Ornaments

I've really on a Nisse/Gnome kick. You will all have to blame Irene, Susan, the creater of these little cork gnomes (aka. korknisse),and all those knitting enablers over at Whoduknit?. I made these for all the gal pals in my face-2-face book club, who...in the spirit of bonhommie, self sacrifice and friendship helped me drink all these bottles of wine.

(The actual amount of time expended to drink this wine is protected information: What happens in book club; stays in book club. Though should anyone need any corks please let me know.)

Gnome heaven

Here's the gnome I made for the Around the World Christmas swap. Many thanks to my d.s. pal Susan for sending me a photo of him at his new home in Southern California. (Didn't have a chance to take his portrait before his departure.)This has got to be heaven for a gnome--to be put in a dark packing box and then to finally see daylight in the land of palm trees, sunny skies and easy living. Thanks Susan for being such a great pal.

Christmas is here!

This year I participated in two Christmas swaps: Whoduknit? and Christmas Around the World. Evidently both my upstream partners--Irene in Denmark/Whoduknit? and Jamie in Canada/CATW--thought I belonged in the nice (rather than naughty) line and rewarded me accordingly. (And I won't tell them any different.) Both packages arrived a few days before Christmas and were stashed beneath the tree. I'll do this in the order of arrival.

Thank you so much to Irene for my wonderful Christmas swap package. As you can see she sent no end of treats. There were lovely knitting patterns (given the $ doldrums I have only lusted after Rowan patterns--how nice to have some) and a copy of our current read. Not only did she send a recipe, she also sent some of the cookies and the spices with which to make them. (Please note that cookies are not in photo...they were really good:)). Also included were lovely red hearts for the tree made by her mother, and candles made by her sons (who obviously inherited their mother's craftiness), plus she sent paper nisse and a woven angel from her childhood. This was a unique and thoughful box that--beyond the presents--made me feel included in a very special Danish Christmas.

My package from Jamie was no less spectacular. I received an incredible box of knitting goodies and just plain goodies for Christmas. There were knitting tools, teas, paper, cute cocktail napkins, three ornaments (2 snowflakes and a sweet little bear) a mug, yarn, needles, a chocolate orange (love those things), custom made Christmas CD, Christmas memories book, a beautiful knit hat and scarf for me and a really fabulous curly-cue ruffled scarf for the DD (who was thrilled to find out she had a package, too). The photos here are of the box's contents and of me and the DD in our Christmas Jamie-finery. (While we had a sunny and cold rather than white Christmas, it did snow a few inches last night.)

I'm VERY lucky and know that I received a lot more than just gifts and presents from these two very special and giving women. Merry Christmas everyone and happy new year.

Santa Delivers

Both my swap packages arrived this week and both came from outside the U.S., which I think is really, really cool. Have no idea what was sent; the DD and DH put them under the tree, though I was allowed to look at the return addresses. Took a quick snap before the dogs could block the view and now things are not only askew but--on closer inspection--I can see the DD monkeying around in the back!

Thank you Jamie in Alberta (Christmas Around the World--box wrapped in shipping carton) and Irene in Denmark (Whoduknit--package with blue paper in forefront) Will give more specific thanks in a few days.