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Wednesday 11 April 2012

Oh Happy Days - My 'Blog Buddy' Swap Has Arrived

Patience truly is a virtue.  I have been very good and patient waiting for my 'Blog Buddy Swap' to arrive.  I was so disappointed with the Postman yesterday.  Bills and bank statements!  Huh, who needs them?  The postman is supposed to bring little boxes of happiness, just like this one!   Teresa Kasner and I met on Ravelry and we have been firm friends in Cyber Space ever since.  We follow each others Blogs and share news and projects.  It really is uncanny how much we share in common across the miles.  We often find we have been doing very similar things, on the same day.  I think there is some sort of 'Parallel Universe' thing gong on!  We share many similar interests.  I would really rather not mention our 'Facebook' Scrabble Tournaments as I get my 'Butt Whooped' on a regular basis!   Teresa lives in the Columbian River Gorge in Oregon, USA and I have grown familiar and very fond of the beautiful scenery, history and heritage of this area through Teresa's blog posts.
          We have taken part in Swaps as Groups on Ravelry and both were a little disappointed not to be each others Swap Partners.  The odds were against us being 'paired' up.  In my travels I saw little 'crafty' bits and pieces that would make me think of my Cyber Buddy and I would think 'Teresa would love that'.  It is probably a good job we are separated by a large pond, because I am sure we would have formidable 'crafty' shopping excursions together.  I asked Teresa if she would like to be my Swap Buddy and of course she said yes.  :)
          We posted our Swaps on the same day and Teresa received hers before Easter, mine got stuck in the Bank Holiday, postal traffic as did Easter Gifts for my family from The British Hen Welfare Trust.  Not to worry, better late than never.  I was actually amazed how fast my parcel got to Teresa's house, less than a week to go all that way.  Here is Teresa's Blog Post about what I sent for her :)
           Well on with the important part, I opened my little box of happiness.
How delighted am I?  Very, very delighted is the answer.
Look at these pair of cuties.  Lovely Chicken Egg Cups.  I will have to have a boiled egg and soldiers asap.  I may go all out and put a spread of Marmite on the soldiers too.  There must be a knack to photographing glass, but I don't have it.  These have cute little faces and feathery detail.
The Crafty Goodies were all wrapped up in, I think you call it a 'Fat Quarter', of Cotton, Chicken Fabric.  I love it and will have to think very carefully what I can make with it.  All suggestions would be gratefully received.  I think this buttons are 'Super Groovy'.  Pink CND buttons are just too good to be true.  I believe I could be in the process of making the perfect 'Thing' for all five of these buttons.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.
I appear to be developing quite a passion for buttons.  I have noticed it creeping in over the last few months.  These buttons really do make me happy, flower buttons, sparkly Bling buttons, Mother of Pearl buttons and really pretty 'Lace' like patterned buttons, here take a closer look. . .
Pretty eh?
More pretties, ribbon and tiny ribbon roses.
Lovely Lavender coloured Cotton, I feel a self indulgent 'Face Cloth' coming on!  I feel as if I am showing off a bit, but I am having so much fun sharing all this with you and I am not finished yet!
Ho, ho, ho!  'Moonstruck' Dark Chocolate, Expresso Bean!  Now I am telling ya, I love Chocolate, and I am telling ya I love Coffee, put the two together and that makes me very happy indeed.  Teresa did not know that!  This is the perfect bar of Chocolate for me!
This Chocolate might even make me smart and strong and sexy, well let's get the wrapper off!  I am not sure about pondering for too long about who I will share it with.  I am pondering as to sharing it at all!  'Give and you shall receive.'  is making me feel a  bit guilty though.
I am not sure if this will make me strong or sexy, but the chocolate sure is!  If you let a square of the rich dark chocolate melt on your tongue you are left with crunchy chips of Expresso Bean for an intense flavour blast.  Ask me how I know!  I am feeling smarter, stronger and sexier already.  This is gonna be very hard for me to share!
  I am not sure I would like anyone writing on my cute little pad either.
Now I don't wear any jewellery, but I am wearing these right now.  I love, love, love them.  They are the Genuine Article.  Teresa has written a blog post Trade Bead Story explaining the fascinating history of these pretty little beads.  They were used for 'Trade' with Native Americans.  Trade beads have been valued by ancient cultures for thousands of years.  Teresa has a fine collection of these beads, the post is really worth taking a look at.  Now I won't be trading my beads for love nor money!  I have nearly got to the end of this post.  It has been a joyful post to write, for me.  I have been thoroughly spoiled with goodies.  I just have two more items to share.
I didn't tell you did I?  Teresa is also a fantastic Artist, she is a lifelong Artist and crafter, she has an Etsy store Here where you can purchase her art work, water colours and ink.  (Also take a peek at the Handmade Jewellery).  I am very touched by this 'Just for me' water colour of 'Glastonbury Tor.  The camera has not captured the colours as vividly as the actual painting.  I think it is fantastic and it is definitely going to have 'Pride of Place' in my living room.   I have a photograph of Glastonbury Abbey on my wall, that my friend took and had framed for me and another 'Chalk' picture of Glastonbury Tor that my Sister in Law got for me. The chalk is beautiful and it makes the Tor look misty and mysterious, Teresa's watercolour has captured the Tor on a bright Summers day, looking across the expanse of countryside in the heart of The Land of The Summer People.  Glastonbury is my favourite place.
             Last but not least is my Teresa Kasner Scandinavian Crochet Heart Ornament, the link will take you to the pattern.  I have loved this for ages.  Now I have one.
 To me, this is Teresa's 'signature Crochet piece.
'Thank you Teresa' feels inadequate.  I am sure you know how happy each one of these gifts has made me though.  I find it very hard to believe in the concept of 'Cyber Friendship' but this Swap has bought it home to me.  Cyber Friends are 'Real' friends of course!  We may never meet each other in person, but due to the marvels of technology we share each others 'lives' in some way and have a firm friendship.  That makes my heart very happy.  XXX
(((Group Hug))) in cyberspace for 'Blog Buddies'.  
         

20 comments:

  1. How fun! It looks like you got a lot of great goodies from Teresa :) Chicky things, beautiful buttons, handmade goodies, and possibly my favorite, that stunning watercolor! Well done Teresa! That painting is wonderful and I'm sure it'll look lovely put up in your living room. It is so nice that you two have been able to connect so well via the internet. How great it is to have great friends!
    ~Lacey

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    1. Thanks, Lacey. I need to find a suitable frame for the watercolour don't I? It is nice to have a 'Swap' where the Swap Partner knows so much about you and knows what you will like. Also there are things you would not think to get for yourself. I feel like I have a little box of treasures.

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  2. Thanks for sharing your lovely gift exchange! In doing so, I got to know each of you better and enjoy your good friendship and creativity. <3

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    1. I am glad you like this post and I did not bore you to tears with my showing off! I like looking at other people's crafty stash too. I used to like my Nan's sewing box, yarn stash and her button jar.

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  3. Beautiful things, and it is obvious that Teresa knows you so well. I love the picture, and I'm sure you will be busy crafting away soon enough to make things with all those inspirational buttons. As for the fabric? Hmm, what to make? Cushion? Apron? Peg bag?

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    1. It feels like my Birthday again having a box of goodies! I like the Peg Bag idea a lot. I need a peg bag too. I did think of 'Chicken Bunting' but I think you need to be slightly bonkers, like me, to appreciate such a joyous art form as 'Chicken Bunting'. It would stand out from the usual 'Olympic'/Jubilee bunting though wouldn't it?

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    2. If you had some left over from making a peg bag, you could make some chicken bunting, and alternate it with some fabric with eggs on, like this http://www.fashionablefabrics.com/pear-tree-eggs-on-yellow-by-thomas-knauer-for-andover-fabrics-a-5554-b.aspx?utm_source=shopping.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping.com

      Then you have the whole "which came first, the chicken or the egg"! I reckon it would look pretty cool in a kitchen.

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  4. Oooo lovely crafty parcel!! Love everything :-)

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  5. What a lovely "swap" from your Blog buddy. The chicken eggcups are brilliant and the watercolour is amazing.
    Carol xx

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  6. Oh! What delightful treasures, enjoy:-)

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  7. Wow what a lovely parcel, you are one lucky duck. xx

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  8. Luuuuuuuuucy!! I'm so glad you got my little box stuffed to the gills with goodies for YOU! Did the watercolor card come at the same time as the box? Now.. some stories to go with the goodies. I went to an antique mall to look for something for you, and I found a set of FOUR of the egg cups, and sent 2 to you and kept 2, so now we have matching sets! Wouldn't they also make neat little vases for a handful of wildflowers? I'm glad you like all the buttons.. did you pick up on the diamond ones? Lucy in the Sky with DIAMONDS? I also got a set of the etched mother-of-pearl buttons so we have the same ones. Did you see that the chocolate was made here in Portland? I got one of those too.. I had to make sure it was good enough to send to you. :-) Dayle found the chicken sticky pad for you. I'm so glad you like the trade bead bracelet, did you notice that it's adjustable? I made it for you, you can slide the knots to make it bigger or smaller. I'm glad you like the painting.. I enjoyed doing it JUST for YOU! Also, I'm glad you like the heart.. they are fun to hang up all year long. And I agree with how we have so much in common and I'm sooOOOoo glad we found each other and are friends. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Hi Lucy I have popped over from Teresa's blog. What wonderful treasure she sent. I also saw the swap you sent her...the chick was really cute. Cyber space is such fun isn't it! Enjoy the chocolate if it hasn't already been finished ;-)
    Jane x

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  10. Lucky Lucy!! It's been fun to see this Blog Buddy Swap, you've really spoiled each other! :-)

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  11. That is what I call a delivery, how wonderful! Enjoy all your goodies Lucy especially the delicious looking chocolate!

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  12. lots of lovely goodies. I especially like your heat. Blessings from Avalon x

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  13. Hi there I have come over from Teresa's blog to have a look at your goodies - they are wonderful a were yours to Teresa. You have such a lovely friendship. Anne x

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  14. Hi Lucy. I am a friend of Teresa's. Isn't she just the best?!!! You sent her such a lovely box of goodies, and now I see the wonderful box she has sent to you. What fun this blogging is, eh?
    Enjoy your goodies.
    Kris in USA

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  15. That is a truly awesome swap package! You are very lucky!! I hope you have fun with all your new booty! Have you eaten all of the chocolate? Cos I always thought you were sexy and smart anyway....

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  16. What a fabulous swop parcel! I will be heading over to Teresa's blog asap to check out her makes! Isn't cyberfriendship an amazing thing, I had no idea when I joined Ravelry and the other craft forums I belong to how many amazing friends I would make! :-) Enjoy all your goodies! Laura x

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I appreciate and enjoy reading all of the feedback from your comments. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and sharing your thoughts. Sadly I have found it necessary to enable word verification, something I was trying to avoid...but I am receiving an unmanageable deluge of Spam! We don't want that do we? xxx :)