Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all and hope that the year has started on the right foot for everyone. I for one love the New Year because it's like starting over again, a new slate so to speak. It reminds me of going into a pine forest after the rain when things are still damp and feeling that everything has been "cleaned" off. Then smelling that wonderful pine scent the trees give off which instantly refreshes and vitalizes me. How wonderful is that? My New Year has started with moving on from the deaths that occurred during December (we had 5) and thinking of getting back to my sewing and blogging (which I will be doing today).

This block  I made for my new partner Shirley living in Ontario who is a member in the IFQ. Shirley sent me the centre square and I added the other fabrics to the block. I have heard back from her and she loves what I did with her centre square fabric.


Secret Santa Swap
I joined my very first Secret Santa Swap. After I signed up I realized what that meant. It meant I had to send something to someone I had never met and knew nothing about. Talk about momentary panic. I did have her blog address and tried to glean some insight reading her blog but that did not help much. So I thought just do your best and keep your fingers cross that she'll like whatever I make her. I forgot to take pictures before I sent it off but I did hear back from Polly at Polly's Porch that she loved her present. Signing up for Secret Santa also meant that I would receive a gift in the mail from someone. It was Stephanie from the USA. This time I remembered to take pictures.

 Stephanie made this wonderful pin cushion from an antique demi-tasse cup. It is the perfect size and colour for my room. It just so happened I needed another pin cushion.

Pictured behind the demi-tasse was a huge candle and a Christmas card that she made herself.

If that wasn't enough she also made me these mug mats from wool. As you can see one is big enough to use as a small table runner if a person wanted to. She hand stitched the smaller mat with a blanket stitch and the larger mat with machine blanket stitching.

Stephanie didn't stop there. She also included a wonderful, big mug and some biscotti to have with my hazelnut flavoured coffee. Such a gal!

To top things off she included some candy cane and tree ornaments (which I put on my tree right away). I couldn't believe how blessed I was in receiving all of this from a stranger. Thank you, Stephanie. When I opened your parcel that day and peeled back all the layers I thought how this kindness has brightened my life. I hope all of you that signed up for the Secret Santa Swap were just as lucky.