The Monday Before Christmas!

Goodness! What have I done here? Never mind ... we'll carry on and try to sort something out!

For a start - Chookyblue has awarded all her Secret Santa participants the Christmas Spirit Award - how lovely - and she has done so much for everyone - ♥ luv you, Donna!

Yesterday was shopping day for Heidi and Byron - each year I save my small change so Byron and Heidi can buy presents for their Mum and Dad at Christmas! What a wonderful day we had - of course, a photo with Santa that I have scanned - as you know they don't have red hair like this and the original photo is very nice and natural. Then we went onto shopping and they also had a little splurge on themselves with the savings - a Ben Ten movie for Byron and hair clips for Heidi. Lots and lots of presents and we had the folk from the Lions Club wrap them all!

Lunch and icecreams were a treat and This Little Black Duck bought herself David Hobson's latest album 'a little closer'. David is one of Australia's best known and finest opera singers and on Saturday night in Carols on the Domain he sang the Beatles 'Let It Be' - truly beautiful! He does treat us to a lot of pop and jazz!

Oopsy! Lots of blankspaces here - see the empty money box!

Arrived home after such a happy day and so many other family members were here, so we had another little Christmas tipple!
I decided to treat everyone to Horrie's tomatoes on lovely toasted rolls - these tomatoes are home-grown and are something else - click on the pic to see how beautiful they are - all gorgeous flesh with very few seeds - amazing!

The day started off with lovely surprises and I now have my three PIF girls - Christine, Bernadette and Carol. Do pop in to visit their lovely blogs and leave a comment if you choose! I'm looking forward to making special gifts for these three great girls and I have one whole year to do it!

Now, I have made a little promise to myself to get my house in order today and also think about Christmas cooking - maybe if I hurry I will get some time to do a little sewing!

If you are reading this - please accept the Christmas Spirit Award and ♥ ... Christmassy Hugs to Everyone ...♥ !

PS - just doing a little check up on Followers and was amazed to see my name - wow, how exciting - I really don't ever expect to be a winner - I make comments because I enjoy doing so - many thanks Darlene - do pop over and visit her!

The Weekend Before Christmas!

Here's a recent pic of Byron and Heidi cuddling Georgina - there's always gorgeous big smiles for Nanny!

I'm still bag making! Yesterday I made this little bag for Heidi to hold the Cabbage Patch Collectibles I have bought her for Christmas. Whenever I have anything to give away these days, seems like I should make a bag to suit. Makes me feel a bit naughty as I really should be quilting and I have itchy fingers to start some applique. I find it very difficult to sit and hand-sew through the day - that's night time stuff for me!

I have opened the box from Stephanie and look at all these pressies! I couldn't believe my eyes and am quite overwhelmed - it's going to be lots of fun opening them all on Christmas day. I was given this gorgeous Santa bag by Sue at our gathering at Matilda Bay last Tuesday - I'm sure he'll keep everything safe until Christmas Day! This gift arrived through Chookyblue' SSCS!

I haven't quite got my Pay It Forward sorted out, so if there is anyone out there who isn't playing and would like to play, please leave me a comment - seems like lots of folks are already in a little group. The gist of it is I will make 3 gifts for diferent people within 12 months and they in return make gifts for 3 other people - should be a lot of fun and a whole year to do it! I think I have only Christine as a positive player at this stage!

PS - there's a funny little story to this! Heidi and Byron have just been over with their mother and Danielle wanted to see the little dollies so we snuck off into the sewing room to check them out - one was missing and we went through everything in the sewing room - gave up - went outside to have a coffee and next thing Byron says 'I found a baby!' Seems one little dolly had tumbled into the fern while I was photographing. Anyhow, we quickly confiscated the baby and hid it away - well, two very upset children! - and I guess to them Christmas is still a long way off! Maybe I will have to make Byron a bag with Cabbage Patch dollies, too!

I hope you are all having a nice weekend - not too much Christmas stress, please!

♥ .... Hugs! ... ♥

Teddy Sees the Light!

This gorgeous little fellow has finally been introduced to the world - now, don't ask me why not before this, because I can't remember! As I was rummaging through boxes I found him with just a few little stitches to finish the stocking - needle was there, threaded and all. Maybe it is because he is the only stocking I have ever made and with 4 children and five grandchildren, maybe he thought it was safer to be hidden away! I think he is rather gorgeous and shall now let him out at Christmas!

I was searching for these orphan blocks - from the Piecemakers Calendar Quilt probably 1996! My first attempt at quilting ... not a success for several reasons.

For a start 14 1/2" squares cut with no trim-back allowed, layers of applique with no cut-out behind each layer and embellished with silk-ribbon embroidery and beautiful beading - how was I going to piece this accurately and then hand-quilt through all those layers?

It was a very expensive class supposedly extending over 12 months - I was so enthusiastic, I happily got ahead of the class by following the directions on the calendar - easy peasy! Then my blocks were used by the tutor as class demonstrations - I was naive and lacked confidence and carried on for quite a few months, then thought 'Nuh, this isn't right!' Had a very unpleasant time with the store manager convincing him I was not going to continue.

That's all in the past and now I hope to make some cushions from these blocks - will be nice to turn an unpleasant introduction to quilting into a positive experience!

This morning I opened the box from the US from Stephanie -lots of lovely wrapped pressies and I have quite a few more, too - will show them in my next Post - can't wait until Christmas, all excited like a big kid! What a lovely time of year!

♥ ... Happy Christmas ... Hugs ...♥

More SantaS!

I have dug out another cross-stitch of Santas - this is a lovely sampler depicting the old Santas of different countries! I was playing around photographing some of my cross-stitch yesterday and Mum said she is really peeved I do not have them all displayed - our home has double brick walls and DH doesn't think I should be damaging the surface of the walls - maybe he is right, one day we may move to a smaller home - we'll see!

I did a little blog re-vamping for Christmas - I like it! Nice and bright and happy and that's how I feel! Also, see my Welcome on the sidebar - another cross-stitch!

I am more than thrilled that I was able to pick up the Fall 2008 Issue of Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection - Quilts and more! We don't get all the American magazines here in Australia and they are quite expensive - I usually have a sneak-peek first!

So, I was more than thrilled when this gorgeous red quilt caught my eye (how could it not!) and to know it was designed and made by our own Blogland friend Kathie Holland of Inspired by Antique Quilts. This is the second magazine I have featuring Kathie's quilts - aren't I lucky!

I have just signed up for a Pay it Forward exchange from Shari of Mumsyblossom's World.

Here are the Pay It Forward Exchange “rules”.

. The first three people will be chosen to participate if they leave a comment on this post asking to join the Pay It Forward Exchange.
. They are agreeing to post a similar announcement on their blog, and Pay It Forward to three more people, who will in turn agree to Pay It Forward etc.
So what does it mean?

. Shari is going to send me and her other participants one handmade item sometime in the next 12 months.
. I, in turn, will send one handmade item to each of the three participants who signed up with me, within the next 12 months.
. You, in turn, will send one handmade item to each of your participants, and so on.

Sounds like a bit of fun and I will be very happy to make 3 items and 12 months to do it - maybe I will post mine as early Christmas gifts 2009 or if the participants let me know their birthdays that could be nice, too - whatever!

Everything is starting to feel Christmassy - my little twin grandchildren, Heidi and Byron (4) will be over soon for a sleep-over - they are driving their Mum mad, their Dad is far away working in a remote mining town and is due back tomorrow - so, Nanny and Poppa to the rescue!

♥ ... Hugs ... ♥

PS - please don't be concerned about posting a Comment and having to be involved in PIF - that's fine by me and I know what a busy time of year this is and how we are all a little bogged down! I just love to hear from you and want you to enjoy my Post for what it is - as they say 'Blogging Without Obligation'! ♥

Tuesday ... Girlfriends' Day!

Yes, another day with the girls! Here we are at Gwen' place all beautifully decorated in the Canadian way for Christmas - what a lovely day it was!

See Lynnie, back middle, she's our knitting teacher. Next to her in the black top is dear Jan of Gallivantour, a lovely surpise to see her back for Christmas! Several of us carried on with our sock-knitting lesson, with a couple managing to get the heel turned.

Take note of the 'work in progress' front middle of the table - this is Kris's hexagon quilt - being assembled using American piecing method, so much work!

Kris's work prompted Gwen to show us a quilt she bought in the Appalachians in 1975 - isn't it just wonderful? Makes you wonder about all those wonderful fabrics and where they came from! It is hand-quilted in a Baptist Fan design - just beautiful! Cost Gwen the grand sum of $50 - what would it be worth today?

Thanks, dear friend Robin for trialling yet another of my Happy Bags! Robin has read over my notes and helpfully made additions and corrections The pattern will most likey be published in our Australian magazine, Down Under Quilts, early 2009.

Quite a few have asked for pattern/dimensions - hopefully I will be able to let you have them soon - I'll see what I can do!

I'm a little behind answering emails - I guess we are all pretty busy these days, so please forgive!

Have a happy day (cold and wet, here!) - hugs!

Happy Bags!

Have had a busy weekend and there is a busy week ahead! I did manage to make these Happy Bags over the weekend ... yes, I did do housework, washing, and made sure everyone was fed! It has been such a buzz making these bags and it feels good to have some nice Christmas presents ready.

I was inspired to make these bags by enlarging Pink Penguin's little fabric baskets - not only have I got the dimensions down pat, found the most suitable batting/fleece, added a piping detail, added handy pockets inside and nice sturdy handles. I feel I can now call the pattern my own! Guess what everyone will be getting for presents and swaps now?


This is a lovely pic of Karyn and Ken who were married on Saturday afternoon - it was such a beautiful wedding - really brought out the romantic in me - I think it is just wonderful that these two have found each other after both suffering the losses of previous spouses. Best wishes to them both for a long, happy life together!

Now to Blogland news - check out Freda's Hive! Nanette is celebrating her First Post Anniversary. Do read the reason for naming her blog Freda's Hive - it is a really beautiful tribute to her Mother! I have become very fond of Nanette since discovering her blog - it is just full of wonderful news and tutorials- so inspiring!

Another great read - visit Chookyblue to read about her famous friend The Cushion Queen! I think these cushions are the greatest and the best part is they are made from scraps - I have bought a great piece of fabric to make a cushion soon - after reading this article, I will use only a piece from the fabric and add other fabrics, then I will have lots left over of the special fabric. A big thank-you to Donna who is another special Blogland friend - she has been working so hard organizing the Secret Santa Christmas Swap and it has all been so successful and so much fun!

Off to another sock-knitting lesson tomorrow - maybe Wednesday I will have to give one of my groups a miss - I still have Christmas shopping to do and the thought of it scares me! Wish I could knit socks fast enough to give to the guys in our family - maybe when I am an 'old' lady (now don't be rude!) I will have time!

I'm sure you all have a busy week planned, too - remember to take time to do a little stitching!

Hugs!

Hand-Quilting Progress!

With all the frivolity last weekend at Avalon, I did manage to get quite a bit of my hand-quilting done on my Split 9-Patch! I really enjoy these big stitches and would be at least half-way there!

The red still seems a little too red for me, but it is a bit of a favourite with everyone who has seen it! Now that sock-knitting is finished until next Tuesday, I should be able to get quite a bit done in the evening!

These fabrics are auditioning for another Split 9-Patch that I'm doing as a raffle quilt prize. I am being ambitious and hoping to hand-quilt it, too, deadline say end of April, so God willing, I will be able to reach that deadline. I may start stitching tomorrow!

A girlfriend, Karyn, from Rockingham Patchwork Group, is getting married this afternoon - the group has been invited to the church. It is a beautiful day here and I am so thrilled and happy for her!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend - hugs!

December 3, 1913 - September 3, 1983!

The 3rd December ... Happy Birthday, dear Dad! It is with so much happiness I share this photo with you all - I talk so much about Mum who is 90 - Dad would have been 95 today! This man has been by my side all my life - he has been my mentor and instilled in me all the better qualities I have. He left us all in 1983 and never a day goes by that I don't remember David Stewart Connell - what a legacy he has left us!

This is Darcy (David Robert Connell 'DRC'), the first Beautiful Boy in my life, my brother! He was 9 when he went to Heaven and I was 7.

The years have washed away the grief, now I have only wonderful memories that I will never forget - God Bless them both - until we meet again!

Please be happy for me that these two beautiful people have passed through my life - hugs!

Sock Knitting Day!

This Post shows NO socks - but I have started and will show you pics when I have something substantial to show - great fun day with all the Girlfriends, though!

The above award I received from Chookyblue - as you see on my sidebar, I am in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap and Donna has bestowed this award on all her Santas, so isn't that just lovely - thanks, Donna! I will post more about it when I pass on this award to 10 Cool Bloggers.

This little bag, I whipped up yesterday - thought it would be a handy size for my sock-knitting project. It is an expansion of Pink Penguin's tutorial!

Also made a lemon meringue pie for my Girlfriends for after lunch today. As we knew we would be so busy with our sock-making workshop, we decided we would have Subway for lunch - worked out wonderfully. We had lots of coffee and nice goodies for morning tea and for once it was a little quieter than usual - concentrating you see! I even forgot to take photos - never mind! Lynnie, our tutor, is new to Blogland, so do pop along and pay her a visit - gorgeous girl and so kind and talented!

This one was taken at the Avalon Retreat - Carole is showing her beautiful little quilt, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted - just beautiful!

This is a gorgeous quilt made by Felicity - it's the Hourglass design used in our raffle quilt there a little while back.

Gwen was our Birthday Girl for the weekend! See how beautiful she is - well, she is just as beautiful on the inside, too. Gwen is a physiotherapist, held in high esteem in the medical world here in Perth. At times we almost treat her like Doctor Gwen!

Well, another busy day ahead - some of it quilty and maybe a little more sock-knitting this evening!

Have a great day!

Avalon Retreat!

Wow! We are home from a wonderful few days at Avalon Homestead, Toodyay, Western Australia. All retreats are great - I think this one, perhaps the BEST! Everything was soooo perfect! We had wonderful hosts, Delveen and Peter, thanks so much to you both, great food, so much quilting inspiration and such wonderful camaraderie in a group of 25 people!

I must admit, quite a few of us were a bit naughty, so many laughs, singing and dancing. Quite a few bubbly drinks, too! Here we are suitably attired for our Christmas Dinner Saturday evening. That's Delveen seated middle of front row and Peter, in the dark shirt, back row!

These teddies, made by Felicity, graced our sewing tables! The sewing room was a buzz of sewing machines and always lots of chatter and laughs. We had a couple of little shops there, so lots of time was spent stroking fat-quarters - yes, I want these - no, I don't really need them!

The lighting was wonderful - beautiful sunshine filtered into the sewing room in the morning and the electrics were so great, very few of us used Ott Lights.

I have taken so many pics, so will have plenty to talk about this week. Here below is a great Sudoku quilt sewn by Janet over the weekend. Show and Tell yesterday was full of surprises!

I don't think any of us will ever forget this weekend - oh, to be waited on and pampered constantly! We have booked for next year, so here's hoping for more happy times ahead at Avalon Homestead!

Enjoy your week - I am on such a high, I know I will - hugs!