Craft Neutral Bauble Swap - sent!

It's finished, sent and received! I got Ali's wonderful parcel this morning and will take some pictures tomorrow, hopefully - it's been so dull with snow and rain all day and I've been up to my ears with the pre-Christmas clean-and-tidy, now I have a bit of energy back. Little Bump has obviously relented and is now letting me eat again, phew - three weeks earlier than expected. Nice Christmas present!

Anyway, I know that my parcel has been safely received, so I can show off what I made now!

Amigurumi Reindeer

Aren't they the cutest little guys? I'd been really stuck as to what to make for this swap and it's only in the last week that someone - I've no idea who - tweeted the link to this free pattern from the US Lion Brand yarn site. I fell in love as soon as I saw it and just had to make a matched pair for Ali's twin boys. I've also promised one to K...so I'd better get my skates on because I still haven't finished a scarf for her!

Beaded Snowflakes

I made myself a set of these some years ago and I love hanging them on the greenery over the mantelpiece, they give such a subtle twinkle and shine. I'd completely forgotten about them until I went looking for K's stocking and then it was obvious I had to make a set for Ali! I can't remember whether I saw a pattern for these or made them up myself - I'd hazard a guess it might have been from Bead & Button magazine, but I know for sure I've modified them. These are on 28-gauge wire and although you can't see from this pic, there's a split ring on each and I used DMC Light Effects metallic threads for hanging them. All of the beads are Guterman, from my vast stash...I particularly like the silver barley twist bugle beads on the lower three. I know strictly speaking that snowflakes should have six points, but they just don't look right, so eight it is. In the New Year I may well put up a tutorial on how to make these, so watch out for that!

Very big thanks to Eileen for organising, and of course to Ali for being the perfect swap partner - I can't wait to show you what she sent me!


Right...last push for Christmas, better get on. Hope you are all warm and cosy and that the snow remains fun rather than a pain in the butt!