Saturday 8 December 2012

Parcels Out and Parcels In

I am thrilled because I have finally managed to post the two main parcels off to Canada today. I tend to think I am making progress when I have those out the way. I may be fooling myself, but right now that's okay.


And in return for two parcels going out, two replaced them by arriving. The first was my Stitch Tease Bee Secret Santa gift and the person who made for me was Helen - runquiltknitwrite - who lives in Switzerland but originally hails from Newcastle so we have a love of that city in common as well as a love of sewing.

She sent me a lovely package which Emily witnessed the opening of. And promptly pounced on two of the items, claiming them for herself and Helen (my Helen). I am sure that was what Helen intended but didn't have a chance one way or the other.


The hoop is beautiful and the detail just wonderful. I love the star button on his wand and the jingle bell on his hat. I have already hung the hoop over our fireplace. And then there was Emily clutching the hand warmer, all thoughts of itchy chicken pox spots forgotten. Thank you, Helen!

The second parcel was a complete and total surprise to me. My friend Di - Random Thoughts Do or Di - sent me a cushion cover that I had so admired online, treats for the girls and some hard to get in the UK Mexican chili peppers so I could try out her enchilada recipe. Di and I both love cooking as much as sewing and often talk food. I've a chicken to roast for dinner tonight so hope to have enough meat leftover to make the enchiladas this week.

The sweets Di sent the girls are chocolate covered sunflower seeds which I have never heard of or seen before. They were a hit - as you can tell by the well depleted tubes. And they are planning which cupcakes to make for Christmas so they can use the fancy paper liners and toppers. I took a close up of the card Di sent because I think it is so fabulous and Di needs to tell us all where she got them made.

But the main part of the parcel is the cushion cover and it is just so pretty. Combining perfectly sewn curves, hand stitching with perle, some of my favourite fabrics - quite frankly I was gobsmacked to receive it but oh so very happy too. Thank you, Di!


Just in case you think I have been slacking there has been some making going on here - between a rather traumatic day spent in the malls trying to find Christmas presents. Do people really actually enjoy crowded shops and all that? Honestly, online shopping is the way to go.

I made another crochet bunting but it has already been wrapped to be sent to someone before I got round to taking a photo. Additionally there was another candlemat and hoop. Despite this photo looking like deja vous and as if I am just photographing the same items in different setting - that is a new candlemat. Honest! And you can tell it is a new hoop as I embroidered the star rather than appliquéd one on. Out of curiosity, do you prefer the star like this or appliquéd, or do you really care?


Well, I have a chicken to roast, things to make, and the other three are currently out buying the Christmas tree so I presume I will soon have a tree to decorate too. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Susan

33 comments:

  1. I like both stars (helpfully)

    Have fun with the tree :-)

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  2. I'm going to be just as helpful as Charlotte. I like both of them... :-P Glad you got such lovely post. x

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  3. So many lovelies to look at - delightful!!!!! I like the stitched star.

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  4. Lots of lovely parcels. I do love Christmas! I love that Rees- the star is lovely on both

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  5. I think the star looks great either way! And what a lovely set of post, i wish i'd gotten any of those instead of the bill that arrived earlier!! The cushion cover is beautiful, you're very lucky. : )

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  6. Your wrapping skills are excellent!! I'd love a parcel like that!
    The parcels in are gorgeous, fabulous treats!
    Great candle mat and I like the stitched star :)

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  7. Fab mail in and out. I'll leave it to Di to tell you we're not allowed to show the Stitch Tease one until everyone's received...

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  8. such lovely parcels. as for the stars, I prefer the embroidered one. The other one looks great too, but since you asked. hope the pox are doing better.

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  9. Sounds like you may have been a bit naughty but I'm enjoying seeing what you received from Helen. Glad Emily forgot the itches for a while too!

    Glad you have Christmas under wraps - I though I had but I was deluding myself as usual - going to stick my head back in the sand now!

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  10. Glad you liked the hoop Susan! I had a lot of fun making it!!

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  11. Oooh fab parcels. Great hoops both made and received!

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  12. Well it sounds like a great day, the package from Di is wonderful. The presents you are sending are lovely and the new makes great. I especially love those trees with embroidery or applique, I have to find some time to give them a try.

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  13. ooooh... such lovely parcels coming and going, to and from your talented hands, Susan.

    I too, love the handstitched star best. Beautifully done!

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  14. I was going to give you 30 lashes with a wet noodle for spilling the beans about your Secret Santa Swap gift, but since you also said such lovely things about me...how can I possibly be upset. I had my eye on that hoop when Helen showed a sneaky peak!

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  15. Lovely packages to receive! I had my eye on that cushion too - it would go very nicely with my MS2 tote :-) and Helen's hoop is adorable. Win win. I have given up on malls - online is the only way to go...and you get packages!

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  16. Christmas definitely cam early to your house. Enjoy.

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  17. What lovely parcels! If you forced me to choose I'd have to say I prefer the embroidered star but only by a smidgen...
    Is Emily any less itchy and spotty?

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  18. Lovely post for you and the girls. Hope you are having fun with the tree

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  19. Lovely lovely post. What a lot of goodies. I like both your stars but perhaps the stitched ones as tiny bit more. Di x

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  20. I agree, online shopping is the way to go! What lovely treats you got! And are giving! Jxo

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  21. I can see I am going to up the charm-factor to get such goodies in the mail unexpectedly!!

    Great ins and outs xxx

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    1. You win enough giveaways to make up for that!!!!

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  22. Oh Susan Your post has got a wonderful sense of Christmas about it. You seem to convey the excitement of the girls and the start of the hub bub before the season gets into full swing. Wonderful swaps and a fantastic surprise parcel. The cushion is divine :)

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  23. What wonderful post... Wondered who'd end up with Di's lovely cushion?! Embroidered star is my preference. I hope the patient is making a speedy recovery!

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  24. The mall in December? Aack! Yeah, I braved it too today and I was exhausted after about 30 minutes. Love the web:) I like the embroidered star on the hoop. Maybe because then it is all threads...

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  25. love the embroidered star - and your candle mat - and you can print on the candle too with a big stamp and some ink :)

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  26. The stitched star is lovely! Love the hoop and the beautiful pillow cover too.

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  27. so many lovely things. They are all beautiful!

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  28. Both stars are lovely but if I have to make a choice it would be the stitched one. Christmas is definitely up and running at your house. Hope Emily's chicken pox is not too bad, and she gets better soon.

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  29. Oh very cool post - love both ways for the tree! Hope Emily's Chicken pox isn't too itchy, my hubby got it twice when he was young :(

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  30. Chocolate covered sunflower seeds are available in the UK from www.chocolateworld.co.uk They have lots of other delicious flavours too & are very reasonably priced. Take a look.

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  31. What lovely friends you have. I read their blogs too. I prefer the star embroidered. Actually I love that whole design!

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  32. awesome goodies to receive and yes online shopping all the way for me!

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