Swap, swap, swap.

It's no secret, I love swapping. I love giving, and receiving ain't too bad, either. I like to blog about the packages I send out so that I can later tell my partner what my thought process was. This is my latest package sent out for the Reducio Sock Swap (Round 7), and the theme was "Aboard the Hogwart's Express!" I decided I wanted to do a traveling/back-to-school slant to this, so I collected items to that end. Here's the whole shebang!:



On the travel side, I sent travel playing cards in a case, travel stickers, travel-themed stitch-markers (which I made), a magic towel (no traveler, or hitch-hiker should be without one!), suckers and a luggage tag in the shape of a frog, which is one animal students are allowed to bring to Hogwart's.

On the back-to-school side, I sent hand sanitizer, recycled pencils, a highlighter, a Sharpie, a calendar, a pencil case, tic-tacs (the her House colors, and no one should go to school with bad breath!), feet-shaped paper clips (good for the travel theme, too), and a few patterns, because we are always looking to learn somethign new. :)

Of course, we always include two hand-made fiber items. This time I sent this little knit bag that I improvised from my Virtue Bookmark pattern:

The back, plain stockinette:


The front. See that tiny cable?!? I could die! :D :


After I made thi bag, I showed it to Xay and his response was, "That looks great! You must be Reducioing again!" LOL I love that he has been drawn into my fandom. :D

And, this little, tiny sock, which is all stripey! I love tiny stitched things!



I sent the package off with a note from my spoilee's Aunt Clara, the Pretty Witch. I gave no other clue as to who I am, but I figure that's a pretty big one considering my Rav name is pretywtch. :) I really hope she enjoys it because I was VERY lucky to get one of my fave Rav people as my partner! I can't wait to see what she thinks! :D

BB!
~Jeannie

Reducio Swap Round 6, SPOILER ALERT!

I participate in a swap on Ravelry called the Reducio Sock Swap. Basically, we swap crocheted or knitted mini socks and other items with a Harry Potter theme. What? You didn't know I'm a Harry Potter nerd? Well, I am! :) Check out Reducio, if you want more info.

Anywho, I wanted to share what i'm sending my partner for Round 6. So....



Here's the whole shebang, minus the card, which I simply forgot to include in the pic:





I made a package up as if some of Harry's friends got together and sent him a package of gifts that would mean some special to them.

From the Twins, Fred and George: "poppers" from their new line of Muggle party products, confetti and a noisemaker on the advice of Arthur, their father, as they are traditional Muggle birthday favors. (My spoilee also has two little boys, so I thought they might get a kick out of these.)



From Seamus Finnegan: monkey bookmarks to remind Harry of a night eating animal crackers in the boy's dorm. Seamus ate a monkey that night and promptly started apeing around. (My spoilee also likes sock monkeys and I thought these little guys looked like they would make her smile.)



From Hagrid: an owl. Since Hagrid got Harry his very first owl, the much-missed Headwig, he wanted to get Harry another owl. Not to replace Headwig, mind you, but just because Hagrid can't imagine anyone without a beloved animal friend in their life.



From Ron and Hermione: Once, on another birthday, Ron and Hermione got Harry a box of chocolates from Honeydukes. Harry then threw them away. Chocolate abuse!!!! So, they wanted to get him another box, in the hopes he'll actually get to eat these!



From Neville Longbottom: Neville found these rare Tibeten Turnip blossoms and wanted to send them to Harry. He says they can make things disappear and thought Harry might find them useful. (I picked this project because my spoilee has the pattern in her faves on Rav, she loves cotton yarn, and because of their several purposes. They can be used as makeup removers, dish scrubbers or coasters, all of which make things disappear! There are seven; one for each HP book.)



From Dobby: Of course, the package includes a mini sock and who better to contribute that than Dobby, whom Harry freed from servitude with the gift of a sock. In Ravenclaw colors because my spoilee is a Ravenclaw. :)



From Ginny: a kiss as potent as firewhiskey. I made the lip balm holder (see pic above) and included my favorite lip balm, Burt's Bees. I liked this because the lip balm is obvious for kissing, and you never know when you'll need it, so having a holder for your keychain means your always ready and kissable. Plus, XXX stands for strong alcohol and X stands for kisses. It was a natural match. :)

Finally, a card. Luna picked out the card, so instead of having "Happy Birthday!!" on it, it has penguins on a yellow background and says "Congratulations" on the inside. I just thought that was hilarious for some reason! :D I love Luna!!!

So, that was my package for Reducio 6. I'm sending it out tomorrow and I REALLY hope she likes it! :D:D:D:D

BB!
~Jeannie