fab mail

I've gotten so many fabric-related goodies lately, both in the mail and in person.

A friend I met for the first time last month (though we've been emailing for at least three years or so) brought me this beautiful dishtowel she made all the way from Alabama. There's no way this is going near any dishes or hands, clean or not! I have it hanging in the kitchen so it can make me smile every day, but no one is allowed to touch it. Love those prairie points at the bottom, and the rick rack, of course.

At the same get-together, two other friends gave me an early birthday gift of a charm pack of the sunniest, funnest fabrics. There are bright dots, plaids, florals and stripes, all in summery, citrus colors. Can't wait to turn those into a quilt, a table topper, or maybe a bag...

Linda sent me one of her fantastic mini patchfolios as a thank you for helping to test her latest pattern.

I can't wait to try my hand at making a few of my own (I'm thinking Christmas gifts and teacher gifts for starters), but this one is such a treasure and it's mine, all mine!

There were also a few packages I was actually expecting, like the bundle of vintage fat quarters from Elizabeth. She did such a fantastic job with the swap, I would have been utterly overwhelmed. I mean, can you imagine? Almost 2500 fat quarters? I'm thinking her mail carrier needs an extra big plate of cookies this Christmas.

She even took into consideration the colors and style of fabric that people wanted, and I was sent this delicious assortment of sherbet-y softness. The girls oohed and aahed. I love them all, especially the ones with that little pop of electric sky blue.

Finally, I'd also ordered a copy of Handmade Magazine from Jhoanna, because I just love her little babushka doll that's on the cover. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to make one (or two) of my own and show my support of a talented artist (actually, the magazine is packed full of fantastic projects, I only wish it were a bit more affordable for those of us in the States. I'd like to get the current issue, too). The inclusion of an adorable Peg Bear print was absolute icing on the cake. I can't wait to get it framed and hung, but not in the girls' room - maybe in the hallway, where everyone can enjoy it.

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes, and the concern over the earthquake. We got shaken up, but bookcases had been bolted to the walls long ago, nothing shattered or broke, and the stuff that fell was quickly picked up again. Honestly, my house pretty much looks like a minor disaster area almost every day anyway, so... it was really no biggie. Just a bit of excitement, and maybe a little necessary practice.