Swap partner delights and amazes...

I have been treated by the nicest of friends to such a wonderful package of the most thoughtful gifts a crafter could imagine. Her thoughtfulness has impressed upon me once again the beauty of getting to know other crafty bloggers. Thank you so much Jan!

This gorgeous silk fabric was cut off the bolt and is a clue as to where the package was from. Do you know where?

Here is another silk. Jan tells me it came from her neighbor. It was a vintage unfinished kimono. Oops, I guess that gives it away. This package came all the way from Japan! The red lining in the purple kimono is stunning against the purple outer part. The red didn't want to be photographed however, so you will just have to take my word for it... This silk is certainly stunning enough on its own!

Before the swap Jan and I exchanged what you might call our swap wish lists. Jan seems to possess magical powers as she conjured up the most incredible things to delight me and covered everything on the list! I had said some shibori would be nice, and look at the lovely shibori scarf she sent me! It is airy and light! Jan you have been so kind with me!

Jan must have read my mind too because I am in the midst of a real craze for Japanese cotton fabrics! This stack of 100 squares really is a treasure! The entire package is. I can't begin to describe the joy at taking out each and every item to see! I did it slowly, one at a time with both of the children enjoying the moments with me. There were many squeals and oohs and ahhs!

I simply have to share some of the fabulous squares from this pile! Here, it looks like a fierce warrior and another man with his dog.

Don't you just love the texture on this one?

And these printed panels are most unique and beautiful.

I adore these bunny panels. They are so Japanese and so sweet!

 

Here are more squares from among the 100. Jan knew that I would love the cherry blossom fabrics!

Finally, the most special part of this or any swap is the handmade things. I feel that is how I most get to know the lovely person behind the package, through her gift of creative expression. Jan sent me the sweetest little Japanese owls.

 

I still cannot believe how much Jan managed to fit into this box- it was FOUR kilos, or nearly 9 pounds! These fish even came already strung up on this Japanese branch! Aren't they wonderful!? They are perfect for me to share with Sebastian as he is an avid fisherman! I must admit that ever since I spotted the adorable fish she had made on her blog I had been wishing for some of my own... Jan, I am quite swept away by your thoughtfulness! Thank you! I have put more photos on Flickr, but there are still more surprises from the package to share later...

 

I have been crafting a bit myself during the hot summer days, funnily enough, knitting! I posed with my new, fresh off the needles socks in 90 degree weather just for all of my blogging friends!

 

They feel marvelous, but a bit warm for now. I couldn't find the 3rd ball of taupe yarn that I had bought and did need so they got orange stripes on the foot. I found the missing ball soon after the socks were completed... and it is now on the needles with the remainder of the orange yarn to make mittens for Sebastian.

 

Yes, I finished Sebastian's pair too. His feet are now just a couple of sizes smaller than mine and are on the left. Funny to think that our feet will actually be happy to have them on in just a few months.

The heat must have made me think it was blogging vacation last week. Sorry for being so lazy! This week we are going to be crazy happy in anticipation of my mom's arrival in a little more than a week!!!!

Comments

[Tonje]

The picture of the rose is stunning! And what a great swap! Can't wait to see what you'll do with all that nice Japanese fabric.

[Donna]

What a gorgeous selection of goodies, I am quite envious 8-)

[Tina]

What a lovely package. I especially like the cherry blossom fabric, but they're all beautiful. And so fun to receive the owls and fish too!

[Melanie]

Oh my! That is a very generous package you recieved! Such beautiful fabrics and handmade goodies!

[Stacy A]

Emily, what wonderful treasures! Everything looks so unique and special. I know the feeling with the fabric stack. I got a sweet little stack myself the other day and each day have taken it carefully out of its special place and looked at each piece, one by one. This blogging thing has made my world so much bigger. I would never be able to meet the people I have and share creativity like this without it.
I hope you had a great weekend and that the weather cools off for you. Your socks look fantastic! You will love having them come winter I bet. Do you live near the coast or more inland? What are your falls and winters like? Hope things are well with your little family. Talk soon, Love Stacy

[Michele C]

Girl, were you this popular in high school? Those are the perfect fish - they won't stink up the kitchen and look cute with their eyes in! I'm not a "real" fish lover. -- Michele

[Akhila]

Is it Christmas already?!!
Lovely, lovely fabrics and little owls and fishes. I'm in love with Japanese fabrics myself, so I can imagine what a delight to receive this package.
Akhila

[Johanna Rose]

How lucky.. I have a package too, but it's still at the post office! Oh, the woe of delayed gratification.

Hope everything in mine is as fun as yours!

[méri]

Lucky girl! This is a treasure!
Looking forward to next works!

[Anja]

Waw, I was excited just reading about it... I love the bunny fabric and cherry blossom and... :o) And fish... fish are the best! I was making something similar with birds, but now, I'll change the species.

[Miaou]

What a fantastic collection of things - how lucky you are! I can't decide what I like best but I am very taken with the little bunnies!

[Mette]

Wauw, Emily. What collection - lucky you. I love the fishes. Hugs, Mette

[Melanie]

What lovely gifts- so well thought out too. I started reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" last night and already I'm loving the descriptions of the silk kimonos. How fantastic to have a vintage one.

[sara]

I loved your comments in my blog and I'm happy you got so wonerful fabrics. It's a way of reccling too. What I like about recycling is the challenge of doing something new and with
contemporary design out of anything. It's sometimes difficult because of the colors (I work rather subdued because of that...) but I enjoy the trip! :-)

[Merruli]

Wow, what a package. So nice to hear you are having proper summer weather; we had this morning only five degrees ,so I guess, I should also start knitting socks. That's a nice pair of stripy socks you are sporting there.

[Char]

Wow Emily, what an awesome package. I've only recently begun to be exposed to the fabulous Japanese fabric and I love the pieces you had in your package. Especially the little bunnies and cherry blossums. The fish and little owls are adorable too.

Your newest socks are really neat too.

[Lisa]

What fun fabrics. I love all the wonderful patterns.

That owl is super-duper cute too. Great project.

[Jacqui from Blooming]

Wow, Jan really outdid herself! That kimono is gorgeous!

[jackie]

Nice fabrics but how can you even think of wearing woolly socks in such hot weather/

[Gina]

Lots of great stuff she filled your package with. I love those fish, very clever.