Thursday, March 12, 2009

Time for Tea Swap
(more wabbits finished, too)
I believe it was sometime in January I received an invitation from Stephanie to participate in an 'by invitation only swap' called Time for Tea. Oh my goodness stop the presses, I started fretting, agonizing, stressing, wringing my hands, rubbing my forehead (I do that when I stress - lol), etc because sometime last year I swore I would not participate in any more swaps. Why? I'm just not good at them - I play the 'what if' game; what if I can't find the perfect gift, what if my partner doesn't like what I send, what if my partner doesn't like me, what if my partner is disappointed, what if....yada, yada, yada. Do you play the 'what if' game with yourself? Anyway, after chatting via e-mail with Stephanie I decided I'd play. After all, it was Stephanie and I adore her, how could I say no. LOL
Stephanie has been the most delightful swap hostess - someone in the swap group called her 'the hostess with the mostest'. She's been sooooooooo organized; Tea Talk Tuesday on her blog every week - passing along swap ideas, sneak peeks from other swappers, etc. It's been a ton of fun.

Bear in mind through all this I've still been playing the 'what if' game with myself and actually trying to figure out how to back out. LOL! I stuck with it and mailed the package to my partner earlier this week and she received it yesterday - visit Carrie and you'll see pictures of the treasures and goodies I sent her way. Whew, I think she was happy! :-)

Recently I received an envelope from Stephanie with this delightful treasure enclosed (there's a little pocket on the back with a tea bag tucked in it - it's a thank you for participating in her swap. She sent one to everyone in the swap (30+ swappers). Thank you so much, Stephanie!
Drum roll please - my package from Carrie has arrived. We did not realize that we were matched as partners - Stephanie kept that a secret. LOL

Look at what I found when I opened the box. Is that delightful or what? I mean, really, check out the tiny Dresden plates in the corners and Carrie's handwork is exquisite. Sigh!

Under the pillow a tissue wrapped package with a card addressed to 'Darlene' - that's me :-)

Once everything had been opened and admired (and given the sniff approval by Cooper) I posed it all for a picture to share!

The pillow is darling - I love it. It will look wonderful in my bedroom (yum). The red tote on the left was full of goodies - tea time stickers, an adorable quilting journal, the strawberry is a needle case (too cute) and the little red snap case held a spool of red thread and a sweet teacup button.

Carrie, thank you so much for your wonderful attention to detail - the box is 'all about me'. :-)
Look..............more wabbits preferring embroidery! These are blocks #2 and 3. This project is moving along nicely and I couldn't be more pleased. Guess what? I decided to treat myself - very little fabric has come into this house for months (I've been a very good girl). I ordered the Chelsea Manor fabrics to finish the project - should be here early next week. I wonder how many blocks I can get done before the fabric arrives?


I hope you enjoyed your visit with me today! Please stop by again...........I love it when you do!
In Friendship

30 comments:

Carrie P. said...

Those little redwork blocks are adorable. You shouldn't have worried so much over the gift you sent me because it is just perfect. I am still smiling. I am so pleased that you like your gift I sent you too.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Well my goodness gracious that is the most darling pillow I've ever seen! What thoughtful and beautiful gifts from Carrie. See...NO NEED TO FRET! And I'm so very pleased you said YES. You ladies have made it so fun and easy for me to be the hostess.

Anonymous said...

Oh man......what a cute swap! Both of you did a fantastic job of gifts for each other....I checked Carrie's blog too. :-) Got to leave her a note!

Stina Blomgren said...

Oh ...it is so good looking...and all the other things you received...gorgeous!!!
And that game of yours... What if...sounds pretty familiar in my ears...lol..

Janet said...

This looks like it was a fun swap and the beautiful things people have made show attention to detail. You both did so well. I especially love the cushion.

Carol said...

What wonderful, wonderful swap goodies...I love your wabbits! Cute as can be...I'm so happy you're going to treat yourself to Chelsea Manor.

Chookyblue...... said...

what lovely presents sent and received.......it has been a fun swap.....

Yvonne said...

Oh my.....aren't you the lucky wabbit. :)

Candace said...

What great gifts from Carrie! She is amazing - I have one of her cottage houses and adore it! And I saw what you sent Carrie - you are two very talented ladies! Aren't you so happy you joined in Darlene?
Cheers!

Pat said...

Beautiful gifts both sent and received. You are both very lucky to receive such lovely gifts. I love your little bunny embroideries. I know, when finished, It will be beautiful.

Dawn said...

Your pillow is darling!! Carrie did good and so did you...I just left Carrie's blog!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my gosh - what a wonderful mail day for you!!!! It looks wonderful! Love the littl thank you from Stephanie!

Cheryl said...

What wonderful swap goodness you received, and I saw what you sent Carrie, wonderful also. I am with you ...... I am such a BIG what if when it comes to swaps. I almost make myself crazy...well crazier than I am :-)!!!!

Lurline said...

Both you and Carrie are two of the best little Swappers in the world - all just lovely!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Kaaren said...

What PERFECT swap partners! Absolutely amazing gifts both given and received!

I knew you'd just HAVE TO HAVE that fabric Darlene. VBG!

Loving how that redwork quilt is coming along too.

Ulla said...

I share the what ifs with you, it seems the only really difficult thing in this swap!
Lovely gifts both ways. And your embroidery project looks SO nice.

Lynn said...

Lovely things you got for the tea swap. I love those redwork bunny blocks and am toying with the idea of starting them. Shouldn't start another projcet but they are so cute.

Wendy said...

Sometimes swaps turn out better than expected, wonderful goodies you received. Your new wabbits are so adorable, I'm glad you bought the fabrics, I can't wait to see them.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Carrie is awesome! That has to be the cutest pillow ever. She included embroidery, piecing, applique, and most importantly...pom-poms!! And so many cute extras. x

Judy said...

Wow Darlene, it looks like everything you GOT and SENT where all wonderful!

Sherri said...

Carrie sent you a beautiful gift...and yours was also lovely! Stephanie was a wonderful hostess!

Rumi said...

Wonderful tea swap goodies! I love what you sent and received!

Val said...

I love all of your goodies. This is my first visit to your blog. I think I found you through Connies Siggy block swap. I have enjoyed my visit with you.

Vicky said...

Ah, the old "what if" game! I make myself sick worrying, so that's why I don't do swaps any more. Your gifts are wonderful - both the ones given and received! You did good, kiddo!!

Karen said...

Oh how pretty the pillow is that you received from your swap partner. I will go over and visit her blog to see what you gave her. I can understand you being nervous about the swap.
Your redwork blocks are adorable, especially the one with the rabbit on the chicken's back.

Unknown said...

Well haven't you had your socks blessed off. What a gorgeous parcel of loveliness.

Days and colors said...

The gifts from Carrie are so darling, just like the ones you made! A wonderful swap indeed! Your stitchery is so lovely!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

WOW you sure got some great stuff Darlene. Isnt it nice when the swap turns out that way? I'm glad you received great goodies from your partner. I'm going over to see what you made her now.
love the embroidery too. Your on a roll.

Nanette Merrill said...

Well both you and Carrie lucked out
! Lovely stuff from and to both of you. She's a delight. This was a fun swap. I do what you do - I stress a little. But shouldn't. It mostly always works out. Love the redwork and where it is headed. Can't wait to see it attached to your new fabric. Fun fun.

Nan said...

What a lovely swap in every way! Your gifts to Carrie were totally sweet and wonderful - I went and looked. Carrie's gifts to you are also sweet and wonderful.
Your blocks are just too cute!

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