I Love Surprises!

It’s so hard to catch up on all the wonderful blogs I read after being at Girls Camp for 3 days. It’s a fun break from technology, but makes it hard when I come back to civilization. It’s probably going to take me till Monday to catch up. Come back tomorrow for a wonderful giveaway. I’ll give you a hint: I would have adored this up at Girls Camp.  

Before I left for camp I got some wonderful surprises in the mail. Don’t you love surprises? My sweet mom sent me a package of things perfect  for me.

The first one was this beautiful towel. I love the inspirational thought on it: life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.

And the colors go perfect with the favorite recipes organizer I made.

This candleholder was also included, but this is what she said about it, “this reminded me of a clock-thought you might like to see what you could do with it.” First of all she knows I love clocks and second, I love a challenge. I have some great ideas for this awesome candleholder, but you’re going to have to wait till I get caught up with laundry from Girls Camp to see.

Thanks mom! I love you and miss you already. Can’t wait to see you and dad again.

Then a few hours later I received another package from Kolien at Kitchen Table Productions. We participated in a swap hosted by Shabby Chic Cottage. Oh my gosh, did she do her research or what. I think she knows my likes and loves as well as hubby. Everything came wrapped so pretty in fabric with raffia bows.

And she even had a little game to help me guess where everything came from. This is only a portion of the letter. You can click on the picture to make it larger.

See how cute everything was wrapped.

So I’m going to start guessing, because this was almost as much fun as unwrapping all these amazing treasures. I think these notecards, magnets and eyelets came from Michaels. I love cards, all kinds. She knows I love to scrapbook and make cards too. And who doesn’t need magnets. These are the cutest. The ribbon roses are perfect. 

These vintage sheet scraps came from her lovely neighbor. She got everyone involved. Oh, I can’t wait to start making some beautiful things with these scraps. I’m not sure what I’m making yet, but I’ve been obsessed with aprons and bags lately.

I almost cried when I saw them tied up like this. I had a hard time wanting to untie them.

I think these little gardening tools and bulb marker rock came from a store called Craft Bits and Pieces. I love gardening and working in my yard, although this year it would be hard to tell. I have the perfect place for these.

And look what she found. I can make my own buttons. Her sweet neighbor found these vintage buttons in her basement. How sweet of both of them. I want to give both of you a hug. They’re beautiful and I can’t wait for the perfect time to use them.

I’m pretty sure these tags are from Michaels since I was just looking at them last week. I almost bought these exact ones. Does she know my taste or what?

You don’t know how excited I was to see these. All things I love. I’ve been wanting to buy one of these vintage choppers, but could never bring myself to pay what they were asking for it. The candle snuffer is perfect for all my candles and I adore old stamps. I think she got these at the flea market. Oh, I love flea markets. Can I go with you next time? 

Here’s a close up of the stamp. Isn’t it beautiful?

I love monograms and green is my favorite color and I can never have enough pretty towels. I love this towel and it’s such a nice big size too. I think she bought this at Marshalls.

Then I found this in the tote. She ’s named it a magazine mark, like a bookmark but for magazines. How clever is that?

And I used it within a half hour. I have loads of magazines. What a creative way to keep my place. Of course, she made it so it came from her Studio.

And I’m guessing the tote everything came in was from Wegmans, her local grocer. You can never have too many totes. It’s going to get used really soon.  

How fun was that! Kolein, you are so thoughtful and went to so much work for little ol’ me. You don’t even know how touched and impressed I am with how much you got to know me. Thank you for everything and your thoughtfulness. You are one very creative lady! I will be showing all of you what I’ll be doing with everything in the next little while.

Hopefully I’ll get caught up in the next few days.

Have a beautiful weekend!

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Do You Swap?

I participated in my first swap. Tip Junkie hosted a Trade Secret Swap. We got 5 different bits of information about our swap partner and then went about finding the perfect gifts to send. It’s fun shopping and making things for someone with the information you’ve been given. I hope I did a decent job and read my partner well and she is enjoying the gifts she received. My swap partner lives in Michigan. Another way to get to know people all around the U.S. Maybe I’ll try another one soon.

The package I sent to my partner:

Things I made: Washer necklace, Hair bow (for her daughter), Luggage tags

Things I bought: Snowman (she loves Christmas), 7 different Teas (drinks tea), Tea cup and saucer (I found at an Antique store I love), Pretty box (to ship everything in)

 

The package I received:

Small soaps, body washes, hand sanitizer and candle melts- great for the guest room for visitors. I’m going to put them all in a pretty basket.

Honey, tea and freezer jam- yummy!

Pens and Paper- needed some more for my purse. How did she know?

Greeting cards- you can never have too many cards.

Yarn, buttons, pin, zipper pull, magnet- great things for upcoming projects.

Finger puppet and monster button- for my little boy.

Egg phone charm- can’t lose my phone now.

Thanks for the swap. This was a lot of fun. Do you think you would try one? I would do it again.

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