Tuesday 27 November 2007

Ornament Exchange and a surprise gift

I am sitting here munching away on a Snickers Nutcracker, smacking my lips and feeling guilty at the same time.


I participated in my first ornament exchange this fall. My partner was Becky K from Oklahoma.
Becky Thank you so very much. You knocked my socks off!

Someone told her that I was a nutcracker collector and she heard. Her exchange was amazing and I was stunned by all the lovely wrapped gifts.
I received a package of mixed beads, a package of Christmas stickers, a needle case, a package of Snickers Nutcrackers (that's right - the ones I'm munching on) and the most beautiful stitched nutcracker. He is hanging above my computer screen as I type and I look at him in awe every time. Becky says he comes from a Christmas bellpull design in a Better Homes and Garden Book called A Cross Stitch Christmas - Handmade Heirlooms.
The guilt comes from not saving the nutcrackers for my collection and eating them instead. Becky reassures me they came from her favorite gourmet chocolate shop - Walmart - so I should be able to replace the ones I ate. Don't you just love it.
Below is the stitched piece I did for her. This is a JBW design - Hearts of Joy - from the 1997 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I made it into a little pillow for her and added some other goodies to the package. Becky emailed yesterday that she received the package so now I can post it.

And note to self and others - don't send a package in a Skinny Cows ice cream box. They work great for ice cream but not as packaging. Becky says it was delivered taped together but thankfully intact.

Today I went strolling to the mailbox to see what the mailman had dropped off . Mostly it is 6 million pieces of useless paper from our bank at home and the odd advertisement. Well, I got the coolest little surpise today. I found a little envelope postmarked Belgium containing a skein of Carrie's Creations hand dyed floss called Snowflake in my box. A cute little hand stamped card is in the envelope but no name or indication of who it is from. Whoever you are, thank you for such a wonderful surprise gift. I looked at this little envelope all the way home with a big smile on my face and a real sense of awe and gratitude. What wonderful thing can I find to stitch with this beautiful thread?

I have finally found the missing fabric for my Little Book of Stitches. I had bought it at Michael's I guess and it is 32 count oyster. Now, I can go back to working on it.

I have not done a great deal of stitching this past week. I seem to have hit a bit of a lull. I have picked up several things, stitched on them for a bit then put them down and picked up something else.

I'm off to check out the Snowbird SAL. Take care everyone

12 comments:

Kathy A. said...

I forgot to add Becky's blog - www.stitchinpost.blogspot.com
Check it out!!

AnnMcD said...

Kathy,

I am glad you found the missing fabric because your WDW thread is on its way to you!

Anonymous said...

Both your's and your partner's ornies are adorable!

mainely stitching said...

Oh, what lovely stitching! I just love that nutcracker!!!

Hazel said...

Wow what a generous parcel! and a lovely cushion you made too. xx

Michelle said...

Beautiful exchanges! And what a lovely surprise to find some thread in your mailbox!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love the nutcracker and did this one for one of my boys a few years back as their yearly ornament...it is gorgeous! Congrats Kathy :)
And thank you for your kinder than kind words to me of late :) They mean a lot!

Lynn said...

Love the nutcracker! I think I have that book here somewhere too. I always forgot about checking through them and there are some great patterns to be found.
Glad to hear you found the missing fabric and are able to continue your Book of Stitches.
Nice mystery gift!

jer. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ranae said...

Hi! Awesome ornie exchange.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Kathy you got a wonderful ornament! I'm glad you enjoyed the ornie exchange!

I'm thinking those little envelopes is from someone in the Neighbourhood RR.

Beatrice said...

Your little nutcracker is soooo cute. and the lovely gifts to go with it.
Your's is lovely as well!
I'm still waiting for mine...soon I hope.
Misty received mine. I'll post today.
I'm glad you found the fabric you needed for the book of stitches