I made this linen tote as a gift for a far away friend. I got several linen remnants awhile back and have made tea towels and now this with it. One day I will likely tire of these babushka dolls and never make one again. I haven't gotten there yet though... and I simply love the rooster fabric.
Just when I think I can relax because my shop is well-stocked with dolls I get another order! Today I was only had two dolls in the shop so I have now added Helene (Sorry, she already off to her new home) and Tone:
I have other goodies to show you today because I received the loveliest gifts in the mail!
Thank you Puk for the beautifully wrapped gifts from the Netherlands! I love this handmade lace!
Puk is handy with both knitting needles and crochet hooks. You can see more of the beautiful things she makes in her shop.
This luscious hand dyed and hand spun yarn reminds me of my mother's beautiful hand spun. Puk, your yarn is gorgeous beyond belief!
Puk explained her thoughtfulness in the sweet handmade card: "Just because I love to read your blog and see the stuff you make." Before I started blogging I never would have believed it, that people could be so nice. But I find myself wanting to give things to other crafters and artists whom I admire - I learn so much from other bloggers. I guess that is also why I enjoy doing give aways, it is a means to give something back to all the wonderful people who take the time to leave words of encouragement!
So I have made commenting easier. I really hated the code thing and my husband has helped me by removing it!
I think that Puk also figured out how much I adore fabric. She sent me two pieces of such pretty fabrics. This one is my favorite. I can't tell you how much I enjoy getting such nice surprises in the mail.
I think the extra spring light is kicking in and giving me more energy. I feel like I am getting more done and I just love it. I am also loving the incredible thrill of getting a surprise package in the mail! Erna sent me a pile of lovely gifts!
Everything was so beautifully wrapped with the nicest colors it was hard to rip into them. 
What kindness! Thank you Erna for the babushka girl bag, the pretty ornament, facial mask and other goodies! I think you are such a dear person to send me something you have made yourself, and I have sent you a little gift too. I am just so incredibly glad that I started blogging. I am so happy to be getting to know so many wonderfully creative women.
I made another dress for Lilly today. I might be addicted. Had I had more time I would include some pictures of the new Liberty fabrics I got in the mail today! I am sorry but you'll have to wait because I need to get to bed. The children will be waking me up at 6 am and I need to be well rested.
I was so excited to get this sweet package from Deb. It was made with such thought and care, obviously intended to delight which it did! The wrapping was original and very personal: note the reuse of newspaper and with my initial stamped on it! I loved the pretty trim that the gift was wrapped in - I can reuse it on a project or something. 
Look at the wonderful hand made things Deb sent!
Pretty gift tags, a notebook which is something I like to keep in my purse in case I have to jot something down, and a lovely zippered pouch which I will use for some sewing notions so that I can see it often! I adore the fabrics! Thank you so much Deb for the unexpected treats!
My wonderful friend Mette from Denmark has spoiled me rotten this week. Lilly and I were giddy with excitement as we opened the gifts together!
We both have a "thing" for babushkas. She actually sent me FOUR babushka things! The painted wooden babushka tag on the gift was a sweet touch on already beautiful wrapping! Mette sent a pretty card.
Mette and I both make babushka dolls, and these you can find in Mette's newly opened shop.
I couldn't believe it when I found this babushka fabric in one of the gifts!
And look at these beautiful fabrics!
More!
Finally another lovely gift. The colors and beautiful fabrics make this pincushion so special. Mette sells her pincushions in her shop! Each one seems to have a bit of vintage embroidery in the center. 
Speaking of embroidery... this was also in the package!
As they say in Norway,tusen takk (a thousand thank you's) Mette! I am dreaming of what I will make with all the new supplies. Are you a wee bit curious what I sent to Mette?
I am so far behind in posting that I have to make a 3 in one post today!
I recently did a swap with Jo. What fun! She got the embroidery magazine I was finished with and a little gift. She sent me a magazine I have never read before and wanted to take a look at. 
Jo was so nice to me by surprising me with a birthday card! (I am the one who is slow to post about this swap- Jo sent me this the week of my birthday...) I thought the card to be marvelously clever.
The beautiful lavender heart which she made for me is such a nice gift with its delightful scent!
I was also treated to a pretty bag of buttons which I can never get enough of. I have already distributed them into the jars of various colors.
I have to show you who I am teaching to knit!
Yes, it is my 7 year old Sebastian! I had the most lovely day yesterday sitting with him on several occasions while he learned the first step to knitting: casting on. It was so cozy. He was pleased as can be and I was too.
Lilly looked on and took her own turn at it too. Not quite 3 years of age is a bit young to start it seems though, at least in her case. Maybe there are lots of 2 and a half year olds out there knitting but my little one despite being bent on learning is not quite getting it.
Finally, after dinner (sorry about the dirty dishes) Sebastian taught Daddy how to cast on. My husband remarked at what a fine job he had done at teaching.
New topic: my own crafting. I have finally used some of the absolutely beautiful fabric I was given by Melissa and posted about earlier.
I made two potholders using the pretty bird fabric. I feel happy to use the fabric but can't help feeling that a fabric this special was meant for greater things.
It is not all gone yet though, I just used a couple of small pieces so I will save the rest for future unknown projects.
I like how they look together, similar but not matching. I am starting to make gifts to bring to the US when we visit in a few month's time and these will likely find their way to Maine.
Happy weekend to you!
I check my blog stats most days. That tells me which pages are linking to my page. I do this because I guess I am just plain curious, and I always love to become acquainted with new crafters/artists/moms. One time I found Anja this way and left her a comment about her beautiful photos. 
I used to be a terrible lurker. I pretty much never left any comments. I started to when I began my own blog because then I realized how much those comments mean! It is a wonderful way to connect with other like-minded people not to mention what a lovely pick-me-up an encouraging comment can be for a stay-at-home mom who isn't particularly appreciated by society for doing the job of mothering.
Anja sent me this adorable handmade creature and beautiful card pictured above in gratitude for making the very first comment she had received on her blog. I have never known anyone from Slovenia before and I was so touched by her gesture and reminded once again how much we all thrive on positive feedback. Of course I sent a little gift in return to Anja, and she should get it soon.
This has been a poor week for me being able to write a post! First our machine broke down for a few days and then last night something was wrong with our connection. Happily, everything is ok today but I am far behind in my correspondance. I have been wanting to thank Jan for the lovely Japanese quilting magazines she has sent me.
The top one is my favorite and I really want to show you a few of the great ideas.
Here is a close up of the amazing mini quilt on the front cover of the magazine.
Isn't this a gorgeous wreath?
I thought the animal printed on the fabric was an owl at first but the tail makes me think perhaps a squirrel? It is cute in any case.
And I really love these quilted leaves. Thank you so much Jan for your great kindness which I hope will inspire me to do some more quilting soon. Maybe some of you will be too? That is why it is so nice to share things isn't it: so we can inspire each other?!
When I saw her adorable Russian doll softies, I asked Mai if she wanted to do a swap with me. She said yes and last week I received not one but three beautifully handmade dolls. Thank you dear Mai for such kindness. Lilly has been lining them up with the ones I have made and with the wooden nesting dolls.
I adore all the little details. Mai has taken such care and time in making these for me (and Lilly).
All the hand stiching and embroidery really makes her dolls so special. Another detail that makes these dolls so nice is that they can stand on their own. The bottom of the dolls are made so that stand up without any support.
I assure you Mai that the dolls are blissfully happy here in Lilly's little brood. I get so happy every time I see one on tucked into bed with Lilly or in her stroller being pushed around. Then I think of my blog friend and how sweet she was to send those to us. I hope that she will be patient as a package will be coming her way soon.
After weeks of what seemed like endless snow, rain and a great deal of grey the sun was out for 2 days in a row! Lilly is jumping for the pure joy of it!
My husband and Sebastian washed the windows!
I was doing the most important job: taking photos for my blog.
Besides documenting the cleaning I got some help finding things to fotograph, like this pretty leaf Sebastian is holding.
My primrose is getting ready to bloom.
And this one is even closer to springing into bloom.
A lovely ending to the sunny day, mother-of-pearl clouds.
Now the children are asleep and I should be too. I slept in so late today though that I am not even tired. So I will show yet another picture. I would like to thank Eileen for the surprise gift in the mail! She sent me a stack of pretty greeting cards, something that I always need. She made them herself. This one might be my favorite of among the cards she sent me. Each one was lovely and unique.
I love it: getting something handmade in the mail entirely out-of-the blue. That really made me happy. Eileen told me that she wanted to thank me for the kimono panels that she won in the give away I held in November. Such niceness on Eileen's part makes me want to do nice things too. I think I will give something away soon.
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