Chookyblue's SSCS

I've heaps of catching up to do with my blog but I've just popped in to write a post about the Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2017.

I've been part of this Swap for a few years and its rules are simple; a handmade Christmas ornament and then a larger gift which must represent effort and time in making. Chooky matches swappers with bloggers from other countries. This year my Secret Santa was Denice from Michigan and a few years ago I had been Denice's SS.
This is the ornament that Denice made me; I love it and it's so cleverly made.

Denice also included another decoration which she had purchased...

The smell of the timber is beautiful!
And Denice wrote this lovely message about this...

Thank you so much Denice for the Joy that your parcel and message has given me. And thank you to Chooky for once again organising this Swap.
And the bigger parcel will go under the tree ready for Dec 25! 

Chookyblue Secret Santa Swap...

Once again I signed up for this swap run by Chookyblue. It's the only Christmas swap that I do these days. Aussie participants always receive a partner from overseas, which is lots of fun. In this swap we make an ornament and the main gift is something handmade that has taken some effort to make. As soon as the parcel arrives we can open the ornament but the main gift is opened on either Christmas Eve if that is the tradition, or on Christmas Day. 

The parcel from my Secret Santa arrived yesterday, all the way from Belgium! My Secret Santa this year is Martine. 

Inside were these parcels wrapped in pretty Christmas paper...and that one on the left has the word 'ornament' written on it! The parcel I can open straight away! 😊

And here is my new ornament...

A lovely crocheted Christmas tree; the photo doesn't do justice to the lovely yarn that Martine had used. It has the most delightful coloured flecks through it. 

Thank you Martine; I love my new tree decoration. 😄