I can tell you my languauge was far stronger than my title after I received an email from Kath Poor Kath was my secret partner for the SBEBB Autumn Exchange, and I stitched her this SB - Autumn Fob, filled it with stuffing and added less than a teaspoon of lavender in it and duly sent it off to New Zealand - Never thought about the lavender in it at all, well the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in New Zealand have siezed the fob, they've given Kath everything else that was in the parcel, but not the fob and she will either have to pay something like 39dollars to have it heat treated or 79dollars to send it back to me or pay nothing and it gets destroyed, Poor Kath is as upset about it as I am. I have offered to stitch her it again but I haven't any of that particular trim left which matches the scissors I got for it perfectly so it will look a bit different.
Moral of the story, in future Su, check the country you are sending too allows for lavender flowers before adding to exchanges.
29 comments:
Ouch...that's a bummer! It's such a lovely fob too...darn it!
Your fob to Kath is very pretty, it's unbelievable of the MAF to charge those prices to do something about it and unbelievable that it's a small amount of lavender thats caused all the hassle. I wonder what it is about lavender going to another country?? Just curious as I'd like to know :-)
Oh my goodness, what a horrible end to such a beautiful fob. I'll just bet a whole lot worse gets through with no problem.
Margaret
This is so heartbreaking and maddening!! It's such a gorgeous fob. *Sigh*
Are you sure they thought it was just lavender? That really stinks that they made such a fuss.
I remember sending 'playing cards' to Canada and they opened the package (eBay) and my customer got peeved.
Oh, it is grogeous too!!! I am doing my darndest to get them to remove the stuffing, have sent them a fax and will just have to wait and see. Gosh, look at all the work in it too. It really is a beautiful wee fob and I just love the colour of the binding, it is on of my favourite colours so I really want this one. You do not have to stitch another Su, you are just too kind. Thank you for posting the pic for me.
The prlem with the lavender is that it is a herb and could contain bugs I think.
Reckon I might need a BIG glass of wine after the week I have had...
Cheers
Oh, this is too awful! It's a good reminder to all of us exchangers to check what is allowed into other countries (something I never think to check!).
I feel so badly for you Su. That scissors fob is so gorgeous! Hopefully Kath can get something worked out...
Su,
I could make you a matching cord if you send me some thread - Helen has my address.
It is because the lavendar may contain insects or insect eggs that the customs get funny. Some countries such as Australia do not have woodworm and obviously they have to be careful what arrives in the mail.
I love SB's designs. Your fob is gorgeous!
Thanks for warning us, Su. I would never, ever had thought something like this could happen. Is lavender an illegal substance? Tsk. Well, anyway, I'm sorry your lovely fob is lostt, but at least we can see from the pictures that you did another marvellous job. Beautiful!
Oh no! What a shame Su. Sounds like more ridiculous bureaucracy to me - what possible damage could a bit of dried lavender do??
THat is terrible! I never would have thought twice about sending something like that. It's so pretty too with the purple trim.
That's a real shame Sue but unfortunately both Australia and NZ are really strict about letting any outside vegtable matter into there countries just in case they contain any pathogens that could damage the indiginous plants. I remember at the Athens olympics there where lots of debates about whether the athletes from down under would be able to take their olive wreaths back with them.
Oh No,how sad,I wouldn't have thought about it either.Hope something is worked out and your stitchng isn't lost forever.
Oh wow Su, I just am shocked that they would do this. It is so obvious that it is not like you are sending marijuana or something!! Also it is obvious it is a gift stitched for a friend. Why do they have to be so expensive about getting it resolved. I am so sorry for you and your friend. Just more red tape from the government!! Debby
argh!!!! What a horror!!!!!
Do you know if the UK allows lavender to be shipped in like this???
That is too sad! I would never have given it a second thought either. But it was a beautifully finished fob at any rate ...
Oh Su how annoying. Hope Kath enjoyed the other contents of your parcel.
Hugs
It's a beautiful fob and such a shame. And I'm sure a lot of stuff comes into the country because people don't say exactly what it is on the customs slip. I can understand it but it's very frustrating :( {{{Hugs}}}
Oh my gosh! I am willing to pay the $39 to have it heat treated so that she can have it - seriously!!!!!! I will have to go and look for her email address!
It's an horrible story...
It's more and more difficult in France,to send our small embroderies as a letter!
How upsetting! It is such a gorgeous fob!
Oh no! This is the most lovely fob! I can't believe these stupid regulations will have it destroyed. Weeping...
I'm so sorry Su.
Take care!
Oh no! This is the most lovely fob! I can't believe these stupid regulations will have it destroyed. Weeping...
I'm so sorry Su.
Take care!
What a beautiful fob, and I can't believe your friend can't get her hands on it.
That's a bummer. What a hard way to find out. It was a pretty fob too.
Oh, I would have said something harsher!
I'm sorry about the misunderstanding with customs. I never would have thought about something like that!
Hugs...
Awww, that's so sad. It's a good bit of information to know, though. I wasn't aware of anything like that. It's a beautiful piece, too!
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