This is Christmas 2010, not Christmas in July 2011. Please do not post SS received and sent for Christmas in July to this one. Its too confusing.
Hi Sue. I mailed my secret santa gift on Wednesday. In fact it should arrive today! Nan Weber
TTT so that those of you thinking of joining can see what fun it was last Christmas!
So glad to see that our special elves took care of those who didn't receive gifts. If there are any more who are still waiting I would be willing to send out another package to someone who still hasn't recieved anything. I got just as much joy from sending out a gift as I did opening the one I received! Looking forward to the next round!! Thanks Sue for all your hard work putting this together!
Don't forget to sign up for the continuing Secret Santa!
So sorry my photo took so long to be placed. Here we are, if I can mannage to post it LOL. The most marvelous colourfull bag, scissors and other bits holder, cute litte note book with a lovely little message written in it, and a lovely pen.
Thanks again to the secret Santa elves from down under.
Warm hugs and God bless
Marietta
Im telling you, I am so proud of my lovely gifts. I do know that my ss got mine, and that is also good to know.
Thanks again Sue.
No, Meganne, I didn't receive it but I learnt a few days ago that my SS received mine in time and that's the most important for me.
And I am volonteer to send an another gift to somebody who is still waiting... I just need an adress.
Love
Special thanks to those who volunteered to do another gift run for the people who'd missed out-pity we can't give huge bunches of flowers, coz you're secret, but you know who you are! I wonder if any of those whose gifts 'didn't arrive' had them impounded or otherwise removed from a postal service. Just trying to give 'the benefit of doubt' for some appearing to have not carried through with their obligation. When I mailed something to South Africa recently, it was suggested at my postal office that I not put 'real stamps' on the parcel, as it would then be more likely to 'vanish' for the stamps to be salvaged by persons unknown :( Not sure if everyone thought to send a PM to their respective coordinator when they'd put their gift/s into the mail. We'll have picked up a few useful ideas for future exchanges, with this first experience!
Yes that's a good point you make there, but only the co-ordinators know the full story on the SS's who didn't 'follow through' and at least there will be no 'next time' for them.
I can't help but wonder if some of them may have had the thought::: "I'll see what I get first, before I send my gift"
and THEN they may have been disappointed with what they received so decided not to bother sending a gift.
Just an idle thought, so please don't all jump on me. LOL!!!
Hugs n gumnuts, Meganne
Gee, I hope noone would decide not to send due to what they got. That's the reason for the indirect swap, rather than the swapping each way thing, after all (other than keeping it a secret!). If folks put in their preferences as to what colours etc, I'd hope they'd be pretty happy to receive any small token from another cutie.
I think we are just about there at last! (With many thanks to Santa's Little Helpers around the world!)
How wonderful - that we got some help to make this a successful event - I love it. And it is so heartwarming to know that we have Santa's Little Helpers from around the world, too.
What a wonderful surprize i got today when i arrived home. I had a package waiting for me to open from Australia. Two elves from down under sent me some beautiful gifts. Thank you so much Santa's little heplers, you's are very talented and very kind. I'm just so happy. I got a beautiful green bag (green is my favourite color)plus a fsl ornament, a pen, note book and scissor holder. I'll try to upload picture to show them off ...hehehe
Thank you again for all your hard work and being so kind.
Hugs Lee
What a lovely set of gifts - you are very lucky that SS found you after all this time. Do you think he might have had you on the NAUGHTY list and changed his mind? Way to GO SS!
LOL... i thought i was a good girl :) Anyway if he did, i'm happy he changed his mind.
Wow what a lucky girl you are. Saving the best til last eh? because you so freely give, this is your reward mabey.
OH WOW! Another lucky Cutie.
I'm so glad Santa's elves did his/her job for him and didn't leave you giftless.
Looks like your scissor holder is large enough to hold all your favourite embroidery tools.
I didn't know your name is Lee-Anne, that's really different.
Hugs n blessings, Meg-Anne
thank you , i'm so happy. My granny named me Lee-Anne, she got the name from a t.v show called Romper Room..lol
They are all the very beautiful presents! In the next I want to take part.
I did not receive.
I only would like that the present that I sent, I was posted here.
I think many were registered and few answered here.
Taste very of this joke... I regret not having given luck!
So sorry to hear Dilceia, but you may still get something. Good luck.
Gifts are still being received. Hugs and God bless
Marietta
Que pena, Dilceia, que o seu amigo não mostrou o presente. Quem sabe ela ainda vai mostrar?
Hello Dilceia, I wrote to Sue about your SS gift as I was concerned but she said you were not on her list, so you must have been on the other one.
I didn't know there were two lists????
Who had the other one running?
hugs n gumnuts, Meganne
Meganne, Bevintex volunteered to do a second run when a few people commented that they'd missed the deadline for the first run. I participated via the 2nd run, myself.
Thanks for that, Marianne. Bev did write to me and explain what happened with Dilceia's Secret Santa.
Not that it was any of my business as I wasn't able to participate in either, but I was upset for Dilceia as she seemed so disillusioned.
You all know me by now, I don't like to see anyone being hurt and can't help sticking my nose in.
One day it' going to be lopped off, I am sure. LOL!!!
All's well that ends well and I am assured that Dilceia will still receive her gift from her original SS.
I hope to be able to take part in the next Secret Santa as it seemed like great fun, despite a few hiccups. :-)
hugs n gumnuts, Meg
It's *all* of our collective business if a fellow cutie has had a rough run, I think! I'm glad that some cared enough to chase it up. It would be the very worst not hearing your own gift had been received and enjoyed, I think :(
Hello, hello to the two elves from down under, and what a lovely surprize, when I fetched a package at the post office yesterday afternoon. It was a package with the most beautifull gifts I have ever seen. Thank you, thank you.
I am going to try to post a picture as soon as my camera has new batteries.
It was a beautifull bag, a holder, with a scissor and my name on,to hold all my sewing bits, and a cutest little note book and pen, with a sweet message inside.
Also so nice to receive a package so beautifull on the 27th of Jan.
Hugs to you and God bless
Marietta.
P.S. I could not wait for photo to say thanks, but will upload soon as possible.
Oooh, it all sounds lovely, from two elves you say? Hmmm, mysterious?
Can't wait to see your picture Marietta.
Hugs and gumnuts, Meganne
Anxiously awaiting your pictures. Love seeing all of these, and may give us some inspirartion for next time.
I my Marietta, gifts from 2 elves. It sounds wonderful. will check back for a picture. Hugs Yvonne
Marietta still waiting to see if you have been good. Dont keep us in suspense do have a show with your tell "))
Yes, There is a SS Sue. These gifts are awesome. Something very unique is that I received this SS gift on Jan 25.
Well isn't Cindy a lucky lady, looks like it came from the land downunder????
HNR, Meganne
that's so nice of SS, you must of been a very good girl... they are all beautiful
hugs Lee
Cindy, what lovely gifts and to get them - one month after - is special, too - WAY to GO SS!
I think one of those gifts just landed at Read180's door.
I received for my present a very nice bracelet with some butterfly and a bobin of multicolor thread that I love. I've looked at it with interest before on internet but never bought it. I don't need do it now, my secret Santa guessed it !!
Thank you very much my secret Santa, I post the photo as soon as possible.
I am very happy for you, Sue, and sad for all those who did not receive anything. I think it can happen not to have time enough or to meet a problem and so, not be able to send anything... but it would be so much better to honestly tell it or to do it later.
It's not because of the present value I feel sad, but because this Cutie did not even respond, even with a few words which should have worth any present. In any case,I was very happy to send my small parcel, hoping at least it brought her some pleasure. Sorry for my english, I hope I made me understood because it's very difficult to express feelings in an other langage. Love
My present arrived today. (The post has been terrible here lately - I had a Christmas card last week postmarked exactly one month before!) It is a little gizmo for making Yo-Yos (which I know as Suffolk Puffs) and the cute hanger pictured below on my thread rack where it can watch me while I sew and remind me that you are all out there doing the same!
Great gifts! I remember making yo yo's when i was small. They are so much fun.
Hugs Lee
Sue, so happy for you - that you received your SS gift. Much better late than never - I say - Ways to go SS.
So glad that you got these, and nice gifts. We never know about the mail, do we?
Well - I hope that the late Secret Santa gifts do get to you that are missing them. If they have not been sent - that is a shame. I know that some may be overwhelmed at times, but we all need to follow through with the project.
I never received anything yet, but who knows, we may all still get some big surprizes. LOL.
I did not receive.
So sorry to hear that - I've tried to chase up everybody on my list. I actually haven't had mine yet, but I haven't given up hope!
If it's any consolation, I am still waiting for purchases, that I made in early December, to arrive.
This has been the worst year for mail!
Hugs n roses, Meganne
i think it might have to do with the horrible weather we are having all over the world.
When I opened my Secret Santa gift after Christmas, I realized that I was one lucky girl. As I had divulged my love for angels and Scottie dogs, I was gifted with wonderful angels for my tree and a Scottie made in exquisite FSL. Included was one large FSL angel with the year on her, and a ‘nest’ of pure, white feathers, with a note explaining that the ‘nest’ idea was not complete. I added the adorable nest to the tree top, with the angel perched above it, as though she was standing on a cloud. It is lovely, beyond words, as I hope the photographs suggest.
The Scottie had a rakish Santa hat upon it’s head, and is as cute as any Scottie I’ve seen. All of the other, smaller angels are scattered throughout the tree and make it glow with their beautiful, white brilliance.
My ‘secret Santa’ is such a blessing, and provided me with the most wonderful gifts, and I am eternally grateful. Now I vow to learn to create FSL objects that are closer to the loveliness of my SS. In the past, my efforts have fallen short, and were less than adequate. I shall begin again, and diligently attempt to complete some darling designs, that live up to the high standards that my SS has set. I feel truly blessed, and wish to thank her from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Jacqueline
These are great pictures Jacqueline - I do hope you do learn to work with FSL - you will have fun with it - way to go SS.
Oh my how beautiful - and you just dig in there and learn that FSL - What a lovely SS git you did receive.
Thank you secret Santa, i received a beautiful dishtowel embroidered with a pumpkin theme towel topper and matching dishcloth. I cannot upload as my photos are too large and all i get is a big red X have to figure out what is going on.
I am not sure if my gift has arrived as i have not seen a post. Hopefully it has.
My gift arrived last week, perfectly timed as we only arrived home from holiday the day before. I finally got the camera sorted today!
A lovely hand towel and mylar angel card! The angel is gorgeous. Thankyou very much to my Santa :)
Now I know there is mylar available in NZ - just to find it, I have been looking for ages.
These are lovely - way to go SS.
Just a note - www.heirloomsbysharon.com has a link on her site for the distributor for NZ.
Australia & New Zealand customers can purchase mylar here http://www.kennykreations.com/pro... and here
http://www.kennykreations.com/pro...
My apologies. I had this posting of mine separately. Gift from my Secret Santa that I recieved a few days before Christmas and only opened it on Christmas day(as requested) Thank once again to Sue and my Secret Santa.
Marthie, thanks for sharing. What a lovely gift you received from your SS. Hugs Yvonne
Thanks Yvonne. She was so nice. She gave me something very English to bring home. The toadstool is handmade from English Elm and English Yew. Very thoughtful
I love the bag it came in and this mushroom is such a work of art - I love it - way to go SS.
No, Sue, I didn't receive any gift. I sent mine before Xmas and unfortunately, I don't even know if the cutie received it !!! But, if she didn't, my parcel should have been back home because in France, we have to put the sender's adress and the cutie does not live not so far from me. But I didn't receive it back, so...
Love
I agree with Meganne !So many cuties enrolled and so few answers !!!
Unfortunately not everyone posted pictures in the same place! Did you receive a gift?
I enjoyed reading this and looking at the post and photos. I am sorry that I missed the original post to participate. Maybe next time you have something like this, Please everyone make an effort to keep it to the top of community for a couple of days.
It's a pity more people have not posted pictures of the gifts they received. It would be so nice to see what EVERYONE received but it would also give other Cuties ideas of things they can make/send if they participate next year.
I have found this post truly delightful to read as you can feel the pleasure emanating from each message.
Hugs n love, Meganne
I wanted to let you know i have sat here and read this and truly enjoyed myself. Thankyou! All of you! I loved seeing how wonderful things can be in this world as messed up as it can be! This sharing of joy from secret santas has made me feel the love that was put into all the gifts! my cute family is a blessing and gift all of its own.
A thankful person, Lisa
I also think my present did not arrive, because the person that I took did not post anything.
I sent December on the 5th.
I posted earlier my SS gift had arrived and Shirlene has included my link below but just in case my SS is worried I thought I would say again what a beautiful gift arrived. Beautiful embroidered napkins and the presentation was just stunning. A beautiful ribbon and a personalized tag. It was very lovely. I tried to take pictures to post but my husband's camera would not cooperate. I will ask him to help me when he gets home tonight. To my Secret Santa----Thank you thank you thank you. Becky
Well - if you can get a picture later on - please add it - we would love to view these beautiful embroidered napkins. *4U Way to go SS
I am beginning to think that the gift I posted has not arrived :( as I have seen nothing here. Other parcels sent out at the same time to family have arrived. I will patiently keep watching this space.
Your secret santee was away from home over Christmas - might explain the delay in posting a message.
Came back from our Christmas Vacation in Texas last night. Went to the Post Office to get our mail today. My Secret Santa Gift has arrived and was waiting for me. The person who got me has a creative sense of humor, LOL! She used popcorn as packing peanuts, love it! And so will my chickens tomorrow, lol! I received some towels to embroider on, a screen print with butterflies, a wire bound Christmas Journal and a cat tin with blank cards and matching envelopes. The tin is my favorite,the lid doubles as a picture frame (for pics of my grandchildren of course) The kittens cards & envelopes are so cute! almost to cute to use, lol! Thank you 'cute' Secret Santa from Atlanta Beach N.C.!
You did get some lovely gifts - worth the wait - I would say. Way to go SS.
I just want to say that I really liked this event - I felt that it really brought the CUTE family together and made us closer and made the miles from around the world feel more like miles across a river and through the woods. Closing in on the miles - draws us together as a family and shares our love for one another.
Thank you to my secret santa for the beautiful angel ornaments I love them. Sorry I dont have the pictures. But they are beautiful.
That is great Melita, angel ornaments are always nice to have and receive. Way to go SS.
well I did not participate the secret santa. but I wanted to give each of you a lot of compliments. The gifts are lovely: great job!!and a lot of compliments for Sue for all the organising. hugs and * for you all!
Here is my SS gift - so generous - she included a gift certificate to Embroidery Library!!
One of my SS gifts, How did my SS know i LOVE bags, i just love my gift, Tjere is a sunglasses case which is very handy for me, a tissue holder, always looking for tissues and a key holder which i use to store my usb"s in. The bag has pink lining with POCKETS all the way round and a pink and black flower on the front, . Thank you SS I hope you recieved as stunning a gift as i .
The BEAUTIFUL STUNNING GEORGOUS DELICATE BREATHTAKING FSL Angel with Merry Christmas on theribbon scroll what can i say , Well I think I have already said it. My gosh it took my breath away. Again Thankyou to my SS and to Sue who organised this lovely gift idea, Looking forward to doing this again next year. Many thanks and Happy New Year to all :)
Wow, what lovely bags - one for every need and lovely fabric and I lovely angel, too? She is pretty - how big is she?
Shirlene she is 4.5" wide x 7" long. Going to make a nice tree topper next year .
Those are great - so glad that you posted. I love seeing all that was sent - can't wait til next time.
This is amazing and I am so happy to see so many happy people from the site. Will we do this again?
I will not know when or if I got my Secret Santa gift until after Jan 10th, so I will not be able to post until after that. I did not recieved my gift by the 22 and we left for a trip and won't be back until the 10th. I see lots of lovely gifts, I hope my secret santa person is not to disappointed in what I got for them. They told me very little about themselves and did not have anything posted about them on her page.
The fact we took part and even exchange something was enough for me. I am sure your recipient was very happy.Made me feel closer to everyone here.
We will wait to see what you got and never worry about what you sent to another - it is the giving that matters more than you can even imagine - when you receive something from another CUTE family member - it just makes the world smaller and it feels like LOVE. *4U
Posting this Secret Santa gift on behalf of Stella (theduchess). lucky lady!!
Thank you, Meganne, just wanted everyone to see all the beautiful work that my Secret Santa did for me.Thank you Secret Santa I loved it.Stella
Those are beautiful, you got a SS who even knew you loved that song! Very pretty colors!
Thanks to all for sharing there Secret Santa Gifts.
Sorry that I did not see the post in time.
Hope to take part next time.********* 4 all
Hugs Yvonne
I have just checked all the gifts that were received. thanks again for posting. hugs Yvonne
I have recieved both my SS gifts as i did both Sues and Bevs.I am sorry but i cannot upload pics till i return home next week, I recieved the mod=st beautiful black & white with pink trim Bag, a matching glasses case that was great a sml tissue pack holder and a keyholder which i use for my memory sticks, This gift came from Western Australia. Thankyou SS i just love them.
Then my next was from Gladstone in South Australia. I Simple Stunning FSL Angel a beautiful tree topper.I am sorry that at this stage i cannot share, so when we leave soggy Qld in the new year i shall post, Thankyou to my SS :)
Pauline do not forget to post when you get back and are dried out from all the rain here in Brissy.
Pauline, they both sound lovely - can't wait to see the post in the New Year.
A big THANK YOU to my secret santa,i received this lovely mobile phone holder.
And a big thank you to Sue who organized the Secret Santa.
Cannot wait for the next one.
Hi cuties, Here is my SS gift a beautiful Birthday book Thank you SS, each day has a note on who you are like if you are born today 28 Dec (you are energetic,shrewd & Diplomatic) and more, also has Meanings of Birthstones & Flowers, Wedding Aniversaries...I really love it...I have been trying to upload photos but with the awful weather in Brisbane at the moment my phone line keeps dropping out as does internet...but finally today seems ok....Sally
I forgot to say Sue please organise one maybe for easter we could have a secret bunny or rabbit...thank you it wonderful!
I agree another one would be great, maybe xmas in July, Thank You to both Sue and Bev.
I have had a blast just looking at it all ! some talented folks out there!
My secret santa gift was perfect. It's a tall coffe mug and inside it had flavored teas, coffee, cocoa mix, a candy cane and a choc. dipped spoon. It is now my chai latte mug and will make it's home in my sewing room. Thank you secret santa! Carol
Thanks to my secret santa for a beautiful note book and pen. I never buy nice things for myself. Also a great little tape measure that winds in and out wen you turn a little knob. I can see this getting a lot of work. Thanks again. I will try to uploa.d the photo
Gayle, this is wonderful - you will get great use from these - way to SS.
Thank you Secret Santa. I was overwhelmed with my gift. Well for gift read gifts. Apologies but I have found my camera is still at my daughters and I have not been today.
The gifts were
1 A beautiful fsl bookmark in a rose pink of 5 hearts
2 A in the hoop container of wet wipes. There is a lovely design embroidered on it. There is also a zip so it stays closed
3 A packet of Schmetz ball point needles
4 A packet of fabric grips for using with a ruler. I have never seen these before
5 A pair of socks with a scottie dog on and the socks are a red colour
6 A shopping bag. This is amazing as it is a denim wallet with a cat embroidered on it. When the zip is opened there is a bag inside and the denim outer becomes the base of the bag.
THANKS SANTA & SUE for arranging the fun we have had
Caroline, thanks for giving a detailed description - we will forgive you for not having your camers. Way to go SS.
Thank you to my SS. I received the most exquisite fslace butterfly stitched in lilac and gold, and 3 tiny angels. My angels are in my purse, handbag and car so I am watched over wherever I go. My butterfly sits on my spool stand my son made me for christmas. The picture does not do this work of art justice. Helen
I received a lovely hand towel and tea towel, both with beautiful designs I'd not seen before. Thanks SS, I love them both and both will be well used.
I love these gifts, so does my 4 year old granddaughter she especially wants the cushion, Thank you Santa
Jayce what lovely gifts & I am assuming blue is your favorite color? WAY to go SS.
Gorgeous!! Stunning unicorn, someone's obviously been shopping at EmbLibrary!!!
Love the Blues.
I guess my SS gift has been delayed by the Post Office. I am waiting anxiously to see what I am getting. Hugs to all.
Cindy B
It will come and then you can share it Cindy - you will have two Christmas' - hehehe!
I just logged in - Merry Christmas everyone. My Secret Santa sent me a hand embroidery hoop that is covered in a lovely blue fabric and it has a laundry line and "Daily Laundry" embroidered on it and a string with little clothes pins across the bottom. And, attached to the clothes pins was a generous gift certificate to Embroidery Library!! I was blown away by this very beautiful, personalized gift and generous gift - thank you - thank you!!! Hugs, Laura* I want to know who give me this wonderful gift!!
I did not receive .
My larger present, it was to receive our friend Neuza, here in my house... Hehehe!
Here are the other's that I could find - sorry - if I missed any.
it might help - the ones waiting to hear if their packages were received and also for those that posted eariler.
Here is one - I found in PROJECTS, too:
http://projects.cuteembroidery.co...
Thank you Shirlene for taking the time to list all of these links. Sorry I was so late in posting, but will try to do better next time.
Sue - thank you so much for arranging all of this. I think that we all had fun with this. I am going to try to upload the pic of the beautiful little angel that I got. She went over very big at gift opening, and even my grandson was checking her out. This little cutie is made of beads, and pins - such a talent to do these. Special Hugs, Secret Santa - all I know is that it had an Alabama address. LOL
My Secret Santa Sent me Two BEAUTIFUL kitchen towels embroidered with the most lovely hummingbirds. Absolutely stunning!
Thank you Sue for arranging this.
Anyone for Secret Leprechaun!???!!
... Secret Easter Bunny ...lolol :) !!!
Sandy, how wonderful - do you have pictures? WAY to Go - SS
Thanks!
Hehehe! We could get into this gift giving - couldn't we?
I heard Cupid's arrows buzz by also.And of course We all are Irish in March.Love it all.I'm ready for spring! He-He!
duchess, I PM'd Sue a few days ago requesting Valentines too. hehehe...This is so much fun.
Thank you Sue for arraning this for all of us - what fun it was and we shall be doing this again - I am sure of it.
My SECRET SANTA went overboard for me - I received a lovely embroidered Wall-Hanging with JOY and pretty stars and a little bird with embleshments of crystals and paints; a pretty card signed with a lovely Santa Hat; a little Peppermint Scented Candle that was wrapped with a mouth blown glass Christmas Bear; a huge Chocalate Santa; and a lovely heart shaped cut-rose candy dish with chocalate candy kisses. THANK YOU Secret Santa.
I received lovely ornaments, fsl stars and angels..and also an absolutely beautiful, table runner..double sided...It is on my table right now..It is just wonderful and I can't say thank you enough..I will use all of my goodies for years to come..Love, Hugs, and Blessings..This has been such a pleasure and hope we do it again next year..Thankyou sooo much to My very wonderful Secret Santa!! I cannot upload any photos as something is wrong with my sd card or computer..:(
Sorry ladies, but I think I am going to have a after Christmas delivery. I also think quite a few will, as I know for a fact post was delayed everywhere.
Thank you Secret Santa... I got a pretty little ceramic lady holding sugar and a nice card.The lady will hold t-bags nicely. She is vintage and made in USA. Thank you. I hope your Christmas was a blessed one.
She looks like she may be a collectible of "Gone with the wind". Very pretty.
You may be right Kate. She does look like part of a collection of "Gone with the Wind".
What a beautiful collectible! I think I'd be tempted to make the basket into a pincushion so I could keep her beside me all the time. :-)
Hope everyone can appreciate the work done for the Secret Santa.I enjoyed being a part of it.This is the gift I received.Beautiful embroidered napkins(emerald green) with the lyrics to As time goes by from my all time favorite movie,Casablanca.Even the bag is beautiful, has an embroidered Santa pull. I plan to carry the little bag in my purse to carry my little camera.Thank you Secret Santa I loved it.Stella
Tried to upload pic but got error message.
Try making your pic a little smaller in photoshop or whatever site you use.
Stella, do you use an Mac? My pics from iPhoto are also too big to upload them here so I make an email with the big size and pull this picture from the opened mail on my desktop. From there I upoload it and that size the system does accept ;o)
Greetings, bettina
I also use a mac and opens all pictures in preview and save them making them smaller at the same time. I normally do a quick save on the desktop and remove thereafter.
Sorry I have tried to make it smaller even sent it to my email(juno resizes)
but it did not work. Maybe my neighbor can help me later.
Stella e Bettina, All photographic camera has resolution for internet, it is alone to change the resolution.
Hi Stella, If you send me your photo and I will upload it here for you. melide_menschen@yahoo.com.au
hugs n roses, Meganne
Meganne graciously has offered to correct my picture size. This way everyone cane see my Secret Santa gift. I really appreciated the beautiful work and the thought she put into it. I am grateful for all my friends I have here. Stella