STS Community Holiday Appreciation Swap GALLERY

[A2K]

Here is my pile o'presents!  I received before we had a gallery (and I've already opened my presents!).  I took pictures so I would have them to post while I am away!  I'm ready whenever you guys are!

[cloud_berry]

Tomorrow!!! Or... technically in 45 minutes if you're east coast USA.

[Avesthel]

Well, I'll be brave and get this party started here since its after the 1st now.    

I opened my presents and here is what was in them!  

First my secret santa knew that I adore chickens and so she embroidered two chicken themed hooplas for me.     These were her first embroidery projects!  I wouldn't have known that if she hadn't told me in her note.  





She did a great job on the stitching!  



Then she made me some paper gift tags I can tape to packages from some gift tags she found online.  She tweaked the colors so that it had my fav color in there.     I love the little birdie ones especially!   So cute!     And the "Peace, love and Reindeer hugs" made me laugh.    The other tags are all very cute or funny too.  They will be fun to use on presents this year.  



And then she sent a pack of Christmas cards which will come in handy this year.  
Front:

Inside:




Thank you so much for everything, secret santa!        




I'm not sure if I'm supposed to reveal who she is yet though so I'm going to keep who she is a secret until I hear that its ok to reveal who she is.   I'll edit this post later once its ok to tell.  


Underthemountain told me it was ok to post the identity of my secret santa.    
My secret santa is.....  (going to put it down a little bit further in case you're trying to guess who is who!)
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cloud_berry!  Thank you, cloud_berry for everything!        

 

[A2K]

Nice package, Avesthal!  I have been thinking about posting pictures since I got home on Saturday, but I have been catching up on my sleep.  All I've done is eat, sleep and watch tv with my mouth hanging open.  I did go swimming this morning, but came home and slept for 3 hours after I ate breakfast.  sigh.  I'll get caught up soon.  Without further ado, I'll share my pictures.  I was SO spoiled!!!!!!!!!!!

To start, my SS was a great stalker and found out I loved cracked marbles!  She made this nifty wire-wrapped pendant:



She's a rockin' jewelry maker!  Not one, but three sets of crocheted beaded necklaces and earrings.  I did not do a very good job capturing their rockin'-ness!  I hope my SS will post better pictures!
     

Shawl pin!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Gorgeous dragonfly earrings!  These are awesome!  Wish you could see them in person!  


I love everything in this package, but this is my favorite thing:  
 
I am a blue heron fan and I love this little painting!  

Speaking of paintings, three little birdies grace the cover of a beautiful handbound journal:  
 

You should have been here when I opened this next thing:  
 
I screamed, She gave me a copy of "Knit your own dog!"  Imagine a large older woman jumping up and down, squeeing, with her little jack russell jumping around in community with her girl.    It had to have been a sight.  I can't wait to knit my dog!  

Crochet medallions for an afghan I'm planning.  I have collected quite a few of these now!  


Everything was wrapped in fabric (YIPPEE!!!) and she sent me chocolate!!!
   YUM

This package made my day on so many levels.  SS, you are someone special!  

[underthemountain]

Wonderful goodies!!  Really love the chicken hoop and the amazing jewelry!!

Ok folks!  Be prepared to drool over my amazing SS package.  Sadly, I can only show you my portion.  Lana has decided to wait a bit longer before opening up her goodies.  But she was a good model so I can't complain.   

First here is Lana enjoying all the goodies before we dig in!


We loved the sewn felt ornament that our SS got for us from a craft fair!


Now on to opening up gifts!  Eek!  First is a lovely cowl straight off of my Pinterest!  LOVE! 



Next a lovely tote (again off of my Pinterest!)


Then a great embroidery pattern...could this be a poke from my SS because several years ago she claimed me in OWS for embroidery towels and patterns.  Guilt.  I still haven't picked up a needle to give it a try.


And finally an amazing kitchen set--mitt, scrubbie, matching towel, and adorable cupcake holder -- all done in the most adorable science owl print.  LOVE!!


And now all of it together so that you can ooh and aah with me!



Thank you SS!!!  We loved everything!!!

Lana still hasn't opened her gifts, but you can see that she has an adorable hand embroidered ornament on her package.    I'll post pics of her goodies as soon as she opens them. 

[Avesthel]

Cute science owl fabric and I love the cowl!       I'm pretty certain I know who your SS is!   I recognize something in the photos.       

I also revealed my secret santa's identity in my earlier post with the photos.      

[alwaysinmyroom]

Awwww---we all need a cutie pie model to show off our craftster goodies!!!

What a lovely bunch of gifts!  Can't wait to see what Lana got...only 21 more days!

[ptarmic wumpus]

Great packages! A2K, you will have to post a pic after you knit your own dog

I just got back from travel at 1 am, and haven't opened anything yet. But tonight I plan to go and get a tree, so I will open and take pics then!

[underthemountain]

Yay!  Welcome back Ptarmic!  We need to go get a tree too! 

Thanks for the nice comments guys.    I really can't believe Lana is waiting to open her gifts. 

[Avesthel]

Lana is still waiting?!  Wow!   When did she say she wanted to open?   On Christmas day?


Yes!  Please post a pic of your dog when you knit it!