Take 3 ….

As you can tell by the title of this post – it’s not the first time I’ve tried to write it lol. I keep getting waylaid and distracted, but 3rd time lucky they say – well, it will be if you get to see this he he he.
I’ve been a busy beaver – I won’t bore you with the details as most of it is mundane day to day sort of stuff, but there was a fair bit of stitching involved too :o). Wanna see?????
Some Chrissy stuff ……..

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The tree stitchery became this … Some Maverick stars (and I’ve got quite a lot more of these to do too)… Some gifties which I can’t show you yet as (hopefully) they are still sitting under various trees around the place ;o). But I can show you the progress on this one, it’s for my gawjus DIL’s Mum Rae for Christmas. Rae doesn’t read my blog so I think I’m safe to show you :o) … I still have some hand sewing to do as it’s quilt-as-you-go and I’m still stitching down the back sashings, then it’s the binding … then I’m done :o).

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I’m chuffed to bits with this quilt, it’s from a book called Pieced Applique’ by Penny Haren.

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I’ve got another of her books with a different quilt in it and I think I’ll be doing that one too, perhaps for myself. It’s really fun to make these blocks :o).
Oh, and more show and tell – my SSCS parcel arrived from Laura all the way from US!! I’m utterly delighted with my adorable little owl… and I’m telling you right now she won’t be packed away with the Christmas deccies, she’s gonna hang around in my cave and keep me company :o). I haven’t opened the other pressie yet … Bear won’t let me!!! I’m being a good girl :o). Thank you so much Laura – the “wrapping” is a gift in itself and I can’t wait to see what’s inside!!! Love it :o)!!
Speaking of wrapping … I’d better be off and wrap some of those Chrissie pressies hiding under my bed!! Oh, and do some Christmas baking too – YUMMM …

My SSCS parcel has finally arrived :o)!!

Oh my goodness, it’s 2011 ….. already!!! I’m not sure I’m done with 2010 yet!!!! Okay so I’ll go with the flow, but honestly, I think the new year has crept up on me, I’ve only just finished the Chrissy leftovers!!!

A new year, a fresh start … resolutions to be made (or not!). Nah, not for me …. I’m not good at sticking to my new year resolutions. Although, I would LOVE to lose a few (make that quite a few) kg/pounds … if I can then great, otherwise, oh well - I’ll just have to embrace my chubbiness LOL. I’d like to wish you all a fabulously happy new year my dear bloggy friends – I hope it brings you many blessings :o). Thank you all for your lovely comments throughout 2010, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you through your emails and blogs, and I look forward to keeping in touch with you all in 2011 too :o).

Well it was a bit late but my SSCS gifties finally arrived this week from Ruth – YAY!!! As you can see from the great big stickers on the envelope, Australian Customs and Quarantine got to see it all before me lol, nevermind, the only thing they took out was some Orange Leaf Tea … sorry Ruth, that didn’t make it to me!!

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I’m guessing Ruth’s wrapping was probably a bit neater than theirs too lol. So here are the gawjus goodies I received – a Christmas wreath tree decoration (that will have to go on next year’s tree) ;o), a handmade bangle bag, 2011 calendar, a pack of 2” African Mosaic fabric squares, some cute Chrissy tissues and some Dove Chocolate … all wrapped up in about a metre (yard) of delish purple batik!!

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Thank you so much Ruth … and thank you too Chookyblue for organising yet another fabulously fun SSCS!!!

I’ve done very little stitching since just before Christmas … so nothing to show you there I’m sorry. I have, however, managed a wee bit of shopping on the net :o). Fat Quarter Shop was having a fabulous special on their books and magazines so I just HAD to jump in a buy some that have been on my shopping list for a while :o) … and … I’m kicking myself now for not buying “100 Blocks Vol. 1” because now I can’t find it anywhere – drat!!

Have you read the new Among the Gumtrees newsletter yet?? Don’t you love the new format :o) – and the new logo too??!!Our very clever Jenny designed and stitched this and I think it’s just gawjus!! We Nutters are all very excited about lots of fun happenings among the branches in 2011, stay tuned to find out more. We’ve also got something up our sleeves for our Brisbane friends too in March ;o)!! Are you wondering what we’re up to LOL??? All will be revealed soon ;o).

Until then …………

SSCS and other Chrissy goodies!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!! Ours was terrific, spending time with family and sharing lots of laughs, creating tomorrow's memories :o). I missed having the older kids here, but I know they had a lovely time with each other in London, so that makes me happy :o)!! I got totally spoilt, I show you some of my goodies in the next post, for now I want to show the SSCS goodies!!!

What a treat it was when I got to open all my gorgeous pressies from Trashie ~ my SSCS swap partner all the way from UK, the absolute other side of the world!!!! I've been reading Trashies blog for a long time now so it was really nice to find out my swap partner was someone I was so familiar with :o)! Here's what she sent me ................... how spoilt am I!!!!??! Do you see those adorable yellow buttons?? They're "Dorset Buttons" and they're little hand crocheted darlings, just exquisite!!! I love this table mat that Trashie made .... my Mum and I were fighting over this one, I won of course LOL!!!.....

This gorgeous reindeer had a candle in his back on Boxing day and he was centre-stage on our lunch table :o)! Don't you love the snuffer??!! I've always wanted one of those!!!!!

Poor Santa sustained some pretty drastic internal injuries on his journey down under .... rest assured though, it didn't affect his deliciousness!!! All good :o)!!! Thank you SO much Trashie, I really love all of my fabulous gifts!! And also huge big thanks to Chookyblue for arranging such a fun swap!!!

Trashie wasn't the only one from UK who was kind enough to send me lovely Pressies!!! Look at this incredibly beautiful scarf that Maria knit(ted??) for me!!! Oh if only you could feel how soft it is, it's to die for!! And I love the colours too!!! Perfect!!! Maria was my Stitcher's Angel partner in 2008!! Maria and I have become great friends and I can't wait to meet up with her when I visit Tahlia in UK next year ... what fun that will be :o)!!And that's not all, Maria also made me this fabulous coffee pot cover, and popped in some delish choccies, a cute coaster for my coffee cup and some pretty tape!! Thank you so much Maria, bless your heart!!!!

I can't believe I forgot to take a piccy of the goodies I sent over to Maria .... but she's emailed me to let me know she liked them, so that's good :o)! If you hurry, you still might be able to enter Maria's 100 post giveaway so pop on over and visit Maria's Blog!!!!

Here's what I sent to my SSCS partner Missy in USA ..... Missy emailed me when she opened the decoration, and the Tim Tams were in with that .... according to her email they went down pretty well LOL ;o). Mmmmmmmm ...... Who can resist Tim Tams??? This is the bag I made for Missy ...........Hope you all have a happy healthy and wonderful New Year that is filled with good times!!!

Thank you so much to all the lovely bloggers who've been buying my patterns, I'll leave them up for just a little longer ....... just until the end of 2009 at that price.

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???