My birthday goodies

I thought I would share some of the wonderful gifts I received on my birthday. Although I took BOTH cameras with me, I took NO photos of anyone or anything on my birthday. So what you see is what I GOT!


Useful gifts are my forte, so this small travel holder may be the trick to keeping rein on the mess on my desk. I've tried to clean the circular holder in the past, but once I use something in it, it is messy again. So, will giving up the rotating aspect be enough for this new holder? Although I love how the old holder goes round and round, I think this new holder will be nearly as handy, and probably more efficient.


And here it is, all filled with everything in the rotating container, except for a couple of bamboo skewers that I worried might put my eye out (just joking). And there's room for more goodies, too. Next to it is my new battery powered OTT light which has 30 LEDs. Both of these gifts were given to me by my neighbor Sally. She is such a sweetie.

Dana gave both Kathy and me (because Kathy's and my birthdays are only 11 days apart) each a lovely wall hanging she made. I was more impressed with the background than the face, I think. I love the background techniques she used.


On Saturday morning, my friend Billie arrived with her dog and a bag of goodies for me. After she and Bitsy left, I began putting everything away.


Billie admitted that she was simply giving me things from her sewing room that she no longer wanted or would ever use. Fabric and a shower cover (the lacy piece) were on top.


Look at this lovely mess! Rick rack, lace, bias tape, zippers, and a music box were all revealed after the fabric (from above) was removed.


It took almost an hour to go through the bag and put everything away. But I finally got everything put in its place.


It occurred to me, as I headed to my neighbor Sally's house on Sunday to help her put a bed together, that I had not shown the completed porch.


And although I didn't expect it, on Saturday, a couple of painters showed up to scrape the house paint. They will be back this week, as will the people who will replace the gutters. Apparently there is some order to all this. And again, I don't pay them till the job is completed to my satisfaction.


But right now, I'm thrilled with what the painters have done. I hope your day is as wonderful as mine was this weekend. I forgot to mention that I ate cake and ice cream compliments of Kathy, who brought a cake and bought ice cream at the market. It was wonderful.