I participated in Meg's Holiday Traditions Swap and was lucky enough to be partnered with Vanessa in Minnesota. We each made up a package with a handmade holiday decoration, a description of a family tradition, a recipe and more besides... Vanessa made a garland for us which now hangs over the fireplace - here are some close-ups of the garlandy bits. The stitching is incredibly neat and even!
Then there was the fabric gift wrap, which is the perfect solution for all of us who worry about paper waste at this time of year. These are a great size - big enough for a good-sized box or several books or a warm pair of flannel pajamas! I'm inspired to start making my own and build up a year-round collection for all those events which gobble up wrapping paper. This would be a great first sewing project since all the lines are straight!
Vanessa included a recipe for Zitronenherzen, or lemon heart cookies and added some vanilla sugar and lemon extract to the parcel (thanks - I had neither in my storecupboard!). The cookie-fiend girls have been champing at the bit to make them so they had a go this afternoon:
We used almond meal instead of ground almonds so they look grainier than they should, but a few sneaky nibbles on my part confirmed that they were very yummy indeed. Here they are before the lemon icing went on and the kids all piled in!
We're enjoying The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, also included in the parcel, and the German chocolate too (which I can't photograph for obvious reasons!).
I loved participating in the swap and thank you Vanessa, again, for being such a warm and generous partner. Happy Holidays!
