Random kindness

There are few things I love more than a giving a gift you know the recipient will love.

You know, the sort where you can hardly contain yourself as you give it to them and want to help them rip it open...

The other thing I love is the 'random' gift.

The one that is not for any occasion, just because you saw it and it spoke to you of someone else.

I've been lucky enough to receive two such gifts in the past six or so months.

Things that friends have seen and that have made them think of me, and they were both kind enough to buy them for me and give them to me, for no reason.

Just because.

This little book is not only a book that has a Heather Bailey fabric pattern as the cover (as if that's not enough!!), it is also a book of words, 'Words to make you sound intelligent' no less!

If there are two things I love, it is words and fabric!
I'm known by some of my friends as "The Grammar Queen"... need I say more!

Tan saw this and the combination of fabulous fabric designer and quirky words made her think of me.
And that alone makes it special.

Another non-sewing or blogging girlfriend saw this for me earlier in the year and after first having to enquire what it was (!!) when she realised it was a tape measure and that it was covered with little drawings of fashion through the decades, she knew it would be something I would love.

And I do.

So much that I don't actually use it - it just stays in my sewing room to be admired and to look pretty!

Perhaps the best thing about both of these gifts is that whenever they catch my eye, they make me think of the girls who gave them to me, and how lucky I am to receive the gift of their friendship in an ongoing manner.

And for that I am truly grateful.

xx

Gratitude

Kate often writes of the things in her life she is grateful for, and it pleases me that she usually includes the simplest of things; things that money can't buy but that make your day better all the same.

Things for which I am grateful include; the sun breaking through the constant cloud cover and brightening things up a little, little girls running and giggling with friends at play, the wonder and absolute belief on the kids faces when they are totally engaged by a fairy who visited a birthday party, the blonde curls the smallest child has, the moment when the key turns in the door signalling the arrival home of "the guy who lives here" and all of us feel happy and thankful he is safely home.

I am also very grateful to fellow bloggers who take the time to express their own gratitude by sending thoughtful gifts, for no reason other than to say 'thanks'.

The lovely Ms Seaweed and Raine sent me a little care package last week.
An absolutely perfect crocheted phone cover (I had just decided I needed something to protect my phone in my handbag!) and a lovely fabric strawberry I had to extract from the children's hot little hands!

There was also a little something extra, but um, it didn't make it to the photo!  Needless to say the sweetheart lollies were very much appreciated. (You can see them on her blog, but not mine!). And a very sweet handwritten note.

It all arrived on Valentines Day, a day when my own sweetheart was interstate, something that will be happening more often for a while, and something that we are still all getting used to.

So my advice to you my dear readers is, take some time and show your appreciation for someone who has, in some small way, touched your life. I guarantee it will make their day.
It certainly made mine.

The kindness of 'virtual' strangers

I am not the only person to have posted something like this, I know other bloggers feel the same way.

That they are amazed at the kindness of other bloggers out there who send gifts to them in the mail, for no good reason, other than they (the senders) are nice people.

Farbenmix Olivia pattern from Carolyn, because she thought I would like it.

Two Babushka embroideries (which I am saving!) sent on a different occasion.

They don't do it for acknowledgment, or require payment. They just do it because they see something and it makes them think of someone else, so they act.

Let's call them 'Random Acts of Kindness'

Very cute duck fabric from Sal for the smallest 'duck-loving' child.

An unexpected parcel in the mail brightens up my day, as it would for anyone I think.

I just wanted to say thanks to them.

It really is appreciated.