A White Christmas … for some!!!

Yesterday was a big day for my DS and his gorgeous wife!!! Off to London they flew, to spend Christmas with DD1 and her boyfriend Lukey. They look so happy and excited don’t they :o)!! I’m going to miss them all so much on Christmas Day but I’m pleased as punch that they get to spend this special time with each other!!! AND … Tahlia (DD1) has told me it’s SNOWING over there!!!! ALREADY!!!! So it looks like Ross and Alicia get their very first ‘white Christmas’ ~ how fabulous is that :o)!!??!

We had to make a quick stop on the way home from the airport … one of Bear’s Chrissie pressies this year is a ‘friend for Ollie’. So off to the pet shop we went and after much sorting for ‘just the right birdie’ ….. we found Bert!!! Bert is just like Ollie was when we first got him …. he’s sweet and friendly, doesn’t mind being held AND … he DOESN”T BITE!!! That was THE most important thing, we didn’t want a ‘biter’!!!He and Ollie get along famously and they did right from the start :o) … aren’t they cute together!!??!

Now, seeing as it’s Christmas and the time for good cheer and all that … I thought I’d have some specials on my blog for my PDF patterns. Each day I’m going to put another on my sidebar for just $5.00 each!!!! That's less than half price!!!!! There’ll be a new one added each day up until Christmas then they’ll disappear!!! LOL ~ just like Santa going back up the chimney he he he. So if you want one just click on the “Buy it Now” button and as soon as payment is received it will be emailed to you!!! How easy is that :o)!!?!!

First up is “Dragonflight” … it’s one of my favourites – I have this one on my bed at the moment done in pinks and purples … this range was called “Decadent Victorian”… mmmmm it’s delish ;o)!!

So don’t forget to check in each day to see the next special!!! And while you’re checking blogs, there’s a fun link each day right up until Christmas on the Among the Gumtrees blog too!!!

Stitching time for me ……….

About time too ;o)!!!

The Christmas Tree is finally up!!!! I know, it’s a bit late, and I really didn’t mean to leave it so long but it seems to have been SO busy around here lately :o/!!

Here’s Bear putting the star on the top ~ the finishing touch ;o)……. And here’s the tree looking all festive and pretty!!!I’ve shown you this Christmas quilt before, but here it is again for anyone that might have missed it LOL … The hutch is looking rather festive too, there are a couple of favourites on there …. This cute heart I made from Vikki’s pattern, love it :o)!!! Thanks Vikki :o)!!!! And here’s jolly old Santa doing the countdown of ‘sleeps until Christmas’ …. this piccy is NOT up to date as you can tell by the number 12 he’s holding lol!! So now it’s time to get back to some serious stitching …. I STILL have more Chrissy gifts to finish!!!

There are still more fun links for freebies being posted on the Among The Gumtrees blog so pop on over and have a look!!!

SO Chuffed!!!!

Oh I’m so tired … it’s only mid afternoon and I’ve got matchsticks keeping my eyes open …. I think I need a nana-nap he he he!! We had a Garage Sale today and would you believe there were people lined up outside at 5.30am!!!! Who gets up at that hour????!!! Well they do of course he he, but I really could have done with another half hour or so in bed. All done now though and the garage looks normal again he he. AND we have MUCH more room in the shed now too :o)!!!

It’s been a HUGE week for me as far as mail is concerned!!! I’m sure my poor postie is gasping for breath after lugging all my parcels to the door this past week he he!!!

Look what came from Nana Pat’s nimble knitty fingers ….. aren’t they absolutely lovely!!??! I just adore these knitted hangers cos they don’t leave bumps in the shoulders of my clothes like ordinary hangers!! If you want some too you can get them here too … thanks Nana Pat :o)!!!I also received a parcel from the gorgeous Andrea and the ladies from Buderim Patchwork … I was so lucky, I won a prize in their giveaway recently ~ hmmm, I think that should read LOTS of prizes lol!! Just look at all these goodies ~ I LOVE the hand applique’d teatowel – that will definitely be used in my kitchen on Christmas day!!! There are also some patterns and charm squares … a beautifully cross-stitched and embroidered pin cushion, a book mark ……… and don’t you just adore the super cupcake box!!! It’s even got fabric in it!!! Thank you so much to all the lovely ladies at Buderim Patchwork, I really am chuffed to bits with my prizes :o)!!! But that’s not all!!!! My SSCS pressies have arrived, all the way from Trashcan in the UK!!! Here’s the beautifully handpainted decoration she made for me … and I also got this fabulous assortment of terrific buttons and ribbon!!! I’m so spoilt aren’t I :o) … not to mention all the other gifts I get to open on Chrissy day ….. Oh PLEASE let my will power last that long LOL!!!! Thanks SO much Trashie!!!!

This last bit of mail was from Green Fairy Quilts ... they are having a sale, absolutely irresistable to me were these gorgeous honey buns ~ one Aster Manor and one Aviary, and a dessert roll of Glace'. No plans for any of them yet, at the moment they're just being admired :o).

I’m still busy doing my Christmas stitching …. not too much left to do now, but I’d better get cracking on it otherwise it will be my usual mad rush on Christmas Eve lol ;o). Have you finished your Christmas stitching yet???

Quilty Chrissy Party

What a lovely day it was yesterday!!! It was my quilt group's Christmas Party and over 40 of us went to a local restaurant and had a really fun time. We had raffles and Secret Santa ...... and Valerie, Lynn and I had also made some cute little angels for each of the girls. They were great fun to make - we made loads of these little darlings, I'll be hanging on to these few leftovers for the ladies that couldn't make the lunch :o)!! Here I am (left) with Teresa (our Treasurer) and Gerry. I have managed to get quite a bit of stitching done, but not a lot that I can share on here cos it's a secret (shhhhhh!!!). I can show you this though ..... isn't it cute!!!?!

This is one of the freebie patterns that was offered on the Among the Gumtrees blog last month designed by the gawjus Vikki. I was making it as a gift .... but I'm afraid I've fallen in love with the little Robin Redbreasts, so it's going to be staying here with me LOL. I'd better hurry up and make another one he he he. Are you having fun with the Advent Countdown Freebies - I wonder what today's will be ;o)??!!

I'm off to get some stitching done ..... have a fabulous day!!!

Christmas Baubles

There have been lots of gorgeous Chrissy ornaments being shown on lots of blogs in Blogland lately. Bear (DD2) and I had a lovely day yesterday being very creative too!! Lots of sequins, beads, sparkles and pins and ………ta daaaaaa….. here’s what we made…… Little Christmas puddings to hang on the Christmas tree ….. and sparkly baubles …..We had a really lovely day together :o).

What decorations have you been making for Christmas?? Take a look at the Among the Gumtrees blog for some fun ideas :o)

Take care ……………

Hugs,

Joy :o)

Chrissie fun and a pattern special!!

Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words to Bear about finally ‘flinging’ her brace. I should’ve posted some of the “out-take” piccies where the brace was out of shot or Bear was laughing so hard cos I took the pic AFTER the brace landed he he he. Good thing I don’t do photography for a living … he he he, we’d be BROKE for sure LOL!!!!

Had a really fun day yesterday … Bear and I travelled up to Mooloolaba for the day as the ladies from “The Sewing Basket” had invited us to be guests at their Club Christmas Party!! It was such a fun morning with games and raffle prizes a-plenty!!!Here’s the gawjus girls with Santa …and he had gifties for everyone too!!!

They had such a fun auction as well … all the clever Club Members had each made a tree ornie and they were each raffled to raise money for charity … this year the money went to RSPCA :o). Here’s the one’s I bought …  3 little Angels made from yo-yos … how clever is that!!!??! And this cute Santa Sack with a beaded bottom … I also couldn’t resist buying these while I was there … brand new from Fig Tree Quilts are these “Whimsy” fat quarters … aren’t they just GAWJUS!!!!?!???Mmmmm, pretty!!!  I think I can see a tablerunner there … if I look reeeeally hard ;o)!!!! Thanks to everyone at The Sewing Basket, Jess and I really enjoyed our morning with you :o)!!!

Most of the stitching I’m doing at the moment is secret Chrissie present stuff so I can’t show you cos I don’t want to spoil any surprises ;o)!!! But … I thought I’d have another SPECIAL on another one of my newer patterns ~ just for you my bloggy friends!!!

This is “HONEYCOMB” and it’s made from 1 jelly roll and about 2m of the cream background – plus your borders and backing etc. It’s 82” x 82” and easy to make cos it’s quilt-as-you-go!!! I’m going to pop the PDF pattern on my sidebar for a little while for just $7.50!!! HOHOHO :o)!!!! I can email the pattern to you as soon as payment is received … NO POSTAGE, YAY :o)!!!!

Well I’d better go and start the day …. I’m still sitting here in my jammies he he he!!!

Take care …

Hugs,

Joy :o)

Soooo much to tell (and show) you :o)!!

Great news …… Bear is finally out of her brace!!! YAY!!!! This piccy is entirely symbolic you understand ….. we really need to hang on to this rather expensive contraption just in case (Heaven forbid) it should ever happen again!!! But she was happy to “throw it away” for the camera ;o)!! Poor thing is still not game to sleep without it yet … but I’m sure that will happen soon :o)!!

On a ‘not so good’ note ….. I found out recently that one of my store samples of my “Ric Rac and Roses” pattern has been pinched!!! Now, although I’m quite cross that someone would do that, I do always try to look on the bright side …. she must have liked it soooo much that she just HAD to have it :o/. Still no excuse for stealing though is it!!??! Anyway, if you should happen to spy the above bag anywhere, you’ll know it was most likely ill-gotten gains!! The one below is the one I made to replace it ….. not as pretty I don’t think, but I still like it. Just have to stitch the little lacy decals on and it’s done.The original had some really pretty ceramic rosy buttons ….. I must try to find some more of those.

I got a wonderful surprise from the mail man last week …. look what he brought me ……… These came all the way from UK … from Maria!!! Maria was my Stitcher’s Angel partner last year and we’ve kept in touch throughout the months. I’ll be visiting Maria for sure when we go over to UK next year – can’t wait :o)!!! The parcels will go under my Chrissy Tree to be opened on Christmas Day. Thanks so much Maria … I’m so glad we ‘met’ through the SA swap :o)!!

My DH and I went for a lovely drive up the coast ~ well, almost to the coast …. to Buderim, home of Buderim Patchwork!! A couple of weeks ago I was the very lucky winner of this fabulous apron made by Andrea. ….so when I found out that there was going to be a HUGE Christmas Craft Fair up there I just had to go …. and the added bonus was that I got to meet the lovely Andrea :o)…. ….. and Sheila :o) ….and lots more of the gawjus ladies from Buderim patchwork. There were loads of stalls and fabulous handwork items to be bought, we got a few Chrissy pressies for family (no piccies in case they see them) and also a couple of things for ourselves … all handmade!!How cute is that angel tree decoration …. and the cutting board, it was from the seller’s Grandmothers house. It was looking a bit sad, so I gave it a bit of a spruce up and look at it now …………… just like new!!!!… and also some very delicious baked goods …. yummmm!!! Sorry, no piccies of those , but they tasted great :o)!!! I also got some fantastic news from Andrea yesterday that I’d won first prize in their fabulous birthday giveaway!!! Thanks so much to Andrea and all the ladies at Buderim Patchwork – so excited!!!

I have some a couple of dear friends that I stitch with on a Wednesday … and this week only Valerie (no blog) could come, so our dear Bear was kind enough to fill in for Lynn :o). Here they are making some little surprise Christmas gifties for ??????. Don’t they look like they’re deep in concentration lol!!!??!

I’ve been getting a bit of stitching done to, but it’s a secret (shhhh) cos I know the lovely lady it’s for reads my blog!!! Sooo, this is all you get to see ;o) ……. Well, I think that’s all the news I have …. goodness, did you fall asleep reading all that – he he, I think my typing fingers are cramping up LOL???? He he … what a looooooong post!!!!

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Hugs,

Joy :o)