T Stands For Birthday Gifts (a very LONG post)

 

I promised Sharon I wouldn't open her card until my bEARTHday.  As you can see, I kept my word and then some.  I took both Erika's gift and Sharon's card to the restaurant I chose.

Sally went to the buffet (sorry, that's the only hint you get this week) while I took photos of the gifts.  I decided not to open them at the restaurant and I'm glad I didn't.  Erika's gift was a bear to get into.  You should be able to see the date and time on Sally's phone.  Before you ask, we both LOVED the food where we went.  Nothing but praise for the place, even though Sally drove around a lot until we found where it was located.

Fast forward to Sunday night, and I'm now at my dining room table with gifts galore.  Instead of my spring napkin and place mat, I am honoring Ukraine with their sunflowers.  The top envelope is from Sally, who also gave me a set of very expensive wind chimes.

 

The only postage stamp, a Maud Lewis original, came from Canada.  I'm sure you can guess who sent it. 

 

If you guessed my friend Cindy, you would be correct.  I love her collages and this one is perfect with the washi paper, old book pages and princess phone.

I simply had to show the lovely words she wrote inside.  You are such a sweetie, Cindy and you NEVER forget me on my special day.  Thank you so very much, dear friend.

Next was this incredible card Sharon made me.  I love the fussy cut birdhouse and fence. Everything was colored beautifully, too!  Of course, I had to pull as instructed!

Imagine my surprise when I pulled.  Look at those colorful pots

filled with lovely bouquets of flowers.  This is beautiful, Sharon and I love it.  I should have shown the other things Sharon sent, which included several stamped images I've used in my art this month.  Thank you for your generosity and kindness!! 

If getting this next gift open had been a video, you would have been laughing and growing impatient while I tried to figure out how to open it.  Glad I decided not to try this at the restaurant.  Of course it was well worth it in the end.

First is the gorgeous card Erika made.  Look at that incredible background and sentiment.  The card, sentiment, and "fabric" swatches were all cut using pinking shears decorator scissors.  Don't you just LOVE the detail?  I know I do.  And those buttons, all mismatched to perfection, while the lady had been colored and fussy cut beautifully, too.

Next is a pouch in which to carry my pens.  This could come in handy when I move from room to room with my art supplies.

What could be more PURRfect for a cat lover than these stamps?  As I told Erika when I sent her a thank you message, I think I need to create a cat book!

This red rubber stamp stole my heart.  Not sure how soon I'll be able to use it, but I think it will be soon.

Erika told me this book came from her school when they were throwing old books away.  I KNOW I'll be using this one sooner than later.  What a godsend.

I laughed when I saw this note on the envelope.  The one that took me forever to open.  Thank you for more than you can possibly know, dear friend.  I am in your debt.

 

My final gift came from Rumors Gifts.  I immediately knew who had sent it.  Sadly, more metered mail.

Another box nearly smarter than me.  This one took almost as long to open as Erika's package had.

Inside was this heartfelt note from my dear friend, RO!  

 

Now I have another box to fight my way into!  At least the gift was well packed.

 

I could tell by the shape what this was, as I'm sure so can most of you.

Isn't this incredible?  My very own one of a kind

rocking horse bank!

Of course I had to take a photo of its sweet face.  RO!, I love it, but you knew I would.  This is another incredible gift only YOU could find for me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my dear friend.

Now it was time to put all my wonderful gifts and cards away and put my rocking horse on display.

It was also time to share my T Tuesday post.  Every year I buy one of these chocolate chip cupcakes that have about a gazillion calories.  I had to blow the candle out because the flame got too close to my camera.  I'm drinking some Very Cherry tea from The Spice Merchant and using my new tea bag and spoon caddy I bought when I was there one weekend with Scott.

My cupcake is now in my tummy and my tea is nearly gone.  All that is left is to say thank you again to my friends for thinking of me this year on my bEARTHday.

Now it's your turn to share a drink inspired post.  You may share photos, a place you visited, an empty cup, a full cup, teapot, or mug, movies, postcards, books, magazines, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below, then Bleubeard and I, along with other T gang friends will be by to visit.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that your photos may be taken at any time, not just on Tuesday.  And please check back often, because some are early T visitors and some visit much later on Tuesday afternoon.

I may be late visiting today.  I am taking a break to publish this, then I will be right back outside getting my herb garden planted.