Christmas Goodies to share

Hope you all had a good Christmas Day with family and friends. We had a lovely quiet day at home; ate too much and opened some beautiful gifts. First I would like to share my gift from Lyndell as part of the Fat Quarter Swap ; we swapped a small gift instead of fat 1/4's. Lyndell made me the most gorgeous small pillow and some buttons (I have a thing for buttons LOL).

DD2 has been guarding my gifts from Kaye - my partner in Cheryll's Secret Santa Swap. Well yesterday I was finally allowed to open them - I can honestly say I was spoiled well and truly. An apron (worn to cook the turkey), 4 spools of ribbon (I never have enough ribbon), a beautiful Babushka doll to cross stitch; 2 cross stitch patterns; a box of my favourite chocolates; my advent calendar "Angel" (shown in an earlier post); my very own Christmas stocking; a felt purse to make and a miniature Christmas Tree - has pride of place on the fire with the carol singing mice. Those of you who follow Kaye will know 2013 has not been a good year; ending with the passing of her beloved mum in November yet Kaye continued thinking of me and sent me these beautiful gifts. Kaye has been an amazing partner and I truly feel I have made a new friend through this swap. 

Can't wait to do it all again in 2014 ♥♥

Merry Christmas Everyone

One of our family traditions is to open one gift on Christmas Eve; DD2 chooses the gifts from under the tree and for me she chose my gift from Stanislava my partner in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Swap.  I have been so spoilt; Stanislava has made me a gorgeous wall hanging/mini quilt. It is just divine. A big thank you

I would just like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a healthy, safe and prosperous 2014. 

Last FNSI 2013

I joined Wendy and friends over at FNSI for the last time this year (where's it gone??). I worked on some 12" blocks; they're for a swap. There are 12 of us in the swap so 12 blocks to make. We're all using black and white plus an accent and I chose red. 4 down 8 to go.........

I would like to thank Wendy for hosting this blog; part of the joy is seeing the amazing things that are happening out there in the craft world. Wishing each and everyone of you a truly blessed Christmas XXX

Confessions of an addict..... and more

Well Sharon did say they were addictive and now I believe her. It's been stifling here today 44C so we had the whole family making flowers. Very pleased with the results DD2 especially took to them like a duck to water. We upcycled some sheet music that dates from 1930's and used some coloured photocopy paper for a bit of contrast. More to make tomorrow as it's going to be a scorcher again..... Not sure we'll be breaking this habit for a while......

I also received squishy mail today. My block from Noelene in the Quilting Block Swap Australia 

and my stockings from Nichole my partner in the Quilting Galleries Stocking Swap. I'd seen the photo's of the stockings on FB but that really didn't do them justice. Nichole has also made me a beautiful Christmas Cactus out of seed beads; I can't imagine how much time went into it but it is just divine. I'm completely blown away by the amount of time and love that people put into gifts for complete strangers it really does shows the true meaning of Christmas.

Hope you're all on track with your Christmas preparations. Might see some of you tomorrow night at FNSI; it's sure to be a great night - last one of the year.

Help please - paper flower ball

I need some help please. I was reading blogs over the weekend and found a wonderful post about making a flower ball from an old book music paper and thought DD2 and I could make those. I remember the paper had to be cut into 3.5" squares but then the computer had a hissy fit and all my pages disappeared. I know I should have booked marked I but didn't. If any one knows what I'm talking about and knows the link I'd be really; really grateful if you could post it/link it (DD2 is hoping to make some today!). Thank you.

Surprise Mail

Well I was going to show off my stitchery and iPad holder (which I will) but my darling husband brought the mail home today and what was in it? My Secret Santa Swap from my partner Kaye; my goodness what a box full of goodies; I'm absolutely overwhelmed, especially as (those who follow Kaye's blog will know) 2013 has not been the best. I couldn't have asked for a better partner. Now to show you what has arrived :) My DD2 has wrapped the box (prevents accidental squishing and poking LOL) and has firmly informed me I can't open it until Christmas Day (she's 11 going on 50!!!).

First this is what the box looked like when I opened it:

We (DD2 had to help!) delved further and found Angel (she's now got pride of place between DD1 and DD2's Advent Calendar's); 

a gorgeous stocking and some beautifully wrapped gifts

Words can't express how much love and Christmas Spirit has been put into my box ♥♥♥♥ Thank you Kaye.

Now to show you what I planned. My mam lives with us so it is very difficult to make anything without her knowing but today I managed just that! The guise was making 12.5" blocks but secreted under the table was fabric for an iPad stand - must say I'm pleased with how it's turned out;

and I found the backing for the stitchery I've been doing and I've finished it. My mam knew I'd been working on this but I've managed to keep it from her; the colours will go perfectly with the new quilt cover we've bought her for Christmas. 

I think I've most of my Christmas Crafting done so time to work on some UFO's I think :)

FNWF and Christmas Trimmings

Well FNWF didn't go entirely to plan (missed out on the dip) but I did get my stitchery completed; just the borders and quilting to go - it might just get done for Christmas as planned but I had "planned" this for Friday. 

DD2 had other ideas so we started to decorate the Christmas Tree and find all the other Christmas goodies - lots of reminiscing happens "do you remember where we got this"; "don't put that on the tree - I did that in Reception) etc. It was time well spent and we finished it off over the weekend. We've put the mice on the fire and from a decoration point of view we're ready. Just need to buy and wrap presents, orgainise food, gifts for teachers, cards to write and so the list goes on but we do have a gorgeous tree to look at.

I've also won Travelling Treasures; completely unexpected but I can't wait to see what comes my way but more importantly what I can find to forward on :)

A severed arm and a Christmas Block

I made some Scandinavian inspired dolls a few years ago and one was returned recently by a friend with a severed arm. Arm reattached and she's recuperating nicely waiting to go home :)

This is the beautiful block I received from Cathy in the Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia - I asked for a star in traditional colours; it's just perfect ♥♥