Show & Tell or Don't hate me cause I have a bunch of wonderful stuff

Good Morning!
Here's your cup of Calamity!
Sit down and get comfy while I share a little bit with you.
I decided to take a few pictures today before I go needle down on some projects and tell you about what I received in my mailbox recently.
Or maybe I should preface that statement with something like- I bought a few things and then Mother's Day happened and then I bought a few more things and then a few friends gave me some wonderful things and now I am just dancing around happily with my arms and pockets full of love and my face is beaming and I am joyous to my core.

Sometimes my core gets all hollowed out and I start to cave in on myself and that's when I get on my pink bike and pedal fast with hair streaming behind me, pretending I'm on a sea foam green vespa in Paris...

Then I open my mailbox and generosity pours out and I feel blessed and LOVED. Packages from Betty @ She's Sew Pretty totally blew me away!

When I unwrapped it and saw the poodle fabric I had to sit down, for my knees turned to melted jello and my heart began to pound in a frightening manner. I had a brief moment of "wonder if I'm having a heart attack?" before I realized that I was indeed having a heart attack of  sorts .
 

Actually ever since I began Blogging and got my first comment and made my first connection with kindred women out there I have been having a sort of love affair with Blogging and Bloggers and am not sure if I have the words (or skill with them necessary) to describe the feeling of talking with other people who love the same things you do.

When I visit other crafty Blogs and see their latest endeavors or thrift shop finds I am genuinely happy for them.

It's like I was with them shopping or sewing and I can share in that feeling of accomplishment or joy at having salvaged some treasure that someone else fell out of love with.

That is one of the reasons I use old linens and crochet pieces- it extends their life and gives them an alternate purpose.

Instead of being dismissed as an old, ugly doily, it has now become crocheted trim on the edge of a pocket or neckline.

I always love the broken, chipped, stained, paint peeling, dusty, forgotten and forlorn. It reminds me of my Grandfather's bomb shelter or basement where treasure was always found tucked in an old tin or high on the shelf next to jars of rocks from Arkansas.

Betty gave me one of her lovely original pincushions, which you might also be able to find at her Etsy shop. There were buttons and bindings and a funky apron pattern that I had admired and then this bit of crochet that spoke to me and I know it will be happy when I use it in something wonderful.

These poodles make me so happy that I am not sure if I can get over the fact that she gave them to me- could I give them away?
I try to be generous and share but this is beyond belief.
My Mom had poodles when I was young and now she has a black one named Charlie who walks on his back legs all the time. I can just see him all dressed up like this getting ready for a night on the town.
Who is the designer, I wonder?
I love the colors and the groovy hats and chandeliers.
*sigh*
Thank you Betty, so very much. I had actual tears in my eyes and I know how corny that sounds, but it is true.

Next I'd like to introduce Milly.
She is made by Susan Mitchell.
This is her beau Antoine.
He brought her flowers. I had fallen in love with him and ran as fast as I could over to her ETSY shop after she showed them on Flickr. Talk about getting your heart rate up!!
I fell in love with Susan's work a long time ago on Flickr.
She is an illustrator of children's books and "a big deal artist".
I am proud and privileged to own some of her work.
(I bought the grand babies one of her books
and am always on the lookout for new ones.)
They will be so happy here at the calamity cottage.
I have lots of dolls and bears to introduce them to.
Maybe they will have a little tea party to welcome Milly and Antoine into the family. Also pictured is an old vintage yoyo quilt from my friend Sue Handman.
I am not sure what it will become part of but it has a destiny that it has yet to fulfill.
The lovely red riding hood cookie jar was a gift from Debra,
the owner of Picasso's Moon.
I went to knit and bitch yesterday and just relaxed in a cozy chair and had a really nice visit with my friends Barb, Cheryl, and Betsy.
A writer on the staff of The Observer dropped in and we chatted for a while with her and gave her an education of Fiber Arts.
She came back later with her laptop and interviewed us for a story she will write for the paper.
That was charming and exciting and I am happy for Debra to get some publicity and exposure.
It is a very enchanting spot to visit and there is so many beautiful yarns to choose from that it  reminds me of the cookie isle at Publix (I'm easy) or maybe I should say the rose garden at Ringling.
Colors of every tone and hue.
Textures from thick to thin and some sparkling with swarovski crystals.
The little houses quilt is what I received from the Doll Quilt Swap III.
It was made by Christie who lives in Australia.
Remember I mailed the chicken quilt to Sweden?
See, I am blessed, right?
You give and you receive.
It is always so much easier for me to give.
Sometimes when I get I feel embarrassed.
I feel really good giving.
My friend Karen says that's because I am a K.
People with names that begin with K are teachers and love to share knowledge. Interesting thought.
So then I bought some fabrics on eBay- yes, I won the wee play by Moda, that I was begging you all not to bid on.
I also got some Susan Branch Tea Party.
Then as if I wasn't already spoiled enough I also received some rick rack and trims from Vintage Cate.
Thank you.
I hope I live long enough to use them all.
If I get hit by a bus or fall down some stairs, y'all be sure and come over to the estate sale.
It will be a doozy I am sure!
Then we have more love from our daughter Lexi and the grandsons: Austen, Hayden and Dylan.

I cried when I opened the apron.

It is tiny and delicate and trimmed with silk ribbon.
The green is my favorite jadeite color.
The pictures of the boys are so delightful and she made the photo holder- I can carry this around in my purse and whip it out like all the other proud grannies!

The card is handmade paper with seeds in it and I can tear it up and plant it and flowers will grow. How magical is that?
Austen is getting so big and Dylan is the cutest baby in the world! Admit it- have you ever seen a handsomer sweeter smile than that kid is sporting?

Hayden is on the left in this one and more of Austen on the right.

There was more love in the way of Knitting for dummies and embroidered linens with birds and then a huge stack of coloring pages- nice job, btw!

They are going right on the fridge!

Are you as tired as I am? I am exhausted! This was a lot of work! I might be too tired to sew now.

Naw, just kidding!

I actually have to get some things wrapped up- I had two more sales at Etsy and am sending off some gnome love!

I am so thankful for this Blog and the opportunity it has given me to share with you and also receive back so much love and support and that means more to me than anything.

except maybe a bit of crochet or a little red.

Thanks for sitting here on the porch a spell.

Hope you come back real soon.

You never know what you'll find at the Calamity Cafe.

Love & Stitches,

Calamity Kim

Comments

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Oh goodie! I get to be the first to comment! I am so happy that you got so much happiness from my little envelope of "stuff". I pick up things at yard sales and estate sales and I have so much, I just wanted to share with you. I get so much enjoyment and inspiration from your blog! So, thank you, Kim...I also wish we were neighbors. We'd get in so much trouble!

[calamity kim]

You ain't kiddin' sistah! we'd have way too much fun and and be laughing our socks off! Thank you again, you are so nice!

[julie thompson]

saw the top pic on flickr and had to run over here to see what was up the poodles...that is the COOLEST fabric (can't wait to see what you do with it!)

[hunnybunny]

Oh my goodness! What amazing treats, I will not lie at first I was feeling a little jealous. Then I read your joy at receiving everything, and my heart swelled for you. I can only imagine what amazing creations you will come up with! You have a beautiful family, who sent such thoughtful gifts! I am so happy for you right now, I'm sitting here with a stupid grin on my face. Thank you for sharing it.

[viv]

You and I sing off the same hymn sheet!
Every word is how I feel but you have put so elequently.

[Dawn]

Kim, you are so dern fun!!!! I wish you lived closer to me....you seem like someone that would be the most fun to go out junkin' with! I love all of your magnificent treasures ~ looks like everyone knows what you love!!! I feel the same way about bloggers that you do ~ this here's a wonderful place, the Land of Blog :)
xxoo,
Dawn

[Jeannie]

Oh, what goodness! I know what you mean about receiving/giving. I love finding a treasure that reminds me of someone and the joy I feel when they open it and I know I found a good home for it. It is like a hug, just makes you warm all over. Your blog is a gift everyday. It brightens my day, gets me thinking creatively, and wishing that you lived next door. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you. Cheers.

[Natalie]

Awesome!

[Magpie Sue]

That poodle fabric is so cool! I can't wait to see what you do with it! And that crocheted apron! {swoon} You may have to add an annex to the cottage to accomodate all of your new treasures ;- )

[gwensmom]

Sorry but I will have to hate you for having that crocheted apron. It is lovely!

[Jackie]

I thought I was the queen of 'Having too much stuff'!!!
I don't hate you.
(Why aren't you reading MY blog?!)

[Joan]

Everything is beautiful. I love it all--and the poodle fabric is just too funny. The quilt with the little houses is really special. And you deserve evrything, sweetie!
Joan

[Gwen Delmore]

Kim, I would have had a heart attack at all of that great stuff, too! I have a crocheted apron just like that, only mine is pink. It has been in my mother's cedar chest, and I think that she received it as a wedding shower gift, and never wore it.

Today is my parents' 60th anniversary, and we are going to take them out to dinner tomorrow.

You always inspire me, I love your recent aprons. I never make it to your etsy shop in time!

[Stacy A]

What wonderful goodies you received. Sometimes the downside of loving to give gifts, is that you have to let others do the same : ) I can just see your mind at work. I can't wait to see what comes of it all. You have a great weekend. Take good care of yourself! Love Stacy

[Juanita]

What a magical day, may the blessings that you give and receive continue to fill you with joy. Thanks for sharing your treasures with us. Isn't blogland great?! Have a fantastic day, Juanita

[paula]

love all your happy's...you know, the more you give, the more you get...you have such a generous nature, Kim, you deserve it all! The poodles are absolutely wonderful!

[Lynn]

I too am very happy for you. And I will admit, just a titch jealous. Those poodles are too too.

[Kim Campbell]

Thanks heavens! I am SO glad there are so many others of you out there, that collect the same funky linens and bits as I do. I feel like I am part of a club!! lol!

Kimmie, I LOVE the mothers day apron you got. Too cool!