Such a lucky girl ! 16th Feb

I have been so spoilt the last couple of days- and havent really come back down to earth. However news of the last week is as follows ,I will warn you though this may be rather long and picture heavy.
On Thursday the holiday makers flew out to Austria for sking for 10 days. There was a bit of a hiccup though as when Graeme went on line to check their flight the day before ,he found it had been cancelled this was with BA .So he was frantically trying to find another airline ,they ended up getting a flight with Easyjet and having to pay £180 extra for the privilege (ouch).
It is -8 out there with plenty of snow!!
On the health front Sue has her appointment for the day after they come back-she has to see an Oncologist.So we are hoping it is nothing too serious.
Jack has to see an Orthodontist today. As it is half term I think Kate is probably tearing her hair out, as she is trying to get her bedroom painting finished before the new carpet arrives today.(The whirling dervish who is Alfie 3 likes helping).
I am still getting pain in wrists and ankles and back now , I will start taking the pills again if it gets too bad,

On Sunday it was as you know Valentines Day and Martin brought me a red rose a box of chocolates (which I really do not need lol) and a card. He said he would do breakfast whilst I showered. When I got to the kitchen this was on my plate.

He outdid himself.
I did make him something ,but cannot show you until later as it is part of the monthly challenge over on Stitch and Stash, so it has to wait until reveal day. I also bought him a box of Thorntons dark choc gingers (his favourite).A card too of course.

Then it was the Big DAY , my birthday and boy what a day that turned out to be.
Without more ado I will show you pics of the goodies I have had.
Martin bought me a watch and an Mp3 player ,I have the watch but the player has not arrived yet.I wont show you pics of those though.
These are just as they come so if yours is first or last they were all wonderful.




This was sent by Karan who made the card too. I was thrilled to receive this chart and when Martin saw it and I mentioned about the special Valdinin threads ,he said I had better order them then as it has to look right . What a man!!!!! SO guess what I did yesterday. I did cheat a little though as it said 3 ply and you cannot get 3 ply in this country. I did see on ANITAS LITTLE STITCHES site though that you can use 2 threads of the 6 ply and they do it in the same colours. Hope it does work as I ordered the 6 ply from Sew and So. Saving myself customs and PO charges.

Next was



This was from Julie and awww the words around the edge made me gulp a bit I can tell you.Have you noticed the "sheep"!!!! The stitching was just so neat , also included was an oven glove (perhaps Iwill have another go at making cake Julie now )she knows how hopeless I am at sponge cakes . I shall have to stitch the design first on it.
Then

From Barbara I had some fabby for backing some ribbon and a needle nanny with flowers on all very useful and the fabric was lovely.
Next

Karen sent me some ornie 28count fabby - lovely colours Karen will have to go look at what I can stitch on them.
More


This was Graeme and Sues pressie they left with me.A Poole Pottery Vase a design I collect called Under African Sky. Isnt it gorgeous. Ella bought me one of my sheep in a jumper unfortunately I have that one so she may be able to change it.

This was from a beading friend who dropped in yesterday,it is made from swarovski crystals and is going to hang on my scissors I think, I have a mobile phone but never use it so I think scissors are the best place for this little cross ,so pretty isnt it.
Are you bored yet ?

This was from Sally ,another one that is just SO neatin her stitching and finishing and she wrote me a lovely little note in her card. She knows I like birds so stitched me this perfect little cushion.


From a stitching friend Anne in Ireland this is a miniature. a little table filled with all the things a florist (ex) in my case would need. Even down to the specs which I certainly need . Very unusual and so delicate. Have to hide that when the whirling dervish is around!!!


This was from Tina who sent me a parcel that contained this ,not only has she stitched this Lizzie Kate design on Sassys fabby (my fav) she had it framed and then not only that she sent me a pair of scissors that she got from yoyo in Japan,and also included a pkt of highlighters. Blimey .This is going on the wall by my stitching chair ,how true has this saying been.


This my dear Mil gave me as she knows I like Jane Austen ,I also ordered another couple of JA bits from my brother as he sent me pennies. They havent arrived yet.

An old school friend gave me a Wh Smith gift card ooohhh books and music here I come.
She also gave me some body butter?and some body scrub? Ithink a new body may have been better. Martin is not too sure about the body butter (due to me getting very hot at times ,the mind boggles lol.

Caitlin sent me over a bag she made me - her first attempt at stitching - she said she did not like the sewing machine so I said she can come and practise on mine.

Kate has sent to The Sampler Girl for some charts for me but they have not arrived yet either . So I will be celebrating this birthday in the days to come.
I have a post script as the postie has just been so thought I would let you see the latest arrivals

I received this morning from Rebbeca
this sweet little needlecase with a hardanger front, just so delicate. Will be off to find some needles to put in it when I have finished this.

Then I had a little packet from Angi with this pretty home made card and 2 sparkly pins they will go in Rebeccas needlecase.Think I have finished Oh no ,but almost.


Even Ollie (dog from header taken on Valentines Day) spent his pocket money on a book for me ( he wasnt too sure about getting me a book about a cat though.

I have one more pressie pic to share and it is this one from a neighbour a glass dish and coasters for the lounge as they are the colours in here.

So as I said wasnt I lucky, to all my friends THANKYOU JUST SO MUCH. you made my birthday so very special and not just for the gifts but the cards that said you care ,I dont know what I have done to deserve it but wow it was a good one.

Now for a couple more sorry but this is my stitchy bits , cannot show you Quaker progress as I havent posted to YOYO yet, but I have started my tusal and that I can show you it is my non Thin Lizzy jar -there is no whisky in it!!!!

ccc
Then my final pic for this time (you can breath a sigh of relief now)

A finish stitched but not put together
Febs LHN monthly ornie done.
Well I hope you have enjoyed looking at all my goodies - I will catch up again in a couple of days . Oh now to go and wash the breakfast pots and get back to normality would you believe it has taken me 2 hours to do this argh !!!!!!!
Hope you all have a good week too leave me a comment if you have time and thanks for looking. I also won something on my birthday (not the lottery) but will share when I get it. I was thrilled as do not have luck with winning things. Anyway take care all
Hugs Barb