So Thankful!

I have so many reasons to be thankful this season. My family and friends are all such a blessing. Even my memories of the ones that have passed on continue to remind me how fortunate I was to have had them in my life.

I wanted to share some of the nice things I have received recently that were totally generous acts of kindness and made me feel special:

One family member sent me this wonderful surprise package in the mail along with such a nice note. She doesn't have a blog, but said she has been reading my blog. She had run across these fun flowers on elastic bands with some crazy yarn and thought I might be able to find a use for them. The brown ones have been incorporated into my fall CQ block. I am sure I will be able to use the remainder. She also has been making lotions using natural ingredients and sent along a jar of lotion for softening the skin and one for treating stings. Fortunately we haven't needed the one for stings yet, but the one for skin I use every day! I have to get in touch with her and place an order. It came at the perfect time with winter approaching. Thanks Connie! (Yes, her name is Connie also ~ lol)

I am so lucky too to have met so many kindred spirits through blogging. It is such a special thing to be able to share interests and ideas with others from all parts of the world. I really want to thank Jan from http://www.janellabella.blogspot.com/ and share the gift she sent my way. We have found we have a lot in common (especially bicycling) and were actually going to meet last summer when my husband and I were visiting in CO. Jan's mother was ill and we weren't able to, but we do still keep in touch. She sent me the awesome handmade calendar tag and personalized notebook shown below. Be sure to check out her blog and see her other creations. I will treasure this tag well past 2011 because it is a special piece made by a friend. Thanks Jan!

(sorry for the following blurry photo.)

Another online friend is Debbie from Mosaic Magpie. We have been learning crazy quilting together along with Kim at A Gypsy Angel. Mary Anne at Magpie Mumblings and Pam at Kitty and Me have been mentoring us and generously sharing their knowledge and skills and offering us tips. Debbie sent me a packet to encourage me to make a cuff bracelet since I have been talking about wanting to make one. She dyed these pieces to match and the color is gorgeous! Now if I can do them justice. Here is a link to her blog showing the wonderful cuffs she made herself.

http://mosaicmagpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/cuffs-from-dyed-fabrics.html

Just look at all the goodies!

I have met so many others through blogging that I can't begin to mention them all, but I value each and every one of you. You are so creative and inspiring and supportive.

I should be putting up Christmas decor as many of you are, but I feel a need to finish up some projects. I am afraid I'm not going to be meeting my personal challenge of learning a new beading technique this month and maybe not in December either. I have some things I really need to be working on, but who knows, I may surprise even myself. I will make up for it in January - God willing.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.