Monday, August 3, 2015

Summer Swap Fun













Well, that rain I was so hoping for arrived on Friday evening, about twenty minutes before my outdoor summer swap party was to begin. It always works out that way, doesn't it? Luckily though, as my guests arrived, the rain cleared and we were treated to a double rainbow. Now that was a great way to start an evening.

Despite the rain we enjoyed the party outside, on the back deck, a fire going, and lots of blankets covering wet chairs. We ate, talked, laughed, enjoyed the pleasure of not one, but two newborn babies, and swapped some pretty awesome gifts.

My swap gifts were rope bowls, each one slightly different. Tucked inside was a head of organic garlic harvested from my garden a few weeks ago, and a tin of healing salve, made with organic herbs from my garden.

In return, I received a potted rosemary plant, felted wool dryer balls, lavender mint bath salts, peppermint sugar body scrub, salted caramel chocolates, apple butter, soap, lip balm, and a necklace with a bird nest pendant. A pretty great selection of gifts from a pretty awesome group of talented ladies.

I love these swaps, and I have to thank the lovely Amanda for sharing her experiences with them. It was Amanda who inspired my first handmade/homemade swap party last fall, and from there I was hooked. The entire experience of planning, to creating, to sharing our gifts, to enjoying an evening together is pretty special. I feel very blessed to be surrounded by a group of wonderful, inspiring and creative women who enjoy these little gatherings as much as I do.

With another successful swap complete, my plan now is to really sink into summer. I am off, meaning no nature camp, and no homeschooling for the month of August. We have guests coming, there is swimming lessons to attend, blueberries to pick, food to put by, a garden to harvest, tend, nurture and plant, books to read, a hammock to relax in, and beautiful summer evenings to enjoy, fireside. As the final weeks of summer stretch before us, my only goal is to soak it all up, and enjoy every moment.

44 comments:

  1. Wow, a wonderful group of talented ladies indeed. What a gift to be surrounded by such friends, sharing in the same ideals, likes and lives.

    Have a wonderful month of August dear Kim. See you soon. :-)

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    1. Yes, I am pretty lucky to have such a talented group of friends, who inspire and support me.

      Thank you, it is going to be a great month, that includes a visit from you and your family. Can't wait!

      xo

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  2. So much goodness...I love that kind of presents, made with hands and love!!!

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    1. Indeed, they really are the best presents!

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  3. How lovely. Everything about your summer swap sounds and looks delightful. Enjoy the rest of summer Kim. Love Nikki x

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    1. Thank you Nikki, it was a wonderful evening. I am already planning the next swap :)

      xo

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  4. I adore the rope baskets you made!! They look fantastic and are a really great gift! I really need to start making some, I love them more every time I see them. I am glad you were able to host the swap outside after all and everybody really made wonderful gifts for it. Lucky you!!

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    1. Thanks Anke! I love making those rope baskets, and was so happy to have a reason to make so many. You definitely have to make some, so fun and easy, and they look awesome!

      Yes, I was so happy the rain didn't last. It put a little damper on the evening, but nothing my group of friends couldn't fix.

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  5. I love that you had a double rainbow for your summer swap and what an amazing swap you had! Those are some wonderful gifts, and I am especially intrigued by the salted date caramels, any chance you can get the recipe?
    Enjoy your month of August off my dear. Much love.

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    1. I thought that was so cool Tracey. And the first person to arrive said it looked like it ended right in our backyard...kinda cool!

      The gifts were amazing! Yes, here it is http://empoweredsustenance.com/date-caramels/ Enjoy, they are so delicious!

      Thank you Tracey, sending much love to you my friend. I have been thinking about you today. xo

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    2. Thank you Kim. I've only had to hide in the bathroom and cry once today, but tomorrow as we drive the air port I can't promise no tears.

      I am putting these caramels on my list for this week, have to keep busy. :)

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    3. Oh Tracey, I have tears in my eyes just reading this. Hang in there, and let those tears flow, it's okay.

      I will send you lots of love and strength tomorrow as you say good bye.

      Can't wait to hear what you think of them, we loved them here, and Reece has requested they be made very soon.

      xo

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  6. This sounds like do much fun! I am glad you were able to have such a wonderful time even with the rain. Such lovely little things!

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  7. what treasures you received and I love the creativity of your friends! I appreciate all the crafts and potions that I do not make myself.

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    1. Thanks Karen, I feel pretty lucky to have so many talented and creative friends. It's funny, even though I make all of my own self care products, there is still something really special about receiving homemade self care products from friends.

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  8. What a fun idea and a great way to spend an evening. And some gorgeous gifts!! As mothers, I feel like we are always making and giving, and giving some more..... and it's nice to be treated to some treasures every once in a while!
    Hope you enjoy your August and the end of summer. Sounds like we both have fairly similar plans for our next few weeks!

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    1. Yes, I could handle an evening like this more often :) Totally agree with you, I think that is what makes the swap so fun. You bring gifts to share, and go home with a variety of gifts for yourself. It's awesome!

      Yes, we do have similar plans, and I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer too!

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  9. That is a lovely selection of handmades! What a group of talented people you're friends with! Enjoy your August "off." :)

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    1. It is, and yes they are! Thank you, I will!

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  10. Your swap looks like so much fun. What pretty gifts you swapped. I'm sure the rest of your summer will be relaxing and refreshing, enjoy yourself.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, we had a wonderful evening. And the gifts are amazing, so thoughtful and carefully made and presented.

      These last few weeks will be well enjoyed, thanks!

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  11. Oh how lovely! I remember your post from last fall so it's wonderful to see this happening again. What a magnificent double rainbow!

    Oh how I am looking forward to summer now! I have just signed the lease on a lovely little place down on the Mornington Peninsula, right near the water. I'm finally moving away from suburbia! I have dreams of longer evenings down on the shore with my dog and some friends.

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    1. The rainbow was amazing!

      Oh goodness Leisa, that sounds amazing! Will you share some photos, would love to see it :)

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  12. I just love your rope baskets! Such a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing. And for your daily inspiration. Enjoy all the goodness that is August!

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    1. Thanks Alexa. I have to admit to being just a little addicted to making them, so fun and easy to make.

      You are so sweet, thank you.

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  13. I am going to do one of these! Someday ;) It is such an inspiring thing to see--all of that love and car put into handmade. And those rope baskets are surely on my winter craft list. I am trying to soak up the last few weeks of summer before school starts. Of course, there is still a fair bit of summer coming our way, but John goes back in two weeks and the kids three, so it makes life pretty different, even if Mother Nature is still showering us with summer goodness.

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    1. You definitely should, I bet you have quite a few mamas there who would jump all over this :) The rope baskets are so much fun, I know you will love making them.

      Back to school already, you guys head back at little earlier than the kiddos here. Enjoy this last little bit of summer. xo

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  14. so much greatness in all of this, and such beautiful gifts. this one looks just as amazing as the last one. i so wish you were my neighbor and you could teach me to make some salves...
    august sounds amazing, so glad you will be soaking it all up.

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    1. Aw, thanks Carlin. It was just as wonderful as the last one. This time a few more mamas thrown into the mix, which worked out perfectly.

      We can do a salve making phone call if you like. We can chat infusing oils, making salves, and more. Let me know :)

      Enjoy your August to my friend. xo

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  15. What a fun idea! And such a good excuse for a get together :) The double rainbow is beautiful. What luck!

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    1. Great excuse :) Yes, so pleasantly surprised with the rainbow. Now if only I could find the pot of gold at the end :)

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  16. I just adore the idea of these swops - I so wish there were people in the area I lived in intersted ina similar thing.

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    1. It is so lovely, and honestly, so nice to get together, just us mamas for an evening. Then to share our talents and make homemade gifts for each other, well, it just put it over the top. So much goodness wrapped up in one evening.

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  17. what a fantastic idea !!! You all made such beautiful gifts...and i'm glad the rain ended before your get together...xoxo

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    1. Thanks Erica! We were all glad too, it was nice to be outside. xo

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  18. What amazing treasures! Your pictures make my heart happy :)

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    1. Aw, thanks Carrie. So nice to see you here. Hope you and your family are well. xo

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  19. Those bowls are just beautiful! What a wonderful swap! I really like double rainbows. Twice as magical right?!

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    1. Thanks KC! I am a little addicted, and just can't stop making them :) It's a good thing I planned this swap party so I could share some.

      It was a wonderful swap indeed, I have some pretty crafty friends. And yes, twice as magical.

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  20. Oh how very lovely!! What talented friends you have and look how dreamy all of that homemade goodness is!!

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    1. Thanks Summer. It really was a fun evening, and yes, I am lucky to have some very crafty and talented friends.

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  21. What a lovely collection of gifts all round, it must have been a really special evening. And I'm definitely joining you on the soaking up the rest of Summer.

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    1. Yes, they were all wonderful, and all of them have been used, they are amazing! It was a lovely evening, I feel really blessed to have this group of ladies in my life.

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