Wednesday 5 March 2014

A pretty little blog swap

Hello lovelies, I hope you are all enjoying a good week. Mine has most certainly been perked up by a gorgeous parcel I received from a bloggy friend. Towards the end of last year the lovely Marianne from Ladybird Diaries suggested we did a little swap and needless to say there was no delay in the uptake. After a few emails with some specific questions, we both settled on something for the kitchen.
 

Before I go into the detail of what I sent Marianne, I am dying to share my gorgeous gifts with you.
 
 

The parcel was so beautifully wrapped and I just loved the handwritten letter, it feels like ages since I've received a proper letter and it felt super special, thank you Marianne.
 

 
 
 
So in my gorgeously wrapped parcel was the loveliest of tea towels, with lots of beautiful hand appliqued flowers on it. I love the fabrics that  Marianne chose for the flowers and I must say it is already looking beautiful in the kitchen.
 
 

Next Marianne crocheted this gorgeous potholder, which I absolutely LOVE!!! It fits in perfectly with the rest of my collection and if one day life will bless me with a few more hours each day I might get around to making many more of these for my potholder wall that I keep dreaming about. Needless to say I am smitten to bits with this beauty!
 


 
 Lastly Marianne sent me this rather gorgeous and sweet sign for the kitchen and she added this beautiful crochet heart to it, such a special and pretty touch and I heart it! I am currently trying to find the perfect little spot for it as it definitely needs to be appreciated every day. Thank you Marianne, you have really spoilt me and I love each and every one of the gorgeous gifts you made.
 
 
From the outset I had it in my mind that I wanted to have a go at making these pretty little potholders by Amy from Nana Company. I have been meaning to do these for such a long time and finally I had the perfect excuse to play. Thanks to Amy's wonderful tutorial, it was really straightforward and I really enjoyed the process, in fact I am already looking forward to making myself some at some point.
 
 

what I really like about them is the little pocket for your hands and also the gorgeous little frill, it just gives it that extra little girly touch. Amy is so clever and if you haven't already visited her lovely blog do yourself a favour as there is a mountain of gorgeousness awaiting you.


I didn't follow the instructions to the letter (yes I know its becoming a bit of a habit), but I felt a little unsure about gluing the back of the bias binding before top stitching it from the front, so I decided to hand stitch the back of the bias in place, just like one would do with a quilt, and personally I think it gives it a neater finish.  Marianne told me that her current love was red polka dots, so I had fun incorporating it into both the potholders.
 

 
I spotted this lovely cup a few weeks ago and I thought of Marianne, so it only seemed right that it went to the right home. To ensure that it got there in one piece I had to post everything in a rather big shoe box, which I covered in some old wallpaper I had lying around. Isn't it amazing what a little paper and glue can achieve?!
 


 
 
All in all it was such a fun project and I really enjoyed getting to know Marianne a little better too. I also love the fact that slowly there are little bits from other bloggers lying around the house giving me a gentle reminder of the people behind these gorgeous makes. It was my first unofficial swap and I must say I am already looking forward to the next.
 
 
 
Now before I go, I just wanted to say that there is still a couple of days left to enter my giveaway that you can read about here.
 
Wishing you all a lovely week.
Warm Wishes
Hannapat
xoxoxo

17 comments:

  1. A lovely parcel, how nice to have homemade things sent to you. And they are so beautifully made. I'm sure they'll look beautiful in your kitchen.

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  2. So many lovely things to put a smile on both of your faces. Nothing better than a good post day.
    Clare x

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  3. Beautiful thoughtful and caring gifts to give and receive Hannapat, and always so lovely to have the parcel postie call with a sweet surprise too!
    Each piece that you and Marianne made for each other is so very well done, I love them all - and what a good job you did with covering the shoe box too! All gorgeous!
    Enjoy the rest of your week lovely, and do pace yourself well! Lots of love, Joy xoxo

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  4. Beautiful treasures to receive and love your gorgeous pot holders!! Have a lovely week! xo Heather

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  5. Hannapat what a fantastic swap, it's such a a lovely thing to do isn't it....to share our creativity. Have a great day! :) x

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  6. Such pretty things, what a lovely thing to do! xx

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  7. Such lovely little packages on both sides, I think you have both picked the perfect things for each other.
    Have a good day,
    Kate x

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  8. Dear Hannapat
    Lovely swaps from both of you. I really enjoy taking part in blog swaps and making connections in Blogland.
    Hope you have a good rest of the week.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  9. I love receiving a hand written letter. Your swaps are fab. I have looked at the Tutorial from Nana and it is nice and easy to follow. I just wish there were more hours of daylight. As soon as it starts to get dark my brain shuts down ;0)
    Hugs

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  10. WOW!! Fabulous swaps. I love everything Hannapat, those you received and made and those made by Marianne too. The tea cup and saucer set are beautiful. I bet Marianne was thrilled to receive it.

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  11. What a lovely post! Everything you received and made are simply beautiful! Very creative, both of you. Hope you have a lovely week but please don't overdo things! xxx

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  12. Such a good idea to do a swap Hannapat! You exchanged some beautiful handmade gifts!

    Happy weekend ahead,

    Madelief x

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  13. Such pretty swap gifts! Both sets of swaps are equally beautiful and perfectly suited to each of you......such lovely things!
    Happy weekend, Hannapat!
    Helen xox

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  14. Hello lovely, I adored doing this swap with you it was so much fun. I am so glad that you like your gifts and I am absolutely thrilled to bits with mine! Thank you so much! Hope you have a lovely weekend :)
    Marianne xx

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  15. Lovely Hannapat your swops are just beautiful no wonder you are pleased - very lovely gifts for each of you. Have a wonderful weekend lovely Friend.
    Big hugs and loves
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  16. What beautiful things you exchanged. I love these little swaps :)

    I do hope you're feeling a bit stronger now x

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  17. You are both so lovely, I am sure you had a wonderful time creating lovely things for each other.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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