A surprise postcard & a couple of strips of squares

It's been an age since I've posted & I've tried so many times to get to a new post but to do this you must first do that, to do that you must first do this & on & on! Story of my life  ; 0.

I got a lovely surprise in the post the other day. This gorgeous postcard arrived, out of the blue!

On the back of the envelope it says "Unsolicited post from Stephie Sounds" The name on the address label is Stephanie Norgaard. There's no blog address so if no one has got her blog address I will write .....a postcard!

On the back there's a great poem; you can see part of the poem on the front, too.

(I can't believe someone cast a shadow there!)

Poignant words indeed. I just want to say a really big thank you, I love it!

Two lots of squares today.

Bits & pieces from my bits box, firecracker paper surrounded by an envelope window - the boys were delighted to buy firecrackers in France! Bits of paint from my saucer pallet; I love soaking the old paint a little & peeling it off in sheets, then you need to decide which side to use! I've edged it in gold pen...of course. More bits from my box with a poor great tit's feather, ;( - I couldn't not keep it! Packaging residue & finally I changed  my scalpal blade & used that packaging.

This next row is just a start. I finally got an embellisher machine with my hard earned birthdaymoney!

 Oh my goodness it's such fun, I've just been making marks, as per the helpfull DVD that comes with it. I'd  seen someone make a ribbon flower, too. I am owed an hour's workshop...when I'm next 5 hours away in Edinbro, meanwhile I shall surf a bit for info & how to's. I'd been considering Maggie Grey's book on embellishing, does anybody have it? What else is helpful for a complete embellishing beginner? I'll be so glad not to be poking the single needle into, then out the other side of my finger, again! & it's so much more gentle on the hands...& elbows & shoulders ;) I shall certainly be investing in some more wool roving but I already have hundreds of bits & pieces of salvaged fabric that I can't wait to turn into new fabric. At least a lifetime's work, I think!