Craft swap arrived today and a birthday card

I was terrifically excited today when I returned home from work to find a parcel on my doormat. It wasn't the usual monthly Crafty Creatives Box this time but the craft swap that I have recently taken part in. This one was to design a book cover and the result that I have received is absolutely gorgeous - I love it!! I couldn't resist ripping open the wrapping even before I had got changed from work.

It's felted so Liz put in her little letter to me that she enclosed some of the remaining yarn that she used to knit the cover. This was what it looked like before it was felted - I have never done this myself but she said that she felted it in the washing machine. This is something I might have to investigate as the final effect is amazing. I guess that you have to wash it on quite a high temperature to make it shrink and come out in this amazing texture. I just really hope I don't find this out when I wash my first handmade sweater for the first time!

I love the flowers that she attached as well.

I have almost finished my craft swap book cover but am not quite there yet. I am hoping to post it before the weekend. I have made my book cover - a little experimental! - and since this has arrived so beautifully I have decided to enclose a little extra which I am working on as I write this. I will get it done and sent off in the next couple of days and then will post what I have made once I know that it has been received.

Also this weekend was one of my friends birthday - I feel awful because I had this card made (it's one that I made a while ago but absolutely love so have been waiting to give it to someone really special) and then I went and missed the post with it on Thursday so felt dreadful that it didn't get to her in time for her Birthday on Sunday. I posted this first thing this morning so hopefully it won't take too long to arrive. I'm really sorry Jean - hopefully we'll see you soon too.

I like this one as I was able to continue decorating the inside as well as outside. Jean loves gardening so hopefully she will like her card and also be able to get out in her garden soon.

I also promise I will post about the blanket that I am making very shortly as this really should have been posted just after Christmas and I still haven't got around to it. I have now got a fair way with it - it's growing quicker than I expected as I've become slightly obsessed with it and can't put it down! Maybe tomorrow night I hope...