Recently I had a rather significant birthday, and was VERY spoilt!
My lovely husband gave me this beautiful watch—I love it. I was also very lucky to receive a delivery of flowers from him and the girls too. And what’s a birthday without cake? (even if I did bake it myself!) I was soooooo good—orange sponge cake with orange flavoured custard and cream filling !!
Remember my trip to Hong Kong earlier this year? While we were there, my friend and I visited the Jade and Pearl market. Pearls can be bought here at amazing prices. They are threaded onto cheap string, and if you buy them, you need to bring them home, and take them to a jeweler and have them professionally created into a necklace or bracelet with a clasp. As we looked at the pearls I was quilt overwhelmed with the variety of colour and sizes, and mentioned to my friend that as beautiful as they were, I couldn't see myself wearing a long string of pearls—a bracelet was more my style. Between being overwhelmed with a huge variety of colours and sizes, combined with the sweltering heat, I decided not to buy any pearls. Shortly after I came home, I regretted that decision, but I need not have worried! My lovely (and very sneaky!) friend had bought some pearls, and when we came home, she took them to a jeweler, and had them strung into a bracelet. She gave them to me for my birthday! What a gorgeous gift! I love them because they’re beautiful, and hold so many memories of a fantastic holiday with a good friend.
I have a little collection of Willow Tree figurines that I love. The ones that I have represent my journey over the past eleven years, from meeting my lovely man, being engaged, married, having a new baby, toddler, little girl, second baby, and now two little girls. I decided some time ago that I had finished my collection, until I saw a figurine that has recently been released. It’s called “The Quilt”, and I love it, so when some family members asked what I’d like for my birthday, that was my request. I’m very lucky!
Mathew took Lily and Charlotte into a local gift shop, and asked them to look around and choose something that they’d like to give me for my birthday. Lily chose the little figurine with the blue flowers, titled “Forget-me-not” (as if I ever could!!), and Charlotte chose "Birthday Girl”. They are particularly special to me because coincidently (or not?), the figures look a lot like my girls—Lily with her brown ponytail, the bigger of the two, and the little Charlotte figure, smaller, and bursting with excitement and energy.
I was so spoilt with this gorgeous handmade creation from my niece Kaitlyn. As person who makes things, I never receive handmade presents , but this birthday was different! Kaitlyn spend time, thought, and her amazing talent to make me this beautiful journal and sign. Both of them live in my sewing room. The ‘create’ sign sits on my shelf, and when I am stuck for inspiration I look up at it, daydreaming and hoping an idea will strike! The journal is just perfect for me to jot down pattern writing notes as I create, so that when the time comes to type up a pattern for a new creation, I have my notes ready. Thankyou so much Kaitlyn—you are a scrapbooking wonder!
I had seen these gorgeous Matroyshka measuring cups and measuring spoons popping up on a few blogs and had loved them, so when I came across them in a shop during the week of my birthday, I had to buy myself a little present ;0)
During the day I reflected on my life, and all that I had – a wonderful husband and gorgeous girls, great family and friends, and good health. I thought about the great childhood I’d had, wonderful parents, and fun memories of growing up with my brothers and sister. As I felt all warm, fuzzy and sentimental, I decided to share these thoughts with Lily, my eight year old. “I’ve been given lots of lovely presents for my birthday Lily, but what I’m most thankful for is my family, friends, and that we’re all healthy.” She thought about this for a minute, and replied quite seriously “Yeah, those are all good things……..even if you are old.” !!!!! The cheek! Thanks for keeping it real Lil!
Happy stitching,
