Busy Week - Part 1

I can't believe we're halfway through February already - where does the time go? Actually though, I've been saying for weeks now that I wish spring would hurry up and come, I'm so sick of the cold now; so there's me wishing the year away. And at the beginning of last week I noticed that my snowdrops were just starting to flower, so spring is really just around the corner.

I don't mind February too much though - celebrating my birthday and Valentine's Day help to make the long, cold, dark days of winter a lot more bearable! And last week I had such a lovely, busy time, making and socialising and selling and celebrating that I've got lots to show you, but I don't want to bore you with a tonne of photos and blurb in one post - so I'm going to do two (wow, aren't you lucky?!)

The Folksy Christmas Decoration Swap went so well that Noddlebubble was inundated with excited responses when she raised the idea of a Heart Swap for Valentine's Day this year. The idea was to make a heart in whatever medium you worked in, which was to be posted to the recepient in time for V-day (guaranteeing that we'd all get something to open on the day, even if our partners forgot!)

This is the stripy knitted heart that I made for Mary of Quite Contrary Crafts, with lots of detail added in the embroidery, beads and charms. It's hard making things for someone you don't really know, but hopefully she liked it.

And this is what I received from Beth of Handmade by Bethany and Bethany Allen - not one, but two pretty hearts! A simple but very stylish wire heart to hang from a chest of drawers maybe?

And a funky felt and button brooch which will look fab on a jacket, I think. Thanks so much Beth, I love them! And thanks to the amazing Lisa of Noodlebubble for organising this immense swap!

Bliss Knits had a stall at the monthly Grainger Market Arts and Craft Fair on Saturday so I spent a lot of my evenings last week making last minute Valentine-inspired items. But I also managed to find the time to make these sweet booties for a colleague who went on maternity leave on Friday. Michelle loved them, and hopefully baby will find them nice and comfy too.

Part 2 next time...