A Bug From Down Under...

 Whenever I need a dose of Royal Academy of Needlework-quality embroidery, I

head over to Lee's blog "Notes From Under the Mountain". Lee lives in 

New Zealand in the shadow of Mt. Taranaki, and her handwork will make you

 swoon. She creates the most beautiful things and her stitches are perfection.

One day, I stopped by to visit and saw that Lee was offering up a piece of her

handwork in a giveaway. She had four little bugs that she'd stitched and there 

would be four lucky winners. I added my comment and crossed my fingers.

(This was the post announcing the winners on her blog. I was so excited!!!)

 I received my little beetle in the mail on Saturday and immediately opened

the package! Lee had tucked this little beauty inside a card of Mt. Taranaki.

I can't even imagine living anywhere with a view like that!

 I'm mesmerized by this little red beetle. It has bead-y black eyes, a 

leathery head and a puffy body stitched in sparkling red threads. I'm

in awe of the talent that Lee poured into all four of her beetles. Making

them seems to come so naturally to her. She's an inspiring needlewoman.

 For now, my little red beetle is going to sit on my sewing table right

in front of Harris so that I can look at it whenever I want to. I know 

I'll eventually affix it to something special - some time in the future -

but for now, I'm going to keep it close and enjoy looking at it.

I'm so grateful that Lee chose my name, and then was willing to

send this sweet gift all the way to Florida, USA.

I'll cherish this gift from your hands for a long time to come.

Thank you, Lee!