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'.