Thursday, September 23, 2010

Swaping goods and love...

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to swap goods with some very generous and talented mamas.....
Baby W was in need of warm woolens for the winter. While trying to figure out how to budget this, I was met with the opportunity to trade with two beautiful mamas for these much needed items! I was so touched by the warmth and generosity of these families, especially when I received the packages in the mail! I was beyond thrilled! We are now warm and cozy, and just in time for cooler weather!
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As I looked through these packages, I thought of the children who used them previously. How they kept them snuggled, warm, and dry during the chilly nights. I thought of the gentle and loving mothers who washed and folded the clothing; the hands who created these hats, diaper covers, and pants...each time we use them, we will think of these families, and they become a small part of us. I thought of how the package arrived to us; the changing of hands involved. This made everything even more meaningful!
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one of the items I created for the swap...an acorn garland!
I set out to create some gifts for the families to send in return....While crafting, I thought of these families I've never met, and probably will never meet...yet, I felt a connection. The connection is thoughtfulness....something which seems increasingly rare these days. While listening in on a Waldorf Homeschooling phone conference yesterday (which was fantastic!), Sharifa Oppenheimer mentioned that "if you breathe with your heart, gratitude will follow...."
Swapping with these families has been such a beautiful experience.....I am sure a lot of you reading have done this before! I would love to continue swapping...perhaps with some of you?
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I created needlefelted Toadstool Homes for acorn babies...

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Acorn babies!
Please email me if you are interested....bendingbirch@gmail.com

19 comments:

  1. Swapping is a beautiful gift. It feels so much better than shopping outright. There is such a connection with others. Unfortunately I am super behind and have nothing to swap at present, but I enjoy reading about your swapping adventures! Be well, Angela

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  2. Swaps! So much love for swaps. Let me know if you ever would like to swap something with me. Right now I'm knitting dolls for Twolittleseeds (and for my middle son whose birthday is in three days!).

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  3. It is so wonderful to swap, it does bring more meaning into our lives. I love you acorn babies and the toadstools they look beautiful:)
    Have a glorious weekend. xxx

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  4. Lovely, thoughtful words. Swapping is a wonderful idea.

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  5. Your acorn crafts are lovely. I especially like your acorn babies.

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  6. How wonderful that you were able to swap such lovely items another family! This online community really is a beautiful place.

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  7. I love those toadstool homes! Yes, swapping is amazing, I just wrote about that myself this week. I love trading, and it seems more and more people see the beauty of this. :-) I love the blogging community, where there are so many talented people wanting to share.

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  8. i love swapping & love pre-loved items too:) Beautiful felting work!!

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  9. I just want you to know that your blog is truly a joy to read!

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  10. Hey there,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog for it lead me to yours :) I couldn't help but notice that you & I live pretty near each other. It's refreshing to know that other like minded mommas are this area. Lovely blog ...

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  11. swapping is such a great thing to do, keeping the love flowing .. would love to swap anytime xx

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  12. What a wonderful, wonderful post! Your words about connection and thoughtfulness are so true. And, your swaps! How gorgeous. Those woolens look absolutely scrumptious, and anything to do with autumn sings to my heart... it's my favourite time of year and I have a thing for trees... especially oak trees!

    I think swapping is such a grand idea... less focus on consumerism and more focus on needs, sharing, connection, kindness, sustainability, simple pleasures, creativity, friendship... the benefits are endless.

    Hope your weekend is a joyous one!

    Linda. xox

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  13. Beautiful post. Swapping and giving is truly wonderful. While my children were growing up we also used each other's childrens clothes and items. Recycle, reuse, repurpose!

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  14. Your toadstools are wonderful! :)

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  15. Your words are so gentle and true. I love coming back to your blog. Your acorn babies are adorable and I LOVE the idea of an acorn garland. You can bet one will be on my tree this year. Thank you for the idea. Take care.

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  16. What a lovely entry. Swapping makes so much sense in a time when everything seems to be disposable. To keep things and make them available to others that might need them is definetely the way forward. Plus the benefit of making new friends and strengthening community. I'm sure Mother Earth is smiling.

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  17. Oh yes please!!! I love the idea of giving and receiving with other like-minded folks. I also love all that I see in your photos...a lovely place to visit!

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  18. I Love the idea of swapping. I knit and we could swap some of my work with something you made. Totally love the idea!

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