Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Christmas in July!

Australia, England, Holland and now Italy!

I am truly driving the gals in our little post office absolutely crazy…and I love it! They used to be amazed at how much mail I received from the states but now they consider that just ordinary and run-of-the-mill.

So yes…Italia…a most beautiful country with so much history. It’s been about 25 years since I was there. Too long, I’m afraid.

Bear with me a moment before I show you my goodies and allow me to share a bit of my dh’s humor. When I returned from the post office, he was in the kitchen with his head in the refrigerator when I came in. I told him I received a parcel from Italy that I thought might be my CIJ swap gift, to which he replied, “Good. Do you think it might be spaghetti? I’m starving.” I could have killed him.

DSCN0802Such pretty packages, all tied with red ribbons and a personal note from Renata telling me about the gifts she made and how she’s been following my blog since I was assigned as her partner but didn’t want to leave any comments until after I received my gifts.

DSCN0803The first package I unwrapped contained some floss and Christmas fabric.

DSCN0804Next were these awesome crocheted tree ornaments. Can you see the gold beads on the tips of each star?

DSCN0805Then there was an angel ornament and a little sack filled with rick rack, Christmas confetti and buttons…and

DSCN0806 a Christmas apron made from waffle weave fabric…and

DSCN0808a santa panel.

Don’t quit on me yet because there’s more!

DSCN0809A santa gift sack made from the same waffle weave fabric and inside the sack I found…

DSCN0810the cutest machine appliquéd table runner.

Thank you so much Renata for your wonderful gifts. They will always have a special meaning for me, especially around Christmastime.

I would also like to extend a special thanks to both Stephanie and Linda for hosting this swap. Their organizational skills and professionalism were/are outstanding. I just can’t imagine the task of keeping all of us women in line and on target.

So having said that, when’s the next one? (wink)

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

on

25 comments:

  1. HeidiJuly 29, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    How fun to have such a Christmassy gift in July!!! I think it is great to think of the holidays now so you have time to do things. No stress. It must have been like Christmas morning opening it all.

    When I started reorganizing my quilt studio this weekend, guess what one of the first things is that I did? Yep, set up the little 3 ft. Christmas tree. Now I have it there year round.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  2. Jilly's SpaceJuly 29, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    Oh wow, such beautiful gifts!!
    What a fun package to unpackage...enjoy :o)

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  3. Abby and StephanieJuly 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    What a very sweet package from Renata. Oh my those crocheted ornaments are to delicate. What a cute bag! Love how she used waffle weave. Mr. Painted Quilt has quite the sense of humor doesn't he?

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  4. Stina BlomgrenJuly 29, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Ohhh.. I just love those crocheted ornaments..
    and I think I must start a new tradition and have Xmas in July instead.. it seems to be IT!!! :o)... huh... spagetthi!!!!! Men.... ;o)

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  5. Linda - Behind My Red DoorJuly 29, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    More wonderful goodies. It really is Christmas in July in your house - what fun!! Just another affirmation that there are so many good people in the world and the best of them are blogging now. Enjoy your treasures!

    hugs, Linda

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  6. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Cute pkg from Italy but must admit that I got a chuckle out of your husband's comment...sounds like something said in our home!

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  7. JanetJuly 29, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    What gorgeous gifts and I agree the crochet is stunning.

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  8. Behind My Picket FenceJuly 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    Kaaren -
    OMG girl - you've been to Italy? I'm so jealous. I would love to travel. Anyway, your CIJ looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing.
    Faye

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  9. DarleneJuly 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    Fun, fun, fun - so many wonderful treasures.

    Your DH's quip sounds like something my DH would say - LOL - I almost spewed coffee.

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  10. KarenJuly 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    I laughed out loud at your hubbies comment - I'm pretty sure it's something Mr. Farmhouse would say as well. What a wonderful package of goodies you received in your swap. I never find out about these swaps until there done. This one would have been fun.

    Hugs - karen

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  11. JulieJuly 29, 2009 at 10:16 AM

    lots of lovely treasures for a lovely gal...perfect!

    big hugs,
    julie xxx

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  12. JocelynJuly 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Kaaren, you made me laugh, because food is a very big subject in my house too :-) The roof could be falling in, but they want to know what is for dinner! Great swap gifts. Looks like you have had some wonderful swap partners.

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  13. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsJuly 29, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    Oh such beautiful and thoughtful things!!
    Men, what can you do LOL!!!!

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  14. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Such a wonderful and thoughtful parcel from Renata. It seems your dh has the sense of humor, thinking of his stomach.....So glad you enjoyed the swap.

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  15. zigzagoJuly 29, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    Hi Kaaren, I'm so glad you like the parcel! I realy had the idea to send you a big pizza in this package but then I realized someone would have smelled the food and so you recived only some crumbs! Some recipies are coming next week, so your dh will be satisfied too! Hugs, Renata.

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  16. Mary on Lake PulaskiJuly 29, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    Beautiful gifts Kaaren!!

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  17. CandaceJuly 29, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    I love your hubby's comment - I think he and Mr. Squash are "distant cousins"!! What incredible gifts from Renata! The snowflakes are so gorgeous as is everything else!
    Cheers!

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  18. CathiJuly 29, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    What a great package to have received! The crocheted ornaments are so wonderful!
    Mr. Painted Quilt -- well, what can one say? Sounds like something I'd hear around here!

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  19. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsJuly 29, 2009 at 8:01 PM

    Ha ha, I love your dh's sense of humour!! Beautiful gifts, thanks for showing us xo

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  20. LindaJuly 29, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    Sounds like many of our dhs have the same idea about eating. Great gifts from abroad.

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  21. dotti whiteJuly 29, 2009 at 9:40 PM

    Very nice gifts. Those are so sweet and it makes it wonderful for them to come from all over the world. You are one lucky gal!

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  22. dokiquiltsJuly 29, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    what cool presents! but what i really wanted to write was that your lemoyne star is stunning! and you keep saying you're a new quilter--that's a hard block to master--good for you! i made one years ago in a class with Sharyn Craig but wouldn't dare attempt one anytime soon without lots of practice! good for you :-)

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  23. Carrie P.July 30, 2009 at 8:53 AM

    Man, it sure was Christmas at your house. Such a great package you got.

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  24. Messy KarenJuly 30, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    what nice goodies from Renata. love her use of waffle cloth. and your husband is very funny.

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  25. Nanette MerrillAugust 6, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    Gosh Karen, lovely lovely stuff. How wonderfully fun.

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