Saturday, December 27, 2014

SSCS 2014 - parcel received, opened - and starstruck!

SSCS 2014 - the 8th year running, and I've been a part of it since the beginning in 2007. I've gotten to know (and spy on) a lot of talented, crafty bloggers from all over the world. Many of whom I still follow through Feedly (the app/program I use to follow blogs). Each year I have tried my best to make something for my receiver that will not only be good enough, but something I'd like to receive myself. (Why stop at good enough anyway?) - and every year I've felt spoiled and starstruck (and more or less felt like the things I've made and sent are far from the quality and detailed perfection of the items I've received back). (But maybe this is a quilter's/crafter's thing - we're never as satisfied with our own work as we are with the works of others?)

Anyway, back to SSCS 2014. This year I was the lucky receiver of the parcel from Annette (Australia) and I feel like she's managed to find me spot on. I mean, first the ornament - with the mouse/rat, as shown in a previous post - and now this? A gorgeous knitting/project bag. And with a purple stitchery! (I love purple..) 

The main present, opened on December 24th.
Annette not only made me a gorgeous bag, but also a mug rug - a TARDIS mug rug! (How on earth did you know that I love Doctor Who? You've been spying, haven't you? ;-) ) And she very generously included a 2015 calendar with images of Australian wild flowers. (Those calendars are so nice, the pictures are just breathtaking!)

Details of the project/knitting bag stitchery.
Seeing as we're leaving for Trysil in a couple of days, I'm considering which knitting project to bring - in my new bag. I simply cannot wait to find a project to keep in it (not keep-keep, you know what I mean). 

Doctor Who/TARDIS mug rug!
And the mug rug? It'll be mine, my own - my precious.. I'd bring it to work (to keep it safe..) but with only four weeks remaining of my office life (for now) I think it'll stay at home so that I can use it here. (But I'm the only one who'll be allowed to use it. ;-) )

This year I was the lucky Santa for a first-timer, Lisa, who joined the swap for the first time. And this is what I sent to Lisa (I'm so glad she enjoyed the parcel) : 

A quilt/mat with houses (pattern from Norsk Quilteblad - I think I have to make more, the pattern was so fun to work with)
A small fabric basket for sewing supplies or threads 
A knitted cloth (the pattern was called Høstløv (Fall leaves), but with the colour combination of the yarn I think that Vårløv (Spring petals) would be a more suitable name)
A miniature advent calendar
Thimble with an image from Oslo
Nail file with norwegian flags
A tiny pin with a norwegian flag

Lisa's gifts, SSCS 2014.
The ornament I sent, was the woven heart basket - and I included a small star ornament (made of straw) too.

Thank you again, Annette - and thank you, Chookyblue, for once again arranging this wonderful swap. And thank you, Lisa, for joining SSCS 2014 for the first time (hopefully not the last), giving me the opportunity to read your blog and get to know you. 

***
It's simply not Christmas without SSCS!


5 comments:

Laila said...

Så mye flott du fikk ,og sendte :-)

Chookyblue...... said...

beautiful gifts both sent and received.......Annette sure must have been doing some detective work......thanks for being in the SSCS for the 8th year.....

Lisa V said...

Thank you for being my Santa Tonje. Your finishes are beautiful, you are so talented and I am so happy that you were my first Secret Santa for this wonderful exchange each year.
All the best for the New Year.

Jindi's Cottage said...

So happy you liked your surprises, I enjoyed making them for you - I so wanted to keep the TARDIS!
I love the quilt/mat you made for Lisa - such fun houses, lovely presents you sent...

Judyk2310 said...

I like all of your projects and I'm sure there was a lot of fun on the climbing wall. I have a favor to ask - I plan on being in Oslo for a couple of days in June and I wondered if you could give me the names of some quilt, fabric and yarn shops. I thank you so much for any help!! judyk2310@yahoo.com