A week in review and a bag!

Just a few days until the New Year, so this just might be my last post of 2007.

We've had a most unusual Christmas in that 3 out of 4 of us have been ill with one of the worst colds. I started with the sniffles and runny eyes last weekend and just managed to return to normal in time to cook Christmas Eve dinner. Then on Christmas Day my eldest DD came down with it and she spent most of the day with her eyes closed...let's put it this way, she asked me to re-wrap her gifts as she doesn't really remember opening them! We just managed to get her into an upright position to go to Stoke-on-Trent for Boxing day and the 27th to see the relatives and have our Christmas dinner with the in-laws (yummy!) ...all was well until yesterday when my DD2 came down with it....oh well tis the season!

The only silver lining in all of this is that I have had 2 opportunities to sew so far this week (unheard of in a normal Christmas week)
The first time I sat at the sewing machine I was experimenting with some ideas that came to me during the fever I had had on the weekend. I don't know about you, but my best ideas either come to me during a raging fever, during a hangover, or on the toilet!! (My mother would say that is TMI (too much information)...but it might be interesting to see if I'm alone in that one!)
During the second opportunity I sewed together a bag as part of the BQL bag challenge of 2008. It is grocery bag shaped and folds into a pouch. Kate made one too, you can see it here. This bag was good fun to make and will match a bag I made last year.(shown in the bottom pic) The fabric is Alexander Henry Babes on Bikes and I think is fun, fun, fun. My DD1 says I'm only allow to use it when I'm shopping alone! Sheesh!! Doesn't she know fashion when she sees it :o)

Lastly, I just want wish you all a very happy and safe New Year!

Christmas 4 days early!!

Look what came in the mail for me all the way from Australia!!! Leanne over at the Stitching Room had a give away a few weeks ago and I was the lucky winner. Leanne also included a lovely decoration that is now proudly hung on the tree. Thanks Leanne!!

Now...where's the Baileys...and a comfy chair...ah yes feeling festive!

Christmas Cracker...

...jokes! Ah it's not Christmas without a few bad jokes...and thanks to the crackers we had in our nursery class today, I have a few good ones to share with you.

What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa Claus when she looked out the window?
Looks like Rain Dear!

Why don't robots have brothers?
Because they all have trans-sisters!

Why are brides unlucky?
Well, they didn't marry the best man!

What award goes to designers of door knockers?
A No Bell Prize!

Why was Cinderella no good at football?
Because her coach was a pumpkin!

How does you make a jacket last?
Make the trousers first!

Where can you buy British Rail bubble gum?
On a chew chew train!

Why does a horse have 6 legs?
'Cos it has forelegs in front and 2 behind!

and last but not lest...and most appropriate

Where should a dressmaker build her house?
On the Outskirts!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

A few last minute gifts...

Even though I was taking a "break" from all that productivity from the last month I decided yesterday that I needed gift bags for the gifts I'm giving the teachers...and a couple of hours later...three little bags ready to be filled with goodies.


Among my blog reading this morning, Bren over at Pieces of Me is passing this treasure award to all quilters who blog. I've added it to my side bar and per her instructions I'm passing it on to YOU.



TTFN

12 Days of Christmas..like no other

Roses are red...violets are blue...

Well in my case it's a pink quillow and a blue quillow. You may remember a few weeks ago I posted about a couple of quillows for my niece and nephew for Christmas. They are only 40" square, which when you are little is just enough to cuddle up to when you are watching TV. Well this past weekend we had some of the ugliest weather (rain, cold..just plain yukky) and I got some uninterrupted sewing time and managed to get both quilts quilted and bound. They are now labelled and washed, wrapped and ready for the 25th! Here's a selection of pictures.

The Blue One

The Pink One

Close-up of the quilting

Close-up of the quilting

This is what they look like folded up.

The quilt is folded and the triangular flaps are turned to the back and tied.

TTFN,

Friendship...the cyber kind ;o)

When I started this blog, just over a year ago, I had no idea how many people I would "meet" in blogland. I just thought it would be a great way to share a little of what I was doing in my quilting "studio"..(make that the end of my dining room..LOL) I soon realized that blogging is a lot more than that..Everyone you "meet" has a story and you soon learn about the quilters, sewers and crafters through their memes and their blogs. You share the laughs and sorrows of their life and even though we live in a fast moving world...some how I feel more connected because of my cyber friends. I'm amazed at the talent that I'm lucky enough to read about every day. I am also lucky to have all of YOU..my cyber friends, who give me encouragement through your comments. I feel "normal" when I read your stories, your mistakes and your quirks. I know now, I'm not all that different and somehow that makes me feel better.

One of you (Kate) was kind enough to share some of her beautiful work with me and send me a postcard. I was thrilled to receive it today..so thank you Kate...and thank you to all of you that come back and read my two cents. I may not always reply to every comment, but my heart is warmed by your feedback.

Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a safe and festive December!