Hello World!

Hey Everybody!

I'm linking up to Shay's (Quilting in My Pyjamas)
Favourite Things Friday.

I have to aplogize to my good friend, Jeannie.

She sent me the most AMAZING pouch just because,

and I am just now getting a chance to show it off.

If you've never visited Jeannie's creations,

I encourage you to do so.

You can view her Flickr photo's

here.

I bow to this gal.

I absolutely LOVE her.

She continues to be an inspiration to me,

not only because her sewing and crafting is amazing,

but because of her beautiful heart.

I know you're dying to see the pouch she made for me.

Here it is!

And a close up of the most adorable bird!

(get it....singing quilter....singing bird...LOL)

LOVE it!

And here is the pouch inside.

How cute is this?? 

I was SOOO doing the happy dance when this came in my  mailbox!

I always look at  her creations in awe.

She is truly one of my top 5 crafting queens.

Actually, I should call her a Goddess.

(are you blushing yet, Jeannie?)

Thank you so very much again, Jeannie!

You brightened my day more than you could possibly know!

I was also the lucky winner of some

Aurifil thread from Amy's blog

During Quiet Time

Thank you, Amy!

Last, but not least, I have to show you my new addition.

It was only $1 at WalMart.

I couldn't pass it up.

It even lights up in different colors

and sits protectively watching over me in

my sewing palace.

I'm thinking this little cutie

will make my sweet hubby a little scared to come

in my sewing room,

therefore,

I can hide my stash of new

fabric that seems to be multiplying.

Not sure how this happens.

I don't get out shopping much.

But, boy,

my mail man sure keeps busy.

(I love internet shopping)

I hope this finds you well!

Until the next adventure!!

xoxoxo

Cindy

Sad Week

Hey Everybody.

I so apologize for being absent.

It's been a tough week.

See, a friend of mine had the most

horrific thing imaginable happen last weekend.

Her son was killed.

I cannot even begin to imagine the loss of a child.

Her Justin and my Justin were the same age.

Though our sons didn't know each other,

we each spoke of them often through the years

of our work relationship/friendship.

My heart has been breaking for her.

I drove 2-1/2 hours to go to the visitation.

When I walked in, it literally took my breath away.

When my Justin was little,

he used to take sheets of 8-1/2 x 11 pieces

of copy paper, fold them in half,

and make cards for me.

He would place them on my bed

so I could find them when I turned in for the night.

I've saved every single one of them.

On the front would be,

"To Mom

From Justin"

and I would open them up and it would either say,

"I love you", or

"You're the best mom", or

whatever message he felt like giving me for the day

along with whatever picture he felt like drawing.

When I walked into the funeral home,

there were boards of my friend's Justin

showcasing his life.

On these boards were cards just like

my Justin used to make.

"To Mom

From Justin"

I could hardly look at them.

When I saw my friend

I could not hug her tight enough.

I remember the loss of our first child.

I was 4-1/2 months pregnant,

when it was discovered there was no heartbeat.

I will never forget that pain.

But raising a child

and having them in your life for 23 years,

I can't even begin to understand that feeling.

So I've shut down for a bit.

Not for my own pity,

but for the sadness that encompasses my heart

for my friend.

I admire people who can reach out in a time of hurt,

needing someone to lean on.

I'm not like that.

I can't share my hurt.

It's something I have to deal with in the quiet

serenity of my mind until I can grasp it,

deal with it, and let it go.

I had a friend who needed to share with me.

Her heart was hurting and her words to me, with tears in her eyes,
"I needed you to see my hurt."

I truly was in awe at that moment.

That she could be so raw,

so vulnerable,

to open up her hurts and share,

was impressive to me.

I can't do that.

But I am OK with being me.

It's just very inspirational,

and I felt honored,

that she trusted me enough

to be so open.

So I can feel myself coming back to reality,

but I thought I better let you all know

that I'm still here and kicking.

And, as a side note

 I'm hoping, that even though my Justin

will be 23 next month,

I am hoping for more homemade cards on white paper reading,

"To Mom

From Justin

I love you"

Thank you all for just being you.  Though some are my friends & family reading my blog

and some 'virtual' friends I've never met face to face,

you all are special to me

and I thank you for bringing what you do into my life.

I truly mean that.

God Bless,

Cindy

Great Things in the Mail!

Here's Oreo

wishing you a happy day!

She's actually one of our

two barn cats that comes

in to sew with me from time to time.

She's found a happy place

in one of my scrap baskets.

Gotta love her!

Do you love a great story?

I do!

So here's mine...

I was looking in Flickr for some inspiration

and can across this very talented gal

who's Flickr name is Chloeandme.

You can view her photo stream

here

I loved her work so much that I sent her a Flickr message.

I honestly did feel like kind of a stalker,

but now that you've taken a peak at her work,

can you blame me?

She's amazing!

Well...not only is she amazing,

she's sweet as all get-out.

Through our conversations she

asked if I would be interested in a private swap.

Who? Me? Swap with you?

Heck yeah!!!

So....check out the package I received:

Is this not one of the CUTEST pouches you've ever seen??

Here's a close up of the work I love SOOO much

Seriously...

how amazing is this??

Look at all the detail.

She totally puts me to shame.

Receiving this package in the mail

was just as exciting as winning the lottery!

Not that I know what that feels like,

but I bet it feels just like what I felt when I

tore open the package like a little kid at Christmas!

And she also sent me these awesome scraps.

I am still in awe.

And I just feel so blessed!

I cannot believe the incredibly

talented, sweet, beautiful people I have met

through blogging and groups in Flickr.

Every single day

I get more inspired

to try new things,

or perfect what I know I can do.

It's just amazing!

I am just sending off her package today,

so I will post pictures of that after I know she's received it.

Let's just say

that I don't hold a candle to her talents,

but I tried!

:o)

OH!!  And I just realized April 1st

came and went and I didn't post my weight loss update!

March was a pretty good month.!

My total overall weight loss

is now

21 lbs.

SWEET!!!

I hope you find lots to be thankful for today!

xoxo

Cindy