Cute Swap Gifts Rec'd this Week

Thought I'd share a few cute swap gifts I rec'd this week.

The first one is from a 12" Square swap, a lacy white with a Rose-colored Irish Rose in the

center - just beautiful.

The other is a "whatever you want" type of swap, called Anything Goes in this group, and the main hand-made gift was a pretty crocheted neck scarf. In Vegas, it doesn't go below 30, so I do not use long, heavy winter scarves; this one is just right for the chilly winter mornings. Plus she included some fun things like lip balm lip gloss, a note-pad mouse pad, a booklet of afghan patterns, and a C Soft Crochet Hook - I have never had one of these - can't wait to try it.

More Swaps Sent This Month

Ok, here are the 12" Pineapple Squares and Eyelet Lace Square (these get assembled later by the recipient, into afghans). One of these days I will gather all the ones that I have received in exchange and lay them out, deciding on an assembly pattern.

Some Swaps I've Sent Out

I really did not realize how many swaps I had signed up for this month. Somehow I managed to finish them all. I'm posting a few photos here of some of the things I sent. I never make anything for a swap unless it is something I find easy to do. I enjoyed making each and every item here.

You will see photos of beverage cozies (for cans, glasses, and bottles), coasters, and my new fave potholder pattern (by Kimberly Andrew ©2001).

I have to post the other 3 photos in a second post... it will only allow 5 photos at a time, and I wanted the next three to be together.

Posting these might give some other crafters fresh ideas.

Craft Swaps and Exchanges - Lots of Fun

Through the years, I have often belonged to an online knit-and-crochet group that focuses on swapping with each other. If you have never heard of these, let me clue you in. They are a lot of fun.

A “leader” or “host” announces a “swap” or “exchange.” Members sign up. Partners are assigned. For example, in a Potholder swap, you send a hand crocheted or knitted potholder to your partner and your partner sends one to you. What makes it fun is that you “meet” other crafters, you receive things in your mail, you learn of different techniques and patterns, and a lot more.

Swaps and exchanges have been around for a very long time. Before the internet, when I was a little girl, in the 1940s, my mom received craft magazines in the mail. Besides patterns and ads, there were sections where ladies posted ads announcing they were looking for “friendship quilt (or afghan) squares.” They might mention themes - state birds, flowers, and so on. Other ladies would write and they’d agree to send each other specific squares. In the end, they would each end up with enough squares, over time, for a very special quilt or afghan.

Ravelry has quite a few of these going on at all times...check them out.

Today’s swaps and exchanges have the same appeal. If you do a search on Yahoo, enter the words swap or exchange and the name of the craft that excites you - knit, crochet, plastic canvas, quilting, whatever. You will find a lot more than you ever dreamed of.