Christmas preparations

Where did the last week go! There were some lovely parties and some decorating and a little baking and stitching. Before I share some of those, I need to show you this picture of Jayne. She won Hobbysew's Tilda competition, T is for..... Jayne made this gorgeous hanging with the lovely Tilda fabrics provided. Congratulations, Jayne.

 I also received a lovely gift from Linda last week. I have used this mug already several times!

 I needed to make the little men some Christmas t-shirts.

 Some shortbread was baked to take to parties this week.

 I will leave you with a few pictures of Christmas at our house. As you can tell, I love making Christmas decorations.

Christmas preparations, a gorgeous gift and little visitors

Today Lyndal and I headed into Civic for a little Christmas shopping. We had a lovely time getting a few needed gifts and I managed to buy a dress!!! Very hard usually for me to find one that fits and today I found 2. Am beginning to think I should have bought the second one as well. We just had to stop for a coffee and some scones and these were the decorations nearby.

 I was very spoilt on Thursday when Fiona visited as she gave me this gorgeous, framed stitchery for Christmas. I just love it and have just the right place for it once the decorations come down.

 This saying is so true! Friends are so special.

 This afternoon I think I have finished wrapping all the gifts.

 When we arrived home, we were so pleased to see little Benny and Sammy visiting. I had bought this Little People nativity a while ago and it was fun to get it out for them to play with.

 They had been for a swim and as it was hot they just had their nappies on. So cute!!

They enjoyed a lovely rumble with Mum and with Pa.

 Then it was time to do a little preparation for the next few days. This chocolate slice is a beauty....thanks Janet.

Must make a bit more shortbread but probably have enough for tomorrow.

 The peppermint crisp meringues are baking right now!

I think dinner tonight will be very easy as there is lots of eating to be done in the next few days!

Christmas eve

Last minute shopping was done yesterday and lots of baking ready for tonight and for Sydney. Today feels a  bit more relaxed as there is just dinner to organise for the 6 of us. We've decided to have a hot meal tonight and most things can't be done till closer to the time. I was a bit tired last night but managed to finally start my Some Kind of wonderful quilt! Only a week to go and there are lots of blocks to do but I am pleased I have begun. Might just get another block ready today!

 Hope you are all ready for Christmas. I just love this gorgeous mat (not sure I am brave enough to put a hot dish on it!) that I was given as a gift by a dear friend. It looks very complicated!

 The gifts are wrapped!

 The baking is done...shortbread, florentines, truffles, peppermint crisp meringues and there are lots of goodies in the pantry, probably too many.

Have a very happy and relaxed Christmas enjoying your families and friends.

Baking, wrapping and some lovely gifts

Rushed these photos yesterday so they aren't great. Had a massive afternoon of baking yesterday (not my favourite thing to do!). I made these fiddly truffles which taste lovely and appear easy but aren't! I also baked/ prepared another batch of shortbread, chocolate balls, pavlova....

florentines...

and peppermint meringues. I was so tired after all that work. The kitchen is still grubby and needs a major clean today. We are having our family Christmas tonight and so all needs to be ready.

The gifts are wrapped. I had forgotten how long it all takes.

I also received some lovely gifts this week. How lucky am I? See the gorgeous little Christmas house behind the bears.

This is the loveliest tea caddy with a very special glass bee hanger.

I also received this crocheted decoration.

Another special gift was this little blue and white ceramic machine. It will go so well with my blue and white crockery. I feel very blessed to have such lovely friends.

A friend sent me a link to this amazing video on YouTube. Worth watching to see a digital version of the Nativity. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA

Some little gifts and baking...

I had a very successful shopping trip yesterday with my girls and managed to get the last of the gifts. They are under the tree, wrapped and ready. I have just wrapped some decorations for my girls and have made these appliqued hand towels for them and one for me. They are designs out of some of Nancy Halverson's Christmas books.

I also had a baking afternoon yesterday and had a go at this Panforte from the latest Donna Hay magazine. Looks OK in this picture from the magazine, so hope it tastes yummy.

Don't forget to comment by tonight on the December 16 post to be in the giveaway for the Nativity pattern. I'll draw it tomorrow morning.