Count your blessings, name them one by one

Hello, what a long time it has been and how quickly it has gone. It was lovely to look in and see that not only had so many remained following but that more of you have joined them and a milestone has been reached! The 306 of you are blessings well worth counting.  Welcome to all.

 It must be time to think about a giveaway. Now though I have a few friends to thank (rather belatedly) from whom I have been showered with more blessings.

First is Susan from minicrochetmad who sent me the most perfect crochet set of baby clothes last August (the 2011 August - you can see why I am embarrassed!) I can't believe the detail in these, tiny frills inside the bonnet and on the back of the little knickers, the smallest buttons on the bonnet and bootees (there are two and I will be frantically turning the house upside to find the second when I have finished this post) 

Next was a giveaway I had won from Marlene at somersethouse and also poppypatchwork last (2011) August as well. This rug dazzled me with the tiny stitches and the patience required to complete something like this. To give it away is incomprehensible, but enormously appreciated. I have it displayed in my rather empty Patchwork shop (begun the same August in 'celebration' of turning 50) as it is far too pretty for weatherbeaten old Hollyhock Cottage. 

With it is a 1940s sewing table made from plans my friend Shelagh sent me which is absolutely perfect for Hollyhock Cottage.

Laura my-wee-life (who sent the snowdrops in the above photo as well) thought of me when she saw this hollyhock kit earlier this year. As you can see it is a work in progress but one I want to finish soon and have already picked out a lovely sheltered corner of Hollyhock Cottage for them to grow. 

I was also surprised (shocked!) and thrilled to have won a competition hosted by Minimum World earlier this year for a period room. I think had I seen the other entries, which included some of the bloggers whose work I hold in awe, I wouldn't have entered and honesty (rather than modesty) makes me know I was lucky that my period was one that people remember with nostalgia giving my entry an emotional edge. It was very pleasurable spending my winnings, but the greatest benefit for me was that people who have been scoffing at my childish hobby now see it with new eyes. The items I chose included this revolving bookcase kit from McQueenie Miniatures and it was a dream to assemble!

a set of two mini mundus kitchen chairs and some wood to make extras

and a bicycle.

How lucky am I!

To top it off I received my first blog award from Irene at smallandstately.

How lovely was that and how lax am I that I haven't passed it on yet.

So for you (in no particular order)

ShellbyFay at anythingminiature (with a special thank you for the favour you did for me)

Laura at my-wee-life

Amanda at stpiransbay

Sophie at sophiesminiatureworld

Paula at paulasminiworld

Alennka  at dollshousedaydreams

and because I can't stop at six

Kath at ahomeinminiature

All blogs I love dipping into and seeing what you are up to. 

I just have to work out how to add it to my side bar!

Cheers, Christine

Edit: The missing bootee has reappeared!