I received an early Birthday present…OH BOY, did I ever!

The other day we found a HUGE box on our front porch… I was sewing at the time, but never heard anyone drive up. My hubby actually found it and it was a box with a picture of one of those cushy “bed chairs” that you can use when you are in bed. His brother, Larry, actually had the same exact bed chair so we thought Gloria had sent it to us. My hubby was kind of excited, until he saw the paper doll wrapping paper and knew it must be for me. :o( We never looked at the return address until then.

If you click on any picture it will enlarge!

I pulled it out of the box and it was heavy… and wrapped SO pretty. There was an envelope with a card in it… so I opened up the card first… and it was so beautiful, it would have been enough by itself. Here is the card… handmade…mind you!

It has a bendable part to the back so you can prop it up like this… and enjoy it even more!

There was a wonderful note written to me from the maker, and I’ll share about her in a minute, but just look at what was in the box, study the details and see if you can guess what it is before I show you…

Have you guessed what it is yet? If you can’t figure it out, it’s an “Inspiration Board” and Anne, (one of my readers) made it for me…

You REALLY should click on this picture to see it all in one shot! It’s amazing!

She sent me the nicest letter and told me she’s been working on it for quite some time and just kept finding more and more things she wanted to add to it. It has the most glorious laces, and little post card type plaques, paper dolls, a tiny Betsy McCall book, thread, yarn, buttons, appliques, and so much it’s just incredible. I was flabbergasted and overwhelmed at her gift. It’s heavy duty and even has a hanging strap on it…

She said it was for “taking apart and using the things on the board,” but it’s so pretty, I might have a hard time doing that. There are burlap criss cross pieces that most everything is tucked under so they are easily removed… It’s all done in peachy/pink colors and it is just gorgeous! I can’t imagine how long it must have taken her to make this… it is extremely well made and is over an inch thick…quite substantial and very professional looking on the front AND BACK!

As I’m looking at these close up pictures of the board again, I’m realizing I don’t have adequate words to say thank you to Anne! It is an incredible gift and will definitely make turning 61 easier… I’m not exactly sure how that works, but it will!

It’s such a nice gift… maybe Anne has inspired you to make one, even on a smaller scale for someone you know… it could be an inspiration board on anything… use your imagination! Anne certainly used hers!

Thank you Anne… and thank you again! Once definitely isn’t enough. I am humbled at your generosity and love that was put into this!

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

28 thoughts on “I received an early Birthday present…OH BOY, did I ever!”

  1. Wow! That….is beautiful, Anne!!
    Lucky Jeanne, to be so loved and blessed, and a huge early Happy Birthday, from me, too!
    Hugs,
    Ali

  2. That is an inspiration. Now to dream up a really inspired dress in these very girl colors. Maybe something Victorian or Edwardian with a nice big hat. It’s a truly stunning gift.

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      Yes, stunning AND stunned is what I was when I first saw this. It’s got to be the most girlie thing I’ve ever received! An “Inspiration board” certainly is a fitting name for it…definitely something Victorian will come from this!!! (Lots of “somethings” in fact!)
      Thanks Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. I’m speechless!! Really, Jeanne, I’m sitting here trying to figure out what to say, and oh my, that is the most wonderful piece of memorabilia for a seamstress/doll lover, that I have ever seen! Anne, you are genius!

    Yes, like Marilyn says, a Victorian or Edwardian outfit would certainly be the inspiration you would get from just looking at this beautiful gift! I immediately recognized the two paper dolls, but not sure where I have seen them before. They certainly look vintage, as I also am!!

    What a darling display for your sewing room! You certainly are loved, Jeanne Marie!

    1. Hi Linda,
      I was speechless too, when I first saw it, and actually, I still am! It is truly incredible and yes, I’d say Anne is quite the genius. Normally on a gift like this, I try to keep it a secret, but I emailed Anne and asked if I could please tell it was from her…she deserved the compliments on this gift, I thought! You all have certainly blessed her with wonderful compliments…I’m so happy!
      Thanks Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. It’s a beautiful present! What a lovely idea, Anne, and your execution was superb. Each aspect was its own small gift. It’s just amazing. I’ll bet it was great fun to put together too.
    Such a wonderful gift.
    Hope you have a good day!
    Take care.

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      Yes, it’s superb…I hadn’t used that adjective, but I will now! It truly is like a box full of many, many small treasures!
      I bet she did have fun collecting things and putting them on the board…it took a lot of little snippets of things to fill this board up!
      I still can’t believe Anne did it!
      Thanks, Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Oh that is so pretty! What a thoughtful gift and so creative too. I can’t imagine where Anne found all the little things she used on the board, and as you said, the card alone is a gift itself. I don’t know when your birthday actually is, so I’ll say Happy Birthday now. I hope it’s the best one yet!

    1. Hi Carolyn,
      Yes, this gift is quite wonderful, to have and even just to look at. I can’t imagine where she found all the little goodies, either…and for them all to be in the same color family is even more amazing…
      I could turn my sewing room into a museum with all the wonderful things I’ve been gifted!
      Thank you, Carolyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. It’s the most amazing creation I’ve ever seen, truly! I can’t imagine how long it took to gather all of the wonderful items, one by one! And putting them together so artfully! Now I understand why Anne hasn’t been commenting lately. It’s the most thoughtful gift, made with love, for the wonderful lady who keeps us all together and amazed by her creations. Thanks, Anne and Jeanne, for letting us see the details of this most amazing birthday gift. It’s a gift to all of us.

    1. Hi Susette,
      I think it’s the most wonderful inspiration board I’ve ever seen too. I should posy it on Pinterest so the whole world can see it and be inspired!!!
      Yes, putting the items togethet, “artfully”, is an understatement…I wonder if the whole thing turned out more beautiful than Anne even imagined it would when she first started? I bet even she was surprised!
      Thanks Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. What an amazing Inspiration Board, Anne! All those neat items! Looking at each one is a wonder until something else catches the eye. What a fun inspiration board. So many items Jeanne can use too and I agree with Linda and Marilyn, a Victorian or Edwardian outfit is in store for the future. With the lace and netting, even a 50’s party dress.
    Anne, that must have taken a long time to put together. I love the paper dolls and the little Betsy McCall pamplet…so cute.
    Jeanne, I know you’ll enjoy this for a long time as anyone would. What a lovely gift !
    Thanks for sharing it with us.

    1. Hi Paula,
      In the future I might have to take a few things off at a,time so you can all see them better. The little Victorian cards in the fancy writing are so sweet.
      I bet there is enough trim to make 20 or more dresses! Oh how fun for me!!!
      That little Betsy McCall booklet is filled with outfits made for Betsy and is definitely worth sharing sometime.
      Thanks Paula… I’m glad everyone enjoyed seeing this today..
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. What an exciting birthday gift from Anne. Thank you for sharing it with us. Such a creative gift idea. Love it.
    Isn’t doing trim fun? Just kidding. You know, when I looked at the ceiling, my first thought was paint it white! I have the same dilemma with the ceiling in my parents home that we will eventually renovate. Every time I look at it, I keep thinking lighten it up and paint it white. But, the other day, I saw an amazing ceiling, that was in the light gray tones. You could see the wood through the stain but it was nice and light. So, now I’m thinking perhaps that would be better. Any way, it will take a lot of time and neck breaking work to get it right. Know you will be so happy when the painting is all done.
    Any word on the arrival time for the baby?

      1. Hi Joy,
        Yes, “This” birthday gift from Anne will be hard for my family to top…actually, my hubby asked me if the flooring could be my anniversary present? I told him, “yes, and my birthday too!”
        My dream since we bought this fixer upper 13 years ago, was to eventually paint the plank ceiling white. I would LOVE that…but it’s just not that simple. It has been stained sort of a brownish orange and then a clear coat has been applied. When the light shines in my living room, it reflects on the ceiling and is sort of weird. Rhe ceiling would have to be sanded down so a primer would stick and then probably 2 coats of paint. Ugh! It would be a bear to do! My hubby has always like the ceiling so I conceded “for now” and will just be happy with new walls and a new floor. I even thought about whitewashing the ceiling and not painting it a solid white colir, but it’s the samevproblem…nothing will stick to it, until it gets sanded down some…
        I haven’t heard anything from Bithar, so I guess “baby girl” is just taking her time.
        I’ll check out Pixie Faire in a minute…
        Thanks Joy,
        Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Thank you Christine,
      It is truly a beautiful gift… I can’t make myself take anything off just yet!
      Thanks for the early birthday wishes!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Oh my goodness….I love it! Everything about it is just gorgeous! Fantastic piece of art that would be a treasure to hang in a sewing room. Anne your talent is incredible!
    Jeanne thank you for sharing it with us.
    God Bless
    Marsha

    1. HI Marsha,
      Isn’t it just the prettiest thing ever? I love it too! It certainly is a treasure to hang up in my sewing room… now to find just the right place! :o)
      Yes, Anne’s talent is unbelievable!
      Thanks for liking it, Marsha!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Happy early Birthday! 🙂 I hit 60 last month! ‘Young. Old. Just words.’ The motto I’m trying to live by. It’s on my Mary Englebrit calendar for Aug. 🙂

    1. HI Melody,
      You’re right..it’s just a number… actually 60 was a really good year for me… I hope your year is great too!
      Thanks for the birthday wishes!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Charlotte Trayer

    What a fabulous gift, and that card is just amazing, too!! Anne is a very creative gal, I’m thinking!

    I noticed in one corner there’s some–I Think–stretch lace in a pretty deeper pink, maybe to use on panties/bloomers/petticoat for a smaller doll? And some of those other laces would work on AG clothes….

    If you get to the point where you think you can remove and use some of the things on the inspiration board, you can always replace them with other things, you know! That would change the look of it some, but at least you would have the option of doing so.

    Well, we’re going to have lunch, and then my friends will take me to the airport. I’m going home today. Sad to leave here, but will be glad to see Ron again!

    1. HI Charlotte,
      It truly is a fabulous gift and one that keeps on giving… you use something up, but there is always something else to use on something else. Yes, I’d say Anne is QUITE creative!
      I know exactly the lace you are talking about and it is stretchy too…perfect for waistbands and headbands alike!
      It will be fun to see what I take off the board first…
      I’m so glad you had such a nice time with your friends… but you’ll be glad to get home to your routine AND your dolls! Oh, and yes, Ron! :o)
      Thanks Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. What an absolutely gorgeous board. I wouldn’t take it apart. I would hang it on the wall in your sewing room where you could admire it everyday. What a lovely gift Anne sent to you.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jeanne!! God’s blessing on your special day.

    1. Hi Laura,
      I know, isn’t it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
      “Of I do take it apart” it will probably be a while before I do..
      I’m glad you like it..Blessings, Jeanne

  13. Happy almost Birthday!?

    What an amazing gift! It must have taken quite a while to gather all those pretty things! Useful item..pretty items, old and new..it’s like a collection all in one place. I’ll bet you just want to stare at it! Anne did a wonderful job”.enjoy it.
    Hope the remodeling goes well!
    Hugs,

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