I was lucky enough to participate in a super fun swap this summer hosted by none other than Holiday Jenny!
In the swap we were to include a handcrafted item, thrifted/vintage goodies, something edible, and some vintage vacation inspired crafty supplies. My partner was the lovely & talented Lonnie of Farmgirls.
This was such a great swap theme. Vintage vacation could be interpreted many ways, but for me there was never any question it was going to be a vintage Beach vacation. Lonnie lives in coastal Oregon and it turns out we were on the same page with that!
I built my swap package around the theme of "Beach Day". Here's a peek at what I sent to Lonnie...
My handcrafted item was a patchwork beach blanket.
I used thrifted/vintage sheets and curtains to create the blanket. When I say I, I mean I had the idea and I picked out and purchased the materials. I asked my mom for a hand with the layout and she ended up doing most of the sewing for me.
I love how we used the sweet little details of the daisies and the rick rack trim.
And, it's reversible.
For when one side gets a bit sandy :-).
Continuing on with my beach day theme, I included a fun souvenir plate from Cape Cod,
a vintage deck of seaside playing cards, a thrifted beach towel (or perhaps beach pillow), and some fun vintage paper ephemera including a beach girl and a nautical chart of Martha's Vineyard. If you're going to spend the day at the beach, you certainly need something to read. I was so excited to find an older copy of The Shell Seekers {perfect} to include in the package.
For my food item I did my best to get creative as Jenny suggested. My item? Snack size bags of Cape Cod Potato Chips. Perfect for a beach snack.
Finally I wanted to send a little piece of the Massachusetts coast out to Lonnie in Oregon. I used a smooth beach stone I found during one of our many beach trips and cut letters out of thrifted books to spell out Beach Day.
Even when it's not a beach day, hopefully the beach stone will remind Lonnie of beach day memories already made and beach days yet to come.
Now, for the really awesome stuff: what Lonnie sent me :-)!
Lonnie's theme was Beach Picnic. Sounds wonderful to me.
My swap goodies came packaged in this great vintage train case. I love it! I have other pieces of vintage luggage, but this is my first train case. I don't however, think it will be my last. They are so adorable!
I was pretty happy with the train case, but look at all the fabulous goodies that were inside...
I was overwhelmed by Lonnie's generosity and craftsmanship.
All of my handcrafted items are beautiful,
but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the seashell winged angel.
She is just so cool. And I love her vintage anagram J necklace--total swoon!
As I reached the bottom of my treasure case, I came to these beautiful glass plates.
Such a lovely shape and perfect for a picnic. What would a picnic be without a picnic blanket?
Lonnie sent me an adorable summer themed vintage tablecloth. Eeek!
I decided not to wait for our next trip to the beach, instead I set up a picnic in the backyard.
With a fluted clam shell full of salt water taffy, delicate crocheted doilies (all from Lonnie), a beautiful setting and the sparkling sunshine, how could I go wrong?
Thanks ever so much to Lonnie for my totally wonderful goodies and thanks to Jenny for hostessing a great swap (as always)!
