Mailbox Friendship

My mailbox has been brimming with the sweetest treasures from afar.  This package arrived all the way from the UK.  A wonderful surprise from Simmy who's blog, Echos of a Dream I've come to know and love.  She's been experimenting with natural dyes and wool recently with pretty good success; the results of which (along with some tutorial) you can read about here.  The colors that she's been able to achieve from things like dahlias, carrot tops, logwood and comfrey just to name a few, are really wonderful.  Soft, natural, muted colors that are so pleasing to the eye.  I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some of the spoils and can't wait to work with these.  Right now I'm still just staring at them in awe and feeling so happy, not to mention getting ideas about my own wool blanket project again.  Plus there was other fun stuff too that had the girls jumping for joy, like the sweet vintage book, pretty origami papers, foreign postage stamps, craft scrap, and even feathers from her Golden Laced Wyandotte hens, that I'm sure will inspire lots of crafting around here.  Grace and Simmy's daughter are about the same age and have been sending hand-written letters back and forth, kind of a casual cultural exchange of ideas and friendship across the pond.   The impact of which cannot be discounted.  After forty+ years I still correspond with my 4th grade penpal who lives in Canada.  She's my longest enduring friend even though we've only actually met in person twice.    I have a feeling that many of the bloggers I've "met" during this past year are going to become similar long-distance friends too.  Can't even begin to tell you how nice it is to read all the comments from those who keep popping in here.  I wish I could respond to each one, but time is pretty short these days and I'm often running to keep up.  Like um, now.  But before I bounce outta my chair, I have to show a couple more lovely things that arrived recently. This wonderful package was from Lauren, who makes the most incredible collage pieces. We did a swap for this garden apron.  She also included some fun candy, paper and stickers for the girls. They still can't believe that people they don't even know would send them such cool stuff.   And would you look at this collage. How sweet is that?  The colors are perfect too.  She also included a huge box of sewing things from an estate sale that I'm still going through.  So much neat stuff I can't tell you.  Look at that teensy embroidery hoop!  This was great because I haven't been out thrifting in ages.  Not much around here sometimes, but mainly I haven't had any time for it, so this was especially fun.  Thanks again everyone!

Comments

[Amy]

So many lovely things! The wool is just gorgeous and I find it fascinating that she can get those colours with natural dyes. Reminds me of pictures of Tasha Tudor in Victoria magazine, dying wool in big pots out in her garden for making all sorts of lovely things. Oh, how I miss that magazine!!

[Mrs. Staggs]

What beautiful colors of wool! I can understand the pleasure that comes from just looking at them. I often feel that way with a basket full of embroidery floss. The colors and the texture make me feel happy.
Kindness abounds in Blogville! You're pretty good at spreading your fair share of it too Vicki. I love my visits here and while I enjoy hearing from you,the time and thoughtfulness you put into your site are plenty enough for me. Thank you.
I love Lauren, she's been so nice to me and we've only come to know each other through blogging too.
This collage is georgeous. Seeing these colors in her work is new for me. I really like them!

[Jackie]

Wow - really wonderful things. I've been enjoying Simmy's natural dye tutorials too - she's done some incredible things. That collage is really lovely too!! Enjoy it all!

[Kathie]

Vicki,

I love the colors on those wools; so soft and beautiful! And the tiny little embroidery hoop is so adorable!
As always, love reading your site.

[Mama Urchin]

That wool is gorgeous. It just looks like autumn all stacked up.

[Kristy]

I agree about the positive impact that's happens through blogs.My girls have learnt so many lessons about generosity and good old kindness.My girls would love to do a little swap if you ever fancy it :)

[Simmyb]

To have my name linked with Tasha Tudor's has made my day! I'm so glad you liked the gifts and it was lovely to share the blankets with someone so appreciative. I've just dyed some more with goldenrod and I'm going to overdye with indigo to get a green - wonder how it'll turn out?

[Bronwen]

beautful stuff, really lovely. I have to agree about blogging as you get to know people and read their ideas and communicate with them they become firm friends and you can't see your life without them.

[Momma_Pajama]

Hello! I found you via angry chicken. I live n. of seattle, and homeschool my two sons, and we also have been blackberry-picking this week! Nice to meet you! Paula

[Kelly]

Oh my. That collage is just gorgeous!

[Isabelle]

Blogging friends make life so sweet... I'm glad you were so splendidly spoiled, Vicki - you deserve it!

[lauren]

You are so welcome Vicki! I am so glad that you enjoy everything that I sent. I have to admit that buying things for the girls was the most fun part of it all. All those little bitty things just perfect for girls. If they want to swap again, with Callan this time, let me know!

lauren
P.S. and I'm still lovin' my apron!