recycling wool and paper
A wee while ago, Caireen and I decided to do a swap of a few crafty things, and last week her amazing package arrived from Scotland. I had previously mentioned to her that i had family connections on my Mum's side to the Orkney Islands, situated off the north coast of Scotland. Caireen so thoughtfully made up an information package about the Islands for me- with maps, brochures and articles- and now i know i must go there soon!
She also included embroidery yarns in the most beautiful colours, vintage fabric and knitting patterns, and embroidery kit and Country Living magazine (that made me long for a beautiful British garden), as well as these little characters:
A sweet patchwork elephant, sewn from recycled suiting fabric (you can read more about them on Caireen's blog here) and a scotty dog made from recycled wool tweed (complete with clothing label!) made by Caireen's friend Suzanne. They were eagerly adopted into A and K's toy family.
I was also lucky enough to receive some packets of beautiful 'green cards' - sets of notecards and envelopes, all made from recycled magazine paper and envelopes to match. I adore these and have already sent out quite a few- 'reinstating the written word'...
You can see more of these (and I think buy them?) on her blog. I love how each card is unique, and has an envelope to match it:
Thank you, Caireen for your generous and thoughtful parcel! I hope to drink coffee with you in the cafe beside Loch Lomond one day in the future...
All that lovely recycled goodness inspired me to do some of my own over the weekend, which i'll post more about tomorrow- but here are two things I made from one old, woollen jumper last week.
A vest for Arlo:
and some armwarmers for me- (a necessity on these icy mornings.)
What a lovely package! I really like what you've done with that old jersey- so many options, and so perfect for the lousy weather we've been having lately.
Posted by: Jessicah | June 25, 2007 at 11:36 AM
ooo, another sweet recycled vest, I really have to give that a try. And with the summer we're having, it would be (sadly) the perfect attire. The armwarmers are a great idea too.
Posted by: Taimarie | June 25, 2007 at 11:58 AM
oh melissa you are a lucky girl! i can feel the new zealand chill all the way over here! maybe some wishful thinking. way too hot here today!
Posted by: heidi | June 25, 2007 at 04:37 PM
I love what you do with old jumpers - great vest and armwarmers. Wonderful package you received. The dog and elephant are fantatstic.
Posted by: Kate | June 25, 2007 at 06:05 PM
What a wonderful parcel full of goodies off to check out your friends blog now.
Posted by: carolyn | June 25, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Wow, what a package - I haven't been to the Orkneys but the years I spent on Mull and holidays around Loch Lomond / the Cowal are some of the happiest memories. If you get the chance, do go! And pop in here for a cuppa on your way :)
Posted by: Tash | June 26, 2007 at 01:43 AM
Oh, you should definitely go to Orkney! I went on a whim a couple of years ago, and it is the most wonderful place. Ever since I came back I've been telling people to go - I feel like I should get a stipend from the Orkney Tourist Board! It is stunningly beautiful and steeped in layer upon layer of history. It has a sense of place and time that I think non-indigenous New Worlder's find hard to comprehend. The people I stayed with told me the farm down the road had been continuously farmed by the same family since the Viking period. I could go on and on and on, but you should certainly see it for yourself if you get the chance.
Posted by: Quatrefoil | June 26, 2007 at 01:59 AM
Oh, you should definitely go to Orkney! I went on a whim a couple of years ago, and it is the most wonderful place. Ever since I came back I've been telling people to go - I feel like I should get a stipend from the Orkney Tourist Board! It is stunningly beautiful and steeped in layer upon layer of history. It has a sense of place and time that I think non-indigenous New Worlder's find hard to comprehend. The people I stayed with told me the farm down the road had been continuously farmed by the same family since the Viking period. I could go on and on and on, but you should certainly see it for yourself if you get the chance.
Posted by: Quatrefoil | June 26, 2007 at 02:00 AM
What sweet little toys. I love that the label has been left intact. IT gvs a real sense of it being old anad recycled.
And speaking of recycled I love that sweet little vest and one can never have enough arm warmers I think. I just can't seem to warm up this winter. On Saturday morning we went to hockey and I had 2 polyprops, a hoodie, a denim jacket, and a big bomber jacket, two scarves, two pairs of tights and I tell you I was still cold. The best place for me is parked in front of the heater but my arms aren't long enough to get much done from there. Oh dear.
Hope you are keeping warm - love
Rachael xxx
Posted by: rachael | June 26, 2007 at 09:00 AM
What a lovely, thoughtful package!
Posted by: Mirre | June 26, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Wow! What lovely treasures indeed.
Posted by: Felicia | June 26, 2007 at 12:40 PM
What a lovely package! Those arm warmers look wonderful! I might have to make something like that this winter:)
Posted by: Chara Michele | June 27, 2007 at 02:51 AM
what a sweet package from caireen! she is wonderful... i love those recycled cards.
and one sweater = clothes for you AND arlo? that is amazing :) that cabley pattern looks so good felted.
xo
Posted by: amisha | July 03, 2007 at 09:49 AM