Stitching projects sent

My first mattress pincushion has been received by my Swapbot partner. The theme was a Lizzie Kate flip it word. I chose "create" for my partner as she is a teacher and I always see teachers as creative types - maybe its because they help create futures. Anyway my partner was very happy to receive the piece.

In another swap I was to put together a green biscornu - my partner for that swap liked deep greens so I chose a dark green aida and used a DMC variations floss. I used a bead in the centre rather than a button as I found a great one with gold scroll work around the bead.

I am quite pleased with both these projects.

More matchboxes

Green matchbox sent to Helen in Canada. I used a metallic finish paint which reflected the light from the flash when I took a photo. I also sent Helen an unactivated geocoin as her Swapbot profile says she is a geocacher. I got to use some excess DMC floss for this creation - its so handy to have stuff leftover from finished cross stich projects laying around.

Catching up with the Bot.

I have received a number of fantastic parcels over the past week but have been a bit slow in showing them on this blog. Above is a matchbox that I recieved from a Swapbotter in Canada (can you tell). The theme of the matchbox swap was "My Country". Mrs D did a fantastic job in decorating the stuffing the matchbox full of Canadian goodies including coins, mini hockey puck, charms, stickers and ribbons.

Next I have the fantastic parcel received from Liz, an Aussie Swapper who went to a lot of trouble to put together a selection of papercrafts, handmade items and craft items for me all in the colour red. Opening this parcel was like stumbling into Aladdin's Cave as each item emerged from the parce I was increasingly shocked and gratified at Liz's generosity and care.

Finally, but not leastly, this amazing selection of ribbons and buttons was sent to me from Christina in Portugal. Included was a fantastic handmade felt pin/brooch with sequins and beads. Christina makes an stunning collection of handcrafts and she has an etsy shop loaded with heaps of great things. This inspires me to have a go at covering my own buttons.

Colour me Silly - Red

Colour me Silly - Red (sent~)
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

Another Swapbot exchange - this parcel went out to Jullie (Shabby Jules) in NSW. Jullie has a thing for luggage so I found a little suitcase to package all the stuff into and then searched high and low for fun red stuff to fill it up.

Jullie has received the parcel now and was very pleased with it.

Swapbot Tube of Surprises - sent to Michelle

Swapbot Tube of Surprises - sent to Michelle
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

Michelle posted a note to let me know that she has received her Tube of Surprises. Lots of pink and girly stuff for her incorporate into her sewing and crafts. Pleased she liked the package.

Biscornu - sent to Carol

Biscornu - sent to Carol (Aussie Swappers)
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

Carol wrote today to let me know that she received the biscornu that I sent for her birthday. I used an Aurelle pattern on 18ct Aida cloth and a rich red DMC thread. So pleased she likes it.

Creative Collage - received

Creative Collage - received
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

I have received my creative collage from the fabulous Niss. This collage is personalised to my tastes including my name in purple (which is a great conicidence because my name means "wearer of purple". Thanks Niss, love it.

The mail is starting to flow again!!

Australia Post is working through the backlog of mail and today could only be called a Swap-bot extravaganza!! I received a number of fantastic parcels that I had been waiting on.

Drum roll please...


A magnificent biscornu from Jenna in the US for a Swap-bot Valentines Day Biscornu Swap. Love this one - especially when Robert also bought me a cute cupcake to enjoy with my lunch today also.

...but wait...there's more...



This is from Round 1 of the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange - a decorated Altoids Tin. I have always wondered just how big these tins are because we don't get Altoids in Australia. Well know I know how big this one is - its perfect for a needleholder (need to pop a magnet inside). Thanks so much Julianne for stitching this for me.

Don't go away...there's more...

A matchbox shrine from Niss in Brisbane. Another Swap-bot exchange - Niss picked up on my thing for shoes and made this magnificent piece of mini-art. I can't stop playing with it, opening it up and smiling. Thanks so much Niss.

I have also received other things - will post more in the next day or so.

Lizzie Kate Valentine Swap received by Nancy

Lizzie Kate Valentine Swap.
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

Nancy received her Valentine's day swap from me in time for Valentine's day. She said that she didn't know much about Australia so I also included a book of photos.

Tea time biscornu

Jenna has received her biscornu for the Tea Time Biscornu Swap so I can also show what I sent to her. The biscornu has beads on the teapots as well as the centre instead of a button.

Buttons and biscornu

I am so pleased that Jenna is happy with the piece she received - I also included a book on Australian rainforests for her family to enjoy.

Biscornu to Pirjo

I heard the Pirjo in Finland has received her Valentine's biscornu in the mail so I am able to post a picture. More photos can be seen on my Flickr site (links on the side bar).

The photos below show the contents of the package and the detail on the underside of the biscornu. Long story about the detail - when I stitched the biscornu together I realised that the hearts were upside down - so I unpicked the detail and then stitched it back in without unpicking the sides of the biscornu. Very time consuming but a lesson learned to think things though :)

Package sent to Pirjo in Finland

Detail on the underside of the biscornu.

detail on the upper edge of the biscornu - I was pleased about how this turned out - it was an adaptation of the original Blackyrose Creations pattern.

Swapbot Lizzie Kate Valentines cross stich swap

Swapbot Lizzie Kate Valentines cross stich swap
Originally uploaded by Jacinta H

I received this cute little hanging pillow from Courtney for a swap-bot swap. Courtney also sent some bobbins with floss and she made a beautiful beaded scissor fob (shown on my scissors). I have always wanted to try to make a scissor fob myself - now I have a bit of inspiration to go with.

I sent off four swaps today - three to the USA and one to Europe. Heres hoping they get to their destination without any dramas.

Swap-bot biscornu

I received another biscornu in the mail this week - from Doreen (spurway) in Canada. The theme was white and one colour and I nominated green as my choice. Doreen also included a stack of buttons which is a welcome addition to my stash and a piece of green Aida for another project - the Aida is particularly welcomed as I can't buy fantastic colours like this locally.


I sent out a biscornu that I stitched over the Christmas break - this one was sent to Marion in Melbourne. Marion won a Handmade Heavenlies Group WTA and while she isn't a stitcher I figured that a biscornu is something a bit different and quirky. The pattern is an Aurelle freebie which was a quick and easy to stitch up and I added selected parts of the pattern for the back.

Swaps sent

I received word from Liz (redcrystal) that she received the January Colour Me Silly swap box of goodies that I gathered together for her. I really enjoyed collecting all the "stuff" for this swap - it was a simple idea - a parcel of blue things that your swap partner would enjoy receiving. I also found a great blue box to put the stash in so I hope Liz can find a use for the box as well. Liz wrote and told me she really enjoyed receiving the parcel - so pleased you like it Liz.

January Colour Me Silly - blue box

I also sent out a mass of postcards to swappers all over the world - I sent of a heap of postcars that Robert bought back from his trip to Western Australia (he went via Central Australia) so that was a bit different from postcards from Cairns.

postcards sent for swapbot swap.

Swap-bot treats received

When I returned home this morning I collected my mail from the post office and took receipt of a number of swap-bot treats.

First there were two post cards from swap-botters in the US. These will be included in my ever growing collection received via swap-bot.

Next I unwrapped this fun biscornu from Cathy in Canada - it was for the winter newbies biscornu. Cathy included some extra little buttons as well - always handy for stash. The photo doesn't really do the biscornu justice as the grey stitching you can see is actually a sparkly silver snowflake. There are also sparkly bits about the edge. Well done Cathy.

Next there was an envelope with three ATC's (artists trading cards) sent from autumnrain another fantastic swapper. The idea of the swap was to make up three ATC's, two with set themes and one with an open theme. The two set themes were "Fruit" and "Nature" and the photos below show the results of the artists interpretation of this theme.

Fruit Salad.

Nature's Seasons

The third ATC was an open theme and my swap partner checked out my profile and noticed that I have a bit of a thing for shoes. This is her interpretation of my fixation on footwear which makes me laugh every time I look at it.

For the love of shoes.

Thanks postal service and my swapping partners, your parcels were a great treat to return home to.

Swap-bot treasures

A few months ago I disovered Swap-bot.com! What an amazing distraction! It all started out because I wanted to take part in a cross stitch exchange for one of the Yahoo groups I subscribe to. The group uses Swap-bot to manage the exchange. Now I am involved in a number of Australian groups on Swap-bot and have completed a number of swaps with international partners as well.

This past week I have received a number of fantastic pacels in the mail.


The first parcel I received was from Mona (sunshinesuperman) who crammed a mass of ribbons and buttons into a little Christmas stocking and sent it all the way from Kansas!


I was totally gobsmacked as each little treat was extracted from the stocking - so much!

Mona also packed a sachet of Hot Chocolate Mix - yummy. I haven't used it yet as its really not Hot Chocolate weather here in Cairns but I will find an opportunity to sit and enjoy a hot chocolate very soon. Thanks so much Mona.



I received another parcel from Laura in Melbourne. Laura sent me this set of water colour pencils. I have been trying a few new arty/crafty things since I found swap-bot and I discovered that having some drawing kit would be handy.



I have already had a lovely time using these - it was almost like revisting my childhood and have colouring in homework to do!



thanks again Laura (and William and your fur-kids)!






Lastly (but not leastly :) Carol sent me a little package of ribbons and buttons. I always have a use for these for finishing small needlework projects. I already have my eye on two of the buttons to finish a biscornu that I am working on.

Thanks Carol and to you and yours have a great Christmas.

Of course I have also sent things out to others - but do you think I was organised enough to take photos? No! Two biscornu and a package of buttons, ribbons and treats have been dispated to the USA and Canada. Some embroidery fabric has been sent to the UK and I sent a bunch of treats to the Aussie swappers who I have met this past few months.