Amazing Swap Gifts!

Timing is everything…so the saying goes…but in this case, it couldn’t have been more OFF!  Last Friday, on the same day that my modem was fried by lightening, I received my F-R-I-E-N-D-S swap parcel from Mai and I had to wait for an entire week to thank her because I just received the replacement modem yesterday. 

In all honesty, I think it was the longest week of my entire life.  I came to the realization that I don’t need cigarettes or alcohol or even food for that matter…well maybe a little morsel between keystrokes…but I NEED the internet! 

So rewind to last Friday.  I went to the post office to collect my mail and there it was, a little card in my box telling me to go inside to collect a parcel.  When I handed the card to the gal behind the counter, she said that I had a package from The Netherlands.  I just knew it had to be my swap gift from Mai!

I raced home and was just about to open the package when Sam reminded me about taking photos.  Whew!  I grabbed the camera and then the fun began!

As soon as I saw the Dutch-themed wrapping paper, I knew I had to share the excitement with my best friend, Lucie.  I gave her a quick call and she was at my house in less than 5 minutes.  I really did wait til she arrived before proceeding.

First, the card.  It says it all.  Then…

the ‘piece de resistance’…a sewing case that Mai designed and made especially for me.  My heart was doing flip-flops and I was in seventh heaven!

The little wooden shoes are attached to the zipper closures to assist with the opening and closing.  Did you notice the Dutch windmill and floral motif?  Exquisite!

Inside, I found a multitude of treasures, all wrapped in the same Dutch-themed wrapping paper.  Can you see the floral pincushion in the upper left corner?  It actually snaps to the inside of the case to keep it stationary.

The first treasure I unwrapped was a windmill pincushion, another original, designed and made by Mai.

Tucked into the pockets of the pincushion were a pair of scissors, a package of needles and of course, some thread.  And…

some Dutch-themed fabric which I already have plans for…and…

a quilt pattern which I might need help with because it’s written in Dutch…and…

more needles, two embroidered butterflies made by Mai’s Mom and the most beautiful silver sewing charms that are just destined for my scissor fobs!  And…

a blue and white mug reminiscent of traditional Delftware which now sits next to my computer to hold pens and pencils because I’m afraid I’ll break it if I use it for tea or coffee.  And…

some Dutch wafer cookies which between Lucie, Sam and myself, didn’t last too long…and

some blue and white coasters.

I am truly blessed not only to have received such incredible gifts, but more importantly, to have made a new friend from a country that I had the good fortune to visit not long after I graduated from university and still ♥ to this day.

I brought my sewing case to my Tuesday night stitching group and as you can well imagine, the ladies were VERY impressed.

Thank you again, Mai for your talent, thoughtfulness and friendship.  And thanks also to Khris for organizing this swap.  You have both touched my heart very deeply.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥