Blissfully Overwhelmed!

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I participated in a February swap to help us crafty types get through what was (for my part of the world, anyway) a nasty, bitterly cold, snow-ridden month! A huge thank-you to Leah, who was our swap hostess.

My swap partner was Karin over at The Periwinkle Sheep. Karin also has a shop on etsy, which has some of the most beautifully hand-dyed yarns ever! I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Karin and had a wonderful time reading her blog. Today my swap package arrived, and I just about fainted when I opened it. Karin's generosity was truly amazing and I can't find the words to say how thankful and touched I am (and lucky)!

Here's what I saw when I opened the box:


One of the parameters of this swap was to choose 4 things from a list (all very thoughtful ideas, thanks to Leah). Well, I counted 5 just at a first glance, 3 of them being HUGE SKEINS OF YARN!









Here's a shot of the complete contents:


I was, and still am, flabbergasted by all the wonderful things:

a handmade project bag (which I've been wanting one like this for evah!)
lovely hand cream
2 boxes of tea
2 chocolate bars (super fancy ones!)
and 3 incredible skeins of yarn







Look at this chocolate! I'm a huge fan of dark chocolate. I love the amazing combinations going on here, too!









The purple and green yarns were hand-dyed by Karin, herself! They are each 400+ yards of yummy fingering weight yarn. They are super soft and I just adore the colors --- so vibrant and spring-like! Yay for spring!

The gray yarn is from an "almost local" (as Karin said) yarn place in New Hampshire. It's a lovely shade of gray and it's very soft and warm. Really nice stuff!











Can't wait to try the tea! I am so looking forward to that lemon lavender one, particularly!












And I am all about nice hand lotion. Seriously. My hands are a disaster in the winter. They get so bad, they crack and bleed. So this is greatly appreciated and needed! Also? Check out the fragrance: chocolate mint. Oh man. It smells like mint chocolate chip ice-cream.









Ok so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Karin all the way up in Albany heard me screaming from Claymont, DE when I saw this project bag. I have been wanting one of these cute, little, wristlet-type bags for forever. Every time I set myself to get one, they are either insanely expensive or sold out. This is so pretty, too. Colors, execution, shape, size --- it's all perfect. I lurve it.

SQUEE!


Thank you SO much, Karin, for your wonderful, generous gifts! I absolutely love everything!

Home Again, and Thanks!

Well, I made it home in one piece. Overall, Donna and I had a great time in Ocean City. However, may I just point out how much I hate driving in New Jersey? Particularly CIRCLES. Who thought those were a good idea? Sheesh. Whoever it was should be frying for eternity in hell.

When I arrived home today I found a package of goodies awaiting me from my Dishcloth Pal! WOO! My secret spoiler was Ann Marie H. Here's a picture of the lovely, thoughtful goodies contained within the parcel:

The yarn above is 2 skeins of Pakucho Organic cotton. I really like the colors: sage green, and an almond brown. The other skein is 100% bamboo yarn in a lovely colorway that reminds me of seashells on the shore. It's so soft. I love just holding it in my hand!

On the left there are three divine soaps, all handmade my Ann Marie! Two are Cedarwood and Lime and the other is Orange and Lavender. They smell terrific! I can't wait to use them! Also in the package was an absolutely beautiful washcloth (seen in the back).

Thank you so much, Ann Marie! I absolutely adore everything!