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Monday, January 23, 2012

Fifty is Indeed Nifty!!

Especially when I have such nifty Quilter-Friends!

The other night when DH and I were headed out to dinner, I opened the front door to leave the house, and walked right IN to this HUGE BOX left on my doorstep via UPS!

HOLY COW! How did the driver not give himself a hernia just lifting this thing!

I had been given the heads up because, well, you know you can’t blog about ANYTHING and expect it to stay secret! Read Bingo Bonnie’s Nap Time News post HERE!

Uuuuuhhhh…so I’m guessing this box weighed close to 40 lbs. And I decided to wait until Sunday because that is the day that Jeff and I were celebrating!

So the box sat in my dining room waiting til Sunday, and when we returned from the movies Saturday afternoon, we stopped at the mailbox --- and it was CRAMMED FULL of all this other mail, and I knew something was up!

I forced myself to wait until Sunday morning to open up all the goodies. And I cried. And I squealed. And I read each card and each note and ran my fingers over each block and piece of fabric, and soap and chocolate ---and cried some more.

You guys are really too great. You really are. I’m so happy to have you in my life from wherever your corner of the globe is.

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And yes, I started at the top of the pile, leaving the big box for last….and there is no way to get this all in here…so here are glimpses. If you sent something, you might see it! I’m thanking you all from the bottom of my heart for making this birthday such a memorable special one for me! ((The dots are where I blocked out addresses—though mine is out there due to my website, I didn’t think you’d want yours to be!))

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Birthday blocks! Special “50” ones! And fabric, and chocolates, a starbucks gift card and soap and lovely cards….How do I capture this all?

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I have the distinct feeling that there will be another orphan block quilt to commemorate my 50th year this year! In fact, Lori was just emailing me about doing a 50th birthday quilt, all of us that are turning 50 this year and I said I didn’t have TIME ---uhhhh..well, now I have the push and the plan!!

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Love these blocks! There are cheddar bow ties, several stars in all their variations, and a cute birthday chickie!

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There are spare parts commemorating Orca Bay, and several cute Tea Mugs! An appliqued heart --- on top of….OH NO!!

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Just when you think you’ve seen EVERY Millenium fabric that could have possibily been printed in 1999 --- Here’s another! What a fun way to turn 50 --- I think I’ll have to throw all these in here too!

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Trying to get a bit of EVERYTHING in the photos…I love the “50” block! I think that’s gotta go front and center, don’t you? THANK YOU!

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And that big box?!? Thank you so much, Bingo Bonnie! DH looked at me like…WHAT?!? Why do you need MORE shirt parts? Well – these are different than the ones I have! Does that make sense to anyone else? I’ll have fun using these. I want to re-do my Sister’s Choice quilt using all shirt prints ((And maybe cheddar or Poison Green)) And call it Brother’s Choice because I have all boys! This just might get me started!

My heartfelt thanks to each and everyone one of you --- you know who you are! Awesome doesn’t begin to describe you!

And with this post – I’m off to Florida for my visit with the Venice Quilter’s guild! It’s a fun week with a Happy Scrappy Houses workshop, and a My Blue Heaven workshop --- we’ll be up to our elbows in scraps and living it up in the Florida Sunshine!

60 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday! Enjoy Venice! Mary

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  2. Anonymous6:23 AM EST

    Good Morning, I'm glad to see that my card was among the others on your dining room table! Also glad that you had a good time opening each and every little thing that came in the mail addresed to you the Birthday girl! Have a safe trip to Florida!
    Happy 50th Birthday and safe travels!
    Heather

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  3. Happy 50th - you baby you LOL! Enjoy the sun! x

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  4. You are so, so loved! Happy Birthday. :)

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  5. Happy birthday, Bonnie! May this decade be the best yet!

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  6. A very happy birthday! I will turn 50 later this year and I am so looking forward to it! I hope you have a super day!!!

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  7. What a great birthday present! Happy birthday!

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  8. You are very lucky and LOVED! Bet you had a great time opening your goodies.

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  9. A very, very Happy 50th Birthday, Bonnie! You definitely are one of the best!

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  10. OMG that was soooo sweet! Happy happy birthday. It is brilliant to be 50, I know !

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  11. Anonymous8:09 AM EST

    Life lesson #1 - the good we give will be return to us 10 fold! And you have the proof of this delivered by UPS ... not to worry about the UPS driver they are strong - lolol - in fact I hear they have assigned a weightlifer to YOUR route!

    Happy Birthday p;us many more.
    HUGS Julie in TN

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  12. Anonymous8:11 AM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie. Now do you see how much everyone loves little ole YOU!
    Maryella

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  13. A very happy birthday, Bonnie. I hope you had a wonderful party yesterday.
    And congratulations to Jeff for his 22nd birthday.

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  14. Bonnie, you make MANY people happy all over the world, this is just a little bit of it coming back to you. And on a practical note, I beat you to 50 by about 5 months and I haven't noticed any vital functions failing yet - so you have at least 5 months left before you need to worry! Have a WONDERFUL time in Florida!

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  15. Happy Birthday Bonnie! I've been following your blog just since Nov, but already you have inspired me to organize my fabric and scraps and I'm working on Orca Bay. Thanks for all you do!

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  16. Happy Birthday Bonnie! I've been following your blog just since Nov, but already you have inspired me to organize my fabric and scraps and I'm working on Orca Bay. Thanks for all you do!

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  17. Happy Birthday Bonnie! I've been following your blog just since Nov, but already you have inspired me to organize my fabric and scraps and I'm working on Orca Bay. Thanks for all you do!

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  18. Happy Birthday Bonnie! I've been following your blog just since Nov, but already you have inspired me to organize my fabric and scraps and I'm working on Orca Bay. Thanks for all you do!

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  19. Anonymous8:33 AM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie, and 50 is easy, turning 60 this year myself. That is a real eye opener!! Enjoy FL, leaving in 2 weeks for P-cola myself, looking forward to sun. You are blessed, girlfriend, with people who not only love your quilting expertise, but we love you as well for being such a giving person. Safe journeys!!
    Fay in Maine

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  20. Happy, Happy Birthday, Bonnie! You are loved! Travel safe, enjoy the sunshine...the best is yet to come!

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  21. Anonymous8:43 AM EST

    Happy Birthday! Stay as you are.

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  22. Anonymous8:52 AM EST

    Welcome to the age of the Red Hat. You have hatuated from pink to red hat status. Life is good on this side of the field. Happy Birthday! Mary

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  23. Glad you were spoilt on your birthday - you deserve it!!!

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  24. Anonymous9:05 AM EST

    Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope you have a WONDERFUL year.you are such an inspiration to all of us. Wish you had stayed in Texas. LOL
    Sandi

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  25. Happy Birthday Bonnie.... 50 is right around the corner for me as well and can't wait to see it!

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  26. Anonymous9:20 AM EST

    Wishing you a very happy 50th birthday Bonnie. You share so much of yourself, it was so good to see it returned to you!

    linda-kaye

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  28. Have a wonderful Birthday. Those gals in Florida are lucky to help you celebrate the beginning of 50! Sandi

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  29. What a wonderful haul of quilty surprises! Sister's Choice is on my "to do" list. I love the idea of doing it in shirts! I currently have two of your patterns in the works in men's shirts and have been toying with the idea of doing Farmer's Wife blocks in plaid shirt fabrics. Why not?
    Happy 50th!! Safe travels!!!

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  30. Well, you certainly have your work cut out for you. Or maybe not, perhaps your friends need to arrange a cutting party to commemorate your big day and boat-load of fabric gifts. Happy, happy birthday my friend!

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  31. Happy happy birthday!!!!! Mrs. G is right...this looks like a bee party project!! What an amazing outpouring...rightly so because you're amazing!

    Safe travels, much happiness and happy celebrating in FL!

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  32. You are not 50. You are celebrating your 2nd anniversary of your 25th birthday.

    I stopped counting at 39. Now I do the alphabet with it. I am 39L this year (52) I figure when I reach Z that is 26 letters when added to my 39 I will equal 65- and then I will claim my age. Till then I am 39+

    Happy Birthday!

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  33. I'm speechless. Wow! Makes ya want to turn 50!

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  34. I'm so glad my package got there before you flew to Florida! That's my Millennium fabric. When 'My' Hancock Fabrics store closed it was one of the last BOLTS I bought, just for fun! I've been wanting to send it to you for a while. Have a great week. With all my snow I'm thinking Florida sounds pretty good right now.

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  35. Anonymous11:26 AM EST

    Happy 50th Birthday Bonnie!! Wishing you a great day and year! Thank you for all you do on your blog! I follow it everyday!! Lisa

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  36. Anonymous11:42 AM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie! Have fun in Florida.
    Valerie

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  37. Happy Birthday, Bonnie ! Enjoy each and every minute, and many more.

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  38. Happy Happy Birthday and many many happy, healthy years to come.

    ( Hey let's do a link up of Orca Bay to celebrate....cause my top is done!)

    Happy Sewing,
    Kim :0)

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  39. HaPPY HApPPy BIRTHDAY!

    The world is a much better place with you Bonnie.

    Enjoy your 50th Year!!

    Love Leanne

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  40. Happy Birthday Bonnie! Hope your cold is better and you enjoy some Florida sunshine! Here's to many more years of sewing with you.

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  41. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! The whole ten years of Fifty was great, so enjoy every moment ... as you seem to do, pretty much. Lighting candles for you on the left coast --

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  42. Bonnie, Happy 50th and it gets better from here, believe me in this!
    So I send you a hug from my heart with thanks for your Scrappiness. You manage to make my days and continue to teach me so very much!

    Every time I think of you, it is like getting a hug from the inside out. ~Author Unknown

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  43. Happy Birthday, Bonnie!

    Hope you have a lovely day.

    All the best, Susan(uk)

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  44. Happy Birthday!!!! Looks like you have lots to amuse yourself. Have a great one!
    Alice

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  45. Have a wonderful day - I know you will with all those goodies in the packages!! Sue K

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  46. Awwww Happy Birthday! What a wonderful, fun bunch of cards and fabrics!! Aren't quilters just the greatest? Wishing you many more happy happy birthdays!!

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  47. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! You are such a very special lady and we all love you so!

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  48. Have a wonderfull day - happy birthday.
    This year I become 50 to :-) It's a great age.....

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  49. Anonymous6:30 PM EST

    I beat you to the 50 yard line. I turned 50 last August. It isn't to bad. I hope you enjoy the next 50 like I know you have the first 50. Happy birthday!

    Sherri
    shoquilts@gmail.com

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  50. Anonymous7:03 PM EST

    Happy Birthday Bonnie! I hope you had a great day. It looks like you received a lot of really neat blocks. They should get the creative juices flowing. It is nice to be sharing the same birthday month with such a creative person. Have a great time in Florida.

    Happy sewing,


    Kerry

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  51. Anonymous7:33 PM EST

    Happy birthday Bonnie! Welcome to the club... Have a great time in Florida. I look forward to your blog every day. I'm working on Orca Bay....thanks for everything you do to inspire us! You're amazing...

    Terri
    Tgeesey@ charter.net

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  52. Mary Porath8:41 PM EST

    HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!!! Hope you had a GREAT day.

    Have a great time in Florida.

    Mary

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  53. Happy 50th birthday from Michigan! So glad you are enjoying your very special day - and I am looking forward to admiring your 50th bday quilt!!!

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  54. Wonderful prezzies!!! And I had to giggle a little to myself when I saw the millenium fabric. That's just kind of an ongoing thing isn't it? What really struck me though, in the picture of the table full of blocks & cards, was your chairs. I remember my mom having a couple of those. They were very dark since they'd never been refinished, but I think they were the same. Funny what you notice sometimes.

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  55. Happy Birthday, Bonnie! What wonderful presents! You must feel very blessed and loved by your quilter friends. Can't wait to see the great quilts you'll make from all those treasures!

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  56. Have a great Birthday Bonnie. 50 (sigh) it was a very good year...and now, they only get better.
    Cathy

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  57. What a lovely pile of birthday wishes.

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  58. What willpower to wait a whole day to open all this squishy mail! Happy Happy 50th--I reached that mark two months ago and celebrated it quietly with family. Your way looks like the quiltiest way to celebrate!

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  59. Nancy James3:39 AM EST

    Happy 50th BD Bonnie!! What a great surprise you got. Mine is the 27th, but it will be 58th. Hope I get fabric too. Did Jeff enjoy his as well? Nancy James

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  60. Happy Birthday Bonnie, the best years are yet to come! At least that's what I keep saying. I will turn 62 this year, what keeps me going is thinking I can apply for Social Security early if I want to! Gotta have something to look forward to! ! !

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