What a WONDERFUL surprise!!!

Early this morning there was a knock at the door and my DH yelled out to me that the mailman's here!! Actually - she's a Mail-Lady - but that's just splitting hairs lol ;o).
This is what she brought to me, a beautiful polka-dot package - (that really should have been a hint for me!!!) .......... Now I wasn't expecting a parcel so I must admit to being VERY curious as to what was inside, this is what I found first, a card from Sandy - aka Awtem Nymf telling me that she was my "Angel" in the "Polka Dots and Rick Rack swap from last year arranged by Sharon at Red Geranium Cottage. The lady that was originally supposed to be my partner never sent anything - so Sandy volunteered to send something so that I wouldn't miss out!!!! Isn't that kind??!!?!

Look how gorgeous it looked as soon as I opened the box ....

I had to be really restrained and remember to take piccies as I went along, but in all honesty I just wanted to rip these gorgeous packages open straight away!!! How pretty they look in their pink tissue and ric rac ties :o) ......

And here's what was in the presents ........ !!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?????????

All this from a lady I've never even met ..... such kindess just blows me away!!!

Cuppycake and spotty plates, napkins and notelets - and some cute little cuppycake rubber stamps ......

Pretty ribbons and ric rac braid .... can you see the ribbon on the bottom has coffee cups on it?? Very appropriate for this little caffeine addict!!!!!

Socks with all sorts of different coffees on them ...... I wonder where she found these, they're fabulous :o)!!!?!!

A most wonderful dotty mug ..... and I've tested it already ... yes, the coffee definitely tastes better than it usually does. Must be the spots ;o)!!!!

And lastly this adorable girl. I was thrilled beyond belief when I opened the parcel with her in it ....... I just LOVE her!!!!! This is Phoebe!!! 'Phoebe' is one of my favourite names in the world ............. something my DH doesn't quite agree with, hence neither of my girls have that name lol, but I digress ............. so I have chosed that name for this most gorgeous Raggedy doll. Isn't she just the CUTEST dolly??????

Sandy even wrote a little note on the back of her head so that I'll always remember :o) ....

I have discovered over the past year that Bloggers are a special kind of people and I'm so happy to be a part of such a community. Thank you so much Sandy, your kindness and generosity touched me greatly, it was such a wonderful surprise and I'm so grateful :o).

Pop on over and visit Sandy on her blog and say 'Hi' from me too :o)!!!

Out and About again :o)

One of the very bestest parts of my 'job' (... I hesitate to call it that because it's something I just LOVE to do) is visiting patchwork shops. This one is my local and I shop there a LOT :o) - it's where I got that most beautiful blue trim that I simply couldn't resist!!... they are at Ross Court, Cleveland if you are a Brissy Blogger and want to check it out ... you won't be disappointed :o). Say Hi to Margaret and Brenda for me :o)!! They have SO much to see and their prices are good too!!!

I headed out to the Northside of Brissy yesterday and I got to call in to some of my favourite shops ..... I saw Claudia at QuiltEssentials at Eatons Hill - I got caught up with chatting and I forgot to take piccies, but you'll love her store - and her new BOM - so cute. Also minus a piccy is Caboolture Sewing Machines and Patchwork - always great fun to visit the girls there - you must drop in if you're in the area, they are at Morayfield Village, just near Overflow!!! I promise to take piccies of both of these stores next time I'm out there :o).

Here's another place I visited just yesterday (and I remembered to take a piccy!!), they have the best range of jelly-rolls, honey-buns (I think that's what they're called, they're 1 and 1/2" strips, like a jelly roll), layer cakes and charm packs that I've seen - all in the very latest fabrics!!! I have a very strong feeling I'm going to be going back again, and quite soon. Only a new shop but WOW, it's grown in the past few months since I was there last. It's Peppermint Stitches, in Sylvan Road at Toowong. You can't miss the gorgeous red store. Say hi to Stacey when you visit :o)!!!Well I finally got my goodies together to send to ****** across the sea!!! I've only shown the wrapped parcel just in case she checks out my blog ... he he I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!!! I've had a blast getting all my Polka dot and Ric Rac pressies together - I think I could quite easily become a 'swap addict' ...... LOL what a way to go!!!But it's not over for me ... I've joined a 'last minute' Christmas Swap with Janet over at Wildcraft Farm and I'm so excited to be doing another. I've been going through my fabrics and making up my mind what I'll make ......... and I haven't even got the low down on what we are to send yet??!!!? I'm sure some of the things I have in mind will match up ;o). If you want to join in the fun I think you still have time ......... I think it's closing on the weekend, SO HURRY :o) :o).

Well that's it from me for now .... I'd better go and make DD2's lunch.

Take care,

Hugs,

Joy :o)