Santa Sack Swap

More treats were in store for me under the Tree.

I was partnered with Jill for the Santa Sack Swap organized by Cheryll. 

I loved reading her blog and getting to know what she like. 

These are the wonderful gifts I received from her.

 A hand knitted scarf, fat quarter, a cupcake kit, a cone full of chocolate (that didn't last too long.) Christmas tea towel. This lovely hand painted wooden spoon with a cute gingerbread man on it and the bag in which they all came.

Last but certainly not least Santa's Towel! 

I love it!

I love them Jill thank you so much for partnering me in this swap I have really enjoyed it.

 These are the gifts I sent for Jill.

A Candle mat and Candle

 Apron and Recipe Journal

 Hand knitted wrist warmers. 

And the delivery bag.

I have really enjoyed doing Cheryll's swap again this year. 

Melanie xxx

Christmas and Swap Goodies

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and didn't overdo it too much! I know I did!

I had a wonderful day with Alan and all my children and a friend over for dinner it was a lovely.

 I had quite a few swap gifts under my tree. 

Now that the chaos is over I have time to write my blog to show you how generous the wonderful people I have been partnered with are.

The first parcel I opened was from Leanne (Lizzie the Quilter) We had done other swaps earlier in the year and decided to do one at Christmas too. I love the gifts she sent. 

Spotty bunting which will be up in my kitchen as soon as the Christmas decs are down. Covered buttons, assorted buttons ( I'm not sure if Leanne new but I love buttons) Christmas trimmings, die cut hexagons and a beautiful phone case. It fits my phone perfectly too :) 

She also made me this super sweet cupcake ornament.

These are the gifts I sent to Leanne 

 Christmas handbag charm, Frixion pen, button heart, chocolate and some ribbon.

 I also made her this table topper. From a Gail Pan design.

 I have a few more swaps to post about but they will have to wait for another day.

Hoping you are all enjoying the Holidays

Melanie xxx

December Christmas QAL

 I started the day by making some Filo Mince Pies, for an afternoon snack.

 Just a little sweey something to keep me going (I only had 1. They were delicious though!)

I decided to join in with the Christmas Challange when the QAL started a few months ago.

Here it is:- (not as easy as it first looked)

The Challenge

Make a quilt on the theme of Christmas without using the colours red or green.

The small print:

·         The quilt may be any style, as long as it has two layers of fabric enclosing wadding, secured by quilting or tying

·         It may be any shape, but must measure no more than 96” around the outside edges.  ie, it could be a square 24” x 24”, a rectangle  8” x  40”, a triangle measuring 36” on each side,  a circle with a diameter of 30”, or any other shape you can think of, as long as the total outside edges do not add up to more than 96”

·         If the design is not your own, you must credit the original designer

·         It must be completed, including binding, in time for your final photo to be included in our grand parade in December

·         You will be asked to send one photo of your finished quilt with a ruler along the longest edge to prove it meets size restrictions to your hostess  in December

·         To be eligible to win the prize you must have joined at least three of the Quiltalong Linky parties with a post during the weekend showing what you are working at that time. 

The Finished runner measured a total of 68" so it was well within the 96" allowed.

The inspiration for the runner came from the blue and white enamelled cutlery we use on Christmas Day. 

I loved the idea of using mittens appliqued on for the blocks. The strings remind me of my childhood. My mum used to put woollen cords on my mittens so I didn't lose them.

I stippled the setting in triangles and I'm happy with how it looks. 

Well that's the Challenge done. Lets see how much more I can get done this weekend.

I hope you all have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

 Melanie xxx

Santa Sack Swap

My Santa Sack Swap parcel arrived this morning and it was stuffed full of parcels and a pack of paper chains. Lily and I will have lots of fun making those over the weekend and putting them up.

Here are all the goodies. My fingers are itching to get ripping.

Thanks to Cheryll for being Swap Mama.

Thanks to my swap partner Jille for putting such a great bag of goodies together.

I've also managed to get my Reindeers and Sleigh finished and they are pulling a snowman around at the moment. Soon it will be full of Sweets but if I put them in now they wouldn't last very long.

Merry Christmas 

Melanie xxx

FNWF

This Friday out came the Mince Pies and the Mulled Ginger Wine. 

Off I went cutting out my squares. I had decided to do a few more Origami Christmas Decorations.

I'm going to use them as tags on the gifts for my crafty friends.

I have done a few more now so I have quite a few.
Have a great weekend.

Merry Christmas 

Hugs Melanie xxx