A Wonderful Surprise.

Some of my readers may remember that almost two years ago Peggy Sue was very distraught at having lost her hat that matches her coat.  If not you can read about it here...

Anyway we were talking to the lovely lady who made the original outfit at the Sasha Festival again this year and as she hadn't been able to match the fabric to replace the hat she offered to make a whole new coat and hat for Peggy Sue.  To say Peggy Sue is over the moon is an understatement.  It arrived during the week which was a real surprise as we hadn't expected it so quickly.  Phyllis was also very thoughtful and added a 'seat belt' for the hat so it doesn't fall off and get lost this time!  

Peggy Sue couldn't wait to show it off - despite it being very warm!

Waving to Phyllis - thank you so very very much.

Isn't this just so smart?!

Thank you so very very much Phyllis for making a wooden doll (and her Mum) very happy :-)

Like all good girls Peggy Sue is writing a thank you note to send.

Secret Santa Gifts - Part Two

Bobby got to open the rest of our Secret Santa swap as (you may remember) Amy opened the other parcel addressed to her a few days before Christmas.

The gift is addressed to everyone, so they will have to share.

Wow, it is their very own mobile phone!

Daniel leans over for a closer look.

Bobby takes it out of its box.

They all seem pretty pleased with it!

Next he hands out the chocolates from the delightful Christmas stocking.

There are plenty of chocolates to go around.

Elle, seems very pleased with hers as she looks at it with wonder.  I don't think she has ever had chocolate before.

I am sure they will all be running round very excited after eating all the chocolate as there is even more inside the stocking!

A complete lack of will power...we couldn't wait until Christmas Day.

Both Amy and I were feeling a bit out of sorts today, so we were a bit 'naughty'.

She looked at me with her big brown eyes and I just thought, how could I refuse?

So I agreed she could open one of the parcels from the Secret Santa Swap on the understanding that it would be one less parcel to open on Christmas day.  She seemed okay with that...

Clothes!  Perfect as she doesn't have any apart from the outfit she arrived in and the dress I made her.

Not just clothes she informs me, but 'cool' clothes!  (or is it Trendy?)

She looks very trendy indeed and they really suit her perfectly.

She poses in front of the Christmas Tree.

She couldn't resist going outside in between showers today.

I just love the pink/violet over the turquoise trousers.

These clothes are just perfect for Amy and we would both like to say a very big thank you to our Secret Santa!  Oh and an apology for our complete lack of will power!

Later on I found her just staring at the Christmas tree

She loves the different decorations and wanted to know all about them.

I explained that the boys made the 'stained glass' angel...

...and the Christmas pudding came in a swap I did a couple of years ago.

Peggy Sue got a gift in the post.

Peggy Sue had a very big surprise today when she got a little gift in the post.

A simply beautiful necklace al the way from the USA

This necklace was made by some lovely friends on Ravelry, Marjorie and her girls Eilish, Sophia Esme, Nella and Lucy.

Peggy sue is thrilled by it.  She has never had a necklace before and said she 'never taking it off' and is blowing a thank you kiss.

Thank you so much for my most beautiful necklace!

I will treasure it always. She says.

I have explained she will have to take it off sometimes...when she is having a bath or playing outside and other such pursuits so that it doesn't get damaged or lost.

Some bits and bobs.

I have enjoyed sending Elisa a few gifts for Rosey and I have equally enjoyed receiving these gifts from Elisa for Peggy Sue.   These are part of the package that was received the other day with the 'school dress and pinafore'.

I do think Peggy Sue is going to be rather delighted with these....glad to see a toothbrush and toothpaste has been included! ;-)

A little mini set about Kit, an American Girl Doll

Cute little cardboard dress ups and cut outs.

A little photo album and notebook.

Thank you Elisa & Rosey.

I knitted a little short sleeve cardigan the other night...I thought I would make it smaller, using smaller needles, but for some reason it ended up larger than I have ever made it!  

Still it fits Saige, so not all is lost.

A School Dress, Pinafore and other gifts arrive.

Not much time for doll play this week I am thinking...

Still that is probably good, as that means not much time for thinking about anything else either!

My oldest son comes home from three months at sea on Sunday and I have said I will have his room decorated for him when he comes back...of course I only started today.  So one wall has had its first coat of paint...I am thinking it is probably going to need three coats.  Yikes!  Will I ever get it done in time?

Tomorrow  I have to go into London to see the Pain Specialist.

Wednesday our friends are coming up to work out the date to move into my FIL's house.

It is all go!

A beautiful school dress arrived in the post for Peggy Sue this morning from Elisa and Rosey 

Elisa's hand work is beautiful and the dress is stunning, with lovely extra special touches such as crochet collar, button 'hook' lace around the sleeves etc...

Peggy Sue is beginning to think that if school means wearing such pretty dresses, maybe it won't be so bad afterall!

She enjoyed doing  a little dance to show Rosey what the dress looks like.

Elisa also made a pinafore to go over the dress.  The pinafores are going to be part of the 'official' school uniform ;-)

A couple of photos in Sepia Tint.

Not only did Elisa and Rosey send the dress and pinafore, but they also included some other wonderful goodies, most of which I will photograph for another day, but included...

toothbrush, toothpaste, cakes, booklets, and a wonderful quilt for Peggy Sue's bed which she is showing below.

Isn't it wonderful?!

Thank you so much Elisa for these wonderful gifts and the dress swap, we really love them all!

An Amazing Surprise

Yesterday evening, just after 6pm there was a knock on the door, a delivery man from Parcel Force stood there with what looked like a 'doll sized' box....I am sure you all know what I mean?  Strange though as I wasn't expecting anything so thought my husband must have ordered something for his business...However, when I looked at who it was addressed to, it had my name.

Well this had me stumped for ages as I didn't recognise the sender, it having come from the US and didn't know anyone in New York, nor did I remember giving anyone my address!  

Well what to do but open it! To my absolute amazement inside was American Girl Saige, a doll I had been admiring and wanting, but thinking there was no way I could afford her.  Who sent her was a mystery!

 I asked on Ravelry, the knitting group which probably best knows me for my enjoyment of the American Girls and knitting for them, but no joy.  I even looked up the sender's name on Facebook as it was unusual, and found the person, but still no recognition.  In the end I sent my older son a google message asking if he had by any chance sent me a doll.  

Next thing I know the phone rang (he is currently somewhere in the South Pacific on his Cruise Ship)  Yes it was him, she is was my birthday present from him, and he is sorry she was a little bit late.  No problem at all, the best of surprises!  I never ever thought one of my boys would buy me a doll!

Thank you for being the bestest son ever!  You certainly knew how to bring a smile to your Mum's face.

So the box opening re-enacted this morning (it was too dark last night)

Jess and Chrissy are excited to see what/who is inside.

The open the box to find loads of polystyrene 'popcorn'

Under which is that familiar looking coloured box that gives away what type of doll is inside!

Oh my goodness it looks like Saige, the current Girl of the Year.

Sure enough it is, how lucky am I?

Never did I realise how exciting it would be to get a doll as a gift as an adult until recent years.  This one being even more special and exciting due to the total unexpected surprise she was.

Free from the box, just need to remove the hair net, and boot protectors and label.

Here she is....just look at those cute knees!

Loving her with her hair down.

Cute freckles!

I read her story last night, and so much I can relate to when I was a child of a similar age.  I had a horse, loved animal just like her and like her friend I was (and still am) passionate about music.   

Jess and Chrissy welcome her home. 

Thank you again Steven, she is fabulous!