Monday 10 December 2012

Reasons to be cheerful....

Christmas is on it's way and I'll soon be able to open the lovely package sent to me by Sonia from the Land Down Under.   A land where I know for a fact that bathwater swirls down the plug hole in the opposite direction to here  in Scotland.... strange.

It didn't take me long to rip the paper off unwrap the one package that Chookyblue allows her  SSCS Swappers  to open in advance of Christmas day.    Here's a shot of the lovely Christmas 'Joy' Star that Sonia made for me...... I love it!


Look at the reflection in the glass and you can see the lovely red polka dot back.   It brightened up a really dreary, rainy day here.  This cheery star won't be put away with the Christmas decorations that's  for sure.  Thanks  Sonia!

I'm relieved happy too that I posted off both my SSCS and Christmas Angels swap gifts in good time.



Here are the  SSCS parcels that are speeding towards......... sorry I'm not letting the cat out of the bag.   You'll just have to wait to see if the package lands on your doorstep.   I didn't manage to get a photo of the second batch of packages but I can tell you that they are well on their way to Wendy in the USA.  Phew... I did it!!

Another reason to be cheerful.......... it's my birthday..... TODAY!!



Yes.... the above photo really is me.   Proof that they did have cameras back when I was a nipper contrary to what Chris and Sally would like to believe.  They never stop rubbing in the fact that they are both younger than me.  Who needs friends like that.... OK... me!! 

I figured that this might be a good time to tell you all that this is my 59th birthday.   So I won't be able to claim to be 50 something on my bio for much longer.     Next birthday I'll be in line for that most prized of awards...... the free bus pass!   Not that it'll do me much good as there are only two buses a day through here... one going nowhere and the other coming back.   

As I have reason to celebrate I thought  today would be a good day to have a Give-A-Way...... a sponsored one to boot.  Well.... there is something  slightly 'off'  about me giving one of you a present on my birthday... not that I'm greedy you understand.  

So without further ado.... here is our Batty Benefactress (aka Chris) brandishing the book that she is has very kindly agreed to give away.   Now don't go thinking it must be a dud of a book if she's giving it away... far from it..... she wouldn't part with her copy.   It's down to the fact that strange things happen to quilters sometimes... like they end up with two copies of the same book!  I'm saying no more(!).... other than thanks Chris for donating your 'spare'!  


 All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning the Best of Fons and Porter Star Quilts is.....

 already BE or BECOME a follower and leave a little comment on this post.... that's it.   Simples eh!   

Closing time for the give-a-way is Midnight (GMT) on Monday 17th December.   One of you is going to be seeing stars soon!  

Now I'd like to introduce a new quilting friend...... Lucy.


She's thrilled to bits with her very first attempt at putting together a quilt and she has every reason to be.   I can't believe that she came over one night to find out how to cut and piece squares then went away and created her own lap quilt..... without the aid of a pattern!    Something tells me the rest of us are going to have to pull our socks up to keep up with her!   

I certainly know how to pick my friends too.  You see..... Lucy just happens to be a Firefighter!!   It's very comforting to know that in a case of dire emergency there is someone out there who will save my stash!  

Chez Dimple has been receiving visitors lately.    First came Tilly (soon to have her own blog launch) who came for two days and stayed a week!   Wish I could show you what she stitched while she was here but numb nut that I am I forgot to take photos.    On the day Tilly left she changed the sheets on the spare bed ready for Kitty.... bed hardly had the chance to go cold before she took up residence.

Mac was thrilled with the visitors.   He spent his time trying to persuade them to head straight to our place when the world ends (!)    Told them to bring as many bags of rice as they can grab with them.  Why he would see 'puddings' as being of prime importance beats me.    It seems his plan is to set up a 'Community' here... for survival (his) purposes only.   He's also discovered that  National Geographic is launching a week of Doomsday programs  in the lead up to Christmas  the End of the World.   Honestly...  who needs the Grinch!!  

Back to Kitty.   I did remember to get a photo of her latest project.....



She did the quilting on it while she was here.   No mean feat!    The fabrics are Kaffe Fassett and the pattern is called 'Economy Blue' from his Country Quilts book.   It's a stunning quilt.  Much, much better than the photo shows.   Mac is totally besotted with it so you can guess what I'm collecting fabrics for now...... 

Heck... I'd better get going.  My mum is taking me out for a birthday lunch.  Actually I'm taking her... to her favourite place for her favourite lunch... fish and chips!!   Boy... we do know how to live it up out here in the sticks!

Have a great fun filled week...
See ya soon....
Josie

p.s..... don't forget to enter the give-a-way... you have to be in it to win it! ;o)

26 comments:

Susan said...

Uh-oh. The first ticket never wins. Never mind, I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Josie,HOPE YOU HAVE AN AWESOME DAY AND YOU KNOW THAT I AM A VERY HAPPY FOLLOWER.XX
sorry that wasnt meant to be in big letters.xx

Raewyn said...

Have an absolutely fabulous birthday Josie!!! Sounds like you have been having some fun sewing times lately - and I do like your Joy ornament/gift,lucky you.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

A Huge Happy Birthday. Have a fantastic day and we need to let Susan know that the 1st person can win (I know because I won a FQ bundle by being no 1!) Hippity Birdie again. hugs

Linda Coleman said...

Happy Birthday Josie, hope you enjoyed your day. I follow your blog and enjoy reading about all the great things you get up to, especially the sewing as I don't seem to get anything done these days

Grethe said...

HURRAH --- HURRAH ---
Happy Birthday to you Josie! Glad I`m a follower ... and with a good memory lasting a whole year :)) Enjoy your day with your mum! Lovely KF quilt,bet she was glad she could do the quilting at your end.

Kate said...

Happy Birthday!!!!! Your Joy star is quite lovely.

Alcea Rosea 31 said...

Happy Birthday Josie, the star is gorgeous. I had my 60th birthday last month and I don't feel any different. I am a new follower, although I have been reading your blog for some time.
Enjoy your lunch.
From another Josie

Darlene said...

Happy Happy Birthday - have a wonderful day with your Mum.

Always so much eye candy when I visit you. Thank you for sharing.

Lynda said...

Happy Happy Birthday. I slightly remember 59.....although I tell everyone I'm 35 (with 6 kids older than me and the last 2 getting really close)! I've been a happy follower for quite some time and enjoy your posts. You have a great sense of humor making it always an enjoyable read. Enjoy the fish and chips.

Kindred Quilts said...

Happy Birthday Josie! Just want to say that a bus that goes no where and comes back sounds rather inviting to me... as long as one is able to hand stitch during the ride! Enjoy you 59th year everyday!!!

Gill said...

Happy Birthday!
I'd love to 'see stars'!!
Thank you!

Diane-crewe said...

Happy birthday xx I think you should plan to have a special trip on the bus when you get your pass xx you are lucky I have to wait until I am 66 to get mine!! lol x

Wendy said...

Happy Birthday to you Josie! May it be a wonderful day filled with much love and happiness! May this coming year be filled with many wonderful days of love, happiness and endless blessings for you!

Shirley said...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Josie
Happy Birthday to you.

Hope you like my bestest singing. Glad I am not the only one who buys books that she already owns. Hope you had a fabulous day.

marina said...

A huge Birthday hug to you Josie!
It's only a number as long as you don't act it I wouldn't worry.
sounds like you have enjoyed your visitors staying. Don't know about Mac and his doomsday shows, nothing like being positive is there? lol

Jeanette said...

Beautiful star ornament. Happy Birthday Josie. Hope your day is fabulous. Hugs,

Fiona said...

Happy happy birthday.. . I know I am a bit late but you have a whole year to enjoy it.....

Hugz

Lynda said...

Such a lovely enjoyable read Josie. Happy birthday! You have some very clever friends. Mac's comments gave me a giggle.

Nicky said...

Happy birthday Josie(sorry that bit is late!) Your life is very busy, and lots of visitors of the quilty kind does mean lots of reasons to be cheerful! Love your friends quilts, they all look awesome. Hope you enjoyed those fish and chips.....

Anthea said...

Hi Josie and a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, I'm so glad to have made a recent blogging friend in you!!
I hope you've had a wonderful birthday...
Please don't enter me in the draw, I can't make quilts like those in the book, I'm sure you'll get lots of entries as it looks gorgeous.
Your SSCS ornie is very sweet, I must pop over to Sonia's blog.
x

Unknown said...

I've started to save the rice already for my next visit. If Mac's predictions are right i may see you sooner then i planned!

Kitty

Chookyblue...... said...

lovely ornament from Sonia in the SSCS.......

hope you had a wonderful birthday........sorry I am late.........

Wendy said...

Happy birthday, sorry I am a bit late too! Hope you had a great day. Love your friends projects, that blue quilt is gorgeous, hugs Wendy

LuAnn said...

Happy Happy Birthday to you Josie and many more. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Wendyb said...

Oh Josie....how opportune to drop in to meet you!!!! Happy, happy birthday....don't worry about the number....be proud of being around long enough for it to get larger and larger!!!!! hee hee.....Just wanted to drop by and say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...for the absolutely fabulous SSCS surprises I received in the mail on Friday...sorry for not posting earlier, I had to fly to the city for a specialist appt with my son!!!...I ADORE the decoration and will post about it this afternoon after work....I can't wait to see what surprises the other gifties hold!!!! Merry merry Christmas to you and yours....I'll be back for more visits....Lovin your blog!!!! (you soooo have my sense of humour!!! LOL)
sugary hugs
Wendy :O)
http://sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com