Package Exchange Review

This Christmas I decided to try something new out and participate in a gift exchange organized by a blog I follow: Oh, Hello Friend. The blog is about brown paper packages tied up with string and other of my favorite things, so how could I go wrong getting paired up with another like-minded paper geek? I couldn't go wrong and, subsequently, I didn't. I love it when a plan comes together.

For the package I sent, I went into full-on cyber-stalking mode, reading my giftee's blog almost in its entirety. It turns out, I love her blog and now follow it (hope this doesn't creep you out too much, Ali). After collecting my intel, I went antiquing deep into the heart of rural Missouri to find some interesting stereocards from the turn of the (last) century and a completed history book with perfect penmanship and tissue paper maps from the 20s (it just refers to WWI as 'The War'). I topped it off with some vintage fabrics I'd been hoarding and then some modern day gift certificates to a local pastry shop and iTunes. Hopefully, it was right up her alley. I would have snapped a few shots if I hadn't been getting my act together at the last minute.

Anyway, when I got my package in the mail just a few days before Christmas, I was totally excited...



Seriously, home-girl combined a crazy, sketched wrapping paper pattern with a kraft and black primitive-patterned paper, tied it together (literally) with a velvet aquamarine ribbon. Genius. Along with a cute tag card were recipe cards (bundled with baking twine) on the outside and upon unwrapping the present I found...a...wait for it...wait for it...mortar and pestle for my collection!


Welcome to the family!