Advent Swap and a Merry Christmas

Well we are creeping ever closer to Christmas and I'm starting to get in the mood now, just in time it's only 1 day away!

I'm just popping in to show the last couple of Advent gifts received from my friend Lynda in the Advent Swap, it's a bit sad that it's almost over, it has been a real delight, thanks Lynda for all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts you have sent and for organising this in the first place.  I hope you liked what I sent you too!

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Now I have given it, I can show you these little things that I made for Lynda as an Advent swap for days 23 and 24.

Tapestry pouch I made filled with skincare and makeup samples.

Quilted Christmas hanger I made last month at Just Quilting, this was a little labour of love, I may have to make myself one too.

Right I'm off to get organised for tomorrow, I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy happy new year!

image from Two Crazy Crafters

Festive Hugs, see you in the new year.

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Days 19, 20 & 21

Thank you all for your kind Birthday wishes following my last post.  It has been the month of gifts galore, I have popped in to show you more goodies I received in the Advent Swap from my lovely friend Lynda.

Day 19

The portable crafter knitting book.

I'm a knitter but I mainly just dabble and need more practice, I've got lots of new ideas now!

Day 20

This stunning, patchwork cushion kit, if Santa hears my cry and brings a new sewing machine I will make a start on this over the Christmas break. 

Thank you Lynda this is right up my street!

Day 21

Fun with stitching book.

This is a treasure of a book with lots of beautiful hand sewn designs for me to get my teeth into.

Wow, I've got so many lovely books I'm a little overwhelmed and not sure what to start next, I want to make felties really bad, but I'm itching to do some hand stitching, then there is the patchwork stuff sitting tempting me!  At least after tonight I'm off work for a while and can hopefully get into the Christmas spirit, I've been too busy to enjoy it up until now and if I'm being honest I'm feeling a bit blue and teary, I'm sure it'll be alright on the night ;0)

Hope you are all feeling the Christmas vibe.

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~

Advent Swap Day 16 & 17

Following on from my last post I took I have popped in to show you what else I received in the Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

Day 16
Clinique delights, wowzer woman you are really spoiling me!

I'm now sparkling!


Day 17 

Lovely knitty craft book (sorry blogger is playing up again!)
Thanks Honey!


You remember my obsession in embryo with quilting? Well I have been doing lots of research and reading up and I came across a lovely blog of a talented lady    Lucie the Happy Quilter  
Lucie is responsible for several of the lovely creations I showed on my recent visit to Just Quilting at Killingworth, and recently she had a little giveaway and I won!

This little bundle will turn into something like this,

(borrowed from Lucie's blog)
It's sure not to be as good but I'll give it a good go!  That does depend on whether or not Santa delivers a new sewing machine YOU HEAR ME SANTA!!
Thanks Lucie.

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Christmas Makes and More Advent Swap Delights

December is difficult for showing makes as they are all for other people.  As I have started to hand out bits and bobs I can show these little makes.  I have made a few handmade Christmas Decorations to send out to a few friends and this is what I have been busy with handmade from our lovely Annie's felt;

I bought this pattern from Rosie Little Things after being introduced to her stuff by our Lynda. 

my attempt

 More felty makes stuffed with lavender

 Some cross stitch Christmas Cards

I made these next ones all for me!  Dried orange slices spiced with nutmeg cinnamon and studded with cloves.  

I dried these out over a couple of weeks on the radiator as I'm too tight to put the oven on for hours on a low heat!

I've popped some over my fireplace and when the fire is lit a lovely smell fills the room.

 Oooh almost forgot today's advent gift from Lynda a lovely East of India Picture which I just adore, I have a thing for Angels!

Thanks again my lovely!

Right, that's me for today don't forget tomorrow I'm drawing a winner for my little giveaway, there is still time to get your name in the hat.

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Day 12, 13 & 14

Following on from my last post I have popped in to show you what I received recently in the Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

I'm so sorry they are rotated, I have tried all of my usual fixes and they just didn't work this time, and after half an hour I gave up!  Just crick your neck a bit :0)


Day 12
Beautiful East of India Birdcage ornament.

Day 13

Really lovely little thread cutter with chocolate.

Day 14

Beautiful East of India Coaster with a beautiful sentiment.



Thanks again honey this swap has been the most fun and I adore what you have sent me, you know me so well.

I can't let today go by without mention that it was my lovely uncle's funeral today, we didn't see each other too often but we spoke every week without fail and last Sunday it was so sad when he didn't call... 
I miss and love you xxx

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Day 9, 10 & 11

Following on from my last post I have popped in to show you what I received recently in the Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

Day 9
The cutest little china dishes from East of India,

These really are quite dinky and adorable.


Day 10

Beautiful Australian Sewing and Quilting Magazines

I lost half of Saturday just mooning through these magazines they are a delight!


Day 11
A stunning little handmade pouch made from CK fabric

See Stanley on the front?  Love Love!
Thanks again chick!


I also received two beautiful hexies from Celine in the Hexy Swap this month, thanks again!

p.s. did you notice my giveaway up there on the top right? Why not pop your name in the hat, I promise to send chocolate too :0)

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Day 7 & 8

We are still in full advent swing (I'm loving this!).

I have popped in to show you what I received in yesterday and today's Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

Yesterday I opened this delight, handmade and just perfect for me;

 A beautiful crochet hook roll.

Today I opened this little treasure;

isn't it beautiful?  It's a gorgeous Christmassy Cath pot holder, rest assured this will not be used, it's just for show.

Thanks again Mrs I love them lots!

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Day 5 & 6

Following on from my last post I took I have popped in to show you what I received in yesterday and today's Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

Yesterday I opened this delight

(I can't get it straight!)


There are some sweet Christmas makes in there and I sat and had a lovely hour pouring through it, with my egg nog and the fire roaring

Today I received a festive cross stitch kit, I will get a Christmas movie on and make a start on this soon.

I think I will start with A Christmas Story, one of my favourites...


Thanks again Lynda, I'm loving my gifts!

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap Days 3 & 4

Following on from my last post I took I have popped in to show you what I received in yesterday and today's Advent Swap from my friend Lynda.

Yesterday I opened this delight

spoiled rotten by Lynda again, I soooo love this!


Today I opened this beautiful plaque

I just love East of India goodies and this one is very me!
Thanks again chick x


Today after being at work I decided to put up the Christmas tree, we played hunt the Christmas decorations for a good hour (some still elude us!), and then set to.
I got my snowmen out of the attic room, they have been wrapped in a bin liner under the spare bed in the attic most of the year and I discovered today that during the last 'Great Gerbil Escape' they obviously had a munch on my poor fellas!

After careful consideration and the discovery of a few droppings (yuk!) I decided to chuck these lads in the bin, it gives me an excuse to go shopping for more Christmas Decorations!


Must just add that it's my Wedding Anniversary today so just want to say Happy Anniversary to my beloved ~ my anniversary card this morning read "Happy Anniversary Darling, Thanks again!" ~ the old romantic...

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~