More goodies

Secret Santa Month Two ~

I received a happy package from my Secret Santa for April, it included items that would make anyone smile. Seeds including some for heirloom pansies, gardening gloves, delicious candies, a mini book about Secret Friends, a flashlight combo key chain in the likeness of a little dog that barks and lights up when you squeeze him and best of all fridge art done by my Secret Santa. Now THAT'S fabulous :)

Sometimes giving to others does the heart good ~ It was just what I needed the day I went to my mail box and found the RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) A hand embroidered kitchen towel of a sugar bowl running with a spoon, how funny is that ? Also included a kit of embroidery patterns of the most adorable chicken doing weekly chores. I will post pics when I make them.

Lets Trade ! ~ I sent the girl who made this lovely bag and matching wallet a gardening book focusing on gardening and decorating window boxes and containers.

Oh What A Wonderfull Feeling ~ Oh What A Wonderfull Day!

Yesterday was my lucky day! And there is almost nothing more thrilling and unexpected then winning something, it is exhilarating and makes one feel special. I won this lovely vintage picnic basket which included a table cloth, dishes, dish holder, salt and paper shakers and vintage linens. Such a lovely prize to receive. The give away was offered by a sister farm girl Diane, who was celebrating her 500th post on her page. Thank You Diane, for brining sunshine to my day.

You've Got Mail

Mail Art is a post card size mini masterpiece. I consider it a free wheeling micro project that lets one use any mediums that is desired and all the creativity one can muster up. The beauty of Mail Art is that who you receive from and who you send to changes each month, this lets you experience the talents of many different individuals. Pictured here is the mail art I sent out for April, more post to follow as the year progresses.

*Never received April mail art in return.

Dont be late for Spring

When I signed up for the tea towel swap it was to my embarrassment that ninety nine percent of the woman hand embroider their hand towels, who knew? I decorated mine with a felted design, a small flower in the center with a touch of hand stiching. I felt awful for the poor woman I swapped with. As you can see, she embroidered me a lovely tea towel with a robin in a happy spring setting. My partner was an absolute gem, the first towel she sent some how got lost in the mail and still hasn't show; however, she sent another and here it is for you all to see.

The other swap (which is far more then that) is an RAOK or Random Acts of Kindness. Those who sign up keep a watchful eye on the others who have signed up and send random items such as cook books, post cards, candy bars, or what have you to other woman they think need a pick me up, or just to let them know that someone is thinking of them. Now, I have to say, these are some of the most generous, caring, thoughtful woman I have connected with in a long time. The little pot holders where one such item I received out of the blue. How can an act like that not restore ones faith in others when you need it. I have other wonderful items I have received and will post at another time. However, I think the gift I have gotten that means the most is the friendships I have made.

Thank You Easter Bunnie!

The Easter swap was one of the most entertaining so far. It has been so interesting to hear and see what each of the ladies sent each other. Items have ranged from Swiss army knives to jelly beans and stuffed animals. My original partner was late to the party so another woman and I agreed to swap. Since that time partner #1 has notified me that she would still like to swap, but not till a later date. So what we have here are the items from my first "Spring" swap. The rules of this was to fill an egg carton (decorated or not) with items that would fit. Now, it was funny some girls cut the tops off, others did not. Some girls put small items, others put large. If you ever can join a swap like this, I would suggest you grab the chance. On the left, is the carton I sent out. After cutting off the top I covered the carton in hand made grass paper which I applied with modge podge. I then filled it with the following items: Two Cadbury eggs, a birds nest with buttons in it, a mini rabbit which hangs on the side of a flower pot, lip stick, mini perfumes, face cream, a geranium candle, cuticle cream with gold leaf in it, stickers, chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, an angel pin that reads Farm girls are like little angles that bring a smileto our face and a pair of pink socks. (Its AMAZING what one can stuff in an egg carton) I then wrapped it snugly in an Easter towel and tied it with a green satin ribbon.
The carton on the right is the one I received, and I LOVED it. Included were multi colored eggs filled with little items, jelly beans, a birdie stamp, lady bug buttons, a mini flash light, Swiss army knife, a little razor cutter, a mini pin cushion that your can wear on your finger, Burt bees hand salve - lip balm and rescue ointment, a teeny tiny garden set and a fabulouse bird cage necklace with a little bird inside that swings back and fourth. Now how cool is that !?

Luck Of The Irish

The Saint Patties swap was quick, fun and easy. Each girl was assigned a partner and created what ever St Patties represented to them. I sent my partner a felted shamrock pin with little white polka dots, a funny little fridge magnet with yellow flowers and recipes for traditional Irish fare. In return, I received a fun little packet of goodies which included a hand crochet pot holder in shades of green, a book mark that reads Friends forever, two note cards, two tea bags and a packet of corn seeds.

Up On The Roof Top Click Click Clik

Look in the mail box its something from old Saint Nick... Now this is a great on going swap! Its a year long Secret Santa swap. Each woman that signs up becomes, and has a secret Santa. Once a month you send and receive a gift by the 20th. The photo posted is the first gift I received from my SS. Oh how lovely it is! and I must say, what I appreciate even more than its beauty is the amount of time, energy and talent she put into creating it. I actually keep it hung on my hall door so I can see it every day, and each time I see it I am grateful for her thoughtful efforts. The hand felted antique cafe cup with hand felted possies is another secret santa item, was it sent or recieved? I can not say, its a secret...