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Autumntime Surprise Project

Autumntime gifts

Autumntime gifts

What better way to cheer up a drizzly November day than to receive a surprise parcel in the post, put together by a kind, creative soul just for you? Well this is just what happened this week, as it was time to exchange gifts with my new-found friend through the Autumntime Surprise Project.

The project was set up by the photographer and blogger Capture By Lucy (one of my favourites, if you haven’t seen her blog then please take a look!). I joined in with the summertime project this year, where I received some beautiful handmade origami fairy lights and flowers, and sent a framed quote which I made just for my partner, Lindsey from My Idle Hands.

This time I was paired with a lovely lady from the North East, Emma Jane, and I received a short email with a few details about her and some clues as to what she might like. She received the same about me. The guide price is £5 but you’re encouraged to send things you have made, or that you might already own, and really just be creative with your choices.

Autumntime gifts

What I received…

I was sent a gorgeous parcel with some of my favourite things inside – crochet, glitter and blusher! There was a really lovely and well-made string of crochet bunting, I’m not sure if Emma Jane made it herself but if she did she is one clever lady. I also got a mini bottle of Benefit Posie Tint – I wonder if she had seen my post about the matching lip balm I bought and Florence destroyed? It’s such a delicate colour anyway and really nice and fresh to wear.

My parcel also included some brill stickers for home baking, with slogans like ‘Baked with Love’ and ‘Enjoy’, and some really stylish gold glittery alphabet stickers too. I can’t wait to think up a project for those.

There was a cute little hand mirror with a bird on (I love anything with a bird on!) and some washi tape. Show me a lifestyle blogger who doesn’t like washi tape (even though I only really use it to tape things to walls, I love it!).

Such a thoughtful and fun package, I really loved it and can’t thank Emma Jane enough. I hope she likes her parcel too.

Books for children

What I sent…

I knew Emma Jane was a school librarian and loves children’s books, and as I love them too, my first thought was to send her a few of my favourites. I am really into vintage Ladybird books and love reading the stories I enjoyed when I was little to my children. This story, The Green Umbrella, was one of the best so when I found it online I knew that had to be in the parcel!

The other two books are ones which I have recently been reading to Sam, my six-year-old. The Dr Daphne and Nurse Moira Stories was actually written by two teaching assistants from his school, so he is lucky enough to know the authors and realise that they have followed their dreams to get their book published. What a great thing to aim for as a child, I hope he is inspired by them as well as really loving listening to their stories. The characters in the book tackle everyday incidents for schoolchildren – chicken pox, a fall and even head lice – and make them things that can easily be solved by Dr Daphne and Nurse Moira. It’s a really comforting read and I hope Emma Jane likes it too.

Biscuits in an ikea jar

The next book, Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage, is a delightful tale of a Pug who sails around Europe in his boat in search of the perfect Christmas gift for his pups. I’ve enjoyed reading this one just as much as Sam, we’re just a few chapters from the end now and I can’t wait to find out what happens and whether the crew will make it home in time for Christmas. It’s written by Jane-Anne Hodgson and the gorgeous illustrations are by her nephew, Sam (great name!).

It’s a lovely story to read at this time of year and has a strong message that it’s not really the presents that count, but your attitude to life that is the greatest gift.

I also popped some biscuits in a cute little jar which I bought from Ikea, for a treat while Emma Jane was looking through her new books. I can’t seem to get enough of Ikea at the moment, it’s dangerous!

What do you think? Did you join in – or maybe you’d like to be part of the Wintertime Surprise Project? If so, you can sign up in December. Just keep an eye on the Surprise Project website for more details.

x Julia

The Green Umbrella

Books for children

Wrapped autumntime gifts

Glitter alphabet stickers

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
    November 29, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Aaah this is SO lovely!! I can’t believe it — I HAD that little Ladybird book — The Green Umbrella — when I was a child!!! I absolutely loved it! I have got to send my parcel off tomorrow — I was waiting for a couple of bits to arrive — but now it’s all ready to send! I wonder if I’ll receive a parcel as lovely as this one? 😉 xx
    Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…142 weeks and 4 days | An Emma Bridgewater Polkadot RadioMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Ah yes one of my faves too! Hope you enjoy your parcel xx

  • Reply
    Lucy capture by lucy
    November 29, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    I just adore this post because it encapsulates everything I hoped the project would be. So much love to you! xxx
    Lucy capture by lucy recently posted…Styling The Seasons November – a month to gatherMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Ah Lucy thank you that is great! I really have enjoyed both time I have joined in and this parcel was just perfect for me! Thanks so much for making it happen xx

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    November 30, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    This is so lovely, I love the fact you have both really thought about what to send. Personal gifts are so much nicer, and things that you know will be loved and useful x
    sarah christie recently posted…Feeling Festive and Cinnamon ButterMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Yes it really was a great swap! x

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    December 3, 2015 at 11:34 am

    What gorgeous gifts, I was very lucky and received a really wonderful parcel too!
    Mini Travellers recently posted…My Captured Moment – Christmas AgainMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kat | Beau Twins
    December 3, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    What a fabulous idea! I think I would be awful at taking part! I love both your gift ideas how adorable. Xx
    Kat | Beau Twins recently posted…For The Love Of Rose Gold – Wish listMy Profile

  • Reply
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock
    December 6, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    Those books are so thoughtful! And I just love the wrapping xx
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock recently posted…Blogger Advent: Door #6My Profile

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