A New Start

I had a quiet birthday today and now feel sad... because I have to go back to work tomorrow - LOL!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who sent me comments, emails and e-cards for my birthday over the last few days! And, of course, for the lovely gifts! I have more to show below - you ladies are awesome!! {{{HUGS}}} to all of you! I hate to even say my age right now, but you all made this much easier! And, Mike took me up to ABC Stitch Therapy today - not as fun as last year when Patti, Barbara and Sara were there, though! I got some stash, and will have to gather it up and take a photo soon :-)

Before I show my gifts, I heard from Jean right before I went to bed last night that she received the FGBB Needleroll Exchange that I sent to her - so nice to hear it has arrived safely in Singapore!! It took 7 days via Priority Mail, not too bad! As usual, I didn't photograph all the goodies I sent in the package. Maybe Jean will put them in her blog at some point... here is the needleroll- the verse on it reads, "The Embroiderer stitches with a golden needle":

The Embroiderer Needle Keeper
Eventide Designs
Wichelt 32 ct Water Lily Linen, DMC Floss, John James Gold Tapestry Needle for embellishment

Yesterday, I received this lovely parcel of gifts from dear Katrina :-) Gosh, I have known Katrina for so long now, and she always sends such lovely gift packagese!! She stitched the gorgeous Opalescent Heart by The Sweetheart Tree for me! Yay! I just love it! And she sent the yummiest smelling soap and such pretty writing paper too! Thank you so much Katrina!!

Then, from the most wonderful Annemarie, I received a book and a magazine I have admired for the longest time - the much coveted Red & White samplers book by Isabelle Vautier and the special edition Atelier de Brodeuse issue of De Fil en Aiguille! An sure knows my taste - I have many ideas lined up from there! And, An says there is more coming???!!!! Oh my!! Many thank yous!

I also received this sweet felt Victorian shoe from Veronica!!! Oh, this is so sweet!! As is Veronica :-) Thank you so much!! I will get a proper thank you card off to her immediately, as Veronica is not online.

And... here is my new sampler start for my birthday - this has got to be the most popular sampler chart right now - Victoria's Quaker by AMAP! I am just loving it so far! I am using Vikki Clayton's Hand-Dyed Fibers set and 36 ct Sand Dune linen (I picked this linen up quite recently at my LNS and it was only marked as 36 ct Sand Dune.. comparing it to fabrics in my stash, it looks like it is Lakeside Linens 36 ct Vintage Sand Dune...but I am not totally sure). Nonetheless, I think it works really well with the colors of the silk. I am trying to do this as a SAL with Karen on Tuesdays - I wonder how her first day went?

Oh no - vacation over for now!!

Stitched on today: Victoria's Quaker