Another Lovely Surprise

I had a lovely surprise in the post at the weekend and, though it isn't craft related, it's such a lovely gift I had to show you all.

I'll admit that, once again, until I saw the address on the back I did wonder if I'd had another one of those brain fart moments and forgotten about something I'd been buying on eBay..... as you do. ;0) But the address immediately revealed that it was from the very kind and generous Barb (no blog). Here's what I found on opening up the bubblewrap bag:


Two books that I will definitely enjoy, as they are just the kind of thing I like to read, a fabulous postcard - just look at that dragonfly brooch on it! - and an intriguing tissue wrapped box. On unwrapping and opening it I found this stunner inside:


A fabulous geode with the loveliest feel to it. That pic just doesn't do it justice - it's waaay nicer in real life, with lots of sparkle. Barb found it in a crystal shop while she was on holiday in Dartmoor and says it said "Send me to Karan" so she did - after first cleansing it in the River Tavy. Such a lovely thing to do. :0)

And the geode looked so totally at home in the spot where I took its pic that it's now living there, alongside my House Angel.

Thank you again Barb for such a fab surprise..... and I love my geode. :0)

Thank you for visiting and for the lovely comments you leave. May you all be Blessed with good friends and kind deeds. :0)

A Surprise

Well I'd planned on showing pics of my recent eBay bargains this time but a surprise package in the post changed all that, as I felt the need to share that instead.

When the postie knocked I thought: Ooo my goodies have come - nice man. :0)
Well they had but among them was a rather big package. OK, I know my brain can have as many holes in it as a sieve at times but I definitely would have remembered ordering something of that size..... and I knew I hadn't.

OK, a quick look at the basic address details on the back and no Eureka moment hit. Oh, dear: maybe some poor eBayer seller had a severe brain fart moment and sent me the wrong goods?
Well, only one way to find out.... so I opened it. Now that did get me worried as this was the box I found inside:

Now I know the two fellas in this house can sometimes behave like a pair of big kids but I knew 110% that I hadn't ordered this just to prove that point....... not even in my most cynical mood. (Well, OK - maybe I might have got as far as popping it into the cyber basket...... but that's as far as I'd have gone. Honest! LOL)

None the wiser thus far there was no other choice: time to tackle the sticky tape holding the flap down and hope there was a name and address inside. Well I couldn't have some kiddy in floods of tears because he hadn't got his boxing thingy, could I? (I can hear you all shouting: Open the box! Open the box! Wasn't there a programme on TV with that? Hughey Green or some-such hosting? Sheesh, is that showing my age!) Carefully peeling back the tape so I wouldn't damage anything I opened the flap and peered in and spotted........... not a boxing thingy at all but a box of what looked like cardmaking goodies and a card. This was the fun card:

I never knew there were so many kinds of shed - did you? LOL Inside it revealed that the sender was none other than Lynn. She'd been having a sort out of her craft corner and knowing that I'm a keen card maker kindly thought of sending the surplus my way. How kind is that? Even kinder, knowing that we both share a love of owls, Lynn also included a rather nice kit of a barn owl too. Here are the contents all spread out:



Was that a collective chorus of "Finally!" I heard then? LOL It was like opening up Long John Silver's Mum's Treasure Chest for Crafters because, as you can see, there's a good mix of really useful bits and pieces. It took me quite a while to look at everything......... and some of those items I've already put to good use. :0)

Kindest of all were the lovely words that Lynn wrote in the card and they reduced me to a tearful, tissue clutching heap in about 10 seconds flat.

So a public and heartfelt thank you Lynn, for this unexpected but much appreciated kind gift, the lovely words and the boost it has given me - your timing was perfect. Cyber friends really are the greatest! :0)

May you all be Blessed with good friends, kind words and thoughtful acts. :0)

An Aromatic Gift

As it was the JA/S&S Forum's Monthly Challenge Reveal Day at the weekend I can now share with you pics of the beautiful surprise gift Julie sent to me this month:

Apologies for the poor pics - the digicam just isn't up for the job..... and neither are my photography skills! LOL Here's a close up of the design, which (on my computer screen) looks to show the colours much truer to life:


It isn't just beautifully stitched and finished though...... Julie made it into a lavender sachet and filled it with dried lavender from her garden, so it smells wonderful too. :0)

The beaded edging is one of my favourite styles of finishing - though I don't use it that often as I know just how labour intensive it is. The back is finished with a lovely charm:


I love it and it now sits on my bedside cabinet, as the lavender scent is a natural aid to help bring me restful sleep. The lavender soap I previously kept there is nowhere near as lovely to see as the sachet! :0)

Thank you again Julie for my beautiful gift and for the kind words you wrote in the card - your timing was perfect and you helped being a lift to what was peoving to be a difficult day. Thank you my friend (((((((((hugs))))))))). :0)

Many thanks to all who take time to vist and especial thanks to those who leave a comment - I always read and appreciate every one. Hope you all had a good weekend and an easy start to the week. :0)

A Surprise PIF

I received a surprise envelope from Lisa in the post today and just had to show you all the lovely goodies that were inside, so here's what I found when I opened everything:

A gorgeous stitched pinkeep floss tag with floss ring and tags and a skein of rather lovely Carrie's Creation Autumn thread. Here's a closer look:

This is such a pretty design, beautifully stitched and finished, and the colours are so me! :0)

Unfortunately, as usual, my pics just don't do it any justice at all.

The back is finished with a lovely autumn leaf fabric that perfectly matches the thread colours:

Isn't it gorgeous? Thank you again Lisa for such lovely surprise goodies: I love them and you have certainly made my week! :0)

I was going to do a catch up post today but will leave that for next time, as this has to have a post all of its own.

Thank you for visiting and for all the kind comments. Oh, and there's still time to sign up for the Giveaway: drawing will be on Wednesday night. :0)