Banner Swaps and Gifts...

As you know I am participating in A Swap For All Seasons monthly Banner swap this year.  I will do my very best to not miss a month however there is no pressure with this wonderful swap Linda is hostessing.  No theme each month either.  How freeing indeed.  I am not able to show you what I created and mailed because I forgot to take a photo.  However...this is the uber creative banner I received from Patty of Blooming in Kansas blog.  I am truly honored by the personal touches Patty put into this banner for me.  She did her homework and reviewed my blog posts and this is just the most perfect tribute to "createology".  This is all hand sewn and I absolutely love it.  Click on the photo to see it in more detail so you can appreciate all the elements Patty included.  Thank you beyond words Patty! 

This is a surprise gift I received from Lori of Pretty Things blog.  Her wonderful son Zack actually drew my name and they sent me this fabulous book "Pretty Birds" by Virginia Lindsay.  It has lots of patterns and ideas to stitch up cute little birds in fabric.  And speaking of fabric...Zack personally selected these beautiful fat quarters for an extra surprise in my package.  Thank you sew very much Lori and Zack.  You do know how much I love sewing and fabrics and birds and anything creative.  Pretty Birds Creative Bliss...
We are having the most strange weather here.  There are very grey clouds overhead and the temps are chilly.  There has been light snow in the Sierra's and over Truckee Donner Summit.  All surrounding areas and towns have gotten rain and some of them up to 2 inches.  Here...totally dry and not a drop of rain at all!  I stopped dancing thinking that is what was upsetting the Rain Gods.  I am merely keeping my prayers held up high for rain to drench our desperately drought dry land.  This morning I had to water my Whooly Thyme at the pond as it looked near death.  The rest of the yard I turn a "brown" eye to.  I am keeping close watch on Mr. C's rose bushes in the back fenced area.  I can't let them die off.  I see lots of you are now well into Spring or Fall if you are across the seas.  Flowers blooming everywhere and a chance to enjoy the outdoors. 
Creative Bliss to each of you.  Thank you for your wonderful comments...Mr. C really enjoyed them on the previous post about Clara the Rumbler.  He is busy working on the reno and hoping it gets completed soon.  I will share photos.