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Crochetville Ornament Exchange




Do I have great swap partners, or what? Let me tell you what you are looking at in the slideshow above (although I have to say, my pictures aren't the best - it's always tough to capture the true beauty of items, but these are especially subpar pictures; I apologize):
  • My swap package from Jimmie Lu included the beautiful hand-stamped tree card, which accompanied a wonderfully soft and beautiful plush stocking with white eyelash cuff. The stocking ornament was stuffed with a bag of beaded stitch markers!
  • The box from Melissa (tezcatlipoca98) was nicely padded with bubble wrap (which my husband took as a present for himself). The contents were worth protecting! I am in awe of the thread angel with jingle bell - not only are the stitches beautiful, but the stiffening has me baffled and impressed. But the box did not end there... there were three snowflake ornaments, two with beads and all with optional suction cups. As you can see, we chose to put the beaded flakes on the window, but you can't see how great they show up at night when the soft glow (yes, that's sarcasm) from our neighbors menagerie of lit and inflated winter creatures comes through the window. Plus chocolates (not pictured; eaten)
  • Last but certainly not least was the package from beth_eathorne . A friendly stuffed snowman was the first out of the box. It's been hard to keep him on the tree; certain 2-year-olds seem to find him friendly, as well. But wait, there's more: a fan bookmark and two other ornaments that were amazingly beautiful (but I blush to admit my ignorance - I didn't realize they were thimble holders until I read Yelutci's post).
Thank you to my swap partners - the ornaments are so happy on my trees, and I look forward to putting them out for years to come!

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posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 @ 10:53 PM

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Secret Pal Strikes Again!

Thank you , Imma!!

Look at this amazing package I received today from my Secret Pal, Imma. Included was a card and 4 packages wrapped in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas paper (since I had said that getting such wonderful packages was like Christmas :-) ) My daughter wanted to help me unwrap the presents, but I decided it would be best to curb my curiosity for 15 minutes until she could go down for a nap.

And like Christmas morning it was! First I opened a fabric hook case; just what I needed to go in my "Bunny Bag" (an all-in-one on-the-go bag)! Then a lovely doily, delicately edged handkerchief, and very special addition to my collection (each of which has more details below).

Here is the doily, and a closeup thereof. Imma, you don't give yourself enough credit; it's amazing, and I love it!

A lovely edged hankie, edged in my favorite color - blue! It's really the funniest thing, I was just looking at a pattern for hankies and edgings in a book I have for Anne of Green Gables era things and thinking how wonderful it would be to have a hankie. I don't know why I would need it, practically, but since when am I practical? In all of the etiquette books I have, everyone carries a hankie. Which brings me to...

A wonderful addition to my vintage etiquette book collection! Imma really went out of her way to find this for me, and wow does it show that she is picking out goodies just for me :-) This book is called Book of Etiquette, Volume II by Lillian Eichler, and was published in 1923. Etiquette books like these give such a glimpse of the world of that time. I read through these books and visit places like Biltmore Estate and can just see and hear the people running to and fro, having riding parties and "subscription balls" and dressing to a "T".

Without etiquette books, how would I know that:
"When a bachelor invites several men and women friends to dine on his yacht, or to take a short cruise, it is absolutely bad form to omit the chaperon. She must be a married woman, and she may join the party with or without her husband. Another important point regarding yachting parties; the host must supply a gig or rowboat to carry his guests to and from the shore, and he must stand on the gangway to greet each as he arrives, and assist him to the deck of the yacht."

That's good advice, people.

And on the same day that I got such a lovely gift from my SP, I also received my catalog from Handy Hands Tatting, introduced to me by none other than Imma! Along with the catalog came a preview of their newsletter subscription, and a step-by-step set of illustrated instructions in needle tatting. Now, I have been eyeing tatting books, but have been able to resist, but now that I have the instructions and a few patterns in my very own hands, I don't know how long I will be able to resist trying this new technique!

Hopefully long enough to put finishing touches on the items I must drop off at the fairgrounds this Friday (or Saturday)!

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posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 18, 2006 @ 5:15 PM

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Doily Swap Received!


This is the absolute stunning doily I received from Lavelle26 (aka Anna) in the Crochetville Doily Swap. This picture does absolutely no justice to the gorgeousness that is this doily. You can tell it is a beautiful doily. But what you can't see is each of the intricate details - spiraling center, crossing arches, and spiral spans. You can't feel how softly it drapes and the body it has. You can't tell how perfect the color is or how the thread's sheen catches the light just so.

This was my first exposure to a Patricia Kristofferson doily design. I now own two of her books! I was enjoying making doilies, but now I am hooked (no pun intended)(but now that I note it, yes, pun intended).

Let me tell you a little about how special this doily is: First, Anna interviewed me, because she wanted to make sure she picked a doily that would go so well with my house I couldn't help but display it. She looked through pattern books and says this one said "Make me for Katherine! I'm the doily for her!" (very smart doily pattern, that one). Then, she crafted the most exquisite doily I have ever seen. It is in my living room, and sometimes, when I'm walking into the room unprepared, it catches me again with it's startling beauty and I have to take it all in again.

Also, Anna was just a pleasure to exchange emails. Hooray for swaps, Crochetville, and new friends.

And here is a plug for Anna's site (so you can see what awesome work she does - Lullabies & Lace

Thank you, Lavelle26 (Anna)!!!

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posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 @ 12:26 AM

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My Second Doily -Doily Swap

This was my contribution to the Doily Swap. I believe the name was "Grapes Galore". I made this for GoldKeeper (aka Ana), who wanted a classic looking doily. I thought this one was great, and it was a lot of fun to make. Well, I don't love popcorns, and I don't love picots, but I am falling madly in love with making doilies!!

This was before I discovered Cebilia thread, so the best I could get was DMC Baroque (not that there is anything wrong with that! but Cebilia glides so when you're crocheting), again in ecru (I just think it looks timeless).

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posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 05, 2006 @ 11:57 PM

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Thank You, Imma!

My secret pal, "Imma" (as in "Imma Secret"), sent me this wonderful Secret Pal Birthday Package. All I can say is WOW. The pictures do no justice to how gorgeous these doilies are. All three are Patricia Kristofferson doilies. The lavender is size 40 thread, the lilac is 20, and the rose and ecru is size 10. Also included was a wonderful note and two bars of Imma's favorite French soaps. So lovely smelling and wonderful!

I got the package just as we were leaving for White Lake, so I was able to share my present (well, viewing... like I was giving any away!!! I'm far to selfish and in love with these doilies!) with someone who truly appreciates them - my Aunt Whee. We marveled at the details, even stitching, and delicate balance in neatly blocked but still drape-y. We also both wondered where Imma found such lovely colors of smaller threads. I can't find anything but white and ecru in 20 and white only in 10. Perhaps I need to look online; I've heard of several sites with many choices.

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posted by Anonymous on @ 11:10 PM

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SWAPS


I'm so excited to be starting my second Crochetville swap! A "Doily Swap"!

Ijust finished my first doily - it is about 20" and done in ecru DMC Baroque. I need to block it and then get some pictures up.

I also have the items from the Accessory Swap to take pictures of (besides the bracelet below).

The best part about crocheting might just be sharing it with people who truly appreciat it. And who appreciates it more than fellow crocheters?

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posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 09, 2006 @ 11:21 PM

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