This evening I had a treat waiting for me when I came home from work – I received my Halloween swap package! One of my online groups, called Tiny Owl Knits, celebrates Owl-o-ween with an anonymous swap. We fill out questionnaires, receive a person, and create a package filled with things we think they’ll like. The package must include a hand-knit item and a treat. Plus anything else you’d like to include. My owl took a bit longer to receive as he had to fly across the Atlantic Ocean! My gifter was from Great Britain! It is thrilling to receive a package from someone living in the place I’d most like to visit in the world!
She packed it full of wonderful things – handknit items, chocolate, and hot cocoa (from Cadbury!), soap, yarn, buttons, beads, and postcards. Here’s a closer look at some of my gifts. She filled the box with lots of leaves too.
She gave me handmade soap in orange chocolate flavor and knit a towel to match. I can’t wait to wash my face and hands with it. I’ve never had a handknit towel, but I’ve heard they’re great. There was also a woodland notebook with owls and mushrooms on the cover and a knitted leaf.
Here’s a closeup shot of a knitted cornucopia with a skein of yarn inside. I was delighted by this – imagine having a skein of yarn in such a cute present! The outside of the cornucopia has tiny leaves sewn along the border. The skein is a dark brown with mauve, dark purple, and olive green – my favorite colors. I’m thinking a hat would be great.
My generous gifter also knitted me a felted cauldron. I’m enchanted with it and think this might be resident in my room all year long. Umm.. that spider button – it’s absolutely amazing! The cauldron was filled with tiny silver heart beads and another skein of beautiful yarn! This skein is more of a grey/green base with all sorts of brighter colors woven in – yellow, pink, red, dark purple, and blue. This says “happy winter mitts” to me – maybe paired with a bright color to liven up dreary winter days.
One of the most lovely gifts was a series of ceramic buttons. She told me that they were handmade by artists in Africa. I’ve never seen anything like them – they are earthy and beautiful colors and woodland themed – my favorite! I can’t wait to find special projects for them.
She was also very creative in packaging my box – she sketched on owlies on the outside and created a lovely felted panel for her knitted leaf and some of the buttons.
I feel very honored to be the recipient of such a wonderful package. One of the most special things about participating in the swap is not just the amazing items you receive, but knowing that a total stranger was thinking of you, making something just for you, and finding things that they think you’ll like. This kind of thoughtfulness and kindness is a treasure.
Blessings to you,
Sarah
anordinarymiracleday 