Another birthday exchange

I hadn't taken part in any exchanges for a while, so was pleased to remember to sign up in time for a birthday exchange via Ravelry.

My exchange partner was Alice, born on the same day, but in the USA and as far as we can ascertain a few hours earlier than me. I have photographed the contents of the parcel she sent a couple of times to show the colours with only partial success. Purples are so hard to depict.
For whatever reason I have been unable to rotate the image, but seen from sideways on the treats look so good.














The shawl is knitted in the most perfect purple, and the weight of the beads at the bottom makes it hang beautifully. It has been much admired already, and will be worn so much, as it goes with so many of my clothes.
There are marvellous additions to my stash, purple and brilliant green yarn, and a lovely purple project bag.

Summer exchanges

It's the season for exchanges again.
As last year, I took part in two Ravelry exchanges.

As I was away from home for part of the time, both exchanges happened over the past week.
Spring into Summer: This Monday I took the train down to London, and met up with LittleLixie.
It was so good having an exchange partner I've known for years.
It made it so easy to choose items for the parcel.

Lixie chose yarn for me that I had seen in Chicago, but not bought in that colourway. 

(How clever of both of us.)

Green tea from Japan, champagne soap and a pattern for a beaded wrap.

Although the colour still isn't quite right in the photo, here is the  fabric bowl she made in my favourite purples.

June birthdays:
Patience chose me some great sock yarn in purple shades, what else!
I've almost finished the first sock in this yarn, combining it with a Crazy Zauberball, giving a distinctly offbeat look.
Lots of fibre to play with, and some sari silk predominantly in shades of red.
Local honey and purple accessories filled out the package.

Catching up with June

As usual I meant to keep up to date, but good intentions ...

... tend to get washed away. 

This was the scene on my birthday, not quite what I had been expecting for a DAS day outing to the Black Country  Museum. I hadn't been there since 1993, so saw some changes through the rain. 

It did make for a few interesting pictures. This was taken when standing under cover at the rolling mill, looking out at the puddles. Most of the time I took snatched pictures with my phone, rather than my camera.

As you can see it wasn't freezing, but I was glad I'd taken an umbrella and jacket with me. Here are the baker's and sweetshop.

It certainly seemed to be the wettest day of the year so far, although I'm not sure if the statistics will back that up. Our garden benefited greatly from the steady rain.Later in the day we travelled on to the Mushroom Green Chain Shop in Cradley Heath. Again, I hadn't been there since '93. It was under cover and warm, and a pleasure to see individual chain links being forged. I would have had a try, but I was wearing a dress that I don't want messed up.

One of the advantages of Ravelry is that there are many groups that arrange swaps. This year I took part in the June Birthday Exchange again, thus guaranteeing at least one birthday present! This shows the contents of the lovely parcel I received from Gudrun in Germany. I have often thought about buying a Zauberball, but couldn't work out which colourway to choose. Gudrun got it spot on, saving me much searching. The white mittens in the foreground fit perfectly, and will come in handy later in the year. Due to extreme temperatures on its journey, the chocolate had partially melted and reformed, but still tasted great.