Christmas & Swaps...

Festive Fingernail Fun

Today my heart is still smiling very widely for the enjoyment of the last few days... & as I am not one to hurry through & tidy up the Christmas clutter of boxes/packaging/wrapping etc, it's still looking very Festive in my home. The Christmas Season is so short, so why not enjoy it to the maximum!

(Could also be something to do with the cricket being on, LOL)

And isn't it great to open the fridge after Christmas, & see lots of bits & pieces that are just ready to pull out & eat?!

Santa must have had me on his NICE list, because I received some great gifts, including some fabrics & a voucher to buy a new big cutting mat... now I just need someone to clean & cook while I sew, ha!
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This Christmas was the 2nd time I took part in the famous & fabulous Secret Santa Christmas Swap, hosted by Chookyblue & her assistant Googy Girl... Thank you girls so much for such a wonderful swap!
I really enjoyed planning, stitching & sewing for Raewyn (Stitching Farm Girl, New Zealand)... & had a bit of fun keeping my identity secret until she opened my gift on Christmas Day!

I made Raewyn two decorations, aren't they so cute?! They are from 'Stitch It For Christmas'...

 The table topper/quilt was a bit of an experiment that just happened to turn out quite well... these are my first ever 'scrappy trip' blocks... I got Raewyn to open this one on the 18th, so she could use it before Christmas if she wanted to...

As the main gift, I made Raewyn a Gail Pan bag...

Raewyn I am so glad that you like the items I sent you!

SSCS has become one of my favourite swaps - Isn't it a wonderful concept - making gifts for someone around the other side of the world, while someone else is making for you?! Brilliant, methinks!!
My SSCS gifts came all the way from Norway; this is the first time that Frederika has joined in the fun of SSCS...


To say I was blown away when I opened my own SSCS gifts is quite correct!
Frederika has sent me a gorgeous parcel of goodies I am so pleased to show you... some very cute little Christmas-themed magnets... a package of delicious choccy's... some darling little clogs... & a totally amazing purse!!
Frederika your sewing is so neat & the fabrics are so beautiful, THANK YOU!


I also did a swap with my blogging buddy Leanne...
Leanne has sent me a fabulous wall hanging featuring some of my crafty faves: a Red Brolly stitchery & pretty Fig Tree fabrics... beautifully stitched & sewn... & even with a hanger!
Leanne also included some very pretty Tilda fabrics... I will have to keep them for a special project...

This is what I sent Leanne...
A decoration for her tree... a simple table runner... & a bag from The Birdhouse designs...










I enjoyed making my all gifts & am so glad that they have been well-received!
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As for my stitching, well I am just enjoying a really slow time of it at the moment... so nothing exciting to show... but on Sunday I am going to start on my new quilty project... plus I have a lot of blog-reading to catch up on!