More Birthday Treats!

Hello all you lovely folks out there and thank you for being here with me again! I've really been enjoying all your lovely messages, as I always do: thank you so much!

Gosh, it's almost a month since my birthday - I've really stretched it out and it's all been very lovely! Anyway I'm prepared to put it to bed now - I mean, really, I can't keep this up much longer can I, but I do want to show you a couple of the lovely gifts that I received:  

This is a painting that my artist daughter, Melissa, did for me - I do apologise (sorry Mel!) that my photography does not do it justice - it is a beautifully worked piece but I had difficulty shooting it in a badly lit situation, and attempting to capture it without reflections made the undertaking even more difficult, however it does give you a wee look at one of the types of work she does, and if you'd like to see more then please link onto her here! I am absolutely delighted with this beautiful gift and it really makes a strong statement hanging on the wall! Several people wanted to buy it recently when she had   an exhibition and I consider myself really privileged to be the proud owner, thank you so much Mel! xo

My daughter Tracy also gave me some beautiful surprises, among which are this beautiful stole and book (the gorgeous owl earrings are too small to feature but I'm sure you can imagine a couple of very dainty little silver birds perched on my ears!). The biggest surprise was that Tracy flew down from Perth to spend the day and night with us, and we had a wonderful time together with her and the rest of the family down here. Many thanks to you also Trace! xo

Below are a couple of the birthday salads Mel put together - ahhhh, delicious!

My dear hubby, Jeff, bought me a lovely new camera! What a beauty it is, but so much learning I have to do - and that comes after I've become properly acquainted with it .. .. ..  oh yeah, I'm getting there, little by little! They call this a 'bridge' camera - a step up from point and shoot but not quite a DSLR - that would still be a bit scary for me yet! The professional photographers among you may think I'm a bit daft but I am making some progress, and I'm very keen to learn - any advice gratefully received, thank you!

Look at that 50x optical zoom - it's magic!

Here are some views around Denmark that I practiced on, and, I might add, that magpie was soooooo far away and the camera allowed me to view it better than I could with the naked eye. Yes, okay, I am a bit taken with it .. .. ..

I received a lovely gift from my dear friend Hannapat - thank you so much my dear - Hannapat told me she was sending me a little card .. .. ..  there was considerably more than a card when the package arrived .. .. ..

So in that package I found a lovely card with beautiful birthday wishes enclosed, plus that gorgeous piece of fabric - look at that design, I love it; a lovely decorative hoop for me to fill and hang on the wall, and two beautiful pictures to which I am to add threads, ribbons, etc., however much or little I fancy doing. They already are beautiful and I'm a bit worried that I may spoil them but Hannapat's Ma is a very accomplished embroiderer (among other things) so she is going to send me pics of her work which will give me a better idea of what I should do. These types of works are quite new to me you see, and I've never seen any like them in Australia - although that's not to say they aren't around somewhere, of course!

If you don't already know Hannapat's blog, do pop over and have a look, you will not be disappointed, although I'd better add that Hannapat has been having computer problems these past couple of weeks so hasn't been able to post - we miss you lovely!

I really have been spoiled lately for, apart from celebrating my birthday, I have been fortunate enough to win another lovely gift in a giveaway - this time held by the lovely Robin; she's such a sweetheart too so do pop on over and visit with her if you haven't already; here is the lovely tea towel that Robin so kindly sent me, thank you again Robin!

I haven't yet decided what to make with this lovely thing but I certainly can't bring myself to dry dishes with it. Isn't that little bird paper clip so cute - I haven't seen one like that before - maybe it's a Robin!

I haven't finished yet, please be patient and indulge me: I bought some new fabrics with birthday money, some of which is Japanese cotton which had been imported by Japan Made in Melbourne and oh it is so beautiful! I have been sewing up a storm with some of this gorgeous stuff but can't show you until next post as it may spoil someone's surprise! 

The bottom pic shows the Japanese fabrics quite clearly, and if you look to the top left pic you'll see a collection of various designers' work including Kaffe Fassett for Liberty with those two paisley style prints, and the teapot design, all at great sale prices! I knew Melissa would love the teapots so I made her a cushion this week .. .. ..  

You would probably recognise the backing fabric as one that has found its way into several of my little quilting projects here and there! Didn't it go well with the teapot fabric! And yes, Mel loves her new cushion!

Have you had enough? Too long a post? Just a wee bit longer please, after all I do have a lot of catching up to do after slacking off over the past few weeks .. .. .. 

I just have to show you Mel's lemon tree - it is a Mayer and rarely is it ever without the most juicy healthy fruit .. .. .. 

To finish off, something from my garden from a couple of weeks ago .. .. .. 

Thank you so much, you did indulge me right to the end my friends!

I trust you are all well and enjoying your crafting/gardening/house renovations - whatever is keeping you busy and happy - and I hope the sun is shining brightly for you!

Until next time .. .. .. 

sending my love,

❤Joy xoxo