A Different Kind of Swap - Received.

Last month a friend and I had our only little swap.  I wrote about what I sent her over on my Hitty blog 'A Different Kind of Swap' 

I received my wonderful swap parcel at the end of last month.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the parcel to discover this wonderful girl inside.

She is based on the character in this story.

Helene is tormented by her peers and cruelly bullied.  She finds comfort in reading Jane Eyre and befriending a little fox.

Beth has made such an amazing gift box for Helene and her fox.  She came wearing her pretty dress and dancing slippers, a hat and scarf, trousers (pants), two little sweaters and another pair of shoes.  The most wonderful crochet blanket and a wall hanging.  So much work and such attention to detail.

Helene enjoyed venturing out in the garden today.

Yes her little fox joined her as well.

Thank you for a wonderful swap Beth.  

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.

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!