before i started reading blogs, i used to entirely pooh-pooh the idea that online dating could ever work: how could you possibly get to know someone if your only contact was through messaging and emailing? hrumph, said my inner, cynical self.
well, since entering the world of blogging, i have changed my tune: i now believe that yes, over time, you can get a fairly accurate and true sense of a person’s personality via their online sharings, communications, and writing style.
i really like the blogs that i have in my current rotation! i visit my favourite blogs three times, twice daily - and after more than two years of this routine, i do feel like i *know* these girls!
back in august, janae had the cutest little girl (baby brooke). janae has the best sense of humour (see yesterday morning’s post as an example), and i appreciate her love of her family and her enjoyment of running. her blog is among my very top picks.
then, just on september 7th, kath gave birth to mazen, a sweet baby boy! what exciting times in the blog world!
for some reason, i got the distinct vibe that i would like to celebrate each of these births with the new parents [i know myself: when i keep getting a recurring thought to do such-and-such, i really should just follow through]. so i decided to put together little gift packs [r.a.o.k.#3 was very similar - i gave my second cousin a "welcome, baby" set of presents. i like to mark happy baby occasions!!]. putting together unexpected surprises is much, much fun.
in terms of getting the packages to kath and janae, i knew i could send kath’s to her husband matt’s bakery in cville, va (the address is on the bakery website). i emailed janae through the “contact” button on her blog, and received the warmest reply back just a couple hours later. cool! time to put my plan into action!
i decided to send both janae/brooke and kath/maze a sweater from my handknit/personal design collection:
unique creations – i didn’t even record a pattern for the colour combos…
for brooke – a variety of bright colours!
for maze: hand print buttons, all different colours!
and i added a little something for the parents:
kath appreciates the “eat local” philosophy: apple butter from our nearby town of wellesley!
janae is a candy connaisseur, so two items that are uniquely canadian (president’s choice brand chocolate and smarties!)
all boxed up…
a little running humour for janae with that running recovery brew box!
…and ready for the post office!
(i added the addresses post-photo!).
safe travels, little boxes!
[sidenote, just to clarify: my motivation in completing this project was purely for the joy of planning out surprises; i am not trying to get exposure for my blog, my knitting or myself! babies + gifting is an act that makes me happy!].
how many blogs would you say you read iin a day? i find i have to put limits on my blog-perusing time or it could be a full-time commitment!
Comments
Cathy, how sweet of you to share your amazing gift of knitting with the new little ones! The sweaters are So cute!! Lucky little monkeys!
fran, would you believe that i already heard back from both kath and janae – they rec’d their parcels and were most gracious in passing along their thanks! so sweet!
Those sweaters are just adorable! I’m sure they were fun to make, too…
That is really sweet of you and I’m sure your beneficiaries will be blown away by the sweaters and the gesture!
thanks, zo! i just really like planning surprises! i’ve made that pattern so many times that i don’t have to think too much and can be creative with the colour combos!
What a nice person you are Cath! And those sweaters – wow. They will be the best dressed babies!
thanks, stacie! the pattern is tried-n-true as the nieces wore similar sweaters!
Those are the cutest sweaters! What a thoughtful thing to do!
thanks, tricia! i LOVE making baby and children’s items – i can’t design/get inspired for adults, but i can for kids?!!
Oh my these sweaters are beautiful. I almost (ALMOST) makes me want to have another baby just to get one of these to put on the little tyke!
I wonder if this gifting is a knitter’s trend? My dear friend in Connecticut has offered to knit something for each one of her closest friend (me included!!!) and she says the same thing you do. It makes her happy to knit and gift.
What a wonderful thing to do!
kim, i LOVE your friend in connecticut’s r.a.o.k. plan!! that is so super cool!! i know of someone who made sweaters as a wedding present for a couple getting married…i always thought that was a neat idea, too. btw, i just love to knit, so if you ever see a sweater pattern that you like…let me know!