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.

Merry Christmas Everyone

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!!

Homemade & Happy

My copy of Homemade & Happy arrived last Friday when I was away.  Hubby read it before me .... lol.  Lots of adorable projects to make in it.

Also when away on Friday I joined up to the Tilda Club which is being run here in New Zealand and Australia and have got my first two packages.

I am doing it through Cottage Flair in Rotorua - a place I can do some serious damage to my bank account in.

A Special Gift

A while ago...well nearly a year ago ..... I had a swap go missing and said I would replace it.  I did start it then forgot about it and then when moving found the stitchery again and finished sewing it up.
Now it is off to s special someone.

I hope it arrives safely this time.
Also my boy turns 17 today.  They grow so fast.

Here he is with his older sister when he was only 2 yrs old.
Trying to get recent photos of him is hard but here is is a couple of weeks ago recovering his rolled 4-wheeler.  Luckily he wasn't on it when it went.  It was a right off.

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.

Long Overdue Updates

With the move and my study I have not updated much on swaps I have been in, so will try and do some in the next week.

In September for the QBSA I sent this block of to Elizabeth who asked for a block suitable for children

And in the same month sent this one off to Raelene who asked for a star block

For the November swaps I sent these 6" blocks to Helen

and this 12" block to Mary for the QBSA

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.

The Yearly "The Santa Claus" Movie Marathon Has Began

Again it is near Christmas so that means lots of Christmas songs on the radio and tv, and movies to watch.  Miss 18 informed me she was starting her "The Santa Claus" movie marathon on Tuesday, but she ran out of time, so last night was the night.  She told me these movies were her favorite movies too.  We have seen the first and tonight the second. I do like Tim Allen in these movies.  He is so good.

 At the moment I can not get enough of Band Aid 30 " Do They Know Its Christmas".  I loved the original as a 11 year old and ho hummed the ones after that, but the newly released one I love.

And I can never get enough of Wham's "Last Christmas"

So what are your favorite Christmas songs?