Another Christmas Swap

I was in a few Christmas swaps this year and though some were quite stressful as I also moved in November I got them all done, even though it was touch and go.
Another swap I was in was the Sew Swapit Christmas swap.  I am hoping what I sent has made it to where it is, but with the silly season it could be late.  Fingers crossed.

I really love making these decorations

I again received some lovely gifts and these are from my partner Cam

 

Spoilt For The SSCS

Yesterday I showed you what I sent to Annette from Jindi's Cottage and today here is what I received from Fiona at Fiona's Peaceful Threads.  Again I was spoilt in Chookyblue's SSCS.
I received this lovely sewing case

and this adorable Sewing Cushion

with some lovely hand stitching

I also do love the fabric range used as well.

So thank you Fiona for the lovely gifts and also thank you to Chooyblue for hosting this swap again.

So What Did I Send For the SSCS?

 Another year gone and another SSCS completed.  My partner Annette from Jindi's Cottage has opened her parcel, so now I can show what I made her.

A mini quilt hanging

and mug rug

Also there were some extras I popped the parcel too, which I didn't get round to taking a photo of.

Earlier in the month she got to open these cute decorations which I learnt to make from this You Tube video

Watch out tomorrow for what I received.  I have been spoilt too.

Have a great Christmas Day and don't eat to much like I have already done and still to get the dessert out.

Santa Is At My Place.......

Well rural Santa is actually here.
In the weekend hubby and I went for a drive and ended up in Tirau.  Now in Tirau there is a cute Christmas shop which I ogled at everything and restrained, though I really wanted a Santa, from buying.
Well at the next shop I also had to restrain from buying half of it, but even before I had got past the front window I told hubby that I am buying the Santa I saw in the window display.  
And here he is.... Not the traditional red dressed Santa but a rurally dressed Santa

Christmas Cake Is Made

Today I made our Christmas cake again using the Alison Holst Pineapple Xmas Cake Recipe.  I have had a look around the internet and see that it changes slightly ever so from the book I used this time.  However they all taste just as good.
I have got a version here on my recipes page

I have also made in the last couple of weeks a couple of batches of Baileys Fudge.  It is divine and real easy to make.  I found this recipe on Facebook, but you can also find it on my recipes page here

Not long till Christmas now .....yay!!

The Tree Is Up

Yesterday I finally decorated the tree. Was a bit strange as did not have the kids with me this year and won't be seeing them again till closer to Christmas.

SSCS Parcel Has Arrived

Well Santa made a special delivery to me today for ChookyBlue's SSCS. 

 Sending to me was Fiona from Fiona's Peaceful Threads.  I was allowed to open the decoration straight away, 

but the main pressie is to be left under the tree until Christmas day and I did resist squishing.

Finally Catching Up

Well finally I am truely getting into settling down mode here in Kuratau, Turangi.  Well I say Turangi, but am half way between Turangi and Taumaranui.  Swaps are nearly up to date from being behind because of the big move, I start my new job at Taupo Hospital in 10 days and finally am getting some fine weather.
Another little buy I have had at Mitre 10 was this cute Christmas bell.  Dear hubby may have to stop me from going into Taumaranui Mitre 10 as they have a fabulous gift section I love.

On Monday I finally sent off my SSCS over the ocean somewhere and hopefully will be at it's destination soon.  I never thought I would get this finished on time.  Was about 10 days late, but got there.

With this fine weather views of the mountains are getting better, though with less snow on them

Last month they looked a bit like this.

Though with the mountains comes the cold and I have never had my fire going in December, but did on Monday.  It is summer here now but does not feel like it yet....waiting patiently.

Christmas Is Not Far Away

Christmas is not far away and when visiting a local Mitre 10 hardware store during the the week I saw that they had some adorable Christmas ornaments out and I fell in love with these mice.  Well I fell in love with a lot more than the mice, but budget constraints only let me get these mice ...... for now.

Its Been A While

Well its been a while since my last post.  Things have been hectic as I have moved house, town, farm.  Hubby got a new job on a much larger farm at Kuratau, Turangi and I have just got a new Registered Nurse job at Taupo Hospital which I start in three weeks time. We do have a magnificent view of the mountains ....when it is fine ....... and there has not been much off that in the last 2 1/2 weeks.

I have not done much stitching in that time.  Just a few hexis and some Christmas swap stitching which is a secret for now. 

 I also had a go at making a decoration and changed the finish ever so slightly in incorporate my lace.

FNSI

Yesterday I had the day off work so was able to join in with FNSI in the evening.  So what did I make? These Christmas tea towel toppers.  The middle one I still have to do the button hole and stitch on the button and it is finished.  The teatowels I got from Spotlight when down in Hastings last month. I could not resist them.

Advent Swap Over For Another Year

This year over at Our Craft Forum I again participated in the Advent Swap.  I had the lovely Narelle send to me and over the 24 days leading to Xmas I received lots of lovely items.  Then on the 25th we opened our main present and I received this lovely table runner.

I then sent to Kim and on the 25th got to open this with some goodies inside.

A big thanks to Lyn for again hosting this.