Such lovely gifts from Ewa and Susanne!

Yesterday brought two very special packages in the post.

Susanne from Past Mastery sent me the prize I won in her contest -- a miniature dummy board!

 Isn't he gorgeous?  He's "Gentleman with cane", painted by Sue after a full-sized dummy board dated about 1690, and he's PERFECT for my next big project, the William and Mary house!  Thank you, thank you, Sue -- he's just amazing!

(If you don't know Sue's blog, please check it out, especially if you're interested in the period between 1600 and 1800.  Or if you like art :) Or great stories!)

And I got a package full of gifts from Ewa in Poland, aka The Old Maid, who writes one of my favourite blogs, The Sunny Hours.

First were these two beauties -- without a doubt the most gorgeous blue and white china in my small but growing collection!  Look at how perfect they are!

And she sent me a package full of WW II era British memorabilia.  Dearest Ewa, these are amazing!  Among the goodies there's a book for recognizing aircraft, and there are two actual decks of real tiny cards -- one with world leaders at the time of the war, and one of British bombers!  I have to tell you why this is so perfect.  The bomber cards are ideal, because a month ago I found a tiny model of a Bristol Blenheim for the pub and had already decided that the landlord would be an ex-WW II bomber pilot!  Thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness!

Now I'd better get to work on my own gifts for Caterina's Holiday Swap :)