Cam City WI Craft Swap

Last month I took part in my first ever craft swap. It was arranged by the lovely Michaela of Miss Chaelaboo and was open to members of our WI group.

Our January meeting was all about tea. We had a talk from the ladies at Kandula Tea about the tea business, how it is produced and the different varieties. Then we got to sample lots of different teas. My favourites were Moroccan Mint and Earl Grey. 

Tying in with this meeting, the theme for the craft swap was tea. We were given a list of our swap partner’s likes and dislikes, but it was a tricky topic and I found it difficult to come up with ideas. Knowing that we wouldn't be swapping until March, I spent most of the time thinking about what to do.

Finally, with a week to go, I had a light bulb moment and knew exactly what I was going to make - a brooch. I like brooches because they can be pinned to bags and scarves as well as worn on jackets and other things. I sketched a rough design and got to work with some fabric and felt. Using some embroidery thread and a 1.75mm hook, I crocheted some edging and stitched on to the circular brooch to finish it off.

By the time the March WI meeting rolled around, I’d been so wrapped up in making the teacup brooch that I’d completely forgotten that I would be receiving something in return! Excitement built as I was presented with a cute little a polka dot box. My craft swap partner Katie had made me an adorable cross stitch teacup necklace. Isn’t it wonderful!  

I really enjoyed taking part and seeing how other people had been creative with the tea theme. As you might expect, there were a lot of stunning tea cosies being handed around! The swap made me realise just how many amazingly crafty ladies we have in our WI.

Have you taken part in a craft swap? Are there any you would recommend? I’d love to hear from you.

March

Well another month has passed, and boy was it a cold one. As you can see, there was plenty of tea and tasty cake to keep me going. 

From top: snowy Cambridge, lime pie, tea and a cupcake, working on my WI craft swap project (more on that coming soon), a Mother's Day Mexican feast, crochet, amazing maple pecan cake and polish doughnut from Afternoon Tease's pop up cake shop - part of Eat Cambridge, my chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate icing, the kitchen at the wonderful Ickworth House.

Of course we had Easter last month too. I made hot cross muffins and Mr Makes baked an absolutely amazing four layer chocolate cake, smothered in mouthwatering ganache and topped with a cheeky Milkybar cow. Who knew Milkybar cows lay eggs? What baking and making did you get up over Easter?