Oh What a Feeling...

... I'm dancing on the ceiling!

If any one of the following things that happened today I would be thrilled beyond words. But to have so many good things happen before lunch is overwhelming and I am sooooo happy.

First up, I missed out one of the lovely items I received in the post lately, and it was from Katy. She too has contributed to One for the Birds. And I love these little orange on lime background birds. So apologies to Katy (she graciously has already forgiven me) and a big thank you too.

Enough here for both quilts -
One for the Birds and Favourite Fabrics.
(And still some for my stash to make me smile whenever I please.)

I woke ten minutes early today and lolled about on my bed for a moment before I reached for my iPad to see if I had any emails. My day took off in a good way from there.

If  you don't live in the UK you might not understand the competition for school places. There are desirable schools and less than so ones. My two girls attend a village school in another village because that was where they started their school life before we went to the Isle of Wight for three years. I drive back and forth each day to give them that continuity in their life, and have them in a good school. It is very tiny - only three classrooms for seven years of schooling. Yes, that small. But for the most part they are very happy there and that is important.

Helen moves up to high school next year. The catchment school for us in this village is not what you would term one of the desirable schools. There is a certain element of tough kids there (I am trying to be polite here) that would chew Helen up for breakfast. My child is a world class wuss. Lack of an older brother to toughen her up being part of the problem I think.

The catchment school for their primary school village is fantastic, rated outstanding on all aspects in a government inspection last winter. That puts it in the top 10% of the state schools in this country.

Today I woke up to an email from the schools admissions people that Helen was being offered a place there. This is too good for words, but I think you might get the correct impression about how thrilled we all are. I ran and woke Helen up and had her squealing with happiness so I was in good company.

Next up, after I did the school run I drove - through thick fog - into town and got my Bernina back from the sewing machine shop. It is home again and that is most definitely something to warm me to my toes.

You would think that was enough good stuff for one day, but then the postman came. My Mouthy Stitches pouch arrived and I got a doozy of a good one. I will let the photos do the talking.

The pouch was made by Ruth.
I already follow both her blogs as she loves food as much as I do,
as well as being such a fantastic quilter.
Cindy picked a perfect partner for me.

Ruth obviously knows how to do a zip end better than I do!

And hand stitching. Love the little squares with personal details.

Things I love - Pips puppies, that elephant, the scissors fabric
and my initial so no one can take this off me.
Unless they are named Sarah, or Sasha, or Stella, or Sophie...

Don't those fabrics and the stitching just make you smile?
Well they do me too.

The fog had cleared off into a delightful day.
I took the pouch out for a play.
Here it is practising balancing on the swing set.

Once the pouch was confident it tried out the trapeze.

Now look at the scraps Ruth chose for me.
I can see most of them going into the Favourite Fabrics quilt.

Ruth also included this gorgeous tin 'thank you' tag.
I think this is supposed to work the other way.
A huge thank you, Ruth, for getting me so right
and sending me this.
I love it all!

Today is a red letter, five star day. Hope you are having the same happy levels wherever you are too.

Susan