GIVEAWAY AND GIFTS

Now I can quit saying "I never win anything"  - Did I ever win a great giveway from Joanie over at Joanie's World .  I was so excited to win Joanie's " I'm sick of winter" giveaway.  The box came last week and was I ever over joyed when I saw the hoard of goodies inside the box.  Take a look at what I won.

Sorry for the blur - I think I was shaking a bit I was so excited and trying to get as close as I could.  Of all the lovely stitching projects Joanie showed on her last blog post - this heart just really caught my eye - I loved it so much - imagine my surprise when this was in the box - cleverly mounted on the copper oil can - I have been coveting one of these oil can creations.  To say I am thrilled to have one of my own is an understatement.  Joanie used beautiful fabric - (duh - why didn't I take a photo of the back) that beautifully matches both the stitching and the copper oil can and also used that neat chenille trim for the edging.  It is so prim but yet so elegant too.  I LOVE IT JOANIE!!!!!!!!

 I guess Joanie also knew what a silk hound I am  - she included 3 beautiful skeins of silk to add to my stash and I'm already pondering that red in a mono sampler.  The note cards above are so pretty.

Last but not least - the little bit of winter included in the box.  These snowmen pieces are painted on slate - they are too cute for words.  Even living in NE FL - I still put out snowmen after christmas for a few months until the easter bunnies start coming out to play.

It was serendipitous that I won that giveway from Joanie since this week is also my birthday.  I got a few gifts from friends that I wanted to show you as well.

A beautiful purl ridge cowl from DF Henri along with one of her coveted paper crafted cards.  The color of the cowl is so lovely and the yarn is a beautiful alpaca wool blend - wish we had one more blast of cold air so I could wear my cowl one time before I have to put it away until next fall.

A stunning scarf kit from DF Karen - it also has a silk scarf inside the box and shows several clever ways of entwining the knitted scarf with the silk scarf to create a very unique accessory.  Love the color of the hand dyed yarn and the fiber is a silk blend - OOH LA LA - so soooft.  in the little bag is tiny skeins of yarn made into earrings and a skein of the fingering weight from the same company.  This wonderful gift came packed in a neat Vera Bradley plastic tote but I forgot to get it out for the photo.

Next up is an awesome bundle of textured wools from DF Susan - I was so shocked when I opened this box - this is enough wool to do an entire hooked rug - I can't wait to dig into this bundle and see what "wooley" treasures abound.  My mind is already working on future rugs this wonderful wool could be used in.

So - that is about all for me today - I have been in a real huge knitting slump - I have bought yarn - ordered yarn and plundered thru stashed yarn and projects and still don't feel any excitement.  I downloaded a shawl pattern today which the designer donated all the proceeds to relief efforts in Japan.  I've seen several finished on Ravelry and the project reviews say it's an easy but fun pattern.  Easy and fun sounds appealing but will I really get busy with it ?????

I did sign up for a needlepoint class at a shop several hours away and have been doing some pre-stitching on that canvas.  I have also been working on the Attic Spanish sampler SAL and Elizabeth Savilles.  I also brought Garden Glade out for some fresh air and finished the upper body on the beautiful girl.  I am very drawn to GG and can see myself working on her more but I have to be careful and not abandon Elizabeth or fall behind on my monthly assignments for the Spanish.  Heaven help me - Jean at the Attic announced a summer SAL of a pretty cool looking sampler - resistance is futile!

I certainly hope spring has sprung and your bunnies are hopping.  Easter will be here before you know it.

Thanks for coming by and reading my blog and celebrating life's little joys with me.