Monday, November 24, 2014

Handmade/Homemade Swap Party





Community is important to me. Hosting people in our home for potlucks, coming together to celebrate festivals, gathering with like minded people to celebrate the winter or summer solstice, and making time once in awhile for a mama afternoon are deeply satisfying to me. When our home is filled with the people we walk this path with I feel blessed, and full of gratitude that our journeys brought us together.

On Saturday, inspired by this, written by Amanda, I hosted my first handmade/homemade mama swap party. It was a small affair, with some mamas I spend a lot of time with. I think it was a huge success, and I think I speak for all of the mamas when I say we had a wonderful time. We sat in front of the fire, food spread out before us, cups of tea in our hands, and we chatted about motherhood, work, passions, our kids, and life. Towards the end of the afternoon, we gathered our swap gifts, opening them together while the person who created the gift shared the story of the creation. So much goodness was created...a festive room spray, herbal tea, note cards, a calming and relaxing pillow spray, a thieves oil foot rub, crocheted dish clothes, a beaded necklace and a fabric framed picture board. Such thoughtful, creative gifts.



My contribution to the swap was some note cards created with some of my photography, a hand knit, felted bowl, and samples of my body butter, lip balm, hand salve and healing salve.



After all the mamas left, my heart was full and my soul inspired. I spent the evening jotting down a few ideas that were floating around in my head for future gatherings...definitely another swap, I think spring might be a good time, mama crafting days, a knitting afternoon and so much more. 

40 comments:

  1. How lovely! Isn't that so wonderful that you have a group of gals to do that with- I think that amazing. Your gift was really something- that knitted bowl was so neat. On a side note- I'd love to hear what you thought about doing the project 52? I have plans to start one in January.

    www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, and yes! I feel pretty blessed to know this group of ladies. They come along for the ride on many of my crazy, fun ideas :)

      I loved the 52 Project. It is my first year doing it, and I plan to do it again next year. I will have all the photos made into a book in January, and can't wait to see it all come together. I highly recommend it :)

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  2. I love this idea! What fun you all must have had creating and then exchanging those goodies! I love the picture of your living room, it looks so cozy and inviting!

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    1. Thanks Anke. We had a great time. Cozy and inviting is what I am going for, so I am glad it shows :)

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  3. I wish I could have been there. Lovely afternoon and the gifts, oh my treasure to behold!

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    1. I wish that too Karen. Can you imagine the swap party we could have, wow, that would be amazing!

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  4. Hooray!!!!! I came here specifically wanting to check in about your first swap, remembering you told me you were hosting it this past weekend. What fun, Kim! Everything looks so lovely and cozy. Oh I want to snuggle up in front of that fire~ beautiful!

    I like the way that a smaller, more intimate group like this allows such time for connecting and for everyone to go away with a sampling of each person's goodies.

    Thank you for sharing!
    xo

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    1. Thanks Amanda, I was so pleased with how it all turned out, and we all had such a lovely time. You are welcome to snuggle up in front of that fire anytime, just let me know when you are coming and I will put the kettle on :)

      It was nice for my first time, to have a smaller group. I might expand next time, or not, haven't decided yet.

      Thank you for the inspiration. I never would have thought to do anything like this if it hadn't been for your inspiring article. Big hugs. xo

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    2. I think a small group is perfect. And chances are other folks will hear about it and it will expand all on its own! (as you see fit, of course ;)

      so happy to have inspired- and maybe just one day I'll call you up for that tea and fire date!

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  5. what a wonderful idea Kim... I agree in the importance of community in our lives and this is perfect not just for cultivating creativity but generosity as well. thanks again for the inspiration !!!

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    1. Thank you Erica, you always have such wonderful things to say, it makes me smile and warms my heart. xo

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  6. What a beautiful activity... Everything looks amazing, such a talented group. I'm glad you have so many like-minded mamas around to share your journey with.

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    1. Thanks Yanic. I am very grateful for this wonderful group of mamas.

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  7. love love love!!!! it all looks so amazing. did you make those frames? we've been wanting to make our own, but i've been wanting to get around the glass dilemma. the clothespins are perfect, i love that idea ~ it's perfect with the fabric backer.

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    1. Thanks Carlin. I think you definitely would have enjoyed this afternoon :) I didn't make the frames, my friend did. But she did have a bit of help from my hubby...he made the wood frames, and then she did the fabric backing, and added the clothespins. It is really beautiful, and I love it!

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  8. Me too Rosemarie :) I can think of quite a few blogger friends I would have loved to invite...maybe one day, when the kids are older, we might all meet up for some handmade swapping fun. It could happen...

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  9. Kim....your gorgeous home, your inspiration!!! I love it all and I so wish I could have been there!!! xo

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    1. Awe, thank you Julie. I would would have loved to have you here. xo

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  10. Wow what fun! Your home is so cozy. Love, love, love!

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  11. My heart and soul feel so wonderful reading this post. Oh and that first photograph of your home is so amazing! It's snowing heavily today and the idea of indoor comfort with lots of women is something I'm definitely missing. I live out of town and need to make more of an effort to meet awesome local women and do things like this.
    I'm happy that I'm feeling crafty after about 2 years of not, looking forward to lots of indoor slow time this winter.
    Wishing you a wonderful week, you're always a lovely inspiration :)

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    1. That is so lovely to hear Isis, and thank you. I do love our home, and after 17.5 years here, we feel like it is very much our own.

      It is hard when you live out of town, we are the same. I am very lucky in that these mamas don't mind the drive to our home, and will come often. I hope you can find your own little community, it really is wonderful and, you are right, we need it.

      Can't wait to see what craftiness you come up with. Thank you, you too!

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  12. What a great idea, and so beautifully carried out. You have definitely got me thinking now for my crafting friends, thank you!

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    1. Thanks Sally, I had wonderful inspiration :)

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  13. Oh Kim, how I wish I could have been part of this amazing day! It looks truly divine! The pictures are gorgeous, your words are beautiful and the handmades are stunning! I am so glad that you brought that group together and had such a lovely day! Here's to many more! xo

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    1. It was really lovely Shel, and having you here would have been wonderful!

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  14. Oh Kim, This is such a beautiful idea. You are always full of such warm and beautiful ideas and your home.. Sigh, your home looks like our dream home. You've oiled those wood floors and buffed the walls with love. It shows. It shines. Be well.

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    1. Awe, thank you, my friend. I was truly inspired by Amanda.

      Thanks, it is our dream home, in so many ways, and we love this space. It means so much to us. Many nights I look around just after the sun has set, Justin and Reece are playing quietly, and I let out a deep sigh, just knowing that this place holds our hearts, memories and so much more of our future.

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  15. What a great idea! Those gifts are perfect. I want to jump right in those pictures and join you :)

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  16. What a wonderful time to rejuvenate and enjoy each other's company. I love your little packages too. Such handmade goodness!

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    1. The time to just be as women was lovely. We so often try to have conversations when we are with the kiddos, but we all know how those conversations go :) So it nice to sit back, relax, and chat, just us mamas.

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  17. Oh that looks like sooooo much fun. Sure wish I lived close by:)

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    1. It was! I am so happy I took the leap and planned it.

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  18. Wow, you have such a beautiful home! So kind of you to practice hospitality and share your beautiful space with others. :)

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    1. Thank you Angela. It isn't hard to share with these lovely ladies, I am blessed to have them in my life.

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  19. lovely!! i was so inspired by amanda's post too (all of them really) but i just never found the time... i was also thinking spring would be a good time for us. all of the things made were so creative... looks like a wonderful time. and your house is so beautiful!! i love looking at photos of other people's homes... you truly have a "home"... a lovely lovely home :)

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    1. Thank you Jenny. I am looking forward to hosting another one in the spring, I think there will be less pressure at that time of the year, as we won't be in the making mode for the holidays.

      I have some pretty creative friends, and to think when I sent out the invite they all said they weren't creative :) We did have a lovely time.

      Awe, thank you. It is home, in so many ways, and is the perfect place for my little family to plant our roots.

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  20. Inspiring. How did you find such a beautiful home? It takes my breath.

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    1. Thank you. My hubby found our home, almost 18 years ago. It is a special place, and one I never take for granted.

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