In the summer I was reading through my favourite blogs, and discovered
the Dani at TKDchick was celebrating her 800th post by having a draw.
The winner of the draw would receive something made by Dani herself.
I left a comment, asking to be included in the draw, and thought nothing
more about it. After all, I never win anything. Well, guess what?????

I won!! Really!! And today, when I got home from work, and the dentist,
I found a package in my mailbox. I could bearly contain myself until I
could get into the house, drop my stuff, and open the package. What
would it be??

I only regret that it was too dark to take a truly decent photo of the
contents of the package, and most especially of the needle book that Dani
stitched for me. It's one of JBW French Country Cat. Somehow
Dani figured out that I love cats. Where on earth she got this idea from
I have no idea (cough...cough) but I figure the girl's just plain psychic.
The cat is about the same size as my thumb and stitched in the most
beautiful of verigated thread colours. The stitches are so tiny. And
of course the cat is made up of tiny motifs featuring cats in various
poses, birds, flowers and hearts. It's exquisite!!

This piece is stitched on 30 count (!!) coconut maccaroon Lakeside
Linen, using Silk n Colours Rusty Amber. Thanks to Dani for the
info. She also sent me a package of Piecemakers Tapestry needles
which I've read other stitchers go into raptures over so I can't wait
to try them for myself. There is a bundle of Autumn hued DMC
threads, a yummy looking piece of chocolate almond candy which
I'll share with DH, and a lovely post card which shows a scene from
the village where Dani lives. I love cards like this, and actually have
collected a few over the years.

These pictures give you a bit of an idea of how this piece looks, since my
own words just couldn't do it justice.

I plan to take this piece into work (carefully) to show it off to all the girls.
I talked to my Mom on the phone tonight, and told her all about this, and
she's anxious to see it too.

Thank you Dani for taking the time to do something nice like this for
someone you've only met on the net. It means so much to me, and I
will treasure it always.

Aren't x-stitch bloggers the greatest folk in the universe???

You betcha!!!! Cheers! Judy