Christmas Ornament Exchange

I love the secret Christmas ornament exchange at Needlecraft Haven.  Most of the group take part in this one. 

We have been doing it for many years and over time I have been partnered with different people and sometimes I have sent to the same person a number of times.   This has been the case with Christine and myself.  She must be able to fill a small tree with ones I have sent to her in the past!

Stitched on mustard yellow, not a colour that is used a lot, I liked the red wording and Christmas bird of this design from 2015 JCS ornament edition by Samplers Not Forgotten.

 

Popping into the supermarket I spotted these penguin biscuits and knowing Christines love for penguins they seemed ideal to go into the parcel instead of a chocolate treat.  Anyone know what penguin tastes like?

 

The envelope that arrived with me in plenty of time for opening day contained this lovely package.  A beautiful sparkly snowman finished exquisitely, and in such a different shape.  He's fabulous and not one but two sweet treats, unfortunately the snow bites are no more :-)   Also included was a handmade card.

 

Thank you Gill (no blog) xx

 

A successful exchange.  Fabulous selection of ornaments sent and received.  Perfect for the festive season with lots of happy stitchers exchanging something they have in common with online friends.

  

Love and blessings

 

Julie

We begin advent (and Nov round up)

The first day of December, advent had arrived, and we drove the 15 miles to a church Christmas tree festival that we have wanted to visit for the past couple of years but didn't as other things got in the way.

Not this year they didn't ....

The lovely church of St Marys

There were 1340 trees on display - from the many schools, support groups within the community, social groups, businesses, tiny, young and older childrens groups, elderly and disabled, quite a few Womens Institutes from the local area.  Each tree a joy to see, the planning, time and effort put into making them happen was evident and it was amazing.

I tried to get some pics without too many people in them, but there were so many attendees and at £2 per person entrance fee each, a lot of money will be raised for the church.  The festival is on for 5 days, 2 more days to go for visitors.  We will certainly add this to our annual calendar for next year.

A few pictures of what we saw ....

This chap welcomed us into the church, he's made of flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch  

 

 

The sugarcraft evening class 

 

Model railwayers .....

 

The local police force! 

 

 

The simple tree on the altar had been carved from a tree that had stood in the church previously  

 
I loved this one made by the knit and natter group, even the tree was knitted 

 

 

 

 

 

A parlour scene from days gone by...

The town was holding a Christmas market and the men of the Leicester Red Morris were dancing and having fun.  They are having a bit of a rest here!

It was a lovely way to begin the festivities of the month. 

Arriving back home, during the evening we lit our advent candle, a gift from DS to me. 

A  new month means it's also time for a round up post of stitching, knitting and reading achieved in November.

 

CRAFTWORK  - Three stitching finishes &two knitting finishes

 

 

READING  - Three books read.

 

 

 

There are a few friends who are in need of {{huge hugs}} at the moment as life has thrown them some not so good news for themselves and losses in their families.  

 

Wishing you all calm and peaceful days as we continue our advent journey 

 

Love and blessings to you all

 

Julie

 

 

Scavenger Hunt - November

 

I'm pleased to be joining in with Kate at I Live, I Love, I Craft and the Scavenger Photo Hunt for November.

 

The link up post for November where you can go and visit other Scavenger Hunters and see their choices.

 You can source a new picture or use one you already have in your albums and this months words were :-

 

 

Post/mailbox

Decay

Secondhand

Strand

Fold

My own choice

 

 

and here are my choices of pictures .....

 

 

POST/MAILBOX

 

This old postbox has VR stamped into it. 

It's used daily and in a village where DH's friend lives.

It has recently undergone a bit of a refurbishment with some recycled old bricks added to the existing old wall to make it more secure. 

 

 

DECAY

 

The hosta was magnificent all summer, slugs didn't bother it at all.

It's looking rather sorry for itself now though.

 

 

SECONDHAND

 

My granddaughter spotted these in the attic, they belonged to her mummy and now she's got a few 'new' dolls to play with.

 

 

STRAND

 

Fancy a game of monopoly anyone?

 

 

FOLD 

 

 

 

You need to fold away the music stand to shut the piano lid

 

 

MY OWN CHOICE

 

Team effort -

Our knitting group nativity has gone on display at the community centre

I knitted the baby Jesus and crib

DH made the wooden stable out of scrap wood for us

 

(Sorry its not a better pic, the screwed in perspex front to deter theft didn't help)

 

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie

 

 

 

 

Winter SAL finish

The winter ornament completes the set of the seasonal SAL stitching over at Needlecraft Haven.  We could choose any design we wanted with a seasonal theme and have stitched them over the seasons of 2018. 

Quite a few of the ladies have taken part in this and its been fun seeing which designs they chose.  It's the third year we have done seasonal stitching and it's been fun.  Next year things will change I have read on the forum so something new to look forward to.

I've had all four of the seasonal free designs printed out from Happiness is Cross Stitching blog and they've been in my stash and on the 'to do' list for a very long time.  I bet you also have a pile of things like that too that you just don't get round to doing.

Here's my simple finish for winter...

 

The collection of the four seasons together....

 

 

A Christmas hand knitted sock gift completed and today I spent time wrestling with wrapping paper and sellotape and these are now wrapped up ready for gifting.

 

Sock needles empty.... we can't have that can we?

 

Postie brought me a parcel this week with my order of this years Christmas wool from West Yorkshire Spinners.  The Fairy Lights and cayenne pepper package included the free pattern.  Resistance was futile and these have been casted on and the rib already knitted.

 

This pair is for me.... (there, i have said it) I've been good and really want them in time for this Christmas... is that selfish?

 

I marzipaned the Christmas cake as well as doing some wrapping today and updated my list of things left to buy and do.

 

How is your Christmas planning, gift buying and making coming along.   One month today and the big day will be here ... and we all know how quickly the past 11 months have gone by don't we.

 

Wishing you love and blessings at this busy time of the year and peace and happiness.

 

Julie

 

 

Gifted Gorgeousness - November

 

 

Time for Novembers Gifted Gorgeousness, where we share something you have gifted yourself or been gifted to you between 15th of each month. 

See the tab at the top of Jo's blog for more information or visit her link up post for November to see what other GG participants have shared.

 

In todays post arrived a little fob that DJ kindly sent to me after a drawing on her blog for breast cancer.   Perfect timing to be included in my GG post.  Thank you DJ for your kindness, it is beautiful.

 

 

A lady at the craft group is so very talented.  I ordered this bag with little purse for Isabelle my granddaughter to add to her Christmas parcel.  The little badge was an extra she made with the leftover fabric.

 

 

 

As well as the bag, i'll gift a book, so I stitched a little bookmark to go with it.  

 

I'll include the second instalment of the Royal Rabbits of London - "Escape From the Tower" not this one which is Book 1.  I've just finished reading this one after Isabelle loaned it to me.  It's Santa Montefiore's first children's book written with her husband Simon Seabag Montefiore.  I really liked the story but then again I do like bunnies so not really a surprise.  The Royal Rabbits protect the Queen at Buckingham Palace and Shylo, the weakest of his family who lives in the country overhears a plot by the ratzi's to take a photo of the Queen in her nightie, he knows he has to do something to stop it happening.  I hope I get to borrow the second book after santa delivers it! 

 

 

 

CCN Christmas birdhouse is finished off ready to gift to a family member

 

 

 

The red cardigan is completed too.  Isabelle came early one day last week for breakfast before school and spotted it on the table.  Off came the older one and on with the new.  Not the best pic of it, but 7 year olds at 8am in the morning are not always co-operative!

 

 

 

I've also been stitching a gift for a Christmas ornament exchange but that's a secret till opening day so you will have to wait to see that.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what's in your GG post for this month

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie