Wednesday 5 February 2014

Surprise Package

Early last week a surprise package arrived all the way from Sweden from my lovely blogging friend Stina. We are going to meet up in August at The Festival of Quilts and we are two excited little bunnies.

The contents of the box brought tears to my eyes.  A beautiful stitched and framed picture, a box of Swedish chocolates immediately hidden away and scoffed by me. I might have shared a few. I am that generous. The pink mug is beautiful and came with a pack of Stina's favourite tea for me to try out and, AND, it came with the most beautiful mini quilt cum mug mat.


I adore the little quilt and have plans to use it somewhere at my daughter Sarah's wedding later this year. It is far too beautiful to use as a mug mat and I want to put it where I can see it. Love the quilting too and for a non machine quilter like me it has me itching to try it out. I feel very lucky and privileged to receive such beautiful and thoughtful gifts and to be called a friend. It means a lot. Thank you Stina. 


You can see more at Stina's blog.

The 10 stitch blanket is finished. Three balls of yarn used and it measures roughly 27 inches or 68 cms. The wrong side has the ribbed join and the side I prefer. I finished it off with a crochet picot edge. I really enjoyed knitting this and think I may have to knit a bigger one. It is big enough to wrap around the shoulders or for covering a little person and I am sure it will in the future cover dollies and teddies and even Humphrey the tapestry cat.

 
 I dug out another knitting project half done to occupy my fingers in the evenings. I started this little sweater for Maisie last year knowing that we were having a granddaughter but at the time my shoulder was so painful and any knitting was done a row a day and far too slow a progress. Abandoned as a hopeless cause. Anyway, on digging it out I had done more than I realised and just needed to knit a sleeve and the little collar. All I need to do now is sew it up. Lucky I started the second size as it will fit her now. She is not a big baby so it may fit her for a while.


Are you wondering how I did with the list for January? I managed a respectable  61.5% and if taking the rest of the projects out of their hiding places and looking at them counts then I consider myself to be doing very well. Having a list does help me to concentrate and gives me a bit of a deadline but it is meant to be a bit of fun. I have compiled February's list and it is under way.


Quality Control checking that I have stitched those hexagons properly.


Sewing at Kate's has been cancelled today because we are still being battered by strong wind and heavy rain and some roads are under water including Kate's driveway. Better to stay home safe and dry. The ground is so sodden and our rivers full to capacity and according to the weathermen it is going to continue. Crazy weather.

Stay safe wherever you are and keep on stitching.

Love Shirley.

15 comments:

  1. Isn't it fun to have new friends through blogging! So sweet of your friend to send you a little something in the mail! Love that afghan you knitted. It's beautiful! Great start on your list...that's a great way to stay organized...I have started a list as well...I am afraid to say I don't have such a good completion ratio! Haha!

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  2. What a wonderful gift! So neat that you two will meet up. Your blanket is lovely - that yarn is gorgeous! Oh, yes, do finish the sweater for Maisie. That pink makes quite a statement! I love crossing things off a list. You've done very well!

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  3. Aren't those surprise packages the best? And what lovely goodies you got. Gorgeous blanket and I agree, the wrong side is more interesting. Well done with your January list. It really does help to have a list, doesn't it? I did it all last year and I will have to start again this year, as soon as I've found my sewing mojo again ;)!!!

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  4. What a lovely parcel! Love all the knitting too. I've been going mad but think I ought to find out the size before gong further though I have just done some crochet crocodile booties and they are the cutest things! Elsa wants some her size too now. Glad Frank has his beady eye on the important stuff.

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  5. Good of you Frank to keep an eye On things....lol...must say it looks good so I hope you approved!!! Shirley....love love your lovely knitted blanket...the yarn is beautiful!! Will have to try some knitting soon... Love the pink you chose for Maisie...she will look beautiful in it!! And yes...I am really looking forward to meet you in Birmingham...that will be just wonderful...and enjoy all your gifts...it was a true pleasure to surprise you!! Hugs! :0))

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  6. There's nothing better on a nasty winter day than a surprise package filled with lovely things. How nice that you two can meet up in person, too. I envy how well you have worked on your list (and am impressed that your shoulder will knit) Love the color of Maisie's sweater--really pretty and perfect for a lovely little lady on Valentine's Day.

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  7. Such lovely goodies from Stina. The blanket is beautiful and looks so soft. Love the colour of Maisie's cardy.

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  8. Truly a beautiful gift, personalised just for you.
    A wedding? How exciting.
    Well done with the list. I think that I could only cross off one thing for January and added 3 for February!

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  9. What a treat to receive those yummy presents in the mail! The knitted blanket looks gorgeous, love the colours, as also for Maisie's jacket. I really hope the rain and terrible weather ends soon, it is either droughts or floods!

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  10. That is so lovely of Stina to send you those goodies.
    Lovely the knitted blanket and Maisie's pink jacket is so cute.
    Take care in that weather there...
    Julia ♥

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  11. Love the mug.....a very pretty bird !
    And I love your little quilt too......what a nice parcel to receive.
    I hope the rain stops soon.......

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  12. Beautiful gifts from Stina. I love that quote and sent it to a friend of 53 years when her cancer was diagnosed as terminal, it said it all really.

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  13. Such a lovely gift - says a lot about you to have inspired it too! I absolutely love your blanket - so soft and beautiful colours. Hope the weather gets less crazy for you.
    Hilda

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  14. How thoughtful Stina is and what a beautiful gift from her - I can imagine you really are looking forward to meeting in August :-) I love your finished blanket - love the colour and the yarn you have used. I'm sure little Miss Maisie will look gorgeous in the pretty pink sweater. Have FUN with your February list!

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  15. What a lovely gift from Stina and how wonderful being able to meet. I do like the 10 stitch blanket. I hope you pay your quality control officer well.

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