Thursday, December 10, 2009

More Swap Gifts and Snowstorm…the Day After!

On Tuesday, I received two swap parcels.  You already read about the wonderful goodies that I received from Julz here and now I’d like to share the treasures that Carole sent my way.

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Allow me to detract a bit.  A while back, I blogged about a day trip that my friend Nancy (no blog) and I took to Vermont.  Click here for story.  On our way, we stopped at a new quilt shop in Rouses Point, NY.  To make a long story short, Carole…my swap partner in the Secret Santa Christmas Swap…is part owner of the Fibre Junction Quilt Shoppe.  But I didn’t know this until I opened Carole’s parcel and checked out the URL to her blog which she mentioned in the card included with the gifts.

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Inside the box, I found a lovely Christmas card, some Lindt chocolates (which have long since disappeared) a pattern for a mini quilt and the coolest turned wooden ornament that Carole’s husband Stephen made for me.  Here’s a closer look.  Isn’t it beautiful?

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The rules of the swap were to include a Christmas tree ornament which could be opened upon receipt of the parcel and a hand made Christmas gift that should be wrapped and placed under our trees to be opened on Christmas morning.  Yeah, right!

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Well guess what?  I broke the rules because you know what?  I COULDN’T wait til Christmas morning!  I have NO will power!  I could lie and not show you what I got til after Christmas but heck, it’s so gorgeous that I’m betting that you don’t want to wait til after Christmas to see it either…right? 

Are you ready?

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Fooled you!  I just decided to prolong the suspense and show you the photos that I took around 7:00 this morning in the front of our house of the aftermath of yesterday’s snowstorm.

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The walkway from the driveway to the front door is buried in over a foot of snow.

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Mac’s not too sure whether to venture down the steps into the yard below.

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We received between 12”-14” of snow but it seems like more than that because of the high winds and the drifting.

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This is about 9:00 this morning and the sun is trying to shine.  It sure looks pretty…but now the digging out begins.

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Okay…enough snow pictures.  Now it’s on to the “piece de resistance”.  My SSCS gift from Carole.  Are you sure you’re ready?

First the label.

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 Then the back.

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And now the front!

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Can you hear my heart beating?

A  basket quilt done in my favorite vintage colors…cheddar, turkey red and poison green!  Be still my heart!!!

Now wasn’t this worth the wait and breaking the rules for? 

I’m soooo happy.  Two wonderful swap parcels from Carole and Julz…and on the same day!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

29 comments:

  1. What a wonderfull presents Kaaren! And I love all your snow too, here in the Netherlands it is grey and rainy for weeks now....

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  2. Oooh, that wooden ornament is lovely. And the quilt is -- well, gorgeous!!
    After all that snow, it looked like Christmas so why not open it! :-)

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  3. You are not kidding be still my heart! That is just beautiful. What a lucky gal you are Kaaren. I think it is wonderful but then I love repro fabrics and colors. That ornament is really hand turned??? What a great thing it is and I am sure it will remain special to you.

    I am quite jealous that you have that beautiful snow. *sigh* My mother keeps spelling the word as she knows she is not allowed to tell me that she has it...lol.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  4. Oh you are one lucky girl Kaaren...what a great gifts!!...all of them...I just love the wooden ornament...never see something like that before...so beautiful made...i would just hang it in the tree but after that on a key from a cabinet or something...and i envy you a little bit for the snow...it looks so great!!... especialy early in the morning...the weatherman predict some snow for the next week here in Holland...but it never stays that long here and will soon turn into very dirty streets...its to warm still...Lovely post Kaaren en that little quilt is so great...i can amagine you feel happy...how would not be?!
    greetings ♥ Francien.

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  5. Oh, yes...you definitely needed to break the rules...now look how much longer you get to enjoy that gorgeous quilt!!! And the snow looks so lovely...but I don't live in snow, so I guess that's easy for me to say! Wonderful swap gifts, Kaaren!

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  6. A wonderful day no matter how you look at it. I could be up to my chin in snow and not notice if I found that beauty of a quilt in my post box! All gorgeous. :-)

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  7. What fantastic presents! The wooden ornament is wonderful, but that quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Love all your snow, but glad it happened in your part of the country. We only got a little bit, but that was enough.

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  8. YES it was worth the wait! What a fabulous quilt!

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  9. what a naughty girl opening your present before christmas.............lol...........
    but what lovely gifts from Carole.......just perfect for you........
    thanks for being part of the SSCS........

    enjoy your snow.........

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  10. Wow, love the wooden ornament, and the quilt, there would be no way I would wait either! Now you can enjoy it with all your snow!

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  11. It is beautiful Kaaren. I love the baskets and the fabric and col choice. I love your ornament too! We got snow too, but not as much as you. Now we will have a white Christmas.

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  12. Ooooh Kaaren that ornament is divine. How gorgeous and hand made too. LOVE LOVE THAT QUILT... so traditional and the colours are perfect. I can see why you couldn't wait.. and thanks for the suspenseful post too. Mac looks so cute looking at the snow, which is so beautiful by the way.

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  13. no wonder you had to come clean kaaren. i doubt i could keep this to myself either. your partner has done a lovely job, and they are very thoughtful & generous gifts indeed.
    more gorgeous snow! the lights look so pretty amongst it.

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  14. You've received some wonderful items today...I enjoyed just as much as you!!
    The snow looks pretty but oh so very chilly!! :-)

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  15. Wow on the gorgeous ornament, same for the snow, I can't imagine it. Wow on the quilt as well. How funny that you opened it, you must have been excited, it's just fabulous and so you.

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  16. That basket quilt is adorable and I love the hand turned wooden ornament! You sure had a great day!

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  17. Oh the gorgeous-ness!!
    A gorgeous quilt for a gorgeous girl :D

    Love all the snowy photos too...and Mac looking ...so cute!

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  18. You're such a tease! I was going to have to drve up there and give you a little shake if you didn't show me. LOL!
    As if I wouldn't have been happy with the ornament alone, I caught myself thinking of that gorgeous new quilt you revealed. How positively precious! You lucky girl!
    Enjoy your new treasures...B=)

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  19. I love the basket quilt and the wooden ornament is very cool!!!

    The snow is pretty, but I know what kind of work is in store for you all....lol....stay safe and warm.

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  20. Kaaren.. Shame on you!!!! LOL.. But on the other hand..opening it before Christmas.. lets you enjoy that quilt even more.. it is wonderful.. and so was the lovely ornament.. What a wonderful package!!!!
    And wow.. all that snow.. think all the snow that was supposed to come here.. came at your place..;o)

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  21. Wow, what a fabulous quilt. I can hear your heart beating all the way down to NC. It sure is special and how special to have one Carole ornaments, which is fabulous too.
    Hey, you better put a red ribbon on Mac so you can find him in all that snow.

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  22. Lovely gifts. How you are going to enjoy them.

    I have finished the embroidery on one of the stockings using your design. I am working on the second one now.

    Thank you for the pattern.

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  23. What beautiful quilt and what a small world! That hand turned ornament is a real treasure. We had snow too but not as much as you. The weather has certainly changedto frigid now! Keep warm!

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  24. OH MY GOSH!! What wonderful gifts. You must be over the moon! Lovely. I envy you the snow. I know it's not fun to drive in it, but it is oh so nice at this time of the year. Take it from one who is tired of looking at a gray landscape! ;) Stay safe & warm!

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  25. Wow, beautiful snow and beautiful thoughtful gifts! It all makes for an awesome day for you.

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  26. That basket quilt is just incredible! Enjoy all your gifts!
    Micki

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  27. What a beautiful wooden ornament. Those pics of the snow with the light are just so picture card pretty and I know why your heart is beating as that basket quilt is just stunning.

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  28. Such great gifts you've received lately, from Julie, Julz and Carole. I love the unexpected connection you had with Carole. And the quilt? It's wonderful! (I'm glad you were weak and didn't wait.) We have snow here too, which I love for Christmas.

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