As the chilly north wind brings the clouds again to hide the autumnal sun, the sadness creeps in and I must think immensely on friends and art. The past few days have brought presents to remind me of wonderful angel friends. I received an early birthday gift from a pigeon across the ocean, which dear Suze put in motion. She sent beautiful angels and a fabulous needle case which she made with her own heart. It is so filled with joy. I embrace that joy to me lovingly Suze. Thank you.







Another pigeon from across the ocean brought the arTEA swap maze book, ATCs and two lovely teabags. Thanks Liiolii. They are wonderful presents to brighten my days.



I just spoke also with my dear friend Jeanne who had been very ill through the summer and had a major surgery a few weeks ago. She is doing so much better. It was a wonderful present to hear her bubbly cheerful voice telling me so.







The last picture shows some of what I've been doing, besides driving our daughter all around the countryside to her activities and taking pictures while the autumn colours were still here. Mostly I'll be working with fabric over the next while. I'm hoping to carve more stamps for altering the fabric. The freezer paper is for more of the same. I used those scissors for the pattern in the freezer paper. The fabric is just some of the stash I've found to use in some autumn creations. I've also been busy preparing books for altering. It's a good project while Greg is doing the driving. It is somehow relaxing tearing pages out of books. Has it something to do with a protest against authority? I rarely do that. It's fun. The card and little book just happened to be sitting on the table because we had to move them quickly when I accidently over watered the poor neglected plants. Whoops. Oh well. Just plants, just paper things.

Presents and WIPs: I have much to post about today so will probably need to do more than one post. This one is about presents I received in the mail in the past few days. The first present was from Mary Ann who is so kind with her giveaways every other week. I was so excited to be chosen to receive this book titled "Designing with Fabric". It is an absolute treasure trove. I can hardly wait to dig into it. At first glance I noticed a reverse stamping technique. I did not have any bleach here otherwise but decided to try some liquid dishwasher soap which I had purchased a couple of years ago for stamping on jeans. I thought if it worked on denim - why not other fabric. I did some stamping on a piece of this sheet which wasn't quite right for what I had purchased it. I want to turn it into a journal quilt sometime. I'm not certain what I'll do with it yet but hopefully I will come back to it.
The next day I received a wonderful paper doll from Emily. I so admired the paper dolls of Emily which I had viewed on flickr. They are fabulous. I am inspired once again to try something that I thought I never would. Hmmmm - that list of things to try keeps getting longer and longer. We'll see.
Then yesterday there was another parcel card. Because we have to pick up our mail at the post office we need to be there before 5 on a week day. I got the package at lunchtime today when Greg walked in the door. I'd kind of started to worry about my "cuppa tea" swap package. Sometimes our mail is SOOOO SLOOOOW. But after I opened the package I had to put on my "be inspired - not intimidated" hat. There were many gorgous pieces in the package from Regina. I admire anyone who can do paintings. And today I received this wonderful card, together with the fabulous case, some stamped cards, vintage postcards, buttons, and these whimsical angel earrings.
Huge thank yous to Mary Ann, Emily, and Regina. This emotional artist has, well, I think you get the picture. I'll get some tissues now to dry my face.

Inchies and presents:
I'm feeling so exhausted today but it's the first day since Saturday that I haven't had any events outside of my home. Most days there have been two major events. Yesterday, for example, I had a speaking gig over the lunch hour. I was speaking about "faith creates". And then last night our chorus performed in the local music festival. It's a major event. The whole festival is two weeks long. When our 50 + member choir sings it is a major happening. Adjudicators all say they wish the school choirs could be there to hear us to see what a choir is really supposed to sound like. We spend much time practicing four songs and then we jump into all the rest immediately after so can be prepared for our concert in just a month's time.

Today I'm trying to catch up on just a few of my e-mails and comments. Sorry if I haven't been to visit or comment on your blog recently. Soon.

Please check out Debra's blog if you're not familiar with her. She sent me this most beautiful package with presents. It actually arrived on Tuesday but I was so sore that evening after I'd gotten home and had supper I decided to leave the present until I had more time to enjoy whatever treasures it might hold. When I opened the package yesterday morning I was blown away. Most of the items were specially prepared for me. I adore each and every piece. I could rationalize and say I am sleep deprived. That would be an excuse for being so easily led to tears. But then I might always be sleep deprived, for I am frequently so touched by the kindness of people, especially when I receive these meaningful creations. Thank you Debra. Thanks to everyone that has sent me a package over the last few months since I've been resident in blogland.

I am so grateful for my papercutter. After stamping and sponging purple on one of the blue pages with writing I started cutting. It won't take long to have 88 inchies well underway. And I think I've figured out how I can complete the flower inchies for the swap. I think I'll also use inchies for - wait a minute. That should maybe stay a surprise. Next step for these is inking. I like Chrysti's suggestion for inking 10 at a time. I'll see how it goes. the 12 inchies are just arranged on the scanner with a piece of paper for background. They are not complete. Although, I might just leave some of them simple but for adding edging and maybe one word.