i was knit together...:

JR called me at work yesterday to tell me that I had mail...packages. I am such a kid. I could hardly sit still for the rest of the day at work, thinking about what it could be! Imagine my delight when I saw that one of them was a Special Swap package from Vicki! Thinking at first that it was an awesome gift of a new flat screen computer monitor which I have been hoping for, I was equally delighted to open it and get an explosion of packing peanuts! Vicki sure knows how to create a surprise! I LOVE packing peanuts! How did she know? Then only thing better could be bubble wrap! But better than even bubble wrap though, was the most intriguing garden gift ever!

Layer after wonderful layer was peeled away, revealing a tulip related theme....

Everything was carefully planned, from note cards and mugs to hand made facecloth and soaps. A vintage tea towel and bath time soaks, seeds and garden gloves, a complete notebook of patterns with a tulip theme, even! And, because we love how the blog world turns round, I was so SO delighted to find that Vicki included the Bathtime Blossom facecloth pattern, which I had given to Tonni in the Bloomin' Feet swap! I fell in love with that pattern when I was in Utah, and then I gave it away! So, now, because Vicki is so cool, I have my very own pattern!

But, do you want to know what's best? Vicki, knowing that I do love gardening, and knowing the love and devotion we gave our gardens at the old house for years, creating an amazing tribute to our gardens! When I stripped away the last layer of goodies, and saw the tray that held them all, I actually began to cry. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a collage of every garden photo that I had taken and put on my blog over the years! She printed the photos and displayed them...collaged and decoupaged into this tray, complete with wonderful garden quotes on the back.

Vicki, you get me. You do understand what makes me smile, and I will ever treasure this beautiful gift. Thank you so much.

So, how about a SPECIAL SWAP UPDATE?????

Margene can't wait to grow something from the Purple Earth Claudia Handpaint that Renee gifted her.

Marisol sent Laura a box of garden love,some delicious strawberry flavored Scout's Swag, and Laura tells a wonderful story of Swaps gone full circle.

Elizabeth received the most beautiful garden-y colorway of Claudia Handpaint, from Lynda, along with some Kiwi Truffles...excuse me, Elizabeth, I don't see them in the picture!

Renee was surprised by fabric- wrapped packages from Margene, with the prettiest little flower-topped mints I've ever seen!

Beth is enjoying lavender and lace from Carole, while Beth took Carole to a garden party, complete with snacks, yarn and drinks (ahem, what does a martini have to do with a garden??? Hmmmm????)

Kathy B and Emily became fast friends...because only the most special of friends sends many skeins of Rowan Denim and spoonable fudge, reciprocated by the most indulgent sock yarns ever...and both ladies got practical with the garden thing, by sending tools and gloves!

Spring has sprung at Leah's place...Val created a garden of green for her!

Lynne shared the garden love with Vicki , who was especially fond of the "Treasure Box for My Garden." I think Lynne and Vicki share a love of vintage and gardens, which made it a good match.

More Special Swap updates as the week goes on....but until then, Vicki, I want to tell you that if I am ever hospitalized and in a coma, you can send some of those caramels...just the smell of them will bring me back!

12 Comments

I am so happy. I can't even put it into words. For the record, I downloaded every picture you ever posted, but I did not (could not!) use them all -- I'd need a bigger tray.
; )

Posted by: Vicki | July 03, 2007 at 10:19 PM

That tray is a wonderful gift. What a fabulous memento.

Posted by: Carole | July 04, 2007 at 07:38 AM

Thanks for the links Lynne. You don't have to comment back. I hope you are relaxing on the 4th somewhat. I am going to the links you provided to see all the swap stuff.

Posted by: kathy boyer | July 04, 2007 at 11:27 AM