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Sunday 12 August 2012

Brown Paper Packages ....

I've had a busy time these last couple of weeks, what with Steve's Big Birthday, school holidays, painting, gardening and generally messing about, lots of long walks in the long-awaited sunshine ... not to mention long evenings spent sitting on the sofa watching Team GB walk (or run, or dive, or row, etc) away with armfuls of medals! Now the Olympics are on the last day will have to find something else to do before the Paralympics begin ...

It seems like ages ago that I joined Katie from booty-fullthings lovely Jar of Love swap.  I was paired with the lovely Madison, and this was great, because I had not stumbled upon her blog until then, so was introduced to a new blogging friend.  I decorated a jar with dotty sticky-backed plastic, added a ribbon trim round the top and stuck on a little magnet saying "where there's a woman, there's a way".  So true!


 I sent Madison some sandcastle flags for her little boy, a card of vintage buttons (14p from the Co-op!), a With Love tag, a Cath Kidston heart-shaped soap, some mini bunting I'd made, a decoupaged bangle Millie made, some red, white and blue balloons, a crocheted flower, a rosy basket needlecase, some more loose buttons and a heart shaped picture holder.


I received a lovely big box in the post, and armed with a cup of tea and chocolate cake (both made by Millie), we sat down and opened it.  I was well and truly spoilt by Madison!


Ruby, acting nonchalant in the presence of cake!


Madison is very crafty (unlike me; I couldn't really fit a cupboard into a jar now, could I?) and had made me a rosy tissue box cover; a lovely flower corsage brooch; a knitted heart (she must have looked carefully at my blog and seen that I have hearts everywhere!). I also received some pink velvet ribbon; a clasp; a Limoges miniature; a pair of gorgeous silver sugar tongs; a cloth bag filled with herbs which you drop in the bath and some Twinings tea.  It was all packed in a lovely Kilner jar adorned with a lovely butterfly.  (Think this will look nice dangling from my pink bike!)


Thank you Madison, I absolutely love it all, you must know me so well!


I love these swaps, as it's nice getting surprises in the post as well as gathering things together for someone else, and it's also a way of meeting lots of new bloggers ...


I'm thinking hard about doing a giveaway myself soon, as I am so surprised that I'm approaching 100 followers, so once I achieve that magic milestone, I'll celebrate with you .. I really find it hard to believe that so many lovely people are interested in listening to me prattle on about nothing, really ...


Before I go, I'll just show you the sofa I painted (this matches the chair I showed you previously) in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old Ochre) ...


Before ...


and After! The little bookcase in the corner has also been given a makeover in AS Paloma, but I'm not too sure about that! The paint is so easy to use, and dries almost immediately, so it's easy to just change something if you don't like it.  By the way, do you like my Degas canvas above the sofa? I've been looking for one of these for years, as an old friend had one which I always admired.  I searched on ebay, I enquired online, but could never even find an image of the picture, never mind one available to buy.  A couple of weeks ago, there it was, at a car boot sale, about to be bundled back into the car because it had started chucking it down ... for the princely sum of £1!! Yes please, that'll do nicely, thank you ... when what I really wanted to do was jump up and down, screaming "I've found it, I've found it"!! Millie would have quietly disowned me on the spot I think, but she'd have had a long walk home!

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday,

Love Claire xxx

32 comments:

  1. what a - lovely swap - both parcels look delightful. Your sofa is super. My daughter took me to the Courtaulds Collection last year and I was thrilled to see some REAL Degas works. What a gfted artist he was.
    weekend blessings x

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    1. How lovely Angela! Thanks for popping in xx

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  2. Hello Mrs Thriftwood....
    LoVely, LoVely parcels here Claire!
    I like those sugar tongs very much.
    Your sofa looks fab and would love to see more of that painting, I know you got your self a bargain!
    See you soon...
    Love Maria x

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    1. You'll see the picture next time you come Maria, hopefully soon! xx

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  3. I love these jam jar swaps, such a nice idea. I am also approaching 100 followers and also planning a giveaway (no idea what to give away though...!)

    That sofa is beautiful, you have transformed it by painting it. x

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment about sofa, and ooh I do love a giveaway! xx

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  4. It's so nice to get something in the post especially nowadays when we rely so much on electronic communication! Gorgeous goodies :) What a lucky find too, have a lovely weekend too. x

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    1. Hi cheryl, hope you ad a lovely weekend too! xx

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  5. Hi Claire, am loving your makeovers, very pretty. I also think you both did very well in your swap goodies. I have signed up to do an autumn swap at Blueberry heart blog and am trying to think up ideas for the crafty bit!!

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    1. Hello Anne, thanks for sharing about blueberry heart, am definite ly entering that one! xx

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  6. The swap sounds like a really lovely idea. Both packages are gorgeous. You did a great job on the sofa.

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    1. Thank you very much, and lovely to see you! xx

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  7. What a great swap! You're going great guns with the furniture renovations! Making me feel ashamed of myself! I've lots of stuff piled in the shed but never seem to have enough time at the moment! Ada :)

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    1. Hi Ada! I really have to be in the mood, otherwise it never gets done! xx

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  8. Hi Claire - great swappys, love the sofa and what a find, isnt just great when you find something and you want to shout, dance and hop but have to be just that bit reserved, for other peoples sakes of course! Julie xxx

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    1. Hi Julie, if you shout too loud you give the ga me away and they put the price up! Nice to have you popping in ... Have a lovely week xx

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  9. Oh that sofa looks a treat - a bit of paint works wonders. You had some lovely things in your parcel too - good for you
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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    1. Thank you Jenny, always. Ice to see you, xx

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  10. Hello ! what a lovely parcel...and so lucky to find your painting at a car boot sale !! Seek and you shall find ?? Great make overs on the furniture, it's a great way to recycle isn't it ! Have a nice week ..Gail x

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    1. Hello Gail, thank you! I love to give something a new life that otherwise might be destined for landfill ... Love your new post xxx

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  11. wow great parcel! :) and i like your sofa makeover, ive never had the guts to do anything big likwe that!!

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    1. Hi Claire, bite the bullet ... It's very rewarding! Xx

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  12. What a wonderful idea - I hadn't heard about the surprise jar swap before, but it sounds like a lovely thing to do. I love your bench, and have to agree with your critique of Annie Sloan paints - they're just SO easy to put on - I love them.
    What a stroke of luck to find your Degas canvas for £1 - your guardian angel was paying particular attention on that day!
    Best wishes,
    Paula xxx

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    1. Hi Paula, what a shame you didn't join in the swap ... There's an autumn themed one on blueberry heart, if you're interested? Xxx

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  13. Hello Claire,
    What a lovely jar of goodies Madison sent you! I must say this first swap has been so enjoyable. We get a dual bout of fun...the fun of preparing and making up the goodies to send and the fun of receiving. It was brilliant!!!

    As for the Degas canvas....destiny decided you just weren't ready for it before and receiving it now is the right time,you'll cherish it more ....and goodness only for one pound!!!!

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  14. Oh I loved the swap Amanda, so nice finding out what your partner likes and getting to know them, and if course getting a surprise in the post!

    Keep well too xx

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  15. Hi,Just browsing your pictures I ADORE the sofa and well done on getting the lovely picture,I know the feeling of trying to be cool when buying a bargain,it certainly gets the heart beating fast doesn't it?Kind Regards Pam.

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  16. What a lovely swap, ans how nice to receive a big parcel in the post. I've just realised I wasn't a follower (thought I was!) so now you're at 99!

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  17. I used to have penfriends from all over the world as a teenager, it was my one great hobby, I loved getting letters and little gifts in the post. Just realized couple of days ago that blogging is not so different from that - especially when you start swaping gifts like that. Nice!

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  18. hi Claire! Thanks for popping by my blog and for taking part in the swap too! I really love what you've done with your painting work - I've just recently heard about Annie Sloan paint (I know, where have I been hiding) so to hear it goes on a dream has me sold! Had some recent disasters with Laura Ashley paint on larger pieces, yet is fine forr smaller, hey ho, turns out nice in the end!

    have a great Sunday!

    BH x

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx