Busy Mailman

It's the eve of my birthday today, and the mail man lugged several parcels down the driveway for me today. The overwhelmed feeling continues. I don't want anyone to feel indebted or obligated to giving me gifts, OK? I love them all, but still feel so guilty to be receiving such nice things! I will post a few here today and save some for tomorrow...

First, though, here is my more comfortable element - I get to show you a gift I made and sent out to Carissa - she was away on holiday for her birthday, but she is home now and has received it :-)

Nature's Alphabet "C" Fob
Elizabeth's Designs
Silkweaver Belfast Solo Linen, DMC Floss

OK... and some gifts I received! First is a pretty parcel from Becky - Becky is always so generous and kind! She stitched me this pretty bunny/garden needleroll, which I just love. And she also kept the theme going with this Sweetheart Tree bunny kit (sorry you cannot see it) and a pretty garden rock that is already in my daylily garden now! She also sent me a very large bag of various tea bags, but they did not fit in the photo. Thank you Becky - as you know, you are very special to me. Becky is one of my oldest and dearest online blogging friends :-)

Then Nikki surprised me with this fantastic little castle ornament! She stitched it over one, which always impresses me. Over one is so much work, and I feel so honored that she did this for me. Nikki wrote in the card that the design reminded her of the SALs we have done... hmmm, she is right! We have stitched Legends of the Dragons and Kingdom Sampler together. I love it so much Nikki, and it is already hanging off the corner of a treasured photo of my nieces on my bureau :-)

And, look at this! Chiara stitched me this most amazing needleroll! It is large and so unique! She says it is a sampler from The Cross Stitcher (UK) Magazine and she stitched Happy Birthday and my birthday in Italian for me! This is so cool! Thank you Chiara! I love unique gifts!!!

More gifts to show tomorrow from An, Katrina, Veronica.... ;-)

And, last but not least... what did I do today? It is HOHRH Monday, of course! So, here you go - more of House 5!!

Oh... and my daily giftie from Mike?? It is hard to believe, as I have not in any way, shape or form followed the Harry Potter craze, but he gave me the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows novel :-) Yes, I will read it, and he wants to as well. I got pulled in, I guess - LOL

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow... ***Yay! My Needleroll Exchange has just arrived safely in Singapore! I will show it tomorrow :-)