Christmas what a wonderful time of year!

I hope everyone has has had a lovely Christmas.

Now all the chaos of the week running up to the big day is over, it's back to relative normality for a few days at least.

I was spoiled by my DH who bought me a Crochet Blanket kit by Attic24 at Wool Warehouse  I can't wait to start it, but I must finish my Granny Stripe one first. I'm making good progress on it though.

I have a couple of swaps to share first is the cutest cracker that Tracy sent me in the Mad About Bags Cracker swap.

These are the goodies I received.

 There was a beautiful felted Robin on the front and lots of goodies inside. The Robin has found its spot on my tree and is happily swinging away.

And sent. 

Next is my Santa Sack Swap goodies from Rachel.

Cheryll hosts this swap every year and I really look forward to it. It's a definite must on my Swap Calender. 

These are the fabulous gifts she sent I was truly spoiled. 

 Rachel also popped a crochet stocking in full of chocolate coins for Lily.

She loved getting a gift too.

Thanks Rachel.

This is what I sent for Rachel. 

Great minds think alike we both sent and received washers and soap :) 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Melanie xxx

Wreath Success

I made my first Christmas wreath yesterday. 

If i do say so myself I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

My friend Pat supplied me with the bits and I set too yesterday evening.

I don't think my kitchen has ever looked so messy there was straw and pine needles everywhere. It soon cleaned up though. 

I think it's going to be a christmas crafting day today. Hopefully Lily will join me and we'll put some festive music on and have a few mince pies while we craft away.

Have a great weekend. 

Melanie xxx

Swaps

Here are a couple of Swap parcels that have made their way through the Christmas post to my doorstep. 

The first one is a Biscornu Swap hosted by the wonderful Ingrid over at Mii Stitch 

Stacey made these wonderful things for me. She was so generous 

My beautifully stitched Biscornu.

A cute Scandi shoe.

Thank you Stacey I loved them.

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My second parcel came from Kira. This was a mini Sack Swap.

She sent lots of beautiful goodies. 

The sweet treats she sent were a real treat, both were Pecan based and I have to say Pecans are my absolute favourite.

I  can't believe how generous people are when participating in Swaps. 

Thanks to all the Swap Mamas and participants. You're Great!

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I have been crafting a little too. 

These Poinsettia's are so simple and require no sewing only glue.

Here is the tutorial link.

They look fabulous as a brooch, hair clip or present trim.

Have a great weekend/

Melanie xxx

Busy busy......

It's been such a hectic couple of weeks getting swaps ready for the off. Thankfully now they are all done and off to their recipients. It didn't help when the computer went kaput too, I think it may be on it's last legs!

Just the rest of my handmade presents to make now. That should keep me busy for the next couple of weeks.

I really enjoyed making this Crochet Peppermint bunting, it was nice and quick to put together. The pattern was free on HERE

 I love the cute Robin mini Santa Sack for a swap on Flickr.

I've started to crochet these Fairy Lights this patterns free too on Ravelry. I might use these on the tree and make some more with silver tops, as my lovely children think these look like demented chilli peppers. Thanks kids! What a lovely vote of confidence. It's a good job I love them ;)

Have a great weekend.

Melanie xxx

FNWF

It was that time of the month again when Cheryll hosts her FNWF over at her place.

I stitched a couple of things but one of them is a Christmas gift so no pics of that until later.

I decided that Hilda hare needed a more festive look as she was still in her summer attire. So I set to choosing the fabric there were a couple of different ones in the running but in the end I plumped for this one!

I think she looks very nice in her new pinafore and "hare" clip. All ready for the festivities to begin.

Have a great week

Melanie xxx

Halloween

It was party time as our's last night.

We had a great time and the children had so much fun!

There were lots of trick or treaters.

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I nearly forgot to show the Autumn Swap I sent to Amy.

I made her a Log Cabin Table Runner/Wall Hanging and A cute Owl Brooch, and sent other goodies I thought she might like.

 I'm not quite sure what happened to this photo but it will only load onto blogger in portrait even though I've rotated it. So you'll have to tilt your head a little to see it.

Owl Brooch

Log Cabin runner.

It's back to present making mode now. 

That Santa list isn't going to make itself!

Melanie xxx

I'm getting there. I just have to put the borders on and quilt it now.

Not that I'm cutting it close to have it ready for Halloween or anything. 

I've really enjoyed designing it. 

It's going to go on the back of my sofa. So It is wide rather than tall. 

Looking forward to Spooky half term with the Ro and Lily. 

Decorating the house and lots of baking for our party on Friday. 

Let's hope the weather is good so we can get a few trips out too.

Have a great weekend whatever you're doing. 

Melanie xxx

A Busy Week

It's been a busy week. I've sewn a few christmas gifts and I've finished my Halloween Cross Stitch and it's out with a few of my other bits.

I can't wait to get the rest my halloween decorations out.

The lovely Postman dropped a couple of parcels my way this week.

This is what Amy sent me in the Autumn Glow Swap 

There was Tea Towel with a knitted hanger, Acorn wash cloth, autumn leaves flag, pumpkin hand sanitizer, spiced chai tea bags, autumn ribbon, Jack-a-lantern socks and a chocolate ghost. 

I was truly spoiled :)

In the other package was 2  skeins of yarn that I won in a give away held by Debi.  I just had to answer a question she asked,as it was from one of my favourite films 'The African Queen' I was the first to get the answer YIPPEE ! 

I've also started my Granny Stripe blanket. I bought the yarn pack at Yarndale it was really handy having all the colours ready chosen. All I have to do know is get it crocheted up. I am thinking it may take a while though as it's double bed size.

I'm off to get a bit more hooking done.

Have a great weekend.

Melanie xxx

Kimberley's "Send Us Christmas" Swap

Kimberley  is hosting this great Christmas swap over on her blog. It's open internationally and you can sign up until the 10th November. So why not pop over and have a look. Maybe even join in the fun.
I have :)

Melanie xx

FNWF

Cheryll hosted her FNWF on Friday and as usual and lots of us joined in.

I had a choice of goodies to have with my cuppa as my DD held a Macmillan Coffee morning at her Nursery. 

I was baking cakes alot of Thursday: Rocky Road, Red Velvet cupcakes, Double Chocolate cupcakes and Carrot and Orange traybake. They all sold but I did keep a Double Chocolate one  ;)

This is what I stitched. It's the chart that Justine sent me last week. 

Once I started I couldn't put it down. I eventually went to bed at 2am. I did get it finished but I'm not sure how I want to complete it.

I'll have a think about that over the next few days.

Have a good week whatever you're up to.

Melanie xxx

Halloween Swap Goodies

This Halloween Exchage was Hosted by Kim @ Wisdom With Needle and Thread 

I can't show what I sent as my partner hasn't received it yet.

These are the fabulous gifts that Justine sent me.

A Halloween fat 1/4, Lizzie Kate chart, Chilli and Orange chocolate ( I don't think that's going to last long), It's in my craft room. So it's reasonably safe unless I get the munchies! Some Weeks Dye Works threads and a pumpkin button,

I love the stitched Ornament that she made.

The cute pin she used to finish it off.

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I was in another swap over the summer.

It was organised by Mii Stitch and the theme was Tutti Frutti.

This is what I made for Veronique. 

Lily made the fabric strawberry.

I stitched Vero this Strawberry Needle Case and sent lots of other Frutti goodies

Melanie xxx

Yarndale

It's not long now! Less than 24 hours and we'll be there.

I've been looking forward to this trip, as I couldn't go last year. 

So Suzzette and I are off on our girlie day out.

We're even letting the train take the strain, so no driving either. 

Bliss.

It's going to be an early start at 6am but it's worth it.

A whole day dedicated to yarn :)

 They've got their very own buses. We'll be using one of these from the station to the show. 

The bunting is up and looking really good.

I'm looking forward to the Yarn Walk on the way back to the station. I love yarn bombing it really makes me smile.

All photos from their FB page

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I also joined Betty's From My Home to Yours swap.

These are the goodies I sent to my partner at Peonies and Pennies

A Denby Pottery mug from just down the road (lots of Denby at my house as I worked there many moons ago. )

Thorntons Chocolates, A Bakewell Pudding Tea towel, regional Postcards and a cross stitched Lavender heart hanger made with Cath Kidston fabrics and dried Lavender from my garden.

I hope she likes them.

Melanie xxx