Joy To My Heart

When life is challenging, it is always reassuring to have family and friends that love and understand you (good days and bad)...and I am blessed with an incredible circle of loved ones.

It was the best therapy in the world to spend my birthday in Florida this year with my mom and Dan, who treated me like a queen and made me feel extra special. We spent the day exploring Silver Springs State Park - we took a lovely St. John's River Cruise in the morning, then had a delightful picnic lunch in the park (and my mom even had a cupcake with a birthday candle for me!). That evening, they made dinner reservations at Jiko - The Cooking Place, a restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, serving African cuisine. It was an exceptional meal - and I was served an amazing dessert (again, with a birthday candle!) - it was Mulva Pudding featuring ice cream and a tuile cookie in a bird's nest-style presentation inspired by the birds of Africa - it was so unique (and perfect for me)! I also received a Mickey Mouse birthday pin and a phone call at the restaurant from Goofy (singing "Happy Birthday to You"). These will all be memories that last a lifetime. This day brought joy to my heart...

...and the joy and healing continued, when I returned home and found a couple packages/cards waiting for me from faraway friends...and I had a scheduled lunch with my dear friend Mary. I had to share a few photos with you - I have the best friends a girl could ask for - talented, generous, thoughtful - the list goes on and on. These incredible women (you all know who you are) make me a better person - they inspire me and fuel my creativity...they lift me up!
(NOTE: It's still all about the squirrel! 😊- insert squirrel emoji here...)

Arbre ecureuils by C en Roussillon
Complimentary design on her blog...
https://cenroussillon.wordpress.com/gratuit-quelques-grilles/
A special thank you to Robin for this information!

....and I have to show you how I use the Moda tins in the last photo (which I ADORE!) - they are both sitting at my sewing machine table where I use them every single day. The long one has the tools to clean my machine (which I do every time I change a bobbin or needle) and the smaller one has my most used presser feet, screwdriver, and needle changing tool. They work perfectly and are super pretty too - they both make me smile. I need to purchase another smaller one (or several in every size!) - I would really like to use one for my project sewing labels....

I also was able to celebrate my special day with my in-laws - my kind-hearted mother-in-law made her scrumptious homemade pizza (it's SO GOOD) and even baked me a BEAUTIFUL heart-shaped cake...isn't it wonderful?! Our afternoon together made me feel loved...

I guess I am sharing all of this because...there is light, even in the darkest of days. The moral of today's post - surround yourself with those who build you up and make you better - those who challenge and inspire you...and those who support you when it rains, not just when it shines...

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.”   -Edmund Lee

Friendship and Fabric

My last week has been consumed with model stitching - I finished up a pair of winter designs for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine...stitched and finished some needlework smalls for an upcoming class...and got quite a bit completed on a model for The World of Cross Stitching magazine. After taking the entire day off on Monday for a road trip with my girlfriends, I have been frantically trying to complete my ever-growing to-do list...but what's new?! I haven't had a single moment of time with my sewing machine, which is making me cranky...so that may happen later today...I have a huge pile of items cut and ready to sew for my Etsy shop.

I did have the most special mail day on Friday...a (complete) surprise package arrived from my very dear friend Robin - Robin is one of those friends that makes me smile on a daily basis, even though she is miles away. Her friendship is a true blessing and (although she may not know it) she has taught me many meaningful lessons - she truly brightens my days with her beautiful spirit. Robin's package included a lovely handmade card...an adorable pattern for cinnamon roll pincushions (which I have never seen before)....and two cuts of "perfect for me" fabric - both with birds, of course! The seagull fabric is Sandy Shores by Whistler Studios from Windham Fabrics (Sue Donnelly, if you are reading this, it brings me back to our drive along the ocean shore and your hysterical laughter as I took millions of photos of the seagulls)....and the fabric panel is Feather Your Nest by Diane Knott for Clothworks. I am definitely looking forward to trying out the "On A Roll!" pattern (Susie C Shore Designs) and finding the perfect use for my new stash of fabric! 

Well, I think I will try to get in that quilting time this afternoon - the house is quiet and I really need some alone time with my sewing machine...my days are just better when I can play with fabric and thread....

Saturday Sewing

What is at the top of my constantly growing "to-do list"??...finding more "me time" to do sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery. Today the ever-growing list of Blue Ribbon Designs tasks is at a stressful high...however, something told me if I took a couple hours off to do a personal project, I would be much more productive...so that is exactly what I did! Today's project combined machine embroidery and a tiny bit of sewing - an embroidered cutwork envelope. This project brought together my love of sending notes and special stationery and my passion for needlearts. The embroidery design is a new release from Husqvarna Viking (#215) called "Hoop! Sew! Go!", digitized by Lena Mattson. I made a few changes in the embroidery design for my project...found a matching notecard to slip inside...and I must say, I am thrilled with the outcome. It felt good to actually complete a project today...and now I am ready to get back to work on some future designs. Find a little time for your own personal project...it will lift your spirits!

Special Delivery

What is it about getting mail...and why is it so exciting to have a special letter or note arrive in the mailbox? For me, a handwritten note immediately brightens my day! My love of the postal note goes back to when I was a little girl - writing letters to my grandparents and family in New Jersey (I have to credit my grandparents with my love of writing notes and letters - I believe they taught me well and encouraged me to send correspondence....and they ALWAYS reciprocated). I am a self-proclaimed stationery addict - always looking for unique notecards, writing paper, and cards for special occasions - I rarely go on a shopping trip without returning home with some sort of stationery. My favorite finds?....a fancy box containing matching notecards and envelopes (envelopes need decoration - that makes them even more exciting). I also have a pile of "tuck-ins" - you know, tiny flat items you can add to a handwritten note....I personally love tucking a special bookmark or a package of needles in with a note. Today I share with you some photos of stationery I have collected...and I encourage you to send a loved one a note from the heart...

....and one more thing today - WOW - needleworkers have got to be the most caring and special people on the entire planet! Thank you all so much for following my blog "journey" and for all your comments and e-mails (and posts on your own blogs). I never expected my writings to be of interest and I am thrilled to have so many followers. You all brighten my day!!