AHHHH!!!! SQUISHIES!

My mailbox was full of them today - SQUISHIES that is... wanna see whats inside 'em?

OK package one was from a quilting friend who is also a previous Jo-Ann Fabric's co-worker. Here are the goodies from her envelope..

She made me a delightful "Harvest" block as part of a themed swap we are in and she made the adorable coaster as well - I love Peanuts. The green fabric is an FQ (Fat Quarter) that is part of a "Sampler's Swap that we are doing as well. I will make her a 12 1/2" block using that fabric as well as some from my stash. She will get blocks back from each participant using her fabric plus fabrics from their various stashes so that she can make a a"Sampler Quilt". We will all end up with a special quilt in the end.

Next package was some fabric that I bought off Ebay. I had thought it was going to be ONE piece that I could make a blouse out of but it's 4 narrow pieces that I will use up in a quilt. I still love it and it won't go to waste but I was a little disappointed.

And to top all that off I got a package from Carrolyn out in Washington State and WOW! Lets start with her Crazy block that I will add embellishments to....

She attached a note : any embellishments (buttons,embroidery,laces, etc. are okay) Please keep colors to cream, white, beige, tan, gold, grey,silver - no colors.
This has pieces of lace from my wedding gown, my mom's, my daughters dance outfits, etc...

All I could think was WOW this will be something extra special. I didn't think to include a note like this but that's ok as mine is color wild to start with (the corduroy block in a few posts back). She also sent her FQ for the Sampler swap (the blue print) and another "Harvest" block for me. I wish the canning hadn't taken me ALL day but I knew it would in the back of my mind - perhaps one day I will get faster at it.

NOW for the cream on top of all this wonderful stuff. Do you remember the black, white and red block I sent out on a Round Robin tour awhile back? Well it came home today as well... and I was stunned... I mean JUST LOOK AT IT! WOW! The gals really blew me out of the water with this one....

 THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I LOVE IT!

Mailing Day

I've got a package and a bag full of envelopes to get mailed today. So some folks will be getting some "happy" bits in their mailboxes soon. I love doing swaps and sending little surprises to people to brighten their day.

After a few hours at work this morning I will stop at the Post Office and mail the goodies and then come home and sew. If I ever get moved out to the bonus room I will definitely look at getting a love seat or chair and ottomen for Scott to sit in as he so enjoys sitting in my sewing room while I am working; says it's warm and inviting and he just loves watching me sew and create things. AWWWW.... I used to have a love-seat but it fell apart and I ran out of room for it in this spare bedroom that I use as my sewing room. This will be our guest bedroom once I get relocated; not sure how long before that happens though.

The weather is a little nasty this morning with a bit of rain and an overcast sky. I'll have to drive extra careful and leave the house a bit early just to be on the safe side. Today is "bonus" hours for me as I was only scheduled to work two days this week. I'm thankful for the additional hours.

Yesterday Scott had a job interview that he feels went REALLY well. If he gets it he will be traveling a LOT overseas as a Buyer. We are so hoping that this comes through for us as we need the break. Got my fingers and toes crossed!

Squishy in my Mailbox and More

When I went out to my mailbox today I discovered a wonderful "SQUISHY"... the best thing to find in ones mailbox. In it I found the small bag and I say "SMALL" but really mean BIG as this is nice and deep and has LOADS of extra pockets. The bag was part of a "Small Bag" swap with my on-line quilting group; I sent 2 FQ's, some trim and closures to my partner, Lisa and she added a fabric and her talents to make me this awesome bag. Right up my alley too... KITTY CAT'S ALL THE WAY! LOVE IT!!!!
HA HA... An Alley Cat Bag!

Yesterday I worked some more on the Batik Quilt and got it all laid out and the rows pinned together; ready for sewing. I got one row sewn together and the rest are still waiting for me. I also made two pillow tops using the remnants from the strips used to make the block units. I will add something to make them a perfect 12x12 pillow. I'm debating whether to keep these pillow tops of a sort of remembrance of this project or to include them with the quilt as part of the gift. I'll come to a decision by the time it's all ready for mailing. I haven't been feeling too well the past couple of days and have been sleeping a good bit - I think the Fall Hibernation bug is trying to hold me down.

Tesla has been sticking quite close to me and cutting up every chance he gets to have his belly rubbed. I think he is the only cat I have ever had that has enjoyed his tummy rubbed. Such a goof ball and when one of us leaves the house he pines and pines and carries on meowing and meowing.

Yesterday morning I had the windows open and the front door as well and I caught sight of movement on the front porch - a Morning Dove was gathering grit from the front porch; not in the least concerned about any of the neighborhood cats. It kept looking in the front door so I grabbed the camera and took it's picture before it caught sight of me.

Goodies in the Mailbox!

I knew something good had arrived when I saw the mailman get out of his mail truck to get something to go into my mailbox - a bright yellow squishy envelope - THE BEST KIND! And it was FULL of TREASURE!!!!!

Diane has really outdone herself! I sent her a hunk of UGLY fabric and she worked her magic and made me an awesome bag with wonderful pockets on the interior and the strap is adjustable as well. The fabric that I sent makes up the handle and the front flap on the bag - see what I mean about UGLY - but it's sure not ugly when you look at the whole project.

AND THERE IS MORE......

Diane also got me in the Fall Table Topper swap and she out did herself here as well. Just look at this beautiful table topper!...