Friday 29 July 2016

Christmas in July Gifts

Sad to leave one lot of grandies to come home, but excited to find two lovely swap parcels waiting for me when I did get home.

My partner in the No Fuss Swap bloggers "Clayton's Christmas Swap" was Melody.  We were to send four things to our partner -
A decoration, buttons, xmas fat quarter and a small chocolate bar.  How lovely are these goodies.


Had to show you a close up of the beautiful cross stitched decoration although the little sheep are a bit hard to see. It has a cute little pocket on the back to hold a little chocolate surprise.  Thankyou very much Mel - loved my beautiful gifts.

I also joined up with Cheryll's "Christmas in July swap.  My partner was Michell all the way from New Zealand.  Totally spoilt once again -

Look at this beautiful table runner. Didn't actually manage to fit it all in the photo, but so lovely.
Think Michell did her homework - some lovely snowman fabric included.

And loved this gorgeous Christmas bag and Santa decoration which will be perfect on my tree of handmade decorations.
 
The bag was so cute and full of gorgeous bit and pieces - a lovely pen and keyring from New Zealand, some sewing goodies and lovely "Joy" ribbon, thread, beautiful Fat quarter and the cutest pack of 2-1/2 inch squares.  Think I will use this to put my gingerbread stitcheries together that I showed you recently.  A beautiful parcel Michelle, thankyou and loved all my goodies. Cheryl

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Christmas in July swaps

I joined in two exciting Christmas in July swaps - one through Cheryll and the Stitching Cubbyhole blog and one with the No Fuss Swappers called a "Clayton's Christmas"

Now I'm still away so can't open my parcels til Thursday night, but I can show you what I made and sent to my partners.

De was my partner in the Claytons Christmas swap. 
We had to send a Christmas decoration. I chose to make one of Michelle's lovely designs.  And add a xmas fat quarter.
And of course a choccie and some xmas buttons.  I know De has opened her parcel - so lovely to have her as my partner.

And in Cheryll's Christmas in July swap my partner was Deb from Frog Cottage blog.  We have similar tastes so had no trouble in picking things to make for Deb.  We had a list to choose from.


Loved this Reindeer wool felt mat (a FignBerry design) and will make this one again.
I also made this little candle mat for Deb - sorry the snowman outlines are hard to see.
And lastly a little Santa goodie bag. Of course it had to have some goodies in it - xmas potpourri, xmas quilt labels and some choccies.  Was such a fun swap - always one of my favorites.  Lovely to have Deb as my partner.  Will be back soon with what I received in my swap parcels. Cheryl

Tuesday 19 July 2016

A Beautiful New Addition

I just had to show a couple of photos of my beautiful new granddaughter, who was born last Saturday morning.  We are over in South Australia enjoying some Nana and Pop time -

I know I am very biased, but isn't she beautiful.

Am I looking a bit tired lol?

Maybe because I've been lucky enough to have all my grandies together for the last few days.

Have been very spoilt with the South Australian weather - in fact it was 23 degrees and warm enough to go out in the boat.

I do have a soft spot for pelicans - think they thought they could get a free feed here.  Cheryl

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Brrr

I work at Halls Gap in the beautiful Grampians National Park on a Wednesday.  This is what greeted me when I got to work this morning -

Yes that's snow across the top of the peaks.  We've had a bit of a cold snap the last couple of days, and while occasionally it snows on Mt William, the highest peak, it is unusual for snow down this low.  I have only seen snow there once before.  I sat inches from the heater with my coat on all day.


On the upside the creek was flowing fast - has barely had a trickle in it in the last two years.

I have been sewing, but either secret sewing or little bit on this and a little bit on that, so hope to have some progress to show you next time. Cheryl