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.

Advent calendar finishes . CHOOKSHED January Challenge

 I have finished three small items from my Chandlers Cottage Advent Calendar.

My bookmark. I have stitched all the flowers.

The bookmark is completed

Here it is inside a book I’m reading.

And my Xmas decoration. The one I ran out of thread. I added in some Christmas red for the pot.

The loop has also been made.

How cute does this hanger look.

Only small but that is no.6 of the CHOOKSHED 2025 Challenge.

Linky page

I also snuck in another of the advent calendar. This was what was in the envelope. Beautiful shimmering green fabric and a lovely reel of thread.

And the pattern for a pot holder, mug rug or coaster.

I used this triple stitch as suggested by Leesa for the quilting.

Here it is on my machine

I love the finished stitch. It really shows up great. I think I will use this stitch again in a quilting project.

Included to use was Wonderfil thread. 50 weight.

Colour - Konfetti

I used a pipe clear to put the bobbin with the thread. I did have some bought blue clips to do this but I cannot find them. This will do as I want to keep them together. 

And here it is finished. I love it..

Day 24th of advent & Christmas Eve.

 Firstly, I have opened today’s advent envelope and it’s a cute monogram cross stitch.

I will enjoy making this one.

Next. Since losing our son 12 years ago I haven’t really got into the Christmas decorating. Some years I didn’t even put the tree up. The same was happening this year with us not knowing where we will be.

Enough of that. I thought the kids are coming for Christmas lunch now Tony is home so that means I’ll put up the small tree, used to be my mums, and a few decorations. All my others are out in the shed and I am not going out to sort that out. So here is my tree to celebrate having Tony home to enjoy Christmas with his family.

When we were at the Royal Melbourne Hospital last week there were Christmas trade tables. The staff that make crafts outside of their hospital jobs are allowed to have a stand a few times a year. There was one stand I really loved. She made her own felt and stitches up ornaments to sell. She had made this candy/bauble garland. I treated myself. I did buy a few things for gifts but did not think to take a photo.

The felted balls are so cute.

Happy Christmas Eve

The last in CHOOKSHED challenge. No.8

 Well it’s the last number in the CHOOKSHED Challenge. So my No.is 8. A Christmas themed item. I’m not sure what I will do yet but I do need to make a Xmas cushion for my local quilt group Kris Kringle.

Mmmm… I think I have something in mind. Watch this space.

Granddaughters Xmas gifts

 My grand daughters have been given some lovely jewellery recently so they needed somewhere to put it away. I bought them a beautiful jewellery box each. They were the same design so had to think of a way that they knew which one was theirs. Easy fix.

I have beaded name chains on them. Here is Madeleine’s

One for INDY

Here they are together

White lace and silver decorations.

 My friend and I have the job of decorating the tables for our Xmas break up dinner.

This year we have chosen Silver and White Lace. We are going to put white lace tablecloths, silver leaves/branches/greenery in vases and white Xmas lights on the tables.

 Silver napkins and white lacy doilies.

All boxed ready for the tables.

Don’t these look very pretty

White lights. And silver wrapped gifts table

We have the Kris Kringle gifts

The dinner tables are now set

Everyone seems happy as they eat their meals.

Our Kris Kringle gifts. We had a swap of mug bags and mug rug sets. They all worked out lovely and even though we weren’t supposed to put in a cup some did. Not everyone can follow rules.

There was also a suggestion for people to make an outfit from a quilt/doona cover. There were some talented people. Who would have guessed these were made from a doona cover. So clever. I even asked  for the pattern for one of the dresses. It was very hard to tell that they were not bought as a dress..

Look at this outfit. 

The front

The back

And check out these boots.

We did all have a great night. It was so much fun.

Thank you Maxine, Colleen, Chris for your help and every member for attending the night and joining in the fun with this special celebration.

Now the planning begins for next year……

Merry Christmas to all.

 I have had a bit of trouble keeping up posting lately and reading blogs as well as commenting. Please know I have read you posts but it is a busy time for all and I have fallen behind.

Anyway.

My Xmas gathering with my quilt group was amazing.

Look at the display we put together.

Here we are all set and everyone enjoying themselves. We had 30 ladies enjoy the night.

Here are the challenge entries.

Look at the display we set up. We knew there wasn’t going to be too many entries so we came up with this display.

And the winners are. Weren’t they great 

And our Kris Kringle swap went well. This is what my gift was. Look at the lovely machine embroidery.

Plenty of room to store my needles

We all enjoyed the lovely gift my friend, Maxine, and I put together through the year.

Remember these…..

The beautiful knitted beaded scissor keep we have been knitting all year long.

Thanks Maxine.

We also had fantastic help from Colleen making the special baskets for them to be displayed and presented in as a place setting.

Thanks Colleen. 

I am looking forward to the end of the year. I have celebrated Xmas with my daughter and grandsons already and I will spend Xmas with my brothers. There might be another post before the end of the year.

Everyone please have a very happy and safe festive season and a merry Christmas to all.