Lots of lovely books and the packet on the bottom is a book full of antique quilts as wrapping paper. What a brilliant idea.

Christmas gift from Mum from Mozi designs . A gorgeous hand screen printed linen tea towel. My other one from last year here Too good to use!

Here’s a closeup of a pretty singlet/vest that my mother made for Alice. It’s a vintage pattern…..not sure of the details but she made one for me when I was born too. It’s knitted in Patons 100% baby wool but wait until you see the incredible shawl she made once I take the photos.

This is a birth sampler designed and wrought by the mother of one of my oldest friends. She designs all her samplers and has the most amazing library of reference, particularly on folk samplers. We are also lucky enough to have a wedding sampler made by her but that’s at my parent’s home in Oz and I don’t have a photograph to share. It’s incredibly fine worked in one thread of floss over one thread of linen. Am not sure of the count but believe me, it’s fine. I’m looking forward to getting it framed and on the wall.

Here’s our little lady in the special outfit handmade for her by Al. It really is very beautiful! It’s the 6 month size and it fits her at only 6 weeks…….have I made an Amazonian baby or is the Japanese sizing really out of whack? Thanks Al, you are too kind. BTW, she is on the 91st centile for her length/age!

We have received so many other beautiful handmade gifts which I do promise to share with you but just haven’t got around to taking photos….soz. Amongst them are quilts, another birth sampler and the most incredible lace shawl made by my amazing mother. More anon. I promise.

We’re having a hiatus here from posting - just a bit busy with baby COCO arriving last weekend.

I thought I’d share a couple of handmade gifts with you. Firstly, the stunning strawberry hat given by a kiwi friend of mine and made by his friend.

And the beautiful birth sampler made by my sister in law.

I won’t be posting much for a while. The heatwave in London is enough to put anyone off knitting! Am still working on the alphabet blanket and it will be autumn before I pick up Mystical Stripe. Have a wonderful summer.

Erin and I received our Mag Swap parcels yesterday! It was really exciting to get something from Asia, so thanks Erin! My mag was wrapped in some ribbon and Hoffman floral fabric……

And we reveal the Spring edition of Cotton Friend. It’s adorable with lots of lovely zakka projects and things for little people. I’m going to enjoy having a good read over the next few days.

Thanks again to Adriana at Cotton Strudel for organising the swap and check out the Flickr Group here.

My final Secret Pal package arrived last week and am long overdue posting….computer issues. I received some lovely Jaeger luxury tweed which is merino/alpaca in pebble 820 and mussel 831, a fantastic whistle (my Dad collects these from all over the world), some more glittery ribbon and a little friend. I wonder if she’ll reveal herself………..Thanks SP, you’re ace.

Well folks, my Secret Pal has done it again. What a super package and a real surprise this morning. Some cream alpaca yarn from Farrlacey Alpacas which is just so lovely and soft. She also included some black Rowan wool cotton, which you can never have too much of and the teeniest baby bone crochet hook. It has a darling turned handle and is about 2″ long. Thanks SP, you’re fab.

I got a lovely surprise in the post this morning from my secret pal. There was a little note along with some silky fabric, ribbon and some gorgeous heart-shaped stitch markers from The Devil Makes Work. They look like they’re millefiori murano glass. Very pretty and my first ones, so that’s exciting. Thanks SP!