Christmas gifts

We have had a wonderful christmas, the boys were up at 5am to open presents as my husband had to go to work so we didn't want him to miss out on present time. Bleary eyed I sat there and took photos of each of them opening their presents, it was good fun. I also got some beautiful gifts this year, below are some of my advent gifts I received on the days leading up to christmas, Sylvia was my partner for this swap and she sent me some lovely things. Sylvia made me this bag to open on christmas day, its so sweet and the stitching is perfect, thankyou Sylvia. xx

These lovely gifts I recieved from another christmas swap I was in, (yes i know I love my swaps) Chooky blue organised this secret santa swap and my gifts came from Melinda in the USA, I received this great bag made from pretty batik fabrics.

And these lovely goodies, the pin cushion is made from selvages, how cool it is, Thankyou Melinda. xx I'll be back tomorrow with more christmas pics.

Its almost christmas

We are on the countdown until christmas morning now, my boys are very excited and I must admit so am I. I love watching their faces when they open their presents. Yesterday I received my secret santa gifts from my Friends in stitching group, One gift I was allowed to open And it was this great banner, it really makes my loungroom so christmassey. (Is that a word)

Today I gave this gorgeous cushion made by me to my dear friend Cathy for christmas, she was thrilled when she opened it. I really enjoyed making this, its a Lynette Anderson design. Well I hope you all have a wonderful christmas and a safe and happy new year.

Advent gifts

Its such good fun opening a gift every day for my advent swap, Sylvia from Italy has sent me some beautiful things, here a few things I received last week, The fabrics are beautiful and the star pincushion is so sweet, it even has pins in each point. Yesterday I quilted my tumbler quilt, I'll show you a full picture tomorrow, it turned out so well, I think I'd like to make another one. My boys have finished school for the year now and I'm on holidays which will be wonderful, I'm planning on doing lots of sewing. My youngest son is unwell right now with conjunctivitis I took him to the doctors tonight and he said it was the worst case he has seen in 20 years. I just hope he will be better for christmas. Ok, thats all for today, happy sewing and christmas shopping everyone.

Table runners and painting

Its been another busy day, I have been sewing up a storm and doing a bit of painting. I have repainted my old writing desk, I chose black as i want the primitive look, then when the paint was dry I sanded back the edges to give it a worn look, what do you think? I just need a few primitive pictures for the wall and I think that space will look great,

I also made these table runners a couple of weeks ago and took them to work to quilt, I made the big one first and I didn't want to throw away the scraps as the fabric is my favourite ( Its Vine creek from Kansas troubles) so I made a smaller one. They look really lovely on my side board and kitchen table. I'll be back tomorrow to show you a few more of my advent calendar gifts, they are lovely.

Happy sewing.

Busy Days

Its been such a busy week with the lead up to Christmas, the boys are on the count down until school finishes for the year, they have 4 days to go. I'm counting to as then I won't have to rush around in the morning getting everyone ready. Earlier in the week my secret santa gifts arrived all the way from USA. Can you see the chicken ornament in the box, isn't he cute. I was allowed to open that gift now the rest are under our christmas tree.

I have also been having alot of fun every morning opening up a gift from my advent calendar swap, my gifts have come from Italy so its been very exciting. These are some of the beautiful things I have received so far,Thankyou Sylvia. I'm looking foreward to trying the wisper thread, I've never used that before.

And last but not least I found some sewing time, well ok, I always make time for sewing. I have started making this tumbler block quilt, I found a tutorial on Moda bake shop and then I saw a quilt made up on Christines blog so I had to join in the fun, I want to make it 18 rows long. I have only done 7 so far. I used all my navy and light reproduction fabrics. Its good fun. Well now its time to get my washing off the line so I'll say goodbye, have a good week everyone.

A Dresden day...

I have had the best day of sewing, I'm in a Dresden kind of mood so after many hours of sewing today here is what I have accomplished so far. I started out using a charm pack called Folklorique from Fig tree quilts, then I decided to try some Rounneries fabric I had. This is such a beautiful range. I have seen many designers using these fabrics. These fabrics are my favourite, I think I will make something for my antique dressing table with these.

I think I will make a table runner from these ones, I found a fantastic tutorial on Moda bake shop,

Well I have to pack up the sewing machine and start on dinner, talk to you all soon. Happy sewing.

Lots of mail

The postman and I are becoming good friends, he has been at my house delivering lots of exciting mail, yesterday I received my advent calendar gifts, look at the box full of surprises ready for me to start opening on the 1st Decenber, my partner for this swap is Sylvia and she lives in Italy so it will be exciting so have some gifts from her country.

Sylvia made me a present to open straight away and it was this beautiful sun bonnet Sue cushion, isn't she sweet.

Today I received my stitchers angel gifts all the way from Argentina. They are beautiful, Thankyou so much Lavinia.

Look at this cute little toy, he is a Japanese toy that has been knitted. He is quite unique. Thankyou for sending him to me.