Thursday, September 17, 2009

Take two, pass one on...

I've won TWO giveaways recently! I want to tell you all about them, and then pass on my good fortune with just a little magazine giveaway of my own.

Here is the first parcel, opened yesterday evening: This box was Sonia's second prize - well, I would have loved her first prize, but, as I told elizabethd, I've never won a giveaway before at all, and even her second prize was fantastic!

Then, just to make things even more amazing, I won Michela's theraputic chocolate for autumn, and it arrived this morning:
So, let's take it slowly, and unpack everything calmly, just like I did(n't)... Here are rolls of vintage wallpaper for crafting - hmm, do you think they match my colour scheme? I promise you that I only happened to open the box here, I didn't choose it because it matched!
Sonia is a real craftswoman, and although I've long admired her creativity, I've now realised that photography just can't do justice to her papercrafts. You have to hold these wonderful cards in your hands, and turn them to catch the light, to realise how special they are. I wonder if I am ever going to be able to give them to anyone?
If this is whetting your appetitite, Sonia's etsy shop is here! These tags are just fantastically tactile, as well as visually pleasing. Even Ben was impressed - I think he likes the ladies! He also admires the work involved, no doubt...
This morning began with a bit of excitement - Son 2 answered the phone and passed it over to me - it turned out to be a parcel delivery man who couldn't find our house (we get that approximately every third parcel...) Once I'd put him right I went to the gate to await... this! Yum - one each - we have plans for these tonight!
Also allocated are these goodies - Ben's brother is visiting this weekend and here we have five yummy treats for a picnic lunch...But perhaps it's not all for sharing... Mumble, mumble, munch.... I HAD just been on an hours' cycle ride! Look away now, Rose!The allocation plans are a good idea, or I'm just going to eat it all! Thus, this one is going to make a lovely gift for Ben to take to his mum on Sunday night - he and his brother are flying back to the UK together on Sunday.But we're keeping this one...And these! One for eating, one for drinking... Looking forward to hot chocolate on cold evenings!
This one is going to be hidden in the back of a dark cupboard until Christmas...
Yum! Michela also sent me a pretty card and this mysterious, stylish box...Can you spot what was inside? They're rather camouflaged here...
Nope, not earrings, assuming I want to be able to lift my head off the ground! They're huge pampilles, crystals for my chandelier! Michela is so observant and thoughtful, and knows what I am collecting. She has brocante-dealer parents... Thanks, Michela; you can see a picture of my crazy chandelier at the bottom of this post, and also some of the boys counting pampilles on the post above it.Here's the collection so far! Thanks so much, Sonia and Michela - I am absolutely chuffed to bits with your gifts. (There's a bit of colloquial British English for you!)I just want to pass all this happy giftiness on, perhaps influenced by Pomona's recent inspiring post. Victoria has been doing a few magazine giveaways, which I think is a great idea, and so here I have two French magazines for you - reading is not what they are all about, as you will adore the photos even if you're not a French reader! Le Journal de la Maison is from October 2003, but is astonishingly un-dated, perhaps because they go for a classic loook on the whole. Some lovely vintage stuff in there - why am I giving it away? Mon Jardin et ma Maison is from October 2007 and is a great combo of gardening pics, advice and articles, and charming country homes.Just leave a comment on this post if you'd like to be entered in the giveaway - no complicated rules, but do feel free to let other people know about it on your blog too! I'll choose a winner at random on Thursday 24th September, in one week's time. Best of luck everyone, and have a great week.

27 comments:

Lululiz said...

You know, this is the first time that I am really really REALLY envious, my goodness, those cards and tags are gorgeous! I wish I knew how she made them, they look fantastic! Lucky lucky you, but you thoroughly deserve these lovely things, even the chocolates, lol.

Michela said...

Hi Floss!
Glad your parcel has arrived safe and sound, and very quickly I have to say - congratulations to our rubbish postal service! Thank you for the link to your fantastic chandelier..but I have to confess you that I had a look through your old posts on the weekend for checking the size of your pampilles (as the choice was very huge in my dad's box!).
Sonia's parcel is amazing, I would never write on such beautiful cards!
That's very kind of you to offer those charmantes French magazines!

Selfsewn said...

Ooh ooh please miss!!

Unknown said...

Hello Floss!
How lucky are you? Very! Such wonderful goodies. I am sure you will enjoy them. I will put a link on my post tomorrow about your giveaway! Suzie. xxx

Elizabethd said...

No need to enter me in the draw, as I will probably have read the magazines at some time....and very nice they are too.

No, what I really really covet are the crinoline cards! Absolutely gorgeous. What a lovely win, and only just after you'd said you never won anything!

Cal said...

Fantastic gifts. The beautiful cards and the equally beautiful chandelier crystals. Enjoy! xxxx

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Wow! You are right!
Those tags, are so beautiful. If they were mine, I don`t think I could part with them either! Lol

ENJOY LIFE`S SIMPLE TREASURES,
DEBBIE MOSS

The Curious Cat said...

Sonia's gift are great - and the chocolate ones too with the chanderlier crystals! Wow! Makes me think I should do one in October - a Halloween based one perhaps with candy I will have collected from the US...we'll see! Lucky you though! xxx

Mami said...

surely you had so pleasant time!!wonderful gifts!! Good for you! Congratulations!

Hen said...

Hi Floss,
Please enter me. Glad you mentioned there's lots of pictures as I think my francaise is a bit rusty for reading!
Hen x

Thecraftytrundler said...

What marvellous swaps!!!! I too couldn't have resisted breaking into that scrummy chocolate!!
The crystals are beautiful, and those cards are gorgeous!!
It must feel like Christmas come early!!

Sharon xx
P.S. Could I join in on your lovely giveaway please??

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I'm glad you're joining in my magazine giveaway frenzy! I still have loads more to post!

What lovely giveaway parcels you've received too... yummm all that chocolate!

Victoria xx

Serenata said...

Gorgeous parcels you've received - lucky you. Pomona's post was quite something today wasn't it?

I'm looking forward to receiving mine :-)

Jackie said...

Floss ~ what wonderful goodies in your parcels, especially all of that very yummy chocolate. I loved the idea of the rainbow swap and popped over to join in too. I am going shopping in Livingstone on Saturday as there is an Outlet Village there and I am hoping to get some bargains! I think we are popping into Edinburgh on Monday though. I'd love to join in with your giveaway too please. Hope you have a very lovely weekend :O)

Jeannette said...

What a lucky win with gorgeous cards, yummie chocolate etc. That must make ones day.
I´m still hopelessly behind with reading the posts that I have I missed the last weeks. But I´m looking forward to come back later to admire all your vintage finds and your adventures in la douce France.
A big hug, Jeannette

Pomona said...

As I have just been lucky enough to win your last giveaway, I certainly don't need to enter this one, but just wanted to congratulate you on your goodies above. That chocolate looks very tempting - good thing I didn't win it, I would have eaten it all up very quickly. What strength of mind you must have to keep some for Christmas!

Pomona x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

You lucky lucky thing!! One pretty parcel and one yummy one. You must feel very spoilt. What a lovely idea to give another giveaway in appreciation. Please don't enter me in the draw as the postage would be rediculous. I just couldn't let you do it. Good luck to all the other anyway! And have a great evening Floss.

sharie said...

Oh well done you! Love the giveaway prizes and erm, the chocolates. Yum yum wouldnt last long round here.

JuanitaTortilla said...

I'm smiling just by looking at all this fabulous-ness! Those tags and cards are lovely, and you're right, I wouldn't know if *I* would ever bring myself to use them. I still have a vintage-themed card from a swap ages ago.

Oh my, just look at all those Italian chocolates! Those 'pampilles' look great. If every one of your blog reader sends you a crystal pampille, you just might have a HUGE chandelier!

Sarah said...

What lovely goodies, a real treat! Would love to be included in the magazine giveaway - thanks!

Country Cottage Chic said...

You have had a lucky streak - what super giveaways!
Maybe I can start my own lucky run here.....

:-)
Jayne

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Your gifts are wonderful ~ how thrilled you must be! I love all the Marie papers you received... and the chocolates... yum!

Unknown said...

What wonderful packages to receive from your blogging friends. How fun! I love it when something pretty shows up in the mail box. I think we all do. Have a lovely weekend.
xo,
Tammy

chandlerguera said...

It's always a treat to receive a parcel and you sure got two yummy ones! Congrats.

Sonia said...

Hello Floss, I just got back from out of town and catching up with blogland. Thank you for all your praise. I am so glad you like your gifts. Enjoy them as I truly enjoyed creating them.
And WOW!! Baci and Duplo, I love that stuff. I used to eat those all the time in Malta. My mouth is watering already!!! You lucky gal!!
Hugs!!
Sonia

Maison Douce said...

Oh, pick me, pick me!! I would love to win this wonderful prize!! Thanks a bunch!
Isabel

Karen, Surrey said...

The chocolate give away looked fantastic. Bon appetite! I'd love to be entered into the giveaway. There's nothing better than flicking through beautiful magazines for inspiration. Especially ones from France, all that french styling is fabulous. Having just returned from Ste Alvere, near Bergerac we were lucky enough to feast our eyes on the beautiful French countryside this Summer. Glad you're feeling better. X.