this and that

Yesterday my very first birthday gift arrived in the mail! My birthday isn't until Sunday, but Maria must have mailed this extra early because it came all the way from Australia... Look at those adorable buttons! Hats on a hatstand... not sure where they will end up eventually but for now they are pinned up on my inspiration board making me smile. The owl is a sweet cross stitch kit, so cute! And some labels for future quilts... even the card with the bright beach scenes made me smile! Lucky Maria to be enjoying summertime where she is (not that I can complain! It's been a very mild winter in Texas.) Thank you Maria!

Meanwhile, I've been stitching away. All of my blocks (98 of them) for the upcoming block swap are finished, tucked neatly into their ziploc bags. And this morning I finished up the borders on my Birdie Stitches Quilt...

I opted to go with three solids. The big polka dot I had bought was just too busy, so I will use it on the back of the quilt. I like how the pink, lime green and royal blue frame out the quilt. Thanks for the suggestion, Joellen, you were right!

Sorting and cleaning continues in my sewing room. I promise to take some pictures when I get it all neat and tidy. Amazing how much of a mess I can make when I clean. Sheesh...

Happy Monday Friends!