Valentine Swap

I know I'm late.

I participated in the Oh Strumpets Valentine Swap again this year. It's a fun way to meet someone, discover a new blog and craft something you maybe wouldn't normally. My swap buddy was Rachel from Australia. Here's her blog. She gave me lots of great ideas---she has a variety of likes and interests. I was racking my brain about what to make her when I glanced up at the wall in my living room.

Rachel told me she liked deer. I could make her a wall hanging like mine.

This is Rachel's. She told me she loves it!

I also crocheted her a sweet little heart, added some candy hearts and a "grow" your own Valentine bouquet.

And this is what Rachel sent me! She knows I LOVE crochet and owls. It was so fun getting gifts from another country! 

Check out pics of other swappers gifts on the Oh Strumpet's craft flickr group.

L O V E ?

You can call me irrational, insane, or just plain crazy. There are some holidays I absolutely love. There are some I tolerate. And there are some I just don't like. Take New Year's Eve. Never liked it. 1. I don't drink. So what is the point of celebrating it really. And 2. I don't have a special someone to share it with. However, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Valentine's Day. I always have. Maybe it's the paper doilies. Or the candy message hearts. (I only eat the white & pink ones). Every year I make my own Valentines to give. One year I had a party and forced everyone to make a Valentine to exchange---even the boys had to make one.

Well this year I've been on a quest to find the perfect crochet heart.

This is my first attempt. I wanted a puffy felted heart. So I double layered the hearts and joined them with a decorative border. Then I felted the wool in my washing machine. The result: LUMPY. Yuck.

Second attempt. This heart turned out really cute. I should have used a smaller hook. But I didn't like all the steps. Too much fastening off and rejoining yarn.

My final attempt. WINNER! WINNER! WINNER! This little heart it so cute! The only problem I had is that I ran out of stuffing. So I had to borrow some from another unfinished crochet project. But it's adorable, right? You can get your very own for FREE when you make a purchase at FlyAKite now through January 30th. We're celebrating our 1 year Etsyversary and want to give every customer a little something to show our appreciation.

Part of the reason I love Valentine's Day is that I am a hopeless romantic. It's true. I believe in soul mates. I just think my soul mate has gotten lost. I hope one day we find each other. My Mr. Wonderful is out there somewhere. In the meantime, I will continue to re-read my Jane Austins and dream.

Share love!