In the great big box was a bag, and in the bag was....

Pressies, pressies, pressies! It's pressie time!

Hello dear readers, I'm back from truanting from my blog, and I'm very sorry. I've been busy working on a painting for my etsy shop, (which is now empty, thank you so much to those of you who helped to empty it, I'm very much obliged to you!). Actually, busy rejecting two I made a start on, and busy persevering with the third. That's the thing about doing these paintings, there's quite a high mortality rate amongst them! There's a slightly different look to this new painting, but I'll show it to you when it's finished.

And now to the big present showing, because you HAVE to see these gifts I received from Hen on Monday. Many of you will know that Hen, from  Hen House blog, and I, have a swap going on, which not only involves swapping handwritten letters, but gifts too. I still haven't shown you the gifts I sent Hen last month, I keep on meaning to, but something else always seems to get in the way. As I'm itching to show you Hen's gifts first, I'll wait to the end of this post, to show you what I gave Hen.

Yes! All those gifts above arrived in one box, ALL those gifts!

Once I had opened the box, I was greeted with Hen's great big envelope, decorated, front and back, and full of magazine clipping joy,  (loads of lovely imagery), and the very stylish notebook and badges by Petra and Boase. And of course, a very chatty card and letter.

I'm quite self controlled about looking at the envelope and it's contents first, I'm quite proud to say, because my urge is to go to the gifts first! Though, the contents of Hen's envelopes are always full of gorgeous imagery, so it's just like unwrapping a gift when I open up the envelope.

Aren't those sweets so stripily beautiful?  I actually have a collection of sweets that are too pretty to eat. The trick for preserving them, I find, is to keep them in an air-tight jar. Left exposed to the air (as I found to my cost once), and they go all gooey and stick together, the colouring runs, and you're left with a right royal mess. So 'air-tight' is the key. These will be added to my 'air-tight' collection.

And the pegs? Well, you try breaking up that lovely line-up of colour, by using them! I'm not saying this is a certain, but maybe one day they will be used. For now, they're pure eye candy.

And that Angie Lewin sketchbook........... I LOVE Angie Lewin's paper goods, they are just sooo stylish, so quality, so yummy. Notebooks and sketchbooks. That's another collection I have! All unused, much too nice to use, though in many ways, it would be nice if they were filled, wouldn't it? The rate I'm going, when I'm a little old lady, I'll go on an antiques television programme, and find I have a valuable collection, (but be told they'd be much more valuable if they had been used!).

I was telling Hen, in my thank you e-mail, that I was really rather thrilled to receive such a stylish calendar. I explained that I normally go for the cheapest option, which has absolutely nothing inspiring about it, other than when I write in it, things like 'holiday'. So receiving this extremely stylish calendar was very nice indeed, I will now have something to inspire me when I turn to each new month. Hurrah!

And don't you think the socks are priceless?! Dachshund's in little stripy jumpers! As we have two Dachshunds ourselves, these were an immedite hit! I wore them yesterday, and they're very comfy. I was wearing boots all day, so I couldn't see them, but when it came to bedtime, I took my boots off, and there they were! I did smile, I must say.

And now for the opening of a box, within the great big box, in the above photos. 

Aaaahhh yes! I am, the very, very fortunate recipient of some of Hen's extremely stylish tea cup candles. Not one tea cup, but two! And a box of matches covered in gorgeous vintage fabric!

Aren't they stunningly gorgeous?! I lit one last night, and Hugo and I ate supper with it sitting on the table between us, burning very prettily. When they're lit, the flame makes the cup glow, it's a beautiful effect, and I must take a photo to show you.

Hen makes these tea cup candles herself, and sells them in her on-line shop.  I've seen tea cup candles like these for sale, pictured in magazines, and they are more than twice the price of Hen's, and you don't get the pretty matchbox with them. So for a very, very competitive price, visit Hen's shop, here.

Now, I'm ever so sorry if the above image makes you jealous! Yes, it is two GORGEOUS handmade stockings, made for Hugo and myself, by Hen! They are just scrumptious, I LOVE them. I'm pretty sure Hen even dyed the wool fabric herself, which impresses me greatly. I love the embroidery, the detail, the precious and lovely vintage fabrics, the design, the colours, and the fact that hen made one for Hugo too! How generous is that! (Hugo loves his stocking by the way, and was very touched that Hen should go to all that effort so he could have a stocking too).

I just wanted to show you the wonderful details of my stocking, above.

And Hugo's stocking, below.

Hugo and I have never done stockings for each other before, so we both agree that this is a good time to start. (To not use these stockings would be criminal of course).  I already know where I want them to hang. In this room I'm sitting in now, a room I'm developing slowly as a 'cosy room', and a room I spend a good deal of my time in, doing my blog posts. Hen has been so extraordinarily generous with her gifts, and especially her handmade gifts, I really am the most fortunate penpal in the world. The swap we do, isn't only about gifts though, it's about sharing similar tastes, in things bought and collected, and about making things with love, which be both value highly. We both know that when we make something for each other, the reaction is going to be one of tremendous appreciation and sheer delight, so it makes the making, a very enjoyable thing to do. There's none of this nervous"oh I hope she likes it", no, we value the handmade, the time and effort that goes into the creating, and the fact that we think each other is worth making something for.

And that is why, when it came to making a scarf for Hen last month, as part of her box of goodies I sent her,  it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do, and a very good use of my time.

 

Do you remember me working on my 'Sarah London Scarf' last month? Well, it was intended for Hen. I thoroughly enjoyed crocheting with all that colour. It's made using the good stuff, Debbie Bliss 'Baby Cashmerino', which is lovely to crochet with, so soft. There's also some Sirdar 'Sublime' in there, and the Turquoise is Rowan Cashsoft (I think). Hen loved the scarf, as you can see in her blog post here.

(I haven't done the pattern for this scarf yet, I'm sorry. It's on my mind, and on my long list of things to do, and will be done, I assure you).

The Stanley tin from Cath Kidston was bought for Hen, because I know she's very partial to cottages, whether they be real cottages you can live in, pictures of cottages, tea cosy cottages, or anything else cottages. And the candy canes were so pretty, they had to be popped into the tin.

Paper napkins! Well, posh paper napkins. I bought these for Hen, because I see them in gift shops, and always think it too extravagant to buy them for myself, but to buy them as a gift is perfectly reasonable. It made me laugh when Hen told me that they were going to be strictly for her own use, not for the use of unappreciative male family members, they will get the cheap napkins. Very sensible, and very amusing!

And finally, a platter, of the variety I know Hen collects, some hand pampering goodies, and a vintage style enamel Aga pot that can be hung on the wall, thought it might be useful for something.

Those were my gifts................... Ooohhh I need to stretch my legs, and I'm off to my Wednesday night knitting group.

Just before I go, I thought I'd mention this. One of the books I've illustrated was read out on t.v! I've done a series of books with the author Jonathan Emmett, about a mole and his friends. I love little mole, and feel an affinity with his small stature, and courage against the odds! Jonathan sent me a link to a reading of one of the books, on Cbeebies bedtime stories, and I had a look. It's read by a rather handsome actor called Tom Ward, whom they show plenty of shots of for the benefit of female viewers. He's reading "Diamond in the Snow", and as he's reading it, (from the unusual location of an ice rink), you also get to see my illustrations for the book, which is nice for me! Would you like to ogle a handsome chap? You would! Well, here's the link, just click here, and it should take you right through. (Just as an aside, it's VERY exciting when a book you've illustrated gets read on t.v. like that!).

Well, I must be going. Take care, and toodle-loo............. Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Natalie]

Welcome back vanessa, you have been missed! I must confess to being a tiny bit envious of your gift-swaps; you both choose such gorgeous thoughtful things for one another :)
ps just thought you might like to know that "dear father Christmas; get well soon" is currently my nearly 3-year-old's absolute favourite book. She calls it "my special Christmas book" and shows it to everyone who comes to visit. My father in law has commented on how lovely the pictures are and applauds your use of colour (He's an artist too....)
have a fab evening, natalie x

[gill]

hi vanessa
what a lovely clourful read this evening! i so enjoy following the swaps between you and hen - thank you for sharing them with us! i love the candles in the beautiful green cups and i did wonder if the 'sarah london' scarf might be for hen - i hope you've made one for yourself as well??
love gill xx

[sofy]

Wow, that all look abosutely amacing!
It is a good thing you are doing - can imagine just how happy one gets from reciving such well thought of gifts! :)
Can't wait for the pattern for your "sandra london scarf"!:)

[Nicola]

My favourite thing is definitely the socks. I thought they were candy canes or stripey caterpillars at first, so I'm glad you told us they were dachshunds because it took me a while to figure out the design. Perfect for Christmas socks anyway.

[Pipany]

The whole post todau is exciting Vanessa. All those gorgeous goodies and I saw that story being read!!! How fab and thanks for sharing xx

[Erica K]

How sweet of her to make a stocking for Hugo too! And they're gorgeous! And yes, I'm always jealous of the packages you and Hen share. I would love to have someone of similar taste to exchange with...

Thanks so much for sharing! :)

[Aubrey Cotton-Stapleton]

What beautiful presents you choose each other, lots of the fun would be in the finding things that you think are just right! Love Aubrey

[Jessie]

You are a very lucky girl indeed! What lovely gifts! Both that you gave and received.

[Ann Tilley]

Hi Vanessa! I just discovered your blog yesterday and have been addictively looking through all your posts. They're all so pretty! Love your colors, I'm very inspired. I posted some of my favorite pictures of yours on my blog, hope that's ok. Thanks for sharing!

[Mary Poppins]

My what beautiful presenst, how delightful :@) A little message now from my 8 yr old daughter....

Hello Vanessa, My mummy said it was alright to send you a little message to say how very much i am enjoying reading DEAR FATHER CHRISTMAS, My Mummy read your post on it and had to buy it for me, she likes buying things my mummy ;) We loved looking at all the pretty pages with your illistations on, my favourite page is the one with holly and the tree and my mumys is the present page. I have one question if that is alright. I wanted to know how long it takes you to do one of your pretty pictures for the book, the one with footprints must have taken you days. Love Mary Poppins Little Girl X

So there you go a two in one message, wishing you a Merry Christmas

Love

Mary

X

[Petit Filoux]

Those stockings are wonderful!!! And those candles in tea cups, simply scrumptious!!! You're very lucky!!! (and congrats on the book, that is great news!!) x

[Siobhan]

A post filled with wonderful things - of course I love the hand-crafted things the most but isn't everything Hen sent lovely? You really do have complementary tastes don't you. I saw everything you gave Hen on her post and was amazed (I surely wouldn't mind one of those scarves!) Now it is your turn and haven't you got some delightful things? I am indeed envious of those stockings and we saw that Hen had dyed the fabric on her blog; they are absolutely beautiful aren't they - the colours are so vibrant and the details so pretty. No need to squabble either as they are nice as each other! I'm loving the tea-cup candles too and although I have seen them in magazines lately I'm pretty sure I saw them on Hen's blog first - such a great idea - and you will have some rather elegant china when they have burnt through. I have to mention the little doggie socks as they are just so cute - I didn't know you had dachshunds too, how lovely! I had my bed-time story read to me by that rather nice man even though it was a bit early for me. It was done really well wasn't it? - loved the last page especially where all the animals are looking so happy. Most excellent for your story to be chosen, and totally cute illustrations.

By the way Vanessa I am fascinated by your day job and would love to have 'a day in the life of...' kind of thing. Obviously you may not want to do that and like to keep that separate and private but I'm interested to know the discipline required and how a book evolves - how you work with the writer/editor and that kind of thing.

[paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com]

I get as excited as you two do by this present swap thing you have going on! Mole is so cute (more than the narrator even!) I think it's time for a guinea pig hero though!! Looking forward to seeing the new painting. x

[Mary Poppins]

Hi Vanessa, hope you don't mind but have mentioned your Dear Father Christmas book in my post and photographed a couple of your illustations from the book and linked back to you, I had to share it :)

X

[Suzy's Vintage Attic]

Hello Vanessa

Some very lovely gifts indeed,the named stockings were a nice touch. It so nice when you know someone who shares the same tastes and interests as you.

I really like the scarf, the colours are absolutely gorgeous.

Warm wishes
Isabelle x

[Isabel S./Lisbon-Portugal]

Dear Vanessa, such beautiful gifts, you're very lucky!! I love your scarf, the colours and the pattern.Very beautiful! I've been using that pattern for the last 25 years to make blankets to my kids (3 and no longer kids :twins age 21 and a boy 18) and for friends also. I haven't a blog but if you are interested I can send you some photos by mail (in that case please send me yr mail) who knows that will inspire you to make a blanket with those lovely colours you usualy use ????It's very easy and I'm sure you'll be inspired.
Love xxxxxx
Isabel S./Lisbon-Portugal

[Wendy Rhys Jones]

Hello Vanessa, What a lovely blog you have shared with us, and I think that it is fabulous that you and Hen have found each other, obviously a meeting of soulmates!!! Your gifts to each other are amazing, and thank you for opening them so carefully with us, it's almost as good as being there! Will you share with us what treasures you put in your socks I wonder, that would be nice.I love your illustrations, and I will be looking for the books for my Grandson, I'm sure that he will enjoy them.Thank you so much, have a super Christmas, with love from Wendy {:0) xx

[greedy nan]

What stunning pressies - specially the stockings! Lucky ol' yous.
I noticed a little Poppy Treffry book in one of the pics - what is it? You never made mention and I'm a big fan.

[Serenata]

Everyone else has sad it all, so just a WOW from me!

[Clemkins]

I'm a new follower to your blog and it is providing me with so much joy so thank you. You have a wonderful sounding life, house, garden and dachshunds and am very much enjoying reading about ELlie and Douglas and your new pen-pal write and gift entries. So exciting to see what you will receive next. I was very pleased (as an owner of a very characterful wire-haired Dachshund, sometimes responds to the name Bert!) to see that you too have the dachshund socks! Look out for the matching pants that are available too :)
Many thanks for brightening my soggy grey Monday! I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog.