Gifts Galore

Just look at this beautiful pin cushion that was sent to me.  This is what I received from the Pin Cushion Swap Kate organised.  My surprise swap partner turned out to be Kawthar who has a delightful blog you really must visit sometime.

Look at the postage writing.  It looks Arabic or similar.  I'm pretty sure it's come all the way from Saudi Arabia.  Golly, no wonder it took so long to reach me!

The edges of the pin cushion are hand croched ricrac and the button is covered in gingham and then a crochet flower.  It's just the sweetest button in the world, I'm quite sure it is.  I was absolutely thrilled when I opened it.  Who wouldn't be?

But that wasn't all!  No, she very generously croched a gift for each of our four girls as well.  Can you imagine how long she must have spent on this little heart?  It's actually two hearts that are stitched together with an opening at the top.  Daughter No.1 is getting this lovely surprise when she arrives home from school.  She'll be over the moon.

And some very fancy stitching here.  No.4 has agreed to have the large flower stitched onto a top for the winter.  I think it will look fabulous.  The star and the beads may end up as a book mark for No.2.  She's a pink girl so will love it.  And the cutest little purse has been claimed by No.3.  Her favourite colours are pink and yellow.  Kawthar thank you very much for all the wonderful presents, we all really appreciate how many hours they must have taken you to make.

It seems it's a week for parcels in our box.  Yes I won two prizes a while ago!  This one is from Patch, a newly opened online shop.  Thank you very much Claire, I just love all the pretty ric racs, especially the soft velvet ones.  I didn't know I was going to receive quite so many bundles!  Oh the things I'll be able to decorate with them.

The second prize was for naming Clare's sewing machine!  Mabel it is.  Not sure where I pulled that one from, but I'm delighted to now have one of her wonderful patterns.  I think a sewing machine apron sounds like a very good idea.  She also very kindly sent me some big white ric rac.  There's a bit of a theme going on here isn't there?  The three parcels all have ric rac in them.  I wonder if they all know just how much I love the stuff?  Anyway thank you very much Clare, it was a very wonderful prize to receive.

Now I'll finish up with a present I've had for quite some time now.  I feel very bad for not showing you earlier but I just kept forgetting to photograph these lovely items.  Dear Lorraine gave these to  me when she was visiting from the UK several weeks ago.  She knew how much I wanted a pair of pinking shears and found some pre-loved ones at a fair.  How kind of her.  The work perfectly too.

And just look at this pretty pincushion and needle book she made for me.  The fabric is so beautiful and it's extremely well made.  What a clever and very generous lady you are Lorraine.  With everything you had to do before you left home you still managed to make gifts for me, thank you very much.  It's was so lovely to meet you and Jus as well. 

Now my darlings, I must now go out into the sunshine and pull weeds and plant new vegetables and flowers.  It's one of those absolutely beautiful Autumn days where you are drawn to the garden.  I'll be sure to take photos.  Until then, happy stitching!