Birthday girl

July is my birthday month. This year, I was on vacation for my birthday (as I have been for the vast majority of birthdays in my life). I've celebrated in a tent trailer, at my Grandparent's house in Nova Scotia, on a mountainside in the Yukon, at King Mswati's inaugural 21st birthday concert in Swaziland [that was a good one] and last year, in my own backyard. We held an outdoor movie night and projected animated shorts and the Muppet Show onto a screen with a digital projector.

But this year we were in Ontario at my parent's house. My two brothers & SIL's were there, my 2 nieces, 2 nephews and mom & dad. It was really fun to have so much of our family in one place, gathered around one huge table for a delicious salmon feast and this amazing chocolate mousse cake:

Not only did my family make by birthday very special, but my bloggy buddies did, too! The very talented 'other Krista' of Spotted Stone Studio way up in Anchorage sent me one of her adorable pennant quilts. I mentioned to her that I wanted to make one to hang during the birthday weeks of my family members. Upon finding out I hadn't yet made one, she did it for me!!

The pennants are appliqued onto linen. I LOVE red, so the binding is just perfect. Thank you so much Krista!!

Now, along with the quilt, Krista sent me a beautiful card. It's extra-special because it comes from another one of our bloggy friends, Amy, of During Quiet Time. And guess what, Amy sent me one, too! With a fabric print as well (she knows I'm trying to naturalize Snow Drops in my front yard with limited success and she also knows sunflowers were our wedding flower - that girl pays attention).

Amy sells her cards and other beautifully crafted items (needlebooks, tea cozies, mini-quilts..etc) featuring her lino-cut prints on fabric in her Etsy shop. Check it out!

And last but not least, this lovingly created needlecase sent to me by Michelle. She purchased it from a crafter named Brenda Geiger in northern B.C. Michelle was our backdoor neighbour years ago and we have reunited through blogging!

Friends really are the best. Thank you girls for remembering my birthday and making it extra special! I will close with this quote off the front of a Leigh Standley card given to me by 'two N Dianne':

"A really good friend" she said "makes you snort when you laugh, and will still hang out with you when you do it in public"

Although I don't make a habit of it, I have indeed been known to snort, and it's a good thing I do have such great friends because my kids will definitely NOT hang out with me when I do it in public!

I think that's it for the post-vacation-goodies reveal. Next up, some of my holiday photos, including some extraordinarily old quilts made by African Canadians (currently on display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto). Yup, I found TWO quilt shows to see!