Surprises are so wonderful

I know we all get so tired of hearing all the horrible things that happen when we read the paper or listen to the news....wouldn't it be nice if stories about all the good things that happen got as much press? 

When we returned from the mountains this week, a package was waiting for me.  I was told it was coming, but had no idea what it was. I received this lovely gift from Debbie St. Germain.  It's a punch needle stuffed pillow that hangs that she made out of my Shirley, Goodness and Mercy pattern.  This is Shirley out of this piece.  Debbie had no idea who Shirley represented I don't think, but she's very special to me.  Needless to say, I cried when I opened this special little gift.

Inspiration for Shirley, Goodness and Mercy came from a book I had read years ago, but it is more than that.....my sister, my sister-in-law and myself quilted just about every Saturday at my house.  So, when I made Shirley, Goodness and Mercy I decided it was based on the three of us.  Shirley, was my sister because surley she would make us laugh at something she'd make. (She was not a primitive type of gal at all!)  Goodness was my sister-in-law because she really was the good one.....and me, well I was the mercy because I was always doing something that could be considered "not exactly right" or more accurately "a little off!"

I lost my sister 3 1/2 years ago to cancer so when I got my present it was very special indeed. 

Yes, there are so many, many good things that happen in our world that we hardly ever hear about.  Thanks Debbie so much for your kindness.  I will cherish my "Shirley" always.

   

Fun Pictures

Remember when the Mr. Boo's were introduced?  Well, I just had to share these pictures with all of you. 

The top one was sent to me from Cheryle Harte in California...she made this jean's pocket bag for me as a present and she calls him "Mr. Hugs".........It is for me to use when I go shopping for fat quarters!  Cheryle is a member of my pattern club. She and I have never met, but we've been corresponding for a long time.  She does beautiful work..........which you can see in the parlor room of my website. 

Rebecca Hoffman here in Florida sent me a picture of her Mr. Boo's.  Also a pattern club member she made hers only 3 inches and made it into a pin to wear!  How clever is that? I love that you've shared this idea with us. 

We ran away from home for a week, but we're back and just now getting caught up. 

A lovely surprise

When I returned home yesterday, waiting for me in my mailbox was a package from the Kansas City Star.
To my delight,  I received a copy of the "MY STARS II" book.  Several months ago they put out a notice, to everyone interested,  to submit a quilt that was made from a list of blocks that the KC STAR published over the years in their newspaper.  Back in April of this year they published the first book and because of it's popularity, they decided to do a volume II.  Well, it's out and ready for anyone that would like to order one.  I submitted my Snow Trails quilt made from the snails trail block.  It was chosen to be in the book, which was a delight in itself.

What was fun is that when I was looking through the book I felt it would make a wonderful sampler quilt using all the blocks.  The snails trail quilt I made was from the block they published back in November 1935.   I was born in November - just not 1935!  Isn't it funny how things sometimes work out?

If you would like a copy of the book, you can order it through  http://www.pickledish.com