I Love Surprises...

Sharing some Blogland love today. I recently received this scissors fob as a thank you from Sherry at Createology blog. A sweet gift in appreciation for the 400th Follower Ltd. Ed. artist trading card I sent her. Shades of green and brown, with those sweet acorns hanging from the last bead. I love it! Thanks, Sherry! I really appreciate your thoughtful gift.
Lucky me! I recently won Kate's giveaway at Chronicles of a Country Girl. The winner was able to choose two (TWO!) of her prints. You had to know that I'd choose the acorn, right? The white blooms are beautiful, too. I'm looking forward to framing these and displaying Kate's beautiful work in our home. Thank you, Kate! I love 'em!
I received one other wonderful package this past week. I placed an order from the talented and generous Michelle Palmer and she enclosed these gifts for me. An apron embroidered with oak trees, acorns, leaves and an owl on it, and one large acorn button.

The apron is long, like the ones I remember the nuns wearing when I was a girl. (We lived just down the block from a huge convent when I was growing up.) It's all done in a single-color thread and it's old. Michelle cleaned it after she found it on one of her vintage linen hunts, and there are a few age/wear holes in it. I'm going to think about how I can conceal the damage and highlight the embroideries. It's really beautiful and I love it!

But look at this big, honkin' button! It's about 3" in diameter with a metal plate, featuring my favorite little gift from nature. Michelle, I'm just enthralled with this button and can't wait to figure out what I'm going to do with it. Thank you so much for both of your generous gifts!
Finally, I'd like to share the fabrics that I'm using in my newest project. A gift from my hands to a friend. I'll share more when it's finished and on its way to a new home.

I love surprises! When they're received, I am filled with gratitude, and humbled by the gesture. When they're given, I give with an attitude of love and appreciation for the recipient. I'm so grateful for the friends who share their talents with me...and glad that I'm able to share with them, too.

If you haven't read my Vanilla Extract Tutorial yet, please be sure to click on the giveaway button under my August Celebrations at the top of my left sidebar. I'm offering a bottle of my homemade extract in a drawing for one of my friends.

I hope you have something relaxing, fun and/or creative planned for this weekend. You know, I always wish the best for you. See you tomorrow.