The most beautiful swap package ever

Today was such a happy mail day! My swap package from Blair arrived!! I've been anticipating it so much because I knew I would love it. And it was SO WONDERFUL!

Sit back because I am going to show you a picture of each and every thing in my lovely package. The picture above is the beautiful Japanese fabric pouch with an orange lining. I had to show the lining because the contrast is so beautiful. The decoration on the front is this embroidery:
I love it so much! There's something that is quiet and serene about it. Inside the pouch were some embroidery flosses, some pretty buttons, and another little embroidery of a knitting basket! Hmm, perfect decoration for a new knitting bag.
And speaking of sewing, this is the wonderful fabric that inspired the swap. This all began when Blair asked if I would like her to send me some of this fabric (the one on the right) after she saw me comment about it on Flickr. I've heard it's available at JoAnn's, but we don't have that here in Canada and I didn't see it in the online shop. This is a really big piece - more than I expected! Plus, look at the charming tartan next to it...that was just something extra. I can't wait to sew something with these.
And last but not least, look at this pretty cloth flower brooch! It's going on my coat immediately. I love the colours, I love polka dots, I feel as if Blair really knows me because this is so me. Thank you thank you thank you Blair! As you can see I am absolutely over the moon with my swap package!
In other news, my Martha Stewart Kids arrived today too. See what a happy mail day it was? This is the only magazine I subscribe to, because I always always want to buy it whenever I saw it on the shelves. My excuse is that despite the fact that I don't have any kids, I'm a children's illustrator. So it's good for me to keep up on the children's publishing market, right? The magazine really is filled with exceptional illustration talent. My favourite part is the middle section, which contains the "how now" magazine just for kids. But the truth is I love everything about the magazine. I love the design, the photographs, the crafts projects, the decorating, the little meal ideas, I want the monkey birthday cake, I've made the little flower beaded hair pins.

So I was very disappointed to hear that they aren't going to renew my subscription...it looks like they may not be continuing the magazine. I have seven issues - I'm not sure how many there were - so I will just have to treasure those. I'm also sad about it, because illustrating for Martha Stewart Kids was my dream job, I was even planning on sending them a special self-promotion package with a handmade book.

In case I'm not the only one disappointed about this, I will end on a more cheerful note, here's one last detail from Blair's package, look at the charming little cherry ribbon tie!