Surprise in the Mail, Apple Cores and Good News

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Quiltobsession

We came home from the doctor’s appointment (good news — more further down), checked the mail and what a welcome surprise!!

Martha, a fellow Inklingo’er with whom I’ve been swapping pink diamonds for the Snow Crystals, sent me this wonderful string of teeny, tiny lights for the hexagon Christmas tree! I’m going to wash the tree this weekend and then string some lights on it. Christmas may be over — but this is something I cannot leave until next year!!

Not only did Martha send the lights, but also these amazing little decorations — there’s one big gold star that will become the star on top of our tree. There are all sorts of amazing little decorations in here! I can’t wait to start playing with decorating!! Finally, a tree I can decorate to my heart’s content and one that kitties can’t destroy. :-))

Then I find out all about the new Inklingo collection for the Apple Core pattern. I love curved piecing, absolutely love it!! I’ve wanted to do an apple core quilt and I can’t wait to print some shapes and do a small apple core doll’s quilt.

DH’s doctor says he’s 2/3rds of the way to being over the infection. Apparently this particular antibiotic has a very long half-life and will continue to do its work even after he has taken the last dose. He goes back to the doctor sometime late next week just to make sure. In the meantime, he’s going to speak to his cardiologist and see about a referral through him to a new dentist.

Lester, our technology kitty, waiting for the printer to start. 🙂 Maybe we’ll get a picture of him tonight watching the printer print. It’s really quite comical to see. He’s definitely our techno-cat. Loves the DVD opening and shutting, loves the printers printing.

Christmas in July

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Quiltobsession

Look what arrived at my home yesterday! A big box from Lettie at Polka Dot Pineapple — I won her Christmas Giveaway a couple of weeks ago and the box arrived today!

The goodies in that box are, for the most part, Christmas related, but we are so enjoying the summer that the pictures had to be taken outdoors on the roof garden. First of all — the wonderful Christmas tree skirt and the Christmas stocking.

What else was there? Yo-yo Annie (a close-up of her is below), 3 gift tags, 4 wine glass or coffee mug mats, a fantastic pincushion, two pins, a great tea caddy, a fabulous little pillow …

The close-up of Yo-yo Annie. She is absolutely adorable and the detail is something else!

And a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts as well as a tin of butter candy glazed macadamia nuts! What a treat those are!!

And a fabulous little jewellery pouch! It’s wonderful with lots and lots of little pockets inside. I just love it!

Oh, what am I saying? I love everything that arrived in that wonderful box! Just look at all these goodies!

Thank you, Lettie — this was a great treat to open. And looking at all these things you made is — well, I always love looking at your creations on your blog but to see some of them in person is wonderful!

On another note, my Four Seasons Summer quilt was mailed today. I forgot to take a picture of the back. Maybe the recipient will when it arrives.

Lester looking — well, I’m not sure how he’s looking. Pensive, thoughtful, sleepy?

Wednesday Odds and Ends

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Quiltobsession

First of all, a huge thank you to Wanda of Exuberant Color! I won the batik scraps portion of her giveaway a few days ago and they arrived today! They’re absolutely glorious and oh, so perfect for a scrap quilter like me who loves to work with small pieces. I am having more fun looking through these!

I just had to make another of these needle cases — this time with a batik. I love how these turn out, although I think part of my fascination is using all the sparkly beads. 🙂

Last night I decided I wanted to see if making two 6-pointed stars, stitching them together and then stuffing them would work as a little pin cushion. It did! The result is a small pin cushion but it would be perfect for a little travelling stitching kit. I used 1.5″ diamonds, hand stitched them and then stuffed it. It took forever to get the stuffing in — and it was difficult getting it right to the tips. It’s not very thick, but thick enough for #11 or #12 sharps, which are pretty well all I use anyway — even as pins.

This is one side of my little starfish pin cushion.

This is the other. 🙂
Old Red Barn Co. is having a giveaway of the most glorious quilt made with the Ginger Blossom line and an absolutely fabulous vintage sheet for backing! It is absolutely gorgeous!

Jen, at Crafty Giveaways, has a fabulous giveaway too — this time of the makings of a folded flower extravaganza. Gorgeous batiks and 4 pre-folded flowers.

This was Smudge last night — I’m thinking that, because it’s rather hot here, he stretches out of the kitty sack to get a bit of relief. I still can’t believe he wants to sleep in that during the summer, but …

Today’s Mail …

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Quiltobsession

… and look what arrived from Nadine! The wrapping paper on this is so pretty; has a wonderful spring feel to it!

After finally getting the wrapping paper off and then the bubble wrap, this wonderful tote bag emerged! I couldn’t get a good shot of the fabric used in the interior — but it’s fabulous, looks like recycled feed sacks of some sort!

Not only the tote bag — but a wonderful little case made of hexagons that will be perfect as a kit bag when I start Insanity. Much nicer than a plastic or paper box! This is such a wonderful gift! I am just thrilled to bits.

The little flap opens and Nadine thoughtfully enclosed a metallic snap fastener that I will sew on — so that it will hold all my little hexagons safely! :-))

Mail like this is much, much nicer than the normal mail one gets — bills, bills and more bills! This absolutely made my day!

Yesterday was very drab and grey here. It rained on and off all day and evening. At one point yesterday afternoon I looked out (we are so lucky to have an apartment facing out on to the roof garden) and what did I see? Two squirrels cavorting on the lounge chairs! Building management puts out lounge chairs for the use of the residents every year. As yesterday wasn’t a day that many of us would be out there, I guess the squirrels figured they’d have fun and use the chairs!

I know the shots aren’t great but they were taken from the apartment, through the window. I don’t know why, but these squirrels on the lounge chair just made me laugh!

I wonder if either of these two are Sammy’s siblings?

Lester in one of his favourite spots — on the windowsill. He loves watching the birds and critters out on the roof garden.

I have finished adding full stars to the blue and white top. Now I’m trying to sort out how I want to finish the edges before adding the border. I think I’ll add some 3/4 stars to finish it off so I’ll have a straight edge and then add the border. Might have to add a peeper too but I’ll decide that after I get the edges done. I am amazed at how fast this has gone together. Pictures when I get at least some of the edge done.