Gifty Stuff...

This was my first time participating in the Oh Hello gift swap and omigosh, when I learned that my gift partner was Lorelei Eurto, I could hardly wait to see what would arrive in the mail! I received her package late in the day on Tuesday - too late (dark) to photograph (and I PROMISED myself that I would take pictures)....

...holy cow I could barely contain myself but I managed to resist busting open the package until the next day...

Then.... what is that expression I see everyone using these days (?) ... oh yeah:  "SQUEEE!!!"   

I always thought that was so silly (I'm way too mature for that) ... until I opened the box...

I instantly fell in love - palette, textures, everything - just beautiful! I am thrilled to pieces!!!!

Every detail exquisite - I truly feel like this necklace was made for me (oh yeah, it WAS!): my love of owls, the woodland-mixed-with-shoreline theme (missy L was aware that that I really liked owls, but how on earth did she know of my love for beach pebbles ?! - that was NOT in the mini bio I submitted for the gift swap!)... 

These stones remind me of my girlhood days along the shores of Lake Superior - where I would often collect little smooth stones very much like these...

....so, in addition to being a brilliant jewelry designer, missy L is also a mind-reader!

In every respect, this suits me to a "T" and I cannot wait to show it off! 

Thank you Lorelei!

Hmm...it occurred to me (after I opened my gift) that maybe we were supposed to wait until Christmas day (oops) - but since I will be traveling over the holiday weekend, I figured I SHOULD open it ahead of our departure. Yup - I'm going with that.