I Feel Loved

I have received the very best presents this week. First off, I wanted to share with you the handmade gift that I won from my friend Clare of selfsewn blog in a giveaway! I picked up the mail on my way to a neighboring town where my son has a lawn moving job. We opened the envelope and I could feel my tummy give a little flip. Nope, not opening this in the car flying down the road. Too special for that!

All the way from England..

No matter how disappointed my son was at missing out, the packaging details were just too sweet to overlook and I knew you'd want to see them too. As soon as I got home and found my camera, I opened it up all the way and. just. stood. there. and sighed. I mean, look at this! Seriously for me? All the many hours of hand work and precision piecing--it's just priceless and I will treasure it always. The little birds? The stripey fabric? The colors? I don't even know what to say other than it's absolutely perfect.

Just look at this bit of sweetness!

Take a look at the back. So silly and sweet. I love that Clare personalized my little quilt. I've been anticipating this gift so much and it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. She has a quote on her blog that reads 'it's not what you have it's what you do with it'. And let me tell you, she does it very, very well! A big Thank You to Clare for my amazing win!! Go check out her blog--all her work is just incredible, always a huge inspiration to me.

I am smiling so very much just reading this....

And then my mom casually hands me this bag this week. 'Oh, I picked up a little something.' She had been to a quilt show last weekend and saw something she thought I (might) could use in my runnings around. Uh huh. It's all handmade to look vintage and shabby chic with several sweet little pockets inside for notions and thread etc. Again. Sigh....

Awww, love the stitching...

I hereby declare it to be my new quilting project bag! Can you believe the details on this side? The bird? The six-sided stars that are on my someday list of quilt projects? People know me so well.

So many sweet details. You would think it was a custom order..

I feel loved. And inspired. But selfish too. I don't think I ever give gifts that are this amazing. I'm going to have to do better, that's all there is to it. The bar has been raised.*wink