My first quilt!

I can't believe I finally finished this little quilt! It took me an entire week, but I feel proud of the accomplishment. This quilt came in a kit with all of the pre-measured fabric and directions. I still needed to do all of the cutting, which was good practice. My mom waited until the very last minute to break the news to me that the back of the binding is hand sewn. ARGH! I am such a terrible hand-sewer. It was good practice, though and I'm committing to practicing the blind stitch on anything laying around to get better.

My mom really helped me understand the directions and various steps so that I feel confident to take on another quilting project on my own. My mom went home today to the Seattle area. It was very sad after having her here for two months, but It's also a good thing because it means I'm feeling much better. Next time she's back, it's to do more projects together and, of course, to enjoy her grandson as she always does with such enthusiasm.

Also this week...

I finally learned how to burn a CD (sad, I know) so I had to make CD covers for some gifts I wanted to give. Kandyce--thanks for this idea of sliding a piece of cardboard into an envelope. I then cut the side to fit the Cd and used Modge Podge to reseal the side. Then, I just found scraps of paper around to decorate with. I really need to take a picture of the one Kandyce made for me--it's decorated with handmade paper and a pressed leaf and is beautiful!

A week of Gifts....

I have to tell you about the very special gifts I received this week. Actually, the bees wax ornaments you see above were given to me a few weeks ago by Garden Mama. Aren't they so sweet! I need to add some color to this tree--really a Rosemary Bush--but first I need to save it from dying. My husband and I traumatized it by moving it into this giant pot. Please make it to the Spring so I can move you outside! for some reason., I'm good with my outdoor garden, but I kill every plat that comes into this house.

In the same package, Nicole at Garden Mama also included the lovely postcards that are now available here on her blog. You will look at these postcards everyday, I promise, and will have to force yourself to think about giving away. I just want to frame them and put them all around the house.

The biggest gift of all this week was a new site that Garden Mama (and sneaky Kandyce) set up called The Wellness Tree. It's a site that is bringing mamas together to send me love and support while I face my current treatment and future with cancer. I can't describe how much this site means to me and my family---it's just a simple, yet meaningful outpouring of support. Please take a second to go see the handmade ornaments that crafty mamas are making--they're beautiful and inspiring. I don't think I would have had such a fun, healthy, crafty week without all of this inspiration.