Decisions, decisions, decisions!!!

DH bought me a new IPad Air for Christmas and DD1 has now got my IPad 2. It really surprised me that someone who has the latest iPhone, would want a 4 year old iPad but she asked if she could have it. As she is my IT 'fix it' girl, how could I refuse? Anyone who deals with the Apple Support line on my behalf can have my old stuff any time if she wants! Lol

In typical 'First World Problem' fashion, I found that the old case didn't fit my new gadget and DD1 didn't want it...

Such a shame but it looked like I would have to find a new one to buy...a few times I have been very grateful that I had a hard case on the iPad as it saved it from being damaged. 

But I had discovered that I like covers that are a bit different and even though DH and I did the rounds of local shops, I found nothing I liked. The interesting ones were always for other tablets not the Air. 

My previous case came from the Aussie company MOZI, so I checked that site ...nothing. Then I went to the Red Bubble site but the cases were all for minis. Just when I thought I'd have to buy a plain one, I thought of Etsy...it wasn't long before I had put a number of designs in my Favourites. 

 All of these designs are made in Sydney...I love the flowers, but I also loved the quirky ones.

You won't believe this...but then I couldn't make up my mind which one!! Finally, just after New Year's Day, I put in my order after lots of dithering/procrastination/agonising/changing of my mind...which do you think I chose? It was posted last week so it might even arrive today! 

A Secret Santa delivery from 'Across the Ditch'...

I found out this week that my Secret Santa in Chookyblue's SSCS this year is Michell from New Zealand. Yes a parcel arrived...always exciting!

Inside...

In this swap, participants send 2 parcels...a small one with a Christmas ornament and a larger parcel containing a handcrafted gift; the smaller parcel can be opened immediately but the other can't be opened until the traditional present opening day...for example, for some this is Christmas Eve, others it will be Christmas Day etc. 

This is what Michell had put in the smaller parcel...

Lots of lovely goodies! Another big thank you to Michell!!

Now also on Monday I found that Tonje in far off Norway had received the gifts that her Secret Santa ( me!!!) had sent her as she wrote a post on her blog. 

I had made the ornament after I made her main gift...it was a day or so before the posting deadline...so I was cutting it a  bit fine! Lol

It all started when early this year I pinned this ornament on Pinterest...the link went to a site that said the pattern was sold out...

I pinned it thinking I could make one just by going by the photo. But a few months ago the pattern became available...so I bought it. And then printed off the pattern pieces and cut them out of felt ready to assemble...

I enjoyed making the elf and it wasn't long before he was finished....and my elf looked like the photo!!! Lol

  And he went all the way to Norway, to his new home...my goodness, it's almost at the North Pole there and we know who lives there don't we??? Lol

An Etsy Purchase and other crafty 'stuff'...

I've mentioned previously that I have been working on some 'secret projects' recently. These kind of projects usually involve a fair bit of 'stalking' of blogs to discover likes/favourites etc of those certain persons who are my swap partners.

One of the secret projects I have 'on the go' at the moment...

Well I discovered that one of these unnamed bloggers rather liked mice, so I went looking on the 'net' for crafting ideas which incorporated mice.
There was a designer on Etsy who had some lovely stitching patterns using mice but I really wanted a knitting theme. So...I wrote to this designer asking if she had ever considered developing some embroidery designs of 'knitting mice'. Susie Layman from Threads on my Socks answered my query saying she had in fact, some ideas for her mice characters, Miss Mousey and Lily, using a knitting theme. Susie said she would work on these ideas and get back to me. I didn't expect to hear back from her for several weeks, but it was only a couple of days! Needless to say, I loved the 'knitting mice' and promptly bought the pattern.
The pattern was instant download and includes 'mirror image' outlines as well as a page of motifs that can be incorporated into the larger stitchery or used on their own in various way. All this makes it a user friendly pattern and very versatile.
So Miss Mousey and Lily: A Knitting Kind of Day, here enjoying a Knit and Natter session...love them!

(Screen shot from Threads on my Socks Etsy Shop) 
And talking of knitting, Master Eduardo has been sitting patiently beside me as I continue on with that other project...

It's well over half way so 'right on target'!