CHRISTMAS DAY WITH FAMILY

Christmas morning was fun with the family.

It was very hard to be excited but the little ones made it so much easier....

There were lots of presents opened

More fun to be had

More family to come

And lots of food to eat.

It was a great day

My visit and shopping day with mum

I had a mother daughter Day today with my mum. I took her XMAS shopping, got her nails done and had lunch. It has been a while since we have had a good day out.. My mum is trying to hide her pain but I see it and she can't be out very long. The oxygen bottle only lasts 3.5 hours. We used to be out all day when my kids were in school. I'd get home to cook tea but those days are over. I am just lucky I can have a short time with mum to have a coffee. Of course, because I take her, she has to pay... If that makes her happy I will let her. It is such a change from where we were. It is so hard.

We got her nails done ready for her lunch on Wednesday with her craft friends.

We had lunch and some XMAS shopping.

I came home and wrapped up some presents for Wednesday.

Here they are.....

These are what I have for all the ladies.

I have a bought tea towel, oven mitt & pot holder & I have added a bought XMAS chocolate bon bon and my hand made XMAS  stitchery decoration....

 Here they are all wrapped with the extra touch of a reindeer candy cane.

 This is the SANTA sack I was sent from my " SANTA SACK SWAP"  partner Mel...

I thought I'd deliver these gifts in this sack. 

I'm sure it will be loved.....

A close up of what I made for the Millrosie XMAS swap.

Well I have made so many gifts for swaps recently. Some were very small but I enjoyed making them. The last post I put up lots of little photos but this post I will show you them individually.

There is a lot so maybe grab a drink, put your feet up and relax and read....

Here is some SANTA FACES in beadwork that I made into Earrings.

Fabric bowls

A special test tube hot chocolate pack....

I had fun with these and made up 5 packs. They are a good idea to be given with a mug....

 Then there were some REINDEER CANDY CANES MADE. Lots of them....

 I always like to make a double ended oven mitt & pot holder. So I made a XMAS set.

 Then I did a X stitch made into a book for a tree ornament. These are so cute and I really enjoy making them...

 How about these cute beaded earrings. They took me a while to make. Like hours but I think they are ok...

 Then I spent some time knitting some sweet decorations. My mum and I made these for my kids class full of kids and teachers through the years..

A cute stocking filled with chocolate

 A knitted bell with a tinkling bell sewn in.. 

 Next we have a crochet SANTA FACE. This is a brooch. I used to make these all the tine. They are so cute.

 I love making these TRIANGLE XMAS TREES. They look really good hanging up and my friend has hers hanging from her lounge light. It is made double sided so it doesn't have to be on a wall.

Here I have made an easy fabric bowl a and filled it with yummy goodies.

I packaged these gifts into little boxes, stacked them up on top of each other to form a XMAS TREE. How cute is that...

There is also the test tube hot chocolate drink, marshmallows and  sweeties. Oh yummy...

Hope you have enjoyed the gifts I made for this special swap..

Now to complete my SANTA SACK SWAP by the 25th of November.

No rest for the wicked...... 

I have finally got around to taking photos of my MillRosie gift swapping day

Over a week ago I spent the day with some lovely ladies at Mill Rose qullt shop in Ballan. 

They are called the Millrosie group. There were 19 in all. We did have a great day. Lots of gifts were swapped and I was lucky enough to receive some. I was not expecting this at all and I was made to feel very welcome. Everyone there was lovely and I look forward to being part of the group again.

Unfortunately I cannot remember who gave me everything. I do know where some of them came from but I do not want to leave any one out so I choose not to name them. I know you all know who you are and I do love all the gifts. I am so surprised you are all so giving and I give you all a great big HUG and a thankyou. Here are the pics.....

Look at all these goodies... Well I have eaten the lovely cookies. I think my grandsons will get the lollies. There are some beautiful buttons and ribbons I will be sure to use. A sweet needle case that will be put in a project bag, the lovely wood turned pin cushion will be shown off on my coffee table with my work being done. A cute fabric ornament to hang on the tree and of course a pencil to draw some templates or take notes... Some of these were in a cute Bon Bon but of course I had already pulled this apart. Once again, thanks ladies.....

We were to make a gift for the lucky dip swap and in it was to be.....

A Christmas tree decoration, something to wear and a treat.

Here is what I got from the lovely Kim......

A beautiful apron.. A cute snowman decoration to hang on the tree... And a box of Haigs Bear chocolates.

Well they are not in the photo because I have eaten them... Yummmmmm

They all came in this gorgeous quilted bag with a tree tag.. How cute....

Now this is what I am trying to finish...

I have taken Shez's idea and started making XMAS decs to hang on the tree. I am wanting to make quite a few but here is the start. I have them stitched and the front and backs joined. All I need to do now is attach the lovely beads that go around the edge. They are loved by lots of my friends.

MY SANTA SACK IS IN THE POST.....

Back in June/July I signed up to be part of a SANTA Sack Swap.
http://santasackswap.blogspot.com.au

We were assigned a partner then had to go about making 5 handmade gifts and a stocking/sack or tote to put the gifts in. These had to be done and posted by 25th November and not to be opened until XMAS day.

How hard was that. Having lots of presents sitting around for all that time.......

Anyway, this is what I sent my partner, Mel.

http://pinnylea.blogspot.com.au

Here they all are ready to put in the Sack and post......

They are on their way to Mel in South Australia.......

Now remember Mel 

NO PEEKING, SHAKING, RATTLING, SQUEEZING.

Think you can hold out.....

Hahaha, enjoy.

Quilt in the mail & some secret XMAS stitching

I was baby sitting my grandsons and took them XMAS shopping and then had sushi for tea. I let them play outside at the shopping centre before we came home. It was a warm night and they had fun

We got back home, got the boys bathed and a dvd was put on for them to watch.

Of course I sewed.

I have started on some secret stitching. A XMAS gift or 2.

Here are the designs finished but what will they be sewn into????

I have cut out and drawn a few more things out ready to work on for slow stitching Sunday.

I have made the laundry bag to go with the Dragonfly quilt and I have sent it to our AUSSIE Hero

To find out more read HERE

The laundry bag is made out of the left over backing

I am linking up with FNWF over at

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/sign-up-time.html

Go and have a look at what others are doing.

GET INSPIRED

Homemade treat...

I was just given a very special gift from a special friend.

YUMMY.

Homemade Xmas cake for my husband & homemade Baileys for me.

With a hand written card by her son James.

Thankyou, we will enjoy them.

It's beginning to look like Xmas

Well the presents are all wrapped up. 

They are just waiting to be handed out on Xmas morning and lunch time when all the family are together.

All the wrappings are so colourful and cheerful.

I can't wait....

In the mean time I have managed to get the mince pies made.

I did make my own pastry but not the fruit mince.

They smell delicious. I can't wait to bite into one.

Yummy.....

My gifts

What do you think of this lovely little Santa face badge my mum crochet for me.

She has made quite a few of these.

And then I was given a pair of hand knitted socks. They look like they have a fair aisle pattern but it is all in the wool. No changing colours. 1 ball only.

Wednesday Craft Xmas lunch

This is my Mum's Wednesday Craft group.

We went out for lunch today to  SWITCH at Watergardens.

We had a great time. We all had beautiful meals. It is a very nice, spacious restaurant. The staff were great. Very polite & helpful.
Then back to Maria's to exchange Xmas gifts.

Wow, these ladies are so generous. They also love the folders that I had made and gave them.
Here is a photo of my gifts. I feel so spoilt.

Busy making Xmas gifts

Scraps all around, inside & out

I have been making Xmas gifts for my mums craft group. They have welcomed me into their group so I gave enjoyed making this years gifts for them.

I have made binder/folder covers     

Use fat quarters

A stitchery from a friend

Add plastic sleeves
A sandpaper board for drawing on fabrics
Felt to hold your hand piecing in place
& a pocket for your needle & thread.

Use your scraps

The back cover has pockets for knitting needles & crochet hooks
Or scissors & pen

Use up orphan blocks           

The front cover has a pocket for your pattern
& I have included  a pack of sticky notes too.

Another Xmas present

I just love making my gifts.

The Xmas tree hanger was made out of triangles.

Lots of them. It is very simple to make but very cute.

This is for another friend.

Xmas time is here

I did a workshop in Kilmore at

makeApage Scrapbooking

I made an off the page project. It was a reindeer on a fence.

It was a fun night and I have finished it. 

My lucky friend will be receiving this for Xmas.