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