Happy Birthday to Me!

My birthday is in January.  A fact I have always kind of hated.  It always seemed when I was growing up that it was kind of an afterthought; it's just a really awkward time to have a birthday.  All the Christmas festivities are kind of over and well, the doldrums have already started.  But last fall, in one of my swapping sign-up crazes, I signed up for the Handmade Birthday Club, hosted by SusannahKate_Sews!  Each month, you make a gift for the birthday girl (or girls) and in the month of your birthday, eleven other people send you presents.  Wheeeee!!

Since we started in January, I was one of the first to receive a bunch of handmade goodies!  This gorgeous mini quilt/table runner above was sent by Shanna.  Isn't it beautiful?!

And this delightful table runner was made by Melissa!  I'm not usually a huge fan of gray, but matched with all those pretty fabrics, it is awesome!  I love it!

I may have shown this one before, but this awesome little package is from my good friend Krista.  It's the perfect gift - floss for the new embroidery I'm {going to} start, a frixion pen I've been coveting, a handmade needle minder,

and oh, yeah - a bag of peanut butter M&M's which are obviously missing from this picture.  They disappeared in a hurry.

These two sweet little pouches were from Nicole.  Aren't they cute?

Who could resist these sweet little handmade towels Rebekah sent?  The crochet borders are divine!  And the appliques are so fresh and fun.  I love them!

 This fun little package came from Jessica.  See that sweet little owl pouch?  I've put it to good use already.  It has already journeyed to St. Maarten and back with me.  And the fun URHERE mug for Florida?  Even though I live in Florida and have bought a few of these for others, it never occurred to buy one for myself.

And this fun divided basket and goodies are from Mary.  See that sachet in the pouch with the shoe on it?  It smells heavenly.  I've been enjoying it for a couple of weeks now.  And another URHERE mug, this time from Virginia.

I'm really excited!  Now I have a collection!

This lovely pile of yummy fabrics was from my good friend, Leona, along with a raincheck for a couple of her lovely fabric baskets, since she is in the process of moving.  This was such a fun package to open - each of these little goodies was individually wrapped.  AND we got to meet for dinner, so we were together when I opened them.  SO much fun!

This cute little pouch and other goodies is from Mai.  So fun!

 

This fun clutch is from the other January birthday girl, Kari.  It's so bright and cheerful!  I love it!

And if you were one of the lovely ladies who sent me one of these beautiful gifts, and notice something missing...  well, I have to admit that some time has elapsed since the receipt of these packages, and I've been confined to the house with an ice storm, traveled to the island of St. Maarten and back, and had a head cold for over a week....  I am not responsible for any consumables that might have been - well - consumed!

 And, as if that wasn't enough to make a girl feel super special,  ECMQG has started a fun new birthday tradition - birthday lollipops!  Fat quarter lollipops, of course.  Our president, Marcy, is sew creative, isn't she?

This is certainly one of the best birthdays ever!  Thanks, ladies!  (And WH too, of course!  He was responsible for the cake and a few other goodies.  His contribution should not go unnoticed - even if he does reveal my secrets.)