Christmas makes......

In Chookyblue's SSCS I sent to Lyn in New Zealand.  ( I got a wonderful folder cover from Lyn last year so it was a bit daunting to be making for her)

I made up a pattern by Libby Richardson called Ronald Reindeer Table Runner....

It's about 1.5 metres long to give you an idea of size.....

I think the reindeers at either end are just gorgeous and I quilted around the edges in monofilament and quite tight in the background so they show up well....

.. and some big bold holly and ribbons over the strips .....

... and this is the little ornament that I made to go with it... wishing lots of Joy....

When I did the preparation for the applique I realised after I had started sewing that I had ironed them to the wrong side of the background fabric.....

... so whilst I made Lyn's I did a similar one for me ......

I did do quite a bit of work on mine in December but just ran out of time to get it completed ..... just needs the binding....

I also did a swap for FHFS which  sent to Barb ....... silly me forgot most of the pictures..... but here is a few of the things that I had made....

The main gift for Christmas Day is this Christmas wallhanging from Simply Christmas by Gail Pan

The stitcheries are lovely - I do enjoy her designs and I found some Anni Downs fabrics to join them all together....

I also did this journal cover - the B is from Michelles alphabet series and I used a free tutorial found HERE 

I added a bit of tape measure cord for a book mark....

I do love to use up vintage doilies in some of my makes too....

I put a bit of felted wook in the middle and turned it into a needlecase....

Righto, Gotto Go..... new things to make ,......

Pressies......

This year I took part in a couple of Christmas swaps.... One was a 12 days of Christmas and I was so spoilt.... this is the last present I got on Christmas day from Cheryll ...

It's a lovely sewing bag with heaps of pockets inside and outside - just perfect for sewing days.... thanks Cheryll for this and the other lovely goodies (shown on the FHFS blog)

Shez sent me this cutest wool rug.... so pretty and perfect - thanks Shez....

Carin from Sweden was my SSCS gifter and she sent this lovely wallhanging

... so much stitching gone into it and just perfect - the colours, the work - everything - thanks Carin

This year all my decorating was hand made - I just love them all and it's wonderful to have some extra pieces to add to it 

Thanks so much to all those people who organise swaps - Shez, Peg, Chookyblue..... its always so much fun for us all....

Cheers to you all.....

Righto, Gotto Go..... not sure what to do - I am feeling very lazy!  Better start with a coffee!

Sleigh bells ringing......

Santa's sleigh swung by here yesterday...... bringing a parcel almost from the North Pole - from Carin in Sweden....  Thanks Carin.....xx

This was organised through the SSCS overseas swap organised by Chookyblue.  Such a fun swap.  Thanks Chookyblue....xx

The smaller parcel was clearly labelled that I could open it right away so of course I did and inside was the sweetest handmade Christmas stocking ornament.... I love it.  Thanks Carin,

On Sunday I met up with a few bloggers .... including my friend Susan who hand delivered a sweet little angel ornament.  Susan annually makes lovely little angels and I have been lucky enough to exchange ornies with her for a few years now....

Isn't she sweet?  Thanks Susan....xx

... of course angels are best on top of the tree...... 

I also got a non Christmas parcel from Michelle - just because and it came with another wonderful ornament.... a wee gingerbread house..... too sweet

(in the parcel is an Anni Downs card pattern and some of her lovely fabric and a cute little Christmas tree button)  Michelle knows I am an Anni fan.....  Thanks Michelle xx

... well of course the ornaments had to go on the tree, expecially now there are 2 parcels under it....

It's going to be very hard to keep these wrapped for so long!!! haha

(PS I will get a bigger tree - I love hanging up my growing collection of handmade ornaments)

On my last post I mentioned my easy peasy yummy cheese biscuits and I've had a few requests to share the recipe.......

My mum used to make these and I have always enjoyed them.  

Cheese Biscuits

2 cups crushed cheese and onion crisps (I sometimes use salt and vinegar)

100g butter

1 1/2 cups grated strong cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups flour

pinch salt, pepper, dried mustard and paprika ( I like cayenne pepper too)

Mix all together using your hands to knead the butter in.  It should be a nice softish dough.  Roll into balls and place on a baking tray.  Press down with a fork and bake at 180 for 15 minutes until golden brown.  (do watch as burnt cheese taste is not great)

And I am pleased to say I have caught up on my Splendid Sampler blocks.....

I even did the new one yesterday.....

Righto, Gotto Go..... some quilting calls and I want to get some done before it gets really hot... heatwave going on here ...

It's that time of year.....

... for visits to the Post Office....

This parcel is off over the sea for the SSCS hosted by Chookyblue....

.. and this set of parcels is travelling Southwards for the FHFS hosted by Peg and Shez...

... and I have been busy making up decorations for sending to overseas family ...

I love these Ausi themed hexagons designed by Michelle....

Last weekend Hubz and I decided to work in the garden....

This was the view from front of house......

...here is work happening..... (I was providing support and encouragement and a bit of supervision)

... and by the end of the weekend Hubz had done this.  We are getting some more blocks to level out the bed and once it is planted it will be a vast improvement.....

Just goes to show what a bit of support and encouragement (and a bit of supervision) can achieve!!!

Righto, Gotto Go....  I still want to get some more ornie's done....

Blocks, blocks, blocks...

Homework and a sewing day with the Tuesday girls has resulted in a few more blocks for my sampler quilt

These are 6" blocks and from the book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

Corn and Beans (48 pieces)

Dove in the Window (49 pieces)

Double Nine Patch (49 pieces)

Bride's Bouquet (24 pieces)

Courthouse Steps (13 pieces)

I am up to 90 blocks (out of 140) now ....and a total of 2225 pieces sewn together....

I couldn't help placing them out to get an idea of how it will look.... 

.... and I love it.... 

Today I ventured out in DD's car (a bit of a heap and with a broken exhaust so I couldn't exactly sneak around quietly!!! haha at least it is transport).. and off I went to The Quilters Angel where I found some perfect paisley backing and lovely fabric for binding for my nine patch....

...it's all pinned now and ready for play...

I sent off a parcel to Christin in Switzerland for the SSCS swap last year

I made a table runner using stars and featuring some 'vintage' style pictures.....

I thought it would look lovely on whatever Christmas setting she might have

I really like the feature print made into stars and think I will do more of that if I can find lovely pictures again 

.. and the ornament I sent was on a little 4" hanger and can go on the tree or a wall

Righto, Gotto Go... I'm deciding on some not too fussy quilting for the nine patch quilt.....