Our Christmas Day.

We had a lovely Christmas Day at our daughters. All of us together.

 This photo was taken at Nicks 17th birthday. 

Our gift to them. I saw a company online that converts it into a comic theme. We thought it was hilarious and laughed so hard. It was well done.

We received a light up Eiffel Tower puzzle. Tony set right to it when we got home. He was concentrating hard.

 

He is doing really well.

Only needed a little bit of help with some of the smaller pieces and the thinner

Well done. Love the colours. We have actually stood under the Eiffel Tower when the lights have been flashing. This brings back happy memories.

A Xmas visit with a special friend

 Visiting a friend for a beautiful Xmas luncheon.

She also knows I collect and donate to several charities. So every time they go to a motel she does not let her husband use the free soaps, etc. she keeps them for me.

Here is what she gave me.

I passed them on to our local church where I have been making little bags for. 

Jo is a gem.

Merry Xmas to everyone.

 Thinking of you all.

Merry Christmas to everyone.

This is a special day with family.

Knitting socks

 So I have never knitted socks before. I wanted to try. I couldn’t get anything in spotlight at this time of year. I was passing through Bendigo so decided to stop at the woollen mills. We lived an hour away for 18 years but never visited it. I bought a ball of wool and needles. 

This is a sample of the colour of the yarn.

I was told I can get a free pattern off their website.

I had bought this book from the supermarket recently as I have been interested in a while.

Lou has also advised a site to visit.

https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/how-to-knit-socks

Hope I have more luck than Lou. Time will tell.

I also bought these stitch savers in Humpty Doo, NT, when I went on our trip in August. I thought they were appropriate.

Tying teabag strings for scarves.

I received another parcel in the mail from Cindy. Thankyou so much. Wish I knew who you were. Cindy sent a whole bag of strings with tags removed.

I have been busy tying teabag strings ready to make a few more scarves.

 It takes me about a week to tie enough strings to make a ball that weighs 45grams. 

Here I have 2  balls tied and rolled.

This is enough for 2 scarves. Using 4.5mm (size 7) needles 40 sts and about 2metres (6’6” long)

This is how I store them ready for knitting. Then I gift the scarf in the washing bag.

A birthday and Xmas gift made

So I have been busy making gifts.

1st up was a project bag for a 70th birthday. It’s always tricky knowing what to make but us sewers can always use a project bag.

The back

Then to use up some selvedges made it more special. This person knows the meaning behind them and it was well received.

Making the plastic window

Next up was a quick Xmas table runner.  It was an easy one and was loved. My friend’s table theme was going to be red this year. So this matched perfectly. What a guess.

I received a few beautiful gifts too. I also handed out quite a few Xmas decorations and they were put on the trees straight away. All in all a great week seeing friends for Xmas.

This was a special gift made for me from someone I have known for 50 years. She wasn’t sure if I would use it where I lived. I loved it. I have not ever knitted a blanket for myself or been given a gift like this. So special. My friends table theme hasn’t been to this house so didn’t know my colours but it matches perfectly.

I did it. 50 placemats have been made.

While looking for  some fabric for a different project I came across these leftover blocks. These were from a previous Bonnie Hunters mystery. FROLIC.

So I laid them out to make 4 placemats

They look lovely and bright.

That’s enough of placemats. I reached my goal of 50. Our quilt group has a great pile and are trying to get to 200.

I had a few little pieces left.

Just enough to make 3 pin cushions.

 That’s 33 that I have put away for another group activity

Making a Kris Kringle gift for our sewing group.

  Each year we all make the same item for our Kris Kringle swap. 

This years was a fabric roll. I decided to add an appliquéd ribbon bow to mine.

The inside was lined with flannel

One end had a pin cushion

The other end was a gathered top to allow access to the inside of the post park roll. You could put your appliqué mat, scissors, thread and other things that you need in here to keep them handy.

I’m happy with how it looks

I made the ties like a single folded binding. I used this tool from Pauline Roger’s.

It was really easy to use and helped from getting some burnt fingers.

And the one I received.

More Christmas cards made

 While I had my Xmas paper sorted I thought I would make a few more cards.

I used a tree die and bell die.

Had some fun with some glitter glue and bling dots.

Just used a bit of sparkly cord.

That’s all for this year.

A new Bonnie Hunter mystery has been started.

I have started a new mystery. I like making Bonnie Hunters quilts. They use up scraps, have lots of small pieces and look beautiful. If I saw the quilt design first I would not make the quilt. I like the mystery idea.

So first up was to make a heap of 3 coloured hourglass blocks. I followed this tutorial instead of cutting lots of triangles. 

3 colour hourglass blocks

Here are some sewn and ready to iron then trim.

They are all ironed and trimmed.

Now ready for clue 2.

If you want to join in now click on the link below. Bonnie leaves the instructions up for a short time .  Around the end of January 2026 all instructions will be removed and the pattern will need to be bought.

Lupine and Laughter mystery