Swaps and Snowdrops.......

It's been ages since I was involved in a swap so I took the opportunity of signing up to the......

hosted by Tracy and I was lucky enough to be partnered with Jayne who is an expert needlewoman and who very kindly sent me a boxful of lovely things.....

....all wrapped up in pretty red,shiny paper

 and accompanied by a pretty butterfly card with a lovely message inside...

.....felt like my birthday again!

....I don't own any cross-stitchery so this is my first one and she's such a pretty mannequin, don't you think, especially since she's filled with lavender and smells lovely. I've hung her from my dressing table drawer where I will see her everyday....

...then one of the specifications of the swap was to include a handmade item so as well as the pretty piece of cross-stitch which she made,  Jayne also sent me this washcloth which she knitted for me. Isn't it cute? and of course, it's far too good to use so will hang beautifully in my kitchen! I think a close-up is called for........

.....and this sweet-smelling bar of soap was hiding inside...goes beautifully with the washcloth, doesn't it?

....and I wonder how Jayne knew that I just love Gladioli and these bulbs will give me the impetus I need to get going in the garden.........love the colour, don't you?......

......and last but not least, this lovely little collection of treats (the heart-shaped box includes some lovely chocs which I'm just about to demolish) so it just leaves me to say, Thank You so much Jayne for being a very kind and generous 'swappee' (I forgot to take pics of what I sent to Jayne so you might wander over to her blog and take a look) and Thank You to Tracy for hosting this great little swap. 

....and now for the snowdrops......

.....this was supposed to be a video of these lovely snowdrops dancing in the wind. I loved the way they shimmied back and forth but unfortunately, when I uploaded the pics, the video wouldn't work......they still look pretty though, don't they? 

A whole meadowful of Spring (well, almost)

...the crocii don't look too bad either.....

Also want to say a HUGE Thanks to everyone for your kind and considerate comments last time. They really helped to cheer me up.

 My friend and her husband are now in San Francisco, having a great time before they journey on to NZ, eta 4.00pm GMT on Thursday (5.00 am NZ time) and where they will be met by their lovely daughters and 2-year old Grandaughter. I'm very excited for them all.

'Til next time.

xxxXXXxxx