Easter Swap goodies and much excitement!!!

I had received my Easter swap package on Tuesday when I got home from work, but wasn’t sure whether I was allowed to open it straight away or whether we had to wait until Easter – nevertheless, by the end of the evening, it had, of course, been opened!!!! I simply couldn’t wait.

And this is what was inside, all the way from the very talented Kymberly from Oregon, USA – a really beautiful stitchery made up into a cushion pad using a beautiful lilac, floral fabric. I can’t believe how tiny the stitching is and SO neat – it put’s my embroidery skills to shame! THANK YOU SO MUCH Kymberly, I love my gift and will display it somewhere prominent. Kymberly also included a sweet little chick, which will go on my Easter tree (when I get/make one), some bunny tissues and some Easter chocolates ........ which were delicious !!!!!!!! Oh, flippin heck, was I supposed to save them until Easter Sunday ........ too late now I’m afraid!!!!!

And now, like so many other ladies, I can show what I’ve been working on recently for my Easter swap partner, Katarina from Sweden. When I first received the details of my gift recipient, I found it a bit of a challenge to know what to make as Katarina’s main craft is rubber stamping and she makes the most beautiful cards (she sews too from time to time, but mostly makes cards). I saw that she seemed to like the image of a sweet little girl called Tilda (not the Tone Finnegar one) made by Magnolia, which Katarina has used to make some really nice cards, and that’s where my inspiration came from. I love making rag dolls (as if you didn’t know), so I decided to design and make a rag doll based on the Tilda image. These are a couple of the Tilda rubber stamp images:-

Aren't they sweet? And this is my rag doll version of her:-

I was pleased with her, but still a bit apprehensive as to whether or not Katarina would like her too – not everyone loves rag dolls after all. Well, to say that Katarina was happy with her gift is an understatement – I had the most wonderful email from her to say thank you and how much she loves her ...... and that makes it all worth the while doesn’t it – putting a smile on somebody’s face?

This has been my first swap and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it – many thanks to Julie for organising it for us all – it must have been a bit of a nightmare!!