Unexpected

 Have you received an unexpected parcel lately?

I have.
And I am just feeling so loved, and cared about, you would not believe!

Well, I have had a very satisfying, slightly jokey exchange of emails with a very dear friend. One of those folks, who you waited all your life to get to know, even though you never knew you were looking for them. Someone who gets your silly  Do you know what I mean?

And my children would assure you- I can be very silly. I told my daughter today, I still do not know what I want to do when I grow up. We were discussing what she wants to do for a career. After all, she is in the middle of her masters, and needs to think what to do next.  Anyway, I digress.





I arrived home from one of those frustrating afternoons, when four out of five appointments had been cancelled, OH was due to be away for the weekend, but his weekend had also been cancelled, due to weather, and there, in the dining room was a squishy parcel.
I promise you, it was a very squishy parcel. All soft. The postman thought it was a squishy parcel too. It was comfortably fat, but he squished it through my letter box anyway. my husband heard him, and arrived in time to see it plump through the door and land on the floor.

I carefully inspected my parcel, and found some very pretty floral stamps on it. I think my favourite flower is the iris. And there, on a stamp is a bearded iris.

So, I open my squishy parcel. Inside is another squishy parcel. Wrapped in really cute wols. And a card.

Someone knows I like butterflies too?

And in the card, some mini magnetic bookmarks, cat, mouse and fish.














 I had to investigate further.




Do you see a shawl? a beautiful lace shawl? hand knitted for me, by May, my very dear friend who is totally daft and super sweet!

 she knitted this gorgeous soft warm, heavenly super soft shawl just for me!!!

Now don't tell me you aren't suffering just the smallest bit of green-eye, I do not think I would believe you

 Look at the detail, that pretty edging!


I am finding it the most fun soft feeling drapery ever! it is getting thrown round my shoulders, and draped around my head and just generally made the most of!

Even my husband has been admiring it. The colour is a soft grey-blue, and it is lovely!

Thank you May!

Birthday cards.

A few years ago I had the joy of making 'The best costume I have ever worn' Quote from a lad who is now a professional dancer.  The matador costume for Carmen. It was a last minute affair, and no way could I do all that gold embroidery at the time, so I got a pack of the rose petal confetti, which is still available, in gold, and some openweave ribbon in gold mesh, and did patterns down the sleeves and legs, petals and leaves, in symmetrical designs, with the mesh ribbon over the top, and zig-zagged down. It worked.
I have had lurking, the rest of the confetti for years. This afternoon DD2 and I are off out to a girly party, for the afternoon/evening. We all provide food, and we play a variety of games, and gossip and chat and have a good time generally. Those of us who like fiddling make cards to give to the Birthday girl, of whatever age, and those who do not make just buy, and that is fine.
Now, I am a last minute merchant, so whatever I do is at the last gasp, so trhis morning, I have made, lemon drizzle cake, milk chocolate cake, and two cards!
 I still have scones to make..

But here are the cards. Hot glue, confetti, net and a covered button later


I like it when things are quick and work well!

Anyone a knitter? I have come across this tutorial, and whether you think you are an expert, or have never knitted one stitch in your life, you should go and look at this. It will revolutionise your view of knitting. It did mine...