A Tale of Two Parcels

As the title of todays post suggests, this is indeed a Tale of Two Parcels. It's a simple tale and by no means extraordinary, yet as I sit down with a cup of coffee to write it, I am almost overwhelmed by the emotion of it all. I do tend to come over all emotional when presented with brown paper parcels, I get all sort of jittery and fluttery and heart-beaty. You may remember me recounting a very similar tale not so long ago, when the postman delivered a surprise package containing one of Vanessa's paintings? I am absolutely delighted to say that since that time, Vanessa has opened her very own Etsy shop and her gorgeous water colours are now for sale. And if you decide to purchase one of her paintings, it will arrive on your doorstep wrapped to perfection :: there's something about receiving a beautifully wrapped parcel that totally makes my heart flip. I mean, really and truly, the paper and string and tags and notes should not matter, yet of course they do. A great deal. They make one feel special. And appreciated. And that's quite something, don't you think?

But anyways, on with the Two Tales.....

Parcel # One :: The Surprise Gift

When I sit at my computer to write my blog each day, I do not have any great expectations about gaining anything much. I am not attempting to boost sales, to fish for compliments, to gain recognition. But all the same it is very very nice to feel appreciated, and to know that by some miracle, my words and pictures do reach out into the world and generate little ripples of inspiration, happiness, brightness. And in turn, each and every one of your comments sends it's own ripple of happiness and brightness back through my window, like a ray of sunshine. That's truly how I see it, and how I feel about blogging. I absolutely love the rippling connections that take place back and forth between me and you, the giving and receiving that occurs in both directions between blog-writer and blog-reader. I think it's absolutely fantastical.

And occasionally, these ripples decide to make themselves more tangible, become more than words, and I get a request for my address in order that a "little something" might be sent my way through the post. If you had any idea what this does to me, you would laugh your socks off. I get so ridiculously excited at the prospect of mail arriving, I drive myself loopy. Really. And if aforementioned parcel is going to be coming all the way from the United States, so taking Extra Days to arrive, well it's bonkers. I start to stalk the postman, start to watch the front door around about 11am or there abouts.

This surprise gift took four days to arrive. Posted on a Friday, it arrived to me the following Tuesday.

I knew it was coming, knew who it was from. But the contents were a mystery.

I admit I was very unrestrained with this poor parcel, in fact, the brown paper packet got ripped to shreds. No careful unsealing at all, just good old Excitable Uncontrolled Ripping.

Inside, a gift from the very lovely Cathleen, who writes the most beautiful blog herself, called My Sewing Serenity. Do you know this blog? Have you seen the Lovliness that goes on there? Well it's an absolute delight. In fact you could say that Cathleen and I fill our respective little worlds with very similar heartfelt passions, and the ripples that pass back and forth between our blogs are colourful and inspirational in both directions. There's crochet and quilting and buttons and baking and flowers.

And there's hand made soap too. Oh this is the soap of my dreams! It smells beautiful, and is wonderful to use :: soft and suddy and fragrant.

And did I mention the fabric? Cathleen has a fabric stash made in heaven :: take a looky here and you will see what I mean. And now I have the delightful responsibility of owning eight new colourful fat quarters and wondering what I shall make with them. I added them to my recent Kaffe Fassett purchases and I think I might have the beginnings of my very own fabric stash (oooooo how I love that word!)
This gift made me cry with gratitude. The way it was sent to me just because I Brighten The Day, made me feel so special.

Cathleen :: xxx (( A heart full of thanks )) xxx

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Parcel # Two :: The Special Order

This parcel arrived yesterday, and I am still head over heels about it. This parcel I had been waiting for :: waiting patiently for it to make it's way to Attic24 from across the pond. And unlike the first parcel, I pretty much knew the contents of this one, yet it made it no less exciting, especially because the spotty packing tape had me in raptures before I had even opened the paper. I mean, colourful, SPOTTY packing tape, how utterly delightful!

Inside the box, a purple bag.

Inside the purple bag, a brown paper parcel tied with spotty ribbon.

My heart is banging, and I feel all fluttery and jumpety-jumpy, I am almost beside myself with the thrill of it all.

Inside the brown paper parcel tied with spotty ribbon is a mound of bubble wrap, and a cutesome little envelope sealed with a spotty sticker. A Little card, thanking me for purchasing this Special Order.

Want to know details?

Want to know what my "Special Order" is?

Really?

Really-really??

Wanna see?

Right now?

Ok.

If you insist.

Here it is...

::

::

::

::

::

Ta dah!!!!!!!!!

Its my very own, beautiful, wonderful, colourful Attic24 House. And I am totally in love with it.

This is the work of an exceptionally talented US artist named Sarah Ahearn. I cannot for the life of me remember how I first came across Sarah's work, but it was love at first sight. I love everything about it. I am a big fan of Mixed Media work, and I love the use of text in artwork, although not sure why exactly, but it really appeals to me. I love Sarah's use of colour and the recurring themes that feature in her work :: flowers, fruit, birds, houses.

Sarahs art work is most usually sold as prints or original paintings, but sometimes she makes these little decorated wooden houses. And as soon as I saw them on her blog in the Summer, I knew I had to have one.

And there followed some emails and discussions about what I would like on my very own house, but truthfully I left it mostly to Sarah to do her thing. And Oh!!!!!!! Didn't she do me proud?!

You can see that she has gotten to know me very well through reading my blog. She has included some  wonderful details that make this house truly, uniquely mine. There are my my tall summer flowers, the blue sky with the two birds that can often be seen sitting on my rooftop (they are a pair of jackdaws, who regularly caw-caw down my chimney pot), the view of the hills, my name and the words "Home Sweet Home" and of course my little Attic24 window up under the eaves.

Since it arrived yesterday, I've been moving this little house of mine all around the place, looking at it this way and that, wondering where it should come to rest. Right now it's on the mantel in front of my Moroccan mirror (I like the way the mirror allows you to see front and back at the same time). It already feels like it's been here forever, like it belongs in this house.

Sarah :: xxx (( A heart full of thanks )) xxx

This house, this house that has given me my Attic24, we will be celebrating together on Friday.

It'll be exactly one year since we moved in and I will be giving a "heart full of thanks" for that fact. For the fact that I am so happy living here.

Maybe a little Attic24 housey giveaway?

Oh yes, lets do a giveaway, how exciting!!!

Day after tomorrow? Yes the 28th, you and me in the Attic, for something colourful and Housey?

Can't wait, see you then...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Judy]

I love your Blog and I'm so glad that I have found it. You're now one of my favorites.
http://judyjudysfabricaddiction.blogspot.com/

[Fiona]

I'm not sure I've ever seen anything as cute as the little house. It's beautiful. I need to check out her work. Really pleased to see that Vanessa has opened an etsy shop. I've just had a quick look. I think I need to point Simon in the right direction! And not that I'm trying to get in on the act or anything but I need your address please as I have a tiny something for you. My email is on my blogger profile.

[Nicola]

p.s. I'm soooo looking forward to tomorrow's post!!

[Nicola]

Lucy, Sadly lately I've not been able to post comments largely due to time! Everyday I sit at work & have my set times that I "check in" for that days installment of what's happening at Attic24. I speed read first, then venture back up to the top and read again, this time more slowly taking everything, thinking tonight I will post a comment - then tonight comes and I never get round to it. You bring such colour, loveliness, upbeatness and honesty to your blog and I for one love it!! Thank you to you, J and little man and little lady for letting us in.
Lots of love
Nicola xx

[Lisa]

Two very exciting parcels with beautiful contents.
The little house is just the loveliest.
Lisa

[Joanne Stocker]

Hello again,

Since I am such a keen visitor I would like to invite you to play along and have 'tagged' you. Pop by, if you like. Otherwise, just have a lovely lovely day!

All the best in any case!

Jo

[grace]

what a lovely inspiration you are, just off to tidy up my own little chaotic space but feel so much more serene after browsing your lovely lovely hose, thank you x

[Roanne]

Oh Lucy!!!! What wonderful parcels!! I love love LOVE the house - what a perfect way to celebrate your first year in your happy home.
Roanne x

[emma whiston]

Hellooo Lucy

The house is gorgeous. I have blogged today my mirror that Ann Wood made (finally got round to sorting it out!) I love getting parcels - the wonderful thing about ordering on line!

Love Emma xxxxx

[do you mind if i knit]

Aaaaahhhhh............. you see you have the effect of spreading warmth and love............. people are coming to your blog every day to get their dose of warmth, happiness, love and good cheer!
What a lovely gift that fabric is, so generous............. and I didn't know that blog, so I'm thrilled you've introduced it to me.............. and Sarah Ahearn's work is gorgeous! Another wonderful blog to add to my list.................. I have a growing list of blogs to read, and add to my list................. And thank you Lucy, for mentioning my etsy shop, and me! You're very generous with your love and good will............... thank you.................

[Josie-Mary]

How lovely is this house.... :)

[Leisa]

Such a lovely post - thank you for sharing with us your great parcels in the post! Always look forward to your lovely blog posts.

[Alessandra]

what a darling little house you got!
that's so nice of you for sharing it with us.
It completely matches the lovely things you make!!!

:o)

[Melissa Crowe]

Followed you from your flickr comment (on my "sweet sweet home" pic) to your photostream to here, and I must say, I'm glad I did! Your pictures are so lovely, so cheerful and bright, and so are your words. Here's to new friends!

[gardenymph]

Wonderful packages, Lucy! And yes, you are a brilliant writer. I feel as if I am just on the other side of your kitchen table, chatting away with you. :~)

[Anne]

Lucy - You should have been a writer!! I think you had all of us sitting on the edge of our chairs. Such wonderful items you received - the Attic 24 house is awesome. You are such a special person.

[tilly rose]

I love getting parcels, the excitment of what may be inside. Infact I got one today only it was for the neighbour and not me BOO HOO....

xxx

[Anna]

Brown paper packages tied up with string...lalalalalaaaaaa....
How fabulous, dear Lucy, another attic! Very beautiful too i might add, and truly unique.I am off to check out the website!xxx

[driftwood]

what truly beautiful parcels, I can feel the excitement from here!

[cathleen]

((((LUCY)))) You are such a sweetheart!! A heart full of thanks to you, too, for being such a wonderfully colorful and exquisite YOU!!

[mandy]

lovely parcels, the little house is just meant for you, it is perfect, I have been in my house for 2 years this weekend, and know what you mean about being cosy and happy,
I enjoy all your colourful inspiration from the attic.

[simone]

They are wonderful and thoughtful packages. The soaps look particularly delicious.

[A Thrifty Mrs]

Lovely packages!

[Hen]

Oooh Lucy, you're such a tease! You deserve such nice things for brightening all our days. See you Friday, so to speak...
Hen x

[Joanne Stocker]

Well you have got me all excited now too. I am all shaky and started speed-reading! LOOOOOOOVEEEEEEELYYYYY!!