Sweet Valentine Treats

I simply cannot keep this secret any longer (not that I did in the first place...but my dear blogger friends, if you are looking for something special for a birthday card, an anniversary, teachers gift at the end of the year, you should run and not dawdle over to Melinda's Fabric Fancies and put in your order!

I met Melinda several years ago when I was first getting started in blogging and I met her through an apron swap. We hit it off right away as we were both raising our grandchildren and living in Washington. I loved the snow, she hated it! Then, tragedy struck in Melinda's life and somehow, she managed to keep moving forward and still love life!

Because she was struggling financially and I had seen all her beautiful work and crafts I asked her if she could make some special Valentine cards for my grands teachers and lucky for all of us, she agreed! Love was born that day....her work is so special and beautiful, you have to love it and when you get to know Melinda, you love her as well.

This is the third year in a row that Melinda has made teacher Valentines and the teachers love them so much. Could I do it? Yes, I am sure I could, but I never seem to have the time with all my other projects and she does such a wonderful job....her prices are terrific....talk to her about them.

The first year she made them, she was embarrassed to ask for money, but the effort and love put into her creations, we settled on a price. Melinda moved from Washington to Utah, her grandchildren were given back to their mom and she met a wonderful man and married.................scratch that......she got married and just a few months ago, the dude left her high and dry for an older woman he met on the net!

Melinda is doing her best to carry on and keep a smile on her face. She has had a tough month (she works in sales) and could use the extra work. So, if you are a true believer as I am in 'Handmade,' then visit Melinda, tell her you came from my blog and I guarantee, whatever she makes you, you will be happy!

This year, she asked me first and then asked for teachers favorite colors and here is what I received in the mail yesterday:

The camera does not do these justice. The red one looks like a miniature birds nest with the 2 little pearls and feathers. They are all beautiful, but this has to be my fav!

Melinda can turn scraps and selvedges into things I have never imagined. Ahhhhhhhhh a true artist!

How about this little gal all done up in green lace and buttons with a simply adorable old fashioned valentine beauty on it. How did she ever know this teacher loves frills and will be ecstatic. BTW Mel, this teacher has taught the kids before, so this will be her second one!

The purple one just shines with style and the teacher that is getting this will be overwhelmed with happiness, she loves handmade items and we know you can't beat Melinda's.

This pink one is for an older teacher and I happen to know personally that the doily on this one is going to be perfect for her and she will cherish it forever! Once again, how does she know these things?

Was that enough? Oh no, with Melinda, she always goes the extra mile for those she makes things for and she made these cute little tags so the kids can personalize their cards!

Then, as a final Melinda gesture, she tucked them into the envelope with this adorable little handmade card:

Out of her pain and the ashes of the past few years, my friend and many others friend has turned to art and beauty.

Please, if you need handmade cards or gifts, talk to Melinda, she will make you proud! She does us every year!

Thanks my dear friend!

Getting a Cheering Today

I have been trying not to bore you all to tears with my pain issues the last day or so, but it has finally become so unbearable, I called my Rheumatologist to see what our next course of action is. I cannot take this anymore! I am awake all night crying and trying to get comfortable and spend the day sitting on the couch with my laptop when it gets to bad. Unfortunately, my doctor was out today, but he is very good at getting back to me.

Then, I contacted a disability attorney and found out I blew it big time. Instead of pushing to be realeased as early as I was after my back surgeries, I should have stayed at home. Now, I won't be able to apply unless I am out of work totally for a minimum of 6 months. As hubby said tonight, my check ain't much, but it covers milk and bread & yes, that breaks my heart!

I went out to the mailbox today and found a package from my good friend Melinda over at Melinda's Fabric Fancies that I was waiting for since she very sweetly offered to send me some Christmas fabric for a quilt I want to work on. Melinda, you outdid yourself, I am so thrilled and you are so wonderful! First off, the beautiful butterfly card on the top of this post was in the envelope and it is gorgeous!

Also inside was not only Christmas fabric, but look at all the wonderful little goodies she sent me. Talk about upcycling, this was like Christmas all over to me. There was adorable vintage like (or maybe it was vintage) Santa fabrics and Christmas fabrics that I had never seen in any of my shops here.

Here is a better picture of some of the Christmas fabric she sent me and you can see the adorable Santas and other fabrics she sent for my quilt project & yes, when I have all my fabric together and cut out, I will send you pictures. The way I am going, it may not be for another few years, but I will get it done!

Melinda didn't just stop there, she enclosed some other things she thought I might like and boy did I let out a whoop of joy when I saw them and the grands, well, all three of them may have a little project they can work on. Hmmm, thinking maybe that sewing class for kids might be a good idea after all!

She enclosed not one, not two, but four Quilt Blocks Collections that come from JoAnne's I believe and they are pre-cut blocks and this would make a great project for the kiddos. Last summer they learned how to sew on all kinds of buttons and this might be a great couch project on those days I am feeling out of sorts!

We have lots of brand new games at our house since Christmas and the kids and I have really been enjoying those, but on those days when I can't sit at the table, we have something else to do.

Also, was a piece of this beautiful floral fabric and Melinda, I think it would be perfect for a candle mat of maybe the center of a larger quilt. It is just really a pretty fabric.

Lastly, was this wonderful red beaded lace that I think will look perfect on the denim jacket I have been working on for the last year or so for Diva girl and then hmmmm, maybe on a really cool apron!

Thank you Melinda, your package cheered me up and made me feel much better!