From an Etsy Friend

Sue, of Maddy & Me Designs, was my designated gift giver in the Bittersweeets First Annual Winter Sweet Swap. She made this gorgeous wreath, which I plan to hang in my studio, but am enjoying in my kitchen right now. Ever the ecological gal, Sue uses scraps from her beautiful felted handbags and other goodies, to make wreaths of all sizes. I love the year-round colorfulness of it, and it will always remind me of the great friends that I've made on Etsy.

She also included this sweet little felted bird's nest with two little eggs. According to her card, tradition says that a nest in your Christmas tree brings health and good luck in the new year, and the wreath brings warmth and cheer to all those who enter your home.

That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, just like Sue's warm and fuzzy handbags!

Meeting an Etsy Friend

That's me on the left, and Sarah, who runs the fabulous A Fine Distraction, on the right. We met yesterday for the first time in person. We've been chatting in the Etsy forum for over a year now (we're part of the Bittersweeets One a Day Challenge). I, of course, knew she was a fellow Georgian, but hadn't done the map math and it turns out we only live about 35 miles apart.

I could have titled this Road Trip: Sugar Hill, but meeting an Etsy friend is so much fun! I felt like we already really, REALLY knew each other, so the in person part was just a formality. Her neighborhood was hosting an Arts & Crafts event, so I took advantage of the perfect for a Sunday drive weather, and headed northeast to see her.

I even got to meet her little girls and her husband, and they are such a nice family. I'm quite certain it will not be another year before I see her again!