A " L O V E " Swap For Valentines Day 💗

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Some of you may remember the TILDA swap my lovely friend Claire & I did early last year.  You can read about it in * this post * & also in * this post *

We both got so much pleasure from the swap that Claire suggested we do another one this year ... a LOVE Swap aimed for Valentine's Day.  The objective is that you make things that begin with the letters L O V E. Our swaps are always very flexible with no rules as such, which is what I enjoy (no pressure) 😉

" L is for Lovely Little Lavender hearts " 

I began working on this last year & for some reason, I cannot find any of my photos ... but I took a silver thrifted tray & painted it with Pumice Chalk Paint.  Then I delved into my treasured vintage Tilda fabrics & made 6 hearts which I filled with my homegrown lavender.

The "Good Friends" stitchery panel was purchased from * Here * & is a Natalie Bird Design.  After sewing into a tiny pillow I stuffed it tightly with crushed walnut shells.  The ceramic Home Sweet Home plaque was purchased from a local Gift Store.

" L is (also) for Lovely Large Lace Heart with Pocket "

This  comes from an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I stitched a large heart & stuffed it tightly, then I added a doiley pocket & embellished my heart with vintage laces, braids, mother-of-pearl buttons & a broken earing from my oddments of old jewellery. 

I filled my pocket with a soap, some dried lavender sprigs, rolled up music paper & a tea-dyed tag.

" O is for Overalls "

This is made using a free pattern * here * scroll half way down the page on the Tilda Website.  However the overalls are actually for the Tilda Cow but I decided to didn't want to make Claire a Cow  -   I much preferred the Cat which is also free * here * 

 I sewed the Overalls using fabrics from the Old Rose Tilda range.

I stitched a tiny wooden Theodora Cleave Cat Button button to the bodice of my Overalls  .  .  .  .  

I also used matching Tilda buttons on the overalls straps

.  .  .  .  & then stitched this sweet ceramic heart to its hands  paws🐾 

" V is for Vintage Vase with Candle & (also) for Verse "

I had this wonderful heavy Vintage Crystal Vase in my collection so I made up a soy candle in it,  in the fragrance French Pear.  

This Verse is a free stitchery download from the beautiful blog Nana Company * here * ... this is the 2nd time I have stitched this up & framed using a thrifted embroidery hoop.

" E is for English Paper Piecing "

The Tools drawstring bag was part of my Tilda Lover's Club Mystery Box from Fee Fee & Me ... it came as a kitset in the box.  I purchased some "sewing tools" to pop inside the bag.

The hexagon placemat is a pattern from * Here * which I purchased last year as a digital download.  I made it up using some of my treasured Tilda Windy Days fabrics. 

I sewed some of the pretty bias edging on the back of the placemat & then added in a box of tea & a vintage china cup/saucer from my own collection as I thought the colours all went so well together.  Claire informs me she will Not Ever be putting cups of tea on the mat 😉

To package everything I wrapped all my items in pink tissue paper & then dove into my stash of brown paper bags  ... I decided to tizzy them up a bit as I found a piece of scrapbooking cardstock with lovely Valentines images on it.  

💗 L O V E 💗

Whenever I want nicely shaped applique letters I always go to this free site.  I cut mine out from cardstock then tied onto the bags with a length of stiff white tulle that I already had.  I really enjoy packaging & presenting things invitingly. 

On my recent trip to Mums I was able to catch up with my lovely friend & give her my swap gifts.  Although she had not finished mine at the time of my visit I still wanted her to open hers that day so I could enjoy sharing everything with her.    It was such a pleasant couple of hours drinking tea, eating slice & enjoying each others company.  Here are all her gifts opened & sitting on her window seat above .  .  .  .  

.  .  .  .  and here is my lovely friend sitting with all her new treasures.

I am due to go back to Mums early April so I look forward to catching up with Claire again & opening all my swap gifts from her.  I will be sure to share them all with you.

Thank You all So much if you've stayed all the way to the end.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - be kind to yourselves & to each other,

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0