A Gift in the Mail and Birthday Goodies

I got the sweetest package in the mail yesterday from Linda at Parker's Paradise ! It was one of her ticking pin keeps ,and I love it.She  stitched Opal 1911 on it and it is darling.Perfect timing to because to day is my birthday.LOL! If you haven't been over to her blog then please be sure to pay her a visit at:

http://parkersparadise.blogspot.com .You will not be disappointed because Linda is one of the nicest people around.Thank you for thinking of me Linda! Here is a pic of my newest pin keep.

Yesterday was a good mail day. Tricia over at Hillcrest Home Prims sent me a sweet birthday card and a package of Sweet Pea flower seeds. Trish is another sweet gal .If you haven't been to visit her blog then you really should take the time . You can find Trish here :http://triciamcn.blogspot.com .She also has an online store and a little birdie told me that she will be adding new goodies to it before long.

My sister  bought me a wonderful gift a little earlier in the week and I was doing the happy  mouse dance ! She found a pair of firkin lamps and she knew I would be over the moon to have them.I LOVE firkins and wooden bowls. I will admit that I found the shades to be a bit ugly but that was an easy fix. She asked me what color are you going to paint them and was surprised when I told her I am not painting those lamps. So here are a couple pics the before and after :

 An now the after , the fabric I used on the shades is a brick and tan homespun. I couldn't get a clear picture of it.I found the fabric for a couple dollars at a second hand store.I love a good bargain. LOL!

The reason the shades seem to sit  crooked is because some dingbat took the taps off the top and forgot where she put them.I am another year older( my excuse)  and the dingbat that did it.Geez I seem to loose everything anymore. LOL! 

For the last few years hubby has been building me something for my birthday.I much prefer something he built as to something he went out and bought. One year it was my settle bench,last year it was my tv cupboard,and this year I asked for a prim sewing machine cover .Yep, I got it and love it !I have been blessed with a super hubby.He shakes his head and says no but he always comes through with things for me.

 Here it is :

Here is a closeup of the color , again I can't get a true color to show up.

The top two drawers actually open so I can store thread and things.Aren't I a lucky ducky? 

Okay I confess I bought myself a gift too.I found  a large long buttock basket at a good deal and could not pass it up.It is almost 24 inches long and 12 inches in height. I did do a makeover on it as well.It was unfinished so I stained it with Early American stain .I think it came out really nice.

After the stain :

I was on a roll so I stained another smaller basket that I had on hand.

 After the stain :

I hope that I haven't bored you to tears with all my pics today.I also want to send out a big thank you to all of my new followers and to the ones that takes the time to comment .I truly appreciate you all! Well I am off to have some birthday toast.Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! Hugs,Jen