled with some Lindt chocolate, pretty glass stitch markers complete with their own pouch and a crocheted flower key ring.  Gemma designed and knitted the book mark which is so pretty.  Thank you Gemma and thank you for being so enthusiastic about the swap and so nice to talk to.

 

Please don't forget to show and tell about your parcels, add to the Flickr group or send to me and I will add to the group.

Must dash as tonight we are off to see Sophie dance at the Britannia Pier.  The show is called "An Evening of Song and Dance" and is a tribute to Miss Wendy (Principal of the Phyllis Adams School of Dance) who sadly died last October.  There is probably no single family in this area who has not had at least one member of their family who has attended this dance school.  Myself, my sister and all our school friends used to go to the Ballroom and Latin dance lessons on Saturday afternoons and took the annual summer exams.  Sophie does Latin, Ballroom and disco and tonight she will be dancing the jive.   The costumes are always fantastic and I think we will all enjoy it, even if we have a few tears in our eyes. 

Thanks and Swap News

UPDATE - SWAP PARTNER DETAILS ARE NOW BEING SENT.  THANKS GEMMA FOR STEPPING IN AS A SWAP ANGEL.  HOPE WE ALL HAVE FUN.  DEADLINE FOR SENDING PARCELS IS 31 MAY 2008.

At last I feel well again.  Thanks for your kind wishes.  Hopefully I will get all the swap partner details sent in the next few evenings.  The matches are done and mostly I was able to stick to your requests but not in all cases.  I hope you enjoy the swap.  One last request for a "Swap Angel" to step in.  We have an odd number and so I have no swap partner.  If anyone fancies swapping with me I will be happy to accept the first comment here - if not I will have to think again.

SICK

So sorry everyone, but since the early hours I have been sick with a bad tummy bug and typing this from bed.   DH has had it since Wednesday night and we think we picked it up from the residential home where MIL lives.  They have it so bad that visitors have been banned until next Wednesday at least.  I will get the swap partner details sent as soon as I feel better.  Really sorry to let you all down.  I will extend the date that the parcel has to be sent by.

Reminder

Just a gentle reminder that the return date for swap replies is midnight tonight.  Thanks.

Promise

The weather is finally changing and the garden is full of promise of the beauty yet to unfold.  The cherry blossom is only just emerging and the clematis is overflowing with buds.

The swap replies are being returned very promptly which will give me a better chance of getting them all together this weekend and sending out your swap partner details.  Please be assured that, once the swap is complete, I will shred all your contact details (except email as it will be nice to keep in touch from time to time) and delete the word documents from my laptop. I'm a bit obsessed with shredding!!!! Our paper shreddings are put to good use as they go straight into the composter and so far it has yielded marvellous results. 

It looks like we are all of a similar age, with lots of us in our late 40s but the age range so far spans from 19 to early 50s.  However, in my opinion, age is irrelevant as we are ALL young at heart and obviously all love reading and crafting.

SWAP NEWS

Phew - just sent out the questions and details for the Words and Bookmark Swap.  I hope you have all received my email, if not please let me know.  I did get one email "bouncing back" due to a full mailbox.  Could Jackie please contact me so I can re-send?  Thanks.

 

I will add names to my sidebar as joiners to the swap once I receive your completed forms.

Words and Bookmark Swap

STOP PRESS - Please feel free to snatch the swap button (in the right sidebar) and link this to your blog.  Thanks Dave of The Cabin Cove for the lovely design.

I'm FED UP with this weather! This morning we had sleet showers.  I think the nagging jaw pain which has now moved to my right ear is also getting me down and tomorrow I go back to work!  The antibiotics finished last night.  I need something to occupy my mind.  Anyone fancy a little swap?  I'm looking for about 30 swappers.  This time you will be swapping directly with your partner.  Please see further details below:

Your quest will be to swap a pre-1960s novel which has some reference to knitting (however small) within its pages.  The book has to be new or nearly new i.e. a nice, clean condition.  The reference to knitting is then to be marked with a handmade bookmark.  This can be  knitted or sewn - your choice.  Of course you can add the usual little treats of chocolate or knitting notions or even a skein/ball of yarn if you wish.  Sign ups complete as soon as numbers are reached.  International swappers welcome.  Please leave a comment if you wish to join.

Box of Delights

I hope you've all received your swap partner e mails today. I must admit it took me most of the morning to sort out and a great deal of cutting and pasting.  Hope there's no mistakes. I heard from Lucy Locket this morning so I know she has hers.  Please feel free to email with any questions and of course don't forget to send photos of the the parcels once received.  Last date for mailing is 31 July 2007.

Talking of swaps and swapping, I had the most wonderful surprise early this afternoon when the parcel man came knocking on the door and brought me a box of delights from Pam in America.  I "met" Pam through the One Skein Secret Pal exchange and we have kept  in touch ever since.  I asked her if she wouldn't mind sending me American Vogue as I had heard that there was an article on Roger Federer inside.  Pam has sent me this and more. The hand dyed Border Leicester (from North Carolina) skein will be a winter hat.  I love skeins. There are some beautifully knitted cotton dishcloths, local magazines and a newspaper which I will enjoy reading and many other lovely items.  Thanks so much Pam.  When are you going to get a blog?

Vintage Button Swap

I had a lovely surprise in the post on Monday as Janet of Primrose Design very promptly sent me these lovely vintage buttons as part of the Vintage Button Swap.  I particularly love the sparkly one.  Thank you Janet.  I hope you like the little parcel that is winging its way to you.