Happy New Year

Well, Christmas has come and gone..... and our (small) family did have a lovely Christmas this time spent in Sydney..... We celebrated in style.....

..... were entertained by one of my sisters.....

...... and who said you need "little ones" to enjoy bubbles.....

..... between days spent relaxing some of us decided to venture out to IKEA .... here enjoying well earned refreshments..... note we had a trolley and some of those BIG yellow bags!!

.....another day and another outing to a great book shop Constant Reader ..... a few more books to be added to my "to be read" bookcase!!

....there were outings to cafes and catching up with friends..... and time to do a bit of reading.....

New Year was spent in Sydney (watching the fire works on television) and the following week it was time to return home....  time to un-decorate the house.... but before all was packed away for another year one more photo - a new member of my Santa family (!) taking centre stage....this one came from England as part of my present from Megan.....

Over the last few days some "secret" stitching has been started.... but more of these 2 projects later......

And this week it's been a return to work..... holidays are over..... 

Hope 2018 is a happy and healthy one for my readers..... and may it be a "creative" one!! 

Happy Stitching

Asta 

Leading up to Christmas.....

Only a few more days and the festive season is upon us..... one of my favourite parts of this time of the year is decorating the house...... with a little help!

This year I have not added to my Santa "family" - about 52 at last count - but decided to add some lights to "brighten up" the scene.......

What else have I been up to since last here? Well, early November a "like-minded" friend and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Gerringong Quilt Exhibition....some of my favourite quilts.....

A few books have been read......

..........This book based on facts from those that new Anne Frank was very interesting 

though very  moving.

and one of my favourites......both funny & light-hearted ......inter-mingled with a few spiritual lessons 

At the end of November Hayley left the warmth of Burleigh Heads for a weekend and came south to attend a friend's baby shower.... we did manage to enjoy some quality time together as well - including sharing old family recipes - while devouring a bag of chocolate mint balls....and a bowl of chips! 

On the creative scene.... another pair of socks was knitted up (wool bought on my holiday) and were then packed up in a Christmas box heading to England for a certain someone about to have a cold Christmas.....

And a Christmas present to myself.......... this inspirational book..... SO many  lovely projects in it - I think the Tilda fabric range will now have to be added to my stash!! 

And that about brings me up to date - once again..... 

While Megan will be spending a "Winter" Christmas in England with James's family, Hayley & Mark will be having a sunny warm Christmas in Queensland and I will be in Sydney with other family members............all that is left is to wish my readers a "Happy & Peaceful Christmas" spent with their loved ones....may 2018 bring lots of good times and creativity your way.

Happy Stitching

Asta