Home Sweet Home completed!

I've taken part in the ATC swap this Spring organised by Ali and once again thoroughly enjoyed it.

The theme for the swap was Home Sweet Home and it set my mind on a long wander on what makes a home so special.

This is the card I received from Beryl - an absolutely gorgeous piece of art with a bird house - how clever! It came prettily packaged with a lovely card :)

All so beautifully stitched in some of my favourite colours! I adore it and it sits alongside a previous card I received - I look at them every day and they truly make me smile as I start my day.

The partner I was sending to is a very talented lady. Ali sent me a link to her Flickr page and she is amazing! All this adds greatly to the nerves - what do you create for someone who is so very clever with a needle?

As she lives in the US, I thought that perhaps a taste of what my home here is like might work. I decided to (in part!) try and recreate our cottage and although it didn't quite turn out as planned, it was my very best effort!!

It all started with a mind map and then a basic plan -

The sun never made it to the final card as I realised I already had smoke coming from the chimney - a reflection of my muddled mind!

I blanket stitched around the outside of the cottage and then crocheted my interpretation of a Cotswold stone wall

Added some roses around the door and some smoke coming from the chimney with the words 'love' and 'laughter' mixed in - for me, two words that come to mind when thinking of home. Our houses may change, we may move, but so long as you have those things then it's on its way to being home.

Sewing it all together. This step took quite a lot longer than anticipated! A trip out into the sunshine was required.

The finished card!

I stamped out and then stitched Home Sweet Home on the back

All wrapped up and ready to go - 

I so enjoyed creating it for my partner and was thrilled when she e-mailed to say she loved it. 

Roll on the next swap :)