Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Birthday celebrations



My life feels like I have been in a whirlwind of a race these past few days and I am only just able to sit down and catch my breath. Last week, our family took a short break to a Haven site and it was wonderful. Just what we needed. There was so much to do - we got to see the Olympic torch  go through Pwllheli, in scorching hot sunshine too. We went to the beach, swam in the pool, slid down the slides umpteen times. Daughter went roller blading and water walking and we all had a go at pot painting.






We enjoyed - yes really - the evening entertainment and all got up for a boogie on the last night. We weren't there for very long so we tried to fit in as much as we could but we are definitely looking forward to returning. It was fab fab fab! 


Yesterday was my birthday and I had a blast! My dear friend Tracy had come down to stay for a couple of days and we had a great time stitching and starting new projects. Tracy even managed to learn to crochet! Finally!! And she didn't throw a strop once! Great going girl. I started a new Sampler Girl one, "Return to the Sea," which I have had kitted up for a while now and wanted it as a companion piece to the "Staying Home" piece I did. 

I got some lovely gifts from friends and family and there seemed to be a bit of a butterfly theme to them all. If they didn't contain butterflies in the actual gift itself, then the card or wrap had butterflies on it. It was really quite strange and now I am bent on wondering what all these butterflies symbolise. Freedom? New start? Short life??? So, if you don't want to see what gifts and goodies I got then look away now.

Here are my gifts from Tracy. She also sent me a mahoosive cut of wichelt for a chart that I am hoping soon to get from Edgar in exchange for another - (Edgar - I am onto my neighbour and she is stitching away on it!) I just had to take a close up of the cute bookmark with the sewing charms on. They're gorgeous. The chart is simply superb and she even kindly bought me the CC threads to go with it as well. Thanks so much dear friend. Love it all.





I also took part in the Friends Through Threads Birthday exchange and I have been paired up with Jill who sent me a wonderful parcel of stitching goodies. 

The stitched piece is BBD's Rose Garden which is on my wishes and she also sent me a chart from my wishes too along with notebook, linen, pins, threads (including some of her own hand dyed) and glue and walnut shells which is fab as I don't have any of this great filler and can't wait to use it. The stitching pouch was made by Mama Joan. Everything is perfect and lovely Jill. Thanks so much.






Non stitchy gifts included this beautiful Yankee Candle wax tart burner - butterfly themed - from my kids.



A butterfly umberella and scarf and a homemade butterfly picture and homemade candle from my sweet sisters.






Some lovely perfume and recipe book from my friend.



Beautiful necklace from my husband.



So lots of lovelies for me!

In the evening, we all went round to our friend's house as it was her partner's birthday on the same day too! We had a BBQ and a few drinkies and stayed over and it was a lot of fun. Really great to be able to let my hair down and not worry about getting back in time for the babysitter. Although they don't have kids they seem quite alright to have us over from time to time so all the better. Here's some pics from the happy night:







Little craft update. Here's where I am up to on the flower blanket:



It's growing!

And a snippet of my new Sampler Girl start:



Just had to finish on a Jubilee with this pic my husband took of my son and me which I thought turned out rather well. I'm not very photogenic so when I see a reasonable pic of me I don't mind showing it. This was taken round at the sister in law's house where she put on a little Jubilee House party for family and friends. What a lovely, thoughtful idea. 



Hope you all had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

29 comments:

Deborah said...

Happy Birthday! Sounds like a good time was had by all. Wonderful gifts.

Vickie said...

I am loving the progress on your flower blanket. Happy, happy birthday Hazel. Mine is tomorrow. :)

Shirlee said...

I so enjoyed your photos! Your WIPs are wonderful! You look very lovely in your photo! If there was a contest, I am certain I would beat you & anyone else in the unphotogenic catgegory.

Sweet Sue said...

Wishing you a Happy Stitchy Birthday! Enjoy your beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Lovely pics, thx for sharing:)

Sweet Sue said...

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Happy Stitchy Birthday! Enjoy your thoughtful and special gifts, nice pics-thx for sharing:)

Anonymous said...

Butterflies symbolise transformation, rebirth and new beginnings, and the spiral you painted on your mug symbolises life, perseverence, growth & cosmic energy.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Lovely pictures. What a beautiful family.

Carol said...

Your family getaway looks delightful, Hazel--what a couple of adorable kids you have! Looks like you got thoroughly spoiled on your birthday--wish you a belated happy birthday and a most joyful year ahead :)

Lennu said...

What a lovely post Hazel, I'm happy to hear you had a lovely day and received great gifts!

Stitchabilities said...

Happy Birthday Hazel!!!
What lovely gifts you received!!

Cheryl said...

Happy Birthday Hazel! You deserve a good one and im glad you got it! I cant believe how grown up your kids are looking!

Annette-California said...

Happy Birthday Hazel! Such Lovely gifts you received, wonderful new wips you've started. Your flower crochet blanket is beautiful.I just finished a Sampler Girl design. I posted photos on my blog - Its of the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Yes I have a blog now - finally. Loved all your photos.

my4lilgirls said...

Wow Hazel what a post, so much fun & happy, so thrilled you all had a wonderful weekend & most importantly Happy Birthday, wish I'd known, would have sent you a wee gift.
Lots of love & blessings Karen x

Anonymous said...

As the other anonymous says butterflies are symbolic of transformation etc. Think of the stages it goes through to get from a caterpiller to a butterfly. She is right about the spiral too, in celtic mythology.

Hope you had a lovely day. Your presents are beautiful.

Christine said...

Happy Birthday! Glad you had such a good time, you certainly got some wonderful presents.
The crochet blanket is looking fab

Chris said...

Happy Birthday!!! It looks like it was wonderful. Your time away sounds like it was perfect too.
i love your new Sampler Girl start.

Julie said...

Happy Birthday wishes to you Hazel, looks like you have had a lot of happiness and exciting things happening recently.
Super gifts.

Margaret said...

Happy belated birthday! Looks like you've been having lots of fun recently! Lovely gifts you received. Love your crochet -- so beautiful!

Giovanna said...

Many happy returns, and what lovely gifts!

Cath said...

Happy Birthday. Looks like you had a fab time and some lovely gifts.
Butterflies are said to signify regeneration and a new start ,so looks like good times ahead.
Take care .XXX

Delphyne said...

Happy Birthday! What lovely gifts. Your flower blanket looks beautiful.

Lesleyanne said...

Happy Belated Birthday. Sounds like you have had a lovely time. Great gifts received.

Veronica said...

Happy Birthday, Hazel. Sending you tons of warm wishes :)

Lovely photos you've shared. A lot of wonderful gifts you've received too. All those pretty butterflies.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Kay said...

Happy birthday. I love your presents, anything hand made is always a treasure.

Catherine said...

Happy Birthday!! Your time away an pd with friends sounds wonderful! And wow, you sure received some wonderful goodies!

Brigitte said...

Hazel, what a nice and newsy post this is. Happy belated Birthday to you! You've received some wonderful gifts from friends and family. Enjoy them all.
Your little family vacation sounds so great and I'm sure you were all having a great time.
Your new start looks very good, I love Tanya's designs very much.

andamento said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you!

Valentina said...

A really belated Happy Birthday!

Louise said...

Oh Hazel, I feel terrible I Have missed wishing you a happy birthday!!!
With my big moving to North Carolina, and just getting internet back on my computer I am now just seeing this post on your blog. I had gone onto Facebook..but was not able to see birthday updates..was only to post a couple of times.
I am truly sorry I missed your special day.
It looks like you had a nice time and I am very glad for that.
Your gifts are so beautiful!!
I happen to think you are very photogenic and very beautiful :)
I can't believe how big your children have grown! I remember when your son was just a baby! Time sure does fly!
Thinking of you, Happy Birthday my friend! xox Louise