July 2012 Birthday swap = Discussion and Gallery

[Jen Sews]

Hi everyone.  I love my gifts and I had a wonderful birthday, but if you could spare some positive thoughts/prayers my way I would appreciate it.  One of my dogs died from being hit by a car and our little kitten was killed by a really big dog that is not ours.  Also my dh is probably losing his job.  Anyway, I am behind on one of my claims and I probably won't be able to make anymore claims.  I am so thankful for craftster and the people on hear to bring some happiness even in hard times!

[calluna]

Oh no!  That's awful, I'm so sorry. Hugs to all of you.

[mama24boyz]

I got A TON of yarn from calluna earlier this week.  I feel so spoiled!!!


But if that wasn't enough, calluna also sent me an awesome hoop inspired by UP!  I LOVE it!!! Its so cute and perfect!!!

If you look, you can see Dugs nose in the corner, heehee.  I showed my son and immediately he knew what it was!!

Thanks so much calluna!!!

[chughes225]

The yarn is beautiful but I love the up hoop.  Very nicely done. 

[calluna]

The squirrel I found on this massive blog (in French) of hundreds of image charts: http://un-jour-une-grille.over-blog.com

Finally I can post pics of my package from mom2em! First there was a fat stack of handmade greeting cards with envelopes:


I love that they're all different so I don't feel like I'm repeating myself when I send things.  And I had practically run out of cards to send so this will help me out a lot!

Then in addition to all these cards, she claimed me for a survival-kit-in-a-tin, which was decorated with cute fabric and a bright butterfly:


What's inside? A sewing kit!


I was definitely lacking a sewing kit; my supplies aren't organized in one convenient place like this, so I'm glad to have such a good portable kit.

Many thanks, mom2em! 

[dreadlocklove]

Beautiful handspun yarns arrived Friday, from calluna!



To the left, 292 yards of 100% wool.  It's handdyed by Craftster member freestyle.  To the right, a blend of alpaca, angelina, bamboo, and mystery wool.  There are beads and thread added in too. 

Thanks so much calluna, I love them!  =)

[calluna]

^ You can see my previous lack of proper greeting cards in that picture. 


Such beautiful hair accessories arrived for me from Avesthel! I took a picture of the lovely packaging before I opened it because I wouldn't be able to reassemble it so nicely.  


Then inside...
 

I'm in awe, they're just so beautiful. I look too frumpy to show an action shot today, but the button-covered piece is a clip underneath, that's right off of my Pinterest interests.   I've never seen decorated hairpins like the pearl ones; they're going to be so pretty when I pull my appearance together for a special occasion. I'm looking forward to using all of these pretties!

Thank you!!!

[fishstix43]

I got the Mario amigurumi that mama24boyz made for me!



Isn't he awesome?  So many little details!  Thanks so much, he's really great!

[Avesthel]

Such nice things everyone is getting for their birthday!      I really like the Up hoop, the greeting cards, the handspun and that mario is so detailed!   


Calluna, you are very welcome for the hair pretties!     I had a lot of fun with all the different types and was going for casual and dressed up versions of it so you'd always have something to wear.      I only discovered the hairpins when looking for types of pearl hair accessories I could make for you.  They are really neat in that they add a little pearl in your hair wherever you need one.  Or you can use them to hold up a bun and have little pearls decorating the bun.      So glad you liked your presents!   

[calluna]

And another awesome package to share...I have been so spoiled by swappers this month...dreadlocklo ve made me reusable fabric twist-ties, a beaded ohm pendant for diffusing essential oils (finally a chance to use my ylang ylang!), and also sent me two skeins of sari silk yarn! My picture isn't the best...



Here is a close-up of the beautiful pendant:


Thank you so much; it will all be used and loved dearly!
 


A couple of you have socks on your wishlists, and I apologize that I can't claim you for them...Though I did get a sock loom this year and learned how to knit socks, technically, I have not learned how to get them to be the size I intend for them to be unless I have the actual foot there to measure. And even then I have to completely unravel and start over at least 5 times! So this year, at least, I regret that I can't use this sock loom to grant a birthday wish.  
I'm waiting on some supplies I ordered to arrive; once they do I will put in one more claim!