Thursday, October 8, 2009

RAK’s and Stuff…

This post is a bit overdue in some instances but I do have an excuse, albeit a lame one, in that I’ve been working hard on finishing up my swap commitments and FFF (First Friday Freebies) projects.

I know I have said this before and forgive me if I sound like a broken record (now that’s dating me isn’t it?) but I’ve been so blessed since I started blogging with the many friends I’ve made from around this great world we live in…which, BTW, has gotten a lot smaller as a result.

One of the first gals who visited my blog was Carrie P.  Carrie made me feel so welcome back then and continues to even now with her friendship and very giving and sharing nature.   I think the blogging world knows of my ongoing ♥ affair with wool and pincushions, and look what arrived in my post box a while back…

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An amazing woolen hat pincushion that Carrie made for me!

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Then not too long ago, I blogged about how I ♥ x-stitch samplers and that the only way that I was ever going to own one was to make one myself.  I read what I could find on line about teaching oneself to x-stitch, and I did manage to make two small and not too detailed samplers which I ♥ to death. 

Well I guess Vikki read about my love of samplers, and to my utter surprise, these arrived!

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Two fat quarters with a different sampler design on each and some coordinating DMC floss!  I know exactly what I’m going to make with them…but you’ll have to wait a bit.

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 Not too long ago, I blogged about a LQS having a 40% off sale and I was able to pick up some awesome Lydia Quigley fabric.  Now how surprised do you think I was when Lorraine,  who distributes Lydia’s patterns under the Rabbit Factory banner, sent me this…

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One of Lydia’s patterns that I don’t already have in my collection!

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A while back,  Stephanie asked me if I would like to become one of her ‘Supreme Sewers’.  Without hesitation, I most humbly acquiesced.  She sent me her written instructions and my job was to make a bag from those instructions.

My project was Stephanie’s Prickly Pear design.   Here’s the bag I made, following her instructions to a tee.

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A few days ago, a package arrived from Stephanie with these inside…

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Two of her published Prickly Pear pattern packets,  two Flea Market Fancy fat quarters and some vintage rick rack!

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 A short while ago, Jenny and I agreed to a private swap.  Coincidently, as I was making Stephanie’s Prickly Pear  bag, I knew that it was destined to be one of my swap gifts for Jenny.  So as my bag was winging it’s way to Australia, this was on it’s way to me…

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One of Jenny’s bags made especially for me! 

Look at the stitching!

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I can’t wait til next summer to use my new bag!

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And now I’d like to tell you about Bonnie.  A while ago, Bonnie asked me for my snail mail address saying that she had a little something that she’d like to send to me.  Cool!  We all love surprises, don’t we?

In the interim, Bonnie decided to have a surprise giveaway on her blog for her regular visitors.  Completely unannounced, Bonnie did the computerized random selection thing on one of her posts, and I was the winner of her surprise giveaway. 

So just yesterday, these wonderful goodies arrived in my post box.

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An incredible Halloween tote made by Bonnie herself, a bundle of fall fat quarters, a fall quilt pattern and a memo pad, along with a beautiful card. 

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In the card, Bonnie explained that she came across these painting books which she never got around to using and thought that I might like them.  What Bonnie didn’t know is that one of the authors is a personal friend of mine who I met while travel teaching and doing the decorative painting convention circuit.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

As I mentioned above, I feel that am truly blessed to have had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ you all .  Even though I have written to each of you individually, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly  thank you all again in order that I might share your gifts and talents with everyone who reads this.

Thank you again my FRIENDS

And as always…

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

34 comments:

paulette said...

Wow ! You really are blessed with many good friends! I can understand why! Take care - love your blog!

Sherri said...

So many wonderful gifts...and every one shows so much thought! Yes, blogging is a wonderful thing! I think quilters/sewists/stitchers/people who love creating in whatever medium are amazingly kind and good people!

Cindy said...

I sincerely believe YOU are a blessing to others and that others just want to say "thank you" in their own special way.

I had to enlarge each photo so I could see what talented friends you have - beautiful, beautiful, beautiful creations.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I don't think any of us ever imagined the friends we'd make through blogging. You are deserving of every lovely gift!!!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

So, so wonderful - and you deserve each and every one!!

Francien said...

Well Kaaren... I can sure understand that you have that many friends...your blog is a pleasure to read... and look at the great pictures you share with us...and the freebies and tutorials..i might not be as long here as many others but i am here every day even if you dont have a new post to read about everything else..or go to the blogs you like to visit....its always fun to be on your blog...hope there are many more posts to follow..
greetings ♥ Francien.

Cathi said...

What fabulous goodies! It's so nice to receive mail, isn't it? I think blogging has made receiving mail a much more anticipated and fun event!

Pat said...

Oh Kaaren, I just love your goodies. Blogging is the best. Thanks for everything that you have given us. I am not suprised by all the RAK's that you have received.

Stina Blomgren said...

This was a FUN post.. with so so many wonderful gifts sent your way... and I know you are worth every one of them.. Bless you! Have a wonderful weekend! :o) Loved the sampler fabrics.. havent seen the one in pink... does it say who made it???

Anonymous said...

You've made so many friends through blogging and lovely RAKs too. I just love blogging and the little surprises that come with friendship formed. I just received that same Cottage pattern from a friend who no longer wanted it...I'm glad she sent it to me as I've added it to my someday will do list!

Karen said...

Oh, my! You certainly have had a lot of wonderful packages delivered by your mailman. You deserve all the goodness.
I love that little wool pin cushion hat.

Darlene said...

Bear in mind that YOU are a blessing to many, as well.

Janet said...

It warms the heart to read of the friendship and kindbness of fellow bloggers. Well deserved I say.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I think that this post is a wonderful example of all the good and kind and generous and talented and caring gals who we meet in blogland. Things are going back and forth in the mail all the time and sent with love and on good faith that the person on the other end is really just who she says she is in her posts. That pincushion is just adorable! Each and every goodie you received is justly deserved!

I am so glad you are getting because you GIVE so much of yourself!!

Lots of hugs, Linda

PS I hope you are enjoying some of this delicious fall weather while you are busy with your committments!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I also find the blogging worls to be filled with very kind, wonderful, talented people. You are one and you are blessed to have some many care for you!

Julie said...

i agree with stephanie, you are deserving of it all. you are very loved in blogland.
big hugs,
julie xox

Lurline said...

It is a small world when you live in Blogland! So lovely to have found you, Kaaren!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Allie said...

You are blessed indeed - what wonderful friends!

Candace said...

Kaaren, you certainly deserve all the wonderful RAK's you received! How nice of all of these gals - and what wonderful gifts! I'll sound like a broken record too and say it's been a pleasure getting to know you!
Cheers!

Sew Useful Designs said...

Kaaren sweetheart, it is *we* who are blessed to have found *you*!:-)

Thank you for sharing your special gifts with us! I'm so happy you liked the fabric and floss!

Love and hugs!
Vikki xoxo

Lori said...

What a nice post. I was just thinking this morning about the wonderful people I've met because of blogging. Quilters are generally so friendly and generous!

Rae Ann said...

I just found your blog today and love it! I am new to blogland and can't believe how nice everyone is. All those gifts are evidence of the great people in blogland.

Kimberly said...

Look at the gifties! But, I'm not surprised... you're such a giving gal that it's bound to come back to you!
Have a fantastic day! Kimberly

Carrie P. said...

Well, Kaaren, you truly are blessed. So many beautiful gifts from new found friends. To have friends you have to be a friend and that is just what you are to many people.
I enjoy reading your blog and am glad our paths have crossed.

Micki said...

What lovely goodies! The patterns are just wonderful!
Micki

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Kaaren, the blogging world has opened up for so many people to feel like they have friends from all over the world. I love it. Wonderful gifties for a special person in blogland and I'm so glad we met. You have given so much to us having your blog.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Stephanie Hughes said...

Kaaren, I get so much wonderful information and ideas from your posts. I feel way behind in learning about blogging and the wonderful swaps, gifts and things that can come from this. It gives me great pleasure to make things for people who appreciate them. I will welcome the opportunity to do that in the future. Thank you for sharing all your info. Stephanie

RG said...

Wow and Wahooo!!
You're a special girl Kaaren!!
I hope you enjoy each and every one!!
Couldn't happen to a nicer person :D
hugs
Rob xx

Deb said...

What a wonderful lot of goodies Kaaren. You are so right when you so that the blogging community is a wonderful thing. Such lovely woman , with hearts as big as the globe.

Rumi said...

Blog buddies are the best!

Rosa said...

So many cute gifts ...you´re blessed with good friends.
Your blog is wonderful.

zigzago said...

Hi Kaaren, I was on a holiday and just came back to say you hello. Give me a few days to sistem all my "housework" and I come back to see al the beautifull things you made in the meanwhile! A new recipie is comming too! Hugs, Renata.

Elins systue said...

OH a lot of wonderful things here

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Some beautiful eye candy for a beautiful lady. :-)
Hugs
Jenny
xxx