Merry Christmas

I would like to wish you all, my dear friends, a very Merry Christmas - I hope you've all had a very special day and been very spoilt. I know I was, plus was very exciting to open my swap gifts and other special surprises under the tree from some very dear friends.  Thankyou Shez and Barb for spoiling me, and Michelle for the most gorgeous plum pudding decoration for my tree, and Keryn for my gorgeous bits and pieces.

Sharon - I received my gorgeous secret swap parcel from you. I don!t have your email, but thank you so much for spoiling me. I loved all my presses and will show photos of my gorgeous gifts from Sharon soon - when I buy a new laptop. Yes mine died about 5 or 6 days ago, and I'm relying on my daughters phone, but have no idea how to do photos on my blog from her phone. So maybe Boxing Day sales tomorrow.  Also opened my lovely surprise gift from Julie, my other secret Santa
And again will post photos once I have a new computer. And was also spoilt from another Julie, my partner in Mrs Martins swap. And Dagmar my secret Santa in Chookys swap. Hope you have all had a wonderful day with your families. Cheryl

I've Been Spoilt Again

Two lovely parcels arrived in the mail today - one from my friend Karen, and the other from Julie, who unbeknown to me was my secret partner in Maree's secret Santa Christmas swap. And how spoilt was I -

This very large parcel arrived from Julie, and of course I could wait to open it to see what was inside.

Something rea/d - yes a beautiful red bag - it's just gorgeous Julie, and just my colors. Will look very smart out shopping with this.

Something for the sewing room - a gorgeous handstitched pincushion (top left), something smelly (tealights at top of the picture -( nearly missed them, and Julie obviously knew I loved candles), something for the tree - two very gorgeous decorations, something to eat - a very yummy tin of cherry flavored lollies. And as you can see I was a very good girl and left one unopened to go under the tree. 

 

And these most gorgeous handmade cards - you are so very talented Julie.I havn't got your email address Julie, but just loved my gorgeous parcel, so a big, big thankyou for my most lovely presents. Loved them all, and thankyou for being my secret partner

 

Now Karen and I were partners last year in Mrs Martins Christmas swap, and we have so much in common, so I often see things and think Karen would love this or that. We chat often and have our own little swaps now.   She surprised me with a lovely xmas gift -

Karen knows how much I love snowmen - isn't he beautiful - the cutest felt bag which is a Bunny Hill design, and I'm very partial to marshmellow Santas Karen.

And she also sent me this very gorgeous Lynette Anderson bag as she knew I would love it - great for taking my sewing out and about.  Thankyou dear friend.  You both made my day.
Cheryl

Some More New Xmas Goodies and Parcels, parcels

Now you know how I love Christmas, so following my little shopping expedition to The Christmas Shop in Maldon, I also added these gorgeous handmade goodies from Keryn -

This very, very cute roly poly Santa.  And there's more as you knew there would be -

Of course I had to have Snowy too.

And Keryn sent me this gorgeous tree on a cinnamon stick.  Thankyou Keryn - love my new goodies - you are so, so talented.

Lots of parcels coming and going here, as I know there are with lots of you.  Can't wait until I can open them.
Now I showed you my gorgeous wooden snowman decoration from Dagmar, my swap partner in Chooky's SSCS, in my last post (which I just loved), but she emailled me and said there was another, which I've now opened and it will hang beautifully on my tree with other handmade decorations from special friends -

Love it, thankyou Dagmar.

And on Friday a parcel arrived from Leanne (lizziethequilter.blogspot) who was my partner in Cheryll's Santa Sack swap -

How lucky am I with this gorgeous bag Leanne made for - so lovely and roomy, will be great for shopping and/or a day's stitching.  And in lovely French General fabrics.  Thankyou so much Leanne for spoiling me, and I just love my bag.  These yummy looking parcels came with it, and I'm just going to have to be patient until opening day -

I'm trying not to squish and feel them too much.

And these were posted off to my secret partner in Suzanne's (Colorado Lady blog) swap.  Mmm wonder who they are for?

Have a great week. Cheryl

I've Been Shopping

We spent the weekend celebrating my eldest granddaughter's 7th birthday, along with seven other very energetic 7 y.o.  On the way home we went via Maldon to The Christmas Shop, which may or may not have been slightly out of way lol.  And those of you who know me well would know that I would not leave there empty handed.  Want to see what I bought -

I love snow globes and have a dozen or more. Hard to see but it has a little village with a train that goes around.

And of course had to add some more to my collection of Jim Shore. Had the little white snowman on the left, but added the little colorful one and this gorgeous Santa - can you see the string he's holding in his hands with the toys hanging off.

Must admit to buying this because I knew my granddaughters would love it - the village in the background scene lights up and plays music. And, yes another snow glove with the most beautiful tree.

Look what arrived today - all these wonderful looking gifts from my Secret Santa, Dagmar from Germany in Chooky's SSCS. How spoilt am I? Counting down the days until I can open them. Thankyou so much Dagmar.

And this was the most beautiful decoration she sent me - it's not as small as it looks in my photo - about 25 cm tall. Think Dagmar has been doing some digging to know how much I love snowmen.  Isn't he gorgeous.

Back soon. Cheryl

Goodbye Dear Viv

Many of you may know of Viv from Viv's Creations. She sadly passed away last night after battling cancer for some time.  She was a very talented designer and I have sewn many of her patterns and been to many of her classes over the years.  We had lots in common and hit it off straight away, and I was very fortunate to call her a friend - a very special person in my life, who I will sadly miss -

This was the last time I saw her - 12 months ago, although we emailled regularly.

Many of her designs grace my home, especially at this time of the year as we both loved Christmas -

Welcome stitchery in my entrance hall.

Lots of stitchery on this stocking.

Love this naive tree with lots of three dimensional ornaments stitched to it.

Another favorite.

And my tree with all my lovely handmade decorations on it has several of Viv's on it. The cute little reindeer is one from another lovely friend, Keryn. 

I will miss you Viv. Cheryl xx

1 Xmas Item a Month

Phew, that month went quick. I am joining Narelle from Pins and Whiskers and lots of other busy elves for

Lots of xmas sewing at the moment, lots of it secret, but I can show you this little hanging I've just finished, which will be a gift -

A pattern from Cinderberry Stitches. I have done a couple of this design this year in different colorways.  Have a great week. Cheryl

A Lovely Day Out

Last Wednesday a group of us headed off to Melbourne for a lovely, indulgent day.  First stop was a visit to the Johnston Collection.  This is a private museum "Fairhaven" bequeathed to the State of Victoria by William Johnston, which was originally his home and still contains the beautiful antique furniture he loved to collect. Each year in November various artisans and groups (including patchwork, embroidery, beading, decoupage, etc) are invited to decorate one room in the house with Christmas embellishments, but taking their inspiration from the furnishings, china, etc within. Not an easy task.

Decorations made by the various groups included an amazing patchwork quilt on the bed, cushions, tree decorations, presents under the tree, decoupage eggs, beaded decorations, embroidered placemats and the list goes on. Unfortunately no photos were permitted inside, but there were literally hundreds of lovely handmade things.

Next it was lunch at "Gaz"i which is George Columbaris' restaurant of Masterchef fame. Well known for the beautiful souvlakis (which I had), but had to show you the ceiling -

Hundreds and hundreds of terracotta pots. Looked amazing .

Then onto some shopping. What would a day in the city be without some retail therapy.
Myers window was beautiful as always - "Gingerbread Friends" was the book it was based on this year.

And my favorite shop "L'ucello" - full of vintage haberdashery. Do you think I was in my element?  Absolutely!

Lots of trims and braids

And of course I had to buy something, didn't I?

Some fat 1/4s in my favorite colors.

And couldn't resist these gorgeous vintage buttons - may not use them, they look so gorgeous on the card and the reindeer braid - will be handy for some xmas sewing.

Have a lovely weekend. Cheryl

A Quick Post

today. Not a lot I can show - lots of secret sewing happening, but you will all know about that.

We had a lovely weekend camping with one of my daughters and two little granddaughters. This was the bit they enjoyed the most -

toasting marshmellows over the fire.  We had loads of fun. First camping trip for Miss 2 y.o.

And posted these off today - gifts for my Secret Santa swap partner in Chookyblues swap.  One down, mmm a few to go.

Off to Melbourne on the train tomorrow for a fun, indulgent day.  Will show you what I got up to in the next couple of days. Cheryl

Christmas Gathering

Wow what a wonderful day I had on Saturday at a Christmas Gathering with Leanne Beasley and Gail Pan as the tutors. Here are the girls showing the projects we could work on during the day.

It was great to catch up with fellow bloggers Shez, Barb, Melody, Sharon and catch up with Anne and meet some new bloggers Vicki, Sylvia and Fiona. And lovely to have my sister join me.

This was the beautiful display that greeted us - and we got to keep that very cute reindeer and candle jar.

Barb and Shez enjoying xmas lunch

A close-up of Leanne's gorgeous table runner, for which we received the kit, including the Riley Blake charm pack to complete it.  I will show you Gail's lovely wallhanging when I've done a little more stitching on it. Funnily enough I didn't get a lot done on the day, but will look forward to the next one. Cheryl

Let's Celebrate Swap

Firstly I had to show you these two gorgeous little witches who went out "trick and treating" for Halloween -

(my two little granddaughters of course).

For this month's Let's Celebrate swap through Mrs Martins Quilt Shop we were to send a block of our choice for the recipient to make into something as part of "Mrs Martins Quilting Day". . My partner, Julie and I decided we wouldn't make a block but do a finished item related to quilting.  Now my photography skills leave a lot to be desired so when I download the photo of what I had sent to Julie it was way too blurry to use, so I only have a photo of the inside to show you -

Anyway I'm sure you'll get the idea - a sewing folder with lots of pockets. Just what a girl needs for a day of sewing.

And Julie sent me THE most amazing parcel -

This gorgeous sewing pocket, a very cute sewing machine button and a lovely cottage garden thread "Snapdragon", which I am already using.

Isn't it amazing? Just LOVE it Julie, thankyou so much - can't stop looking at it.
Cheryl

You May Not Want to Read this Post -

as it will remind you how close Christmas is getting.  But we had a hive of activity at my place on the weekend, bought about by three things really. Firstly, my two granddaughters were visiting, and my 6 y.o. grandie reminded me that it was hers and my tradition to put out the village and all the xmas pieces that lit up, so we set to -

The second thing that contributed to this hive of activity was a parcel in the mail from a dear friend Keryn, who some of you may know has a wonderful new blog selling her original Christmas pieces www.christmascreationsbykeryn.blogspot.com.  Now Keryn and I go back quite a few years - I was trying to work out how long, and I would hazard a guess at early 2000s, and it was our mutual love of Christmas that bought us together.  Many of her creations grace my home, ooh and I have some new ones to join them -

Isn't he the cutest?

These will hang on my favorite tree - the one with the handmade decorations on it from special friends and blogging buddies. Now there were two reindeer - both were meant as a xmas gift for a "reindeer mad" friend, but decided I needed one of them lol.  Make sure you go and say hi to Keryn and check out her gorgeous creations.

And the final reason for all this activity -

I happened to pull out one of the several tubs under my bed that house my santas - now with all those eyes looking up at you, how could you possibly not get them out and hang them up after all those months tucked away? 

So you can see a busy weekend, and yah Christmas is coming. Cheryl

1 Xmas Item a Month

I am linking up with Narelle from www.pinsandwhiskers.blogspot.com for  -

I know the 25th of the month has past, but I had a good excuse. Had my two gorgeous daughters, one partner and two gorgeous granddaughters for the weekend, who love nothing better than when nan has the computer on cos nan is too soft and they can push buttons.  Has been known to have detrimental effects, so easier not to have it on while they are visiting.

Anyway lots of xmas sewing happening here, but the item I have finished and can show is is this one from Gail Pan -

There is some cute little prairie points on the bottom.  Have used a CGT "Mistletoe".

Just a quick post tonight. Will be back soon to show you what the eldest granddaughter and I got up to on the weekend. Cheryl

A Couple of Lovely Wins

Wow - how lucky have I been this week? I entered a competition on The Christmas Beetle blog, and I couldn't believe it when Michele emailled me to say I was the lucky winner - over $100 of gorgeous Christmas goodies -

Dangly leg Mrs Claus - and she smells divine - filled with lavender

A Christmas apron - how great - I didn't have one, and some cute little gingerbread house salt and pepper shakers

And this little fella is a collectable, limited edition piece - bit hard to see but his costume is like a bunch of grapes.  Michele I was so thrilled, so thankyou for your very generous giveaway.

And to top it off I won one of the lucky number prizes at the stitching soiree I went to on Saturday -

 A lovely tablerunner pattern, some very cute snowman fabric which I will put to good use very soon, a tape measure and some DMC thread.

What a great week. And talking of the soiree Mrs Martins Quilt Shop had her shop there, so what's a girl to do -

but bring home some new bits and pieces - "O Christmas Tree" wallhanging pattern, and a kit to make it on the left, a charm pack of Snowman Gatherings and half metre of a very pretty green fabric.

Back soon. Cheryl