Beautiful old things

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I know we are well into January...
but my Christmas cactus has just bloomed.  Proving that the holidays were over far too quickly this year and some of us are still catching up.
I received some BEAUTIFUL old things as gifts; look at the package above -- isn't that cloth gift bag AMAZING?  It has a series of To/From tags printed on the side, so you can use it more than once.  It's from Terri and I know it must have been hard to part with because I don't know if I will be able to myself -- at least not for a while.  I love the way she matched the seam binding/ribbon perfectly!
It contained the linen bird-themed calendar you see in the background, and this beautiful card box with this Christmas corsage decorating it!
Then, inside the cardbox: a green tissue holder with the sweetest birds-on-a-wire fabric print...
this FABULOUS bird-themed transfer sheet that I LOVE; I'm going to scan it before I use it to make towels...
and this beautiful blue bird notebook!  OH: and BUTTONS!

Terri also gifted me this wonderful roll of linen burlap fabric, a gorgeous bird tag that I had admired on her blog...
and the world's sweetest little Christmas stocking she made with a vintage quilt and an embroidered bird linen!  In one of my favorite color themes -- just look how it coordinates perfectly against this little robe I bought a while back!
It is so sweet.  Thank you so much, Terri, for your thoughtfulness!
I also received a hand-made art mail surprise from Kathy:

As long as I'm talking about Christmas: look what I picked up for 1/2 price at the thrift store!  Tiny ornaments -- but the box is the real prize!
Then: a late-season surprise arrived from Suzanne, the keeper/maker of all things beautiful!
I opened her pretty package to find this perfectly gorgeous, fabric-covered box.

It's a musical jewelry holder/box!  We found it together in Abilene, KS and it went home with her...
but now it's MINE!  It's going to be the centerpiece of my Valentine/Spring time decorating (probably for years to come!)
This was also in the box, to enjoy when I'm in an Empire State of Mind -- as I often am.  Thank you so much, Suzanne!

Comments

Kathy said…
Oh Laurie, I think you were a very good girl! 8+) That button in the first photo and the crochet flower on the stocking - Oh.My!
I'm glad you enjoyed the mail art.
January 12, 2014 at 3:50 PM
Patty Antle said…
These are the most precious gifts. Just love all of your new treasures.
January 12, 2014 at 4:43 PM
Michele's Treasures, Teacups, and Tumbling Rose Cottage said…
My cactus is working on blooming now too...it still has a way to go before I see those flowers though. I think it's a Valentine's Day cactus actually! Loved looking at all the treasures here...enjoyed that first picture. happy new year to you! ; )
~Michele
January 12, 2014 at 9:14 PM
Shortbread and Ginger said…
So many gorgeous things to look at! Lovely gifts.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
January 13, 2014 at 3:41 AM
Sami said…
Lucky lady, gorgeous presents.
January 13, 2014 at 4:17 AM
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said…
I don't know where to start...I love it all.
January 13, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Kelli Davidson said…
I love it all - those birds are so pretty! You have a treasure trove of things and of friends!
January 14, 2014 at 5:35 AM
Abby / Linda said…
Your friends know you well--such wonderful gifts just for you!
January 23, 2014 at 10:21 PM
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