Dear Emma,

Everything in the package is pretty. I couldn’t decide which one to touch first. Until I reached the bottom of the box and saw the native Canadian chocolates. The toffee crunch was gone in 15 minutes . I’m in the midst of deciding which photos to put in the bracelet and creamy frames. I can’t wait to resume scrapbooking. I just want to keep the pretty cards. I’m having fun pulling the origami. I’ll try to create an occasion to wear the purple earrings (yours is orange, right?). I’m about to finish the black chocolate (*grins*)

Your happy creative swap partner,
witsandnuts

For the May-June Creative Swap, I crocheted an iPhone/iPod/iTouch jacket (or any other purpose as long as it will fit in) for my swap partner. The body comes in purple, contrasted by a baby pink. The crocheted flower and letter C (first letter of the recipient’s nick) were patched in using a camouflage thread.

I also sent her a postcard showing the primary areas in Abu Dhabi, chocolate dates with almond (the packaging comes ala Hershey’s kisses), bookmarks and cooking stickers.

I remembered that we have the same birth month, hence, I also included in the package a posh crossword puzzle (ala Moleskine) and a shirt which has a print of “Someone who loves me very much went to Dubai* and got me this shirt” as advanced birthday presents.

*Incidentally, there’s no available tee of her size which has an Abu Dhabi print

Please join us in the next round of Creative Swap. You may check the details here or send an email to gandarynako (at) yahoo (dot) com to know more.

Wednesday of last week started so right. The creative swap haul sent by my partner arrived. Immediately I munched on the galletas (that little pack of bread-crackers, that’s how we call it in Laguna). It reminded me so much of my late grandparents. I remember they normally dip that in black coffee. I also got banana chips, a tri-color yarn, handmade stickers (I’m using soon), and of course that neatly wrapped big surprise. When I read her letter, I really thought she read my mind.

She wrote,

“Since you love to travel and you love shoes, I made a shoe bag for you to put your beloved shoes inside when you are on the go….

…and to make it more special, I also made a shoe stuffer so your shoes won’t be deformed while traveling.”

As I told her (in the email), I was thinking of making/buying a shoe bag and stuffer. These came just in time.

(The shoe bag and shoe stuffer. Minus the shoes. I was just trying to fit in my current favorite pair.)

Further, she wrote,

I hope you’re a Twilight fan because I named this “The Twilight Shoe Companion”.

Ang galing! The color and fabric aptly matched my Twilight shoes. Yes, this pair is still alive.

Thank you again, Bem. And it made me feel more special and luckier when I learned who became your assistant while working on this one.

Creative Swap is hosted by Caryn.

I’ve been sorting my photos and realized that I’ve not yet posted a few related to creative swap. My second creative swap partners were Odette (I stitched some warmth last year) and Jeanny, whose sweet surprise came to Abu Dhabi while I was already in Manila for a vacation. As I opened it last January, I immediately munched on the dried mangoes and consumed the gel pens – cocoa and orange flavors. I liked the pens a lot that I even sent her an email the day the ink bid adieu. Everything in the package were carefully selected and/or prepared, from the self-made greeting card, letter, cellphone purse (nice colors!), magnetic bookmarks to nutella sachy. Incidentally, I was her first creative swap partner. Big thanks, Jeanny.

For the February-March swap, I used a tri-color yarn to crochet this coin purse or whichever purpose this will make.

I also included in the package a camel track card, 23 Asian cut out characters that can be used in scrapbooking and other artwork, and Arabian coffee and tea. And because my swap partner has just celebrated her birthday, I thought of giving her this classic Don’ts for Wives written in 1913. From the remaining yarn, I made a crocheted bookmark to go with this pocketbook/any book.

Creative Swap is hosted by Caryn. Join us in the next round!

Finally I was able to send out the package for my creative swap partner last Sunday.  Before the November swap, I thought of pulling the yarn again.  But when Caryn announced my swap partner, I immediately changed plans and already knew what is more practical to pull out instead.  I searched for a neat warmer from Ikea.  No second thoughts when I saw this warmer slash blanket.  It comes in three colors (navy blue, red and white).  I found the white one most pleasing, aside from the fact that the texture is so huggable.

The next step was to search through the idle pieces in my cabinet.  I cut two figures that I can double stitch.  I initially planned to do, err… experiment to handpaint my swap partner’s header in her site in the blanket.  But I was not confident enough that I’m not going to mess it.  So, I double stiched ala patch the pieces.  Gee, I’m so slow now in hand stitching.  I need to recover the speed ages ago.

I enjoyed doing the handmade double stitching.  It was a challenge to keep it neat and continuous, without loopholes at the back.  I patched the pieces from end to end.  I also stitched my swap partner’s name in one side.

Aside from the warmer, I also included in the package a post card, premium arabian dates, and one cashmira gray yarn.  What about the bag?  Yes, I’ve sent out the eco-friendly bag from Magrudy’s also.  I remember her comment in one of my posts (showcasing the bag) that she wishes to have a longer stop over to Abu Dhabi just to get one.

To my swap partner, I hope you’ll like this haul.  I wish to give hugs to you through this warmer.  It’s cold there, I hope this will give you warmth while watching telly during your free time while munching the dates.

Early this week I’ve got a mail from General Santos. It’s from Sheng, my first ever creative swap partner. She sent me a thank you card for the goodies I sent her last month. To my delight, enclosed are three pretty customized bookmarks. That meant replacing the bookmark I got from the Picasso Exhibit. These self-made bookmarks are priceless. And that leaf-like one is my favorite (at the middle).

I instantly liked the leaf-like marker because it reminded me of high school days. In particular, my Science project when I was still a freshman. I was assigned to get the skeleton of alibangbang leaves (scientific name: Bauhinicia tomentosa) and make a preserved butterfly replica in a frame. It was such a pain. Primarily because it’s rare to find those leaves. That was actually the first time I heard of alibangbang leaves.

Thanks to my new found friends in my first year in high school.  They tried to scout with me and even asked our folks to research through their connections by consanguinity and affinity. We biked to the remote area in another town. We found the sole alibangbang tree almost near an old river. I put the leaves in my old big books and waited till these were clearly decomposed. True enough, the skeleton looked like a butterfly. I had to put some color in it (the same shade that Sheng had in the bookmark) and framed it. I never thought receiving these bookmarks could bring a lot of memories, including my horrible scientific names test. (That’s another story.)

Sheng, I know you’re still in your well-deserved break in Boracay. I just want to thank you for taking time to do and send all these. Anything self-made will surely melt anyone’s heart.

(Photo source, alibangbang)

I got my first creative swap goodies early this week.  It’s been ages since I got a non-work related package/snail mail.  I was so delighted.  Moreso, when I learned that it was from the Creative Swap’s host.  I was with some of my closest office pals when I opened the package.  I felt like a celebrity that moment.  They were so curious about the contents.  I still remember how amused they were when I said that I joined an online creative swap.  They exclaimed, “you still have the time?”, “oh, I think my life is boring.  I should be doing something unusual, too”, etc.

Caryn made a bracelet for me which I really, really liked.  I even wore it that day even if it didn’t match my dark brown suit.  I was feeling fashionista.  I’ve never cling any dangling pairs since I came here.  So, I’ll try the earrings this weekend.  I’m still sorting a topper to match it.  I intend to wear the necklace when we go to Desert Safari.

The 3-color set origami paper would be very useful for my scrapbooking.  The still life card will be part of my collection, too.  The green fan was such a surprise.  I loved the design, it’s so Japanese!  On the other hand, I shared the Meiji yummies with the others.  These candies reminded me of my addiction to Meiji black choco back home.  I can’t find that brand here.

Lastly, I’m happy to get the little chica bag that she side-stitched for me.  I saw this color combination/piece for the first time from the site of another creative swap participant.  Hers was a book cover.  I even commented that I like the color.  I didn’t expect I’d get something close to that!  Now, I’m still thinking which stuff/ what would be this cute bag’s regular purpose.  I’ve considered this to be my notes keeper, iPhone charger’s house, hair accessories keeper, etc.  Any suggestion?

Big thanks, Caryn!  I enjoyed my first creative swap and looking forward to the next. =)

A humble labor of love for…

… my creative swap partner. =)

I am sending myself through the swinging card….

… if she pulls it up, she’ll see me there.

I hope she’ll love the chocolate notebook like I do. It really looks like one, but don’t bite. I’m sending a real choco, too. =)

I believe in some superstitions. So don’t be surprised if you do find 1 dirham in each of the socky. I hope I am right with the foot size. I assumed it’s 8 to 9 like mine. =)

It’s been ages.

My goodies & card are ready. I just have to finish my crocheting… and my pack will soon be ready for my creative swap partner. It feels good rediscovering the crafty side in me. =)

This month, I am joining the creative swap hosted by Caryn. I may not be that creative enough and though it would probably be difficult to find time, I decided to join. Why? Because (a) the previous exchanges among swap partners were so endearing (b) I’d love to revive my crafty side (c) I’m not that good but I know I’ll put my heart into all the requirements (d) the host is friendly (e) I miss receiving and sending non-work related snail mails (f) it’s FUN!

Here’s my meme for my current and future swap partner’s reference:

1. What kind of creative things are you into? Scrapbooks, playing with photos, crocheting

2. How would you describe your personal style? (example: girly, ethnic, modern, etc.) I can be anything!

3. What are your favorite colors? green, yellow, chocolate brown, white

4. What is one craft you would like to learn? anything except for cross-stitching

5. What other hobbies are you into? photography, reading, scribbling

6. What items do you really wish you had right now? vintage stuff, ethnic materials

The swap partners will be emailed by the host on the first week of the month. We have until the end of the month to mail to our partner the following:

(a) Something we made, it can be anything!
(b) A craft material that we think he/she would enjoy
(c) A snack or something we like munching on before, during or after the creative rush. Of course, it would be nice to send something interesting from where we are currently based. I might be sending my swap partner a stuffed camel? Kidding.
(d) A short note or card to say ‘H!’

To my swap partner (we’re not supposed to disclose per swap rules), you will soon meet my mail with loving thoughts and virtual hugs from Abu Dhabi!