Out with the Old - In with the new and a game to play !!

Thank you all so much for your lovely mesages and good wishes regarding my wrist.  The 1/2 plaster is taking some getting used to and I am frustrated with it already.  They will take it off next week and then decide what to do with me - The swelling will have gone down by then.  So once again thank you - Your words mean so much to me especially when I am feeling so glum.

I have popped in to show you the goodies I received in swaps for Christmas.  The table runner above was the christmas day gift from Peg in the advent swap.  It is so bright, funky and cheerful.  There was also a matching pot holder and oven mitt in the days leading up to it.  Thanks so much Peg.

My other swap partner for the advent swap was Teresa who made me this lovely Monogrammed bag and tag.  The fabric that they are made from is just divine.  Thanks Teresa.

The advent swap for 2010 was an outstanding success !!  We will be holding it again in 2011 so if you are interested drop me an e-mail - It is an invite only swap (So I will need to check you out first) and due to the size of the parcels is for Australia and NZ girls only - Sorry to all of my Overseas friends but the cost of postage is just way too much for this swap.

I also joined Chooky Blue's SCCS Swap.  Tami sent me all of this loveliness.  Included was some gorgeous hand knitted socks - Tami must have heard how cold Tasmania is in the winter - I am really looking forward to wearing them.  The big bag will be perfect for quilt camp - It is all lovely - Thanks Tami.

My children tell me every year how hard I am to buy for - I really don't think I am but anyway they out did themselves this year - Look at my Vintage mirror they bought me !!!!!  Check out the 2 folding wings and the beauty of it.  It has inspired me to finish off my dressing table that I bought to shabby up about 18 months ago.  I am pleased to say that before the fall it had been sanded and undercoated so not far from being finished now.



 I also received Gold earrings from hubby, a pie maker, a book by my favourite author and this gorgeous shabby bird  - So who says I am hard to buy for?  I love it all ........ and feel very blessed.



So out with 2010 we go and in with 2011......  Have you made some resolutions ?  Promises?  Written them in blood - Never to be broken?  They are so very hard to keep so don't be too hard on yourself and set yourself some realistic goals.  I make a list each year of goals and tick them off as I go - If I don't do them all it is no big deal I just transfer them on the next year's list. 

One of my goals for 2011 involves some air travel and I am pleased to say that it is one thing that I am going to be able to cross off my list as the ticket is booked - More on that later.......

Tomorrow I will be sharing with you 2 blocks of my Flowers with love BOM - 1 as the Christmas gift I promised and the other will be January's block.

Now for some fun........  Do you want to play a game with me during 2011?  It involves making a personal list and crossing off your goals as you go - But not just any goals ..........  UFO goals........  All will be revealed next week but in the meantime have a look around your stash and dig out all of the projets that you have started but not finished - Yes I mean all of them....... Don't be shy..... Go on you know you have them...... 

You will need to photograph each one individually and compile a list - There will be heaps of prizes and lots of fun along the way so come play with me.

Until tomorrow stay safe and have a lovely evening seeing in the new year.

The woe continues . Looking forward to 2011

I had intended for my next post to be all about the lovely gifts I have received for Christmas but unfortunately I haven't been feeling too great since Christmas Eve.  And to make matters worse today I had a major fall and spent the best part of the day in the Emergency Department - Up shot is that only 1 wrist is in plaster (and it is not my right hand - YAY !!) and my knees have only superficial grazes.  So for those of you that have gifted me with lovely gifts - Thank you so much and I will blog about them really soon.

Hugs,

Fee XX

Chasing my Tail this Christmas Eve

Gosh it's been a busy day here - How has your Christmas Eve been?  I originally just had Mia's quilt to quilt and bind but then I decided that I would make 2 dolls - Here is a pic of it ready to be sandwiched - It has been a long haul over the past few weeks but I finally finished the last block !

So the majority of the day has been spent quilting and binding it - Nothing like working to a schedule to get you going......



So now it has been bound and wrapped.

The Emma Dolly dresses have been made and the body parts stuffed and sewn - All I need to do now is but the 2 girls together which I will do whilst watching the carols tonight.



Everything is ready to set the table and then I can finally relax.

I wish all of you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year - I am very grateful for your friendship and the many e-mails and messages received throughout the year - It means so much to me.

Hugs & Kisses

FEE XX

A Bit of Christmas Decorating and a Re-purposed Quick Gift Idea

Each year I like to add a few more items to my christmas decorating stash.  I love displaying things in glass bowls and dishes (Of which I have plenty).  Today I purchased these gorgeous bells in asorted colours.

And this rather cute metal christmas tree which looks great in the bowl with the bells.

The bunches of mistletoe are a new addition and the 3 santa's came home with me from our recent trip to quilt camp.

And the final purchase for this year is these lovely plastic candy canes.  I think I need to find a nice little white bucket to display them in next year.



One of my favourite Santa ornaments is this fellow.  He came home with me as hand luggage from a Victorian trip a few years ago.



And this elf gives Madeliene the creeps - She steers very clear of him - But I think he is rather cute.

And finally one of last year's additions, a spiral crystal tree





Just before I go I wanted to show you a really quick easy gift to make.  I purchased an old book from the thrift shop with foxing (slight yellowing) on the pages.  I tore out a page, folded it in half and then stitched around 3 sides.  Added about 1/2 Cup of Dried lavender and then stitched across the top.  You can embellish it with whatever you have on hand - Buttons, old lace, trim etc.....  Very inexpensive but a lovely litle gift to add in some of your parcels.

Christmas Gifts & New Projects

Blogging has become an important part of my life.  My blog was born almost 2 years ago and I have made so many wonderful friends.  Some I have met and some I am soon to meet.  Whatever did I do before I blogged?  One of my dear friends is Jo.  She lives around 20 minutes from me and we regularly meet up for coffeee, stitching and sometimes just a chat.  Yesterday we had lunch together and exchanged christmas gifts.  Look what she made for me - It is so nice when you receive a gift that is "so you" I just adore it Jo.  I believe that she designed it herself isn't she a clever girl.

She also made me this lovely bookmark which I will use very soon when Santa brings me the new Tess Gerritsen book.  And a lovely card with a beautiful friendship sentiment.

 Remember in my last post I told you about playing with my bolt of linen and some new designs - Well here is a peek of a corner block of my new quilt.



I can't resist stitching it even though I should be finishing off a few gifts.  I am going to have to be strong over the next few days and finish my list first.  I hope you are not getting too snowed under with christmas shopping and baking.  Until next time.....

Gifts arrived and sent .......

The poor mail man that delivers to my house has been rushed off his feet lately.  I have had most of my christmas shopping delivered plus a number of gifts including my parcel in Maree's 6 things swap.  Guess who sent to me?  The sneaky Maree - LOL

And she really spoilt me....  I love smellies.

Look at all of this loveliness.

Note to self -----  Never open yummy christmas gifts in front of children or grandchildren

Aren't these lovely??  Miss Amy has nicked the Peace one and has hung it over her door way - I wish she would practice what she preaches...  Her and her sister do not know the meaning of the word "peace" - LOL

 I enjoyed this swap very much Thank you so much Maree for arranging it and also for sending me all of these lovely gifts.  My gifts were sent to Deb.  It has arived but she hasn't opened it yet - Isn't she a good girl...  I have told her to go ahead and spoil herself now.

I have been very busy making gifts - Most of them are winging there way around Australia in the next day or two.



A little while back I bought myself a bolt of Natural Linen - I have to say that I am totally in love with it !!  If you get the chance to buy any from your local quilting shop then try it - I am sure that you will love it too...

Today I will be busy finishing off some gifts.  Have you finished sewing your gifts yet?

Berry Berry Good .......

Summer is my favourite time of year.  We are almost 2 weeks into summer and the warm days are becoming more frequent.  The garden is in bloom and the air has a sweet smell about it.

Our garden is gifting us with some beautiful berries as the moment.  I picked Raspberries and Strawberries tonight and they taste delicious.

It doesn't matter what it is but if it is home grown it always tastes better.........

Especially with a dollop of whipped cream.

Hubby's favourite cake is date loaf so tonight I baked him one.  We love to have it hot out of the oven with a scoop of cream.

Something else that I am cooking up at the moment is a new quilt design.  It all started when I unwrapped this delicious bundle of Park Avenue.

The lovely muted tones and patterns look so lovely together.



The fabrics have been short listed and some designs have been drawn up in my lovely sketch book that Joy gave me for christmas last year.

I have chosen the threads so all I need now is the time to start.......  I am hoping that I can begin over the christmas break.  What do you have planned?  Are you going away for a short break?

  We are having a totally unplanned break - Just going with the flow.  No lists or chores to be done just lots of R & R and hopefully lots of stitching.



So now I am counting down the days until that break begins.

Where do the weekends go ?

Already it is Saturday afternoon and it feels like I have just been hanging around.  I had a bit of a late night last night as I had to take DD No 2 into the city to attend her Garde 10 Graduation.

She wanted to spend the least amount of time in heels as she could - Here she is popping her shoes on as we arrived around the corner from the venue. 



Here is my Darling Daughter No 2 - Kaitlin with her special friend Nathan.  It is a very proud moment in a parents life when a child reaches some of life's goals.  It seems like only yesterday when she took her first steps.  Now she is stepping out into the big world chasing her dream of a business studies course.



I have to admit to one or two maybe even 6 tears last night - LOL



How is your christmas planning, shopping, making and decorating going?  I have yet to delve into the depths of the garden shed to pull out my house decorations but I did visit a "Christmas Shop"  in a beautiful little town nearby called Kempton.

It boasts a wonderful aray of beautiful decorations all lovingly displayed in colour sections.  I of course was drawn to the crystal shabby decorations.

And how could I resist when the lovely owner is having a 50% off sale.  After we got to chatting it seems that this lady is a quilter and has a long arm quilter on the way.  How fantastic !!

I thought that as we are all rushed and may have great intentions of making hand made bits for friends and relatives but time doesn't allow for that you might like to make my little travel needlecase which will take about 10 - 15 minutes to make and will use up just scraps.

You can go HERE to download the pattern. Have fun with it.

And as for me - I had best go and tidy up the house and hopefully find my mojo hidden under something.