In the run up to Christmas I had absolutely nothing that could be shown on my blog and now it seems I have too much so I'll be sharing the pictures over the next couple of weeks or so.
Yesterday I received my Secret Santa package from Australia. Yes, it arrived a bit late but I understand it was returned to sender the first time around.
However, this package was well worth the wait as I'm sure you'll agree.
My Secret Santa was Jo and
just look at the gorgeous wall hanging she made for me
I'm absolutely thrilled with this because the fabrics are in my favourite country style colours, it has hand applique (my favourite technique) and just check out those rusty bells! There are three oversized ones on the bottom of the wall hanging and each applique circle has a smaller bell attached. It makes such a happy sound when you shake it :)
Jo also sent me an Australian Country Threads magazine. It's my all time favourite magazine but they are like gold dust here and simply not available so she couldn't have sent me anything that would please me more.
Thanks so much for a great swap experience Jo and thanks to Donna AKA Chookyblue who was brave enough to organize this mammoth exchange for the second year running. Can you imagine trying to pair up 156 Secret Santa's? If you want to see all of the wonderful gifts that were exchanged you can see them on Donna's blog.
So what did I send to my exchange partner? I made this little Cinderberry Stitches wall hanging using fabrics from the Moda Peace on Earth line
Here's the label I sewed on the back
and I also made a little notions holder and rotary cutter case from a pattern I found in a UK quilting magazine
Since this is a quilty type post rather than a cross stitch one I will also show a picture of a bag I made from a Prairie Paisley charm pack. I used the Charm Party Tote pattern from Quilts Illustrated but I added an extra row of charms to make a deeper bag
Yesterday was Three Kings Day here in Spain - the day where there are processions in every town to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men.
We went to watch the procession so I'm leaving you with a few pictures taken while we were out and about.
Happy New Year to everyone. Wishing you a wonderful crafting year ahead!
Margaret
29 comments:
Welcome back Margaret, such lovely gifts, both given and received. Here's to a year filled with fun and threads.
Hi Margaret, I hope that you are feeling better. What beautiful gifts both sent and received. I love the Night Before Christmas and the fabric selection. Spain is truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
I'm always excited when I see that you have posted to your blog! The wall hanging you received is fantastic. I love that your Secret Santa added bells to it. Your stitchery was also adorable. I really like the Cinderberry patterns but have yet to try them.
Happy New Year!
And we are having SNOW here, and you post these lovely pictures of sunshine & blue skies ! Glad to hear from you, I admire hand appliqué, seems an awful lot of hard work to me. I like your tote bag very much too, I must make one... one day ! Did the Kings bring further presents ?
Hi Margaret, You have been missed big time by me anyway! I heard you were here in the U.K. and suffered like the rest of us and hope you are all better now. I love what you sent and what you received and wish you a very Happy & Healthy New Year. Lots of Love Patti xxx
Oh Margaret what cute things you had to show! The Australian quilting magazines are very popular here in the U.S. and luckily not hard to find. I designed a section of a quilt around King's Day - among the blocks were 3 appliqued crowns and a King's Crown pieced block. It was fun reading about the traditions especially the King's Day cakes.
Happy New Year Margaret! I missed you! Oh my what gorgeous goodies you have shared. I love your Secret Santa gift. It's so beautiful and must be a lot of fun to shake! The gift you made is absolutely gorgeous! I love the red fabric. And, your tote bag is beautiful too. You are really becoming a master of the craft. Take care, and thanks for sharing pictures of Spain too. It's as gorgeous as ever.
Margaret, what a beautiful bag! This makes me long for better sewing skills.
Happy New Year Margaret!
All gift are so pretty, I especially like your little notions holder - so neat!
Beautiful wall hanging from Jo!!
and I LOVE Cinderberrry Stitches and your piece is incredible:)
The notions holder and rotary cutter holder...OMG!! LOVE THEM!!
I've just started quilting. I wish I could get my hands on those patterns! They are sooo cute!! Excellent job on those Margaret! and your beautiful bag too! Girl, you are very talented:)
Long time no hear from......glad you're back. I love the wall-hanging you received.
Take care.
Beautiful gifts Margarte, both given and received and I love the charm pack bag you have made. You are so talented with your sewing machine and needle, you should start selling!!
Margaret, what a wonderful post this is! Beautiful, beautiful projects, all of them. I can't get enough looking at them. The wallhangings are both very special, the one with the appliqué as well as yours with the stitchery. And I love the notions holder and the rotary cutter case, great fabric choice. The bag is just a dream. Everything is so creative!
so lovely gifts:) happy New Year!
Happy New Year Margaret. It's good to see you back. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family in England.
I love the Secret Santa gifts, both sent and received!
Oh wow - what a wonderful feast of photos to drool over. They were oh so worth the wait :)
You have received, and made, some gorgeous things - all of them!
Those are great gifts! And I love seeing the beautiful pictures you posted - Happy New Year!
Wonderful to have you back and wonderful gifts you made, sent and received. I love that tote. The little pocket on the front is perfect. You do such great work. The night before christmas is so cute. I did an apron for Heidi, on my embroidery machine, and it said the until it got to not a creature was stirring. Hers said except Miss Pickles the Elf. LOL.
What a nice thing to celebrate three kings day. It would be so nice to see.
Nancy
Everything is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the Cinderberry wall quilt, and the little notions accessories~~too cute!!!
so nice to have you back.......missed you.....
love the gifts you sent and received for the SSCS.....and a mag is always wonderful..........
please don't stop showing your cross stitch I love seeing it.........and a very nice bag at the end........nice photography.......would love to see more of Spain.........
Ooh! I love the Joy wreath Jo made you- cute! I also love your gift to your SS! Wonderful work as usual! Happy New Year Margaret!
I really love reading your blog though this is the first time I have left a comment. My Mum lives in Spain just south of Alicante and I am lucky enough have a little holiday home there that I visit whenever I can. I love Spain and that is one of the reasons I really enjoy your blog apart from the stitching and wonderful bags. If you have time please come and visit me at my blog at http://stitchesoftime.wordpress.com
Thanks
Alison
Happy New Year Margaret, It has been awhile since I have visited and I see you continue to create very lovely "Bags". I think your JOY Chrissie pressie is very cute and the Aussie Country Threads Mag. I am sure you will love reading. I always Truly Enjoy looking at your lovely Palm Trees and the ocean photos you share with us all. BOY I would love to be with you in Spain stitching with you right now. VBG Hugs Judy in very cold and Wintry Michigan
There you are again my "Bag Twin Sister" Love the extra row of charm squares you used to make the bag deeper....very clever!
Lovely post, Margaret. Love your Cinderberry wallhanging ... those little mice are so cute and your label is gorgeous. Your gift from Jo looks great ... I love bells too.
Christine
Hi Margaret, still catching up on blogs, just have to say, what a wonderful wall hanging you received from your secret santa. I love the Cinderberry quilt, the little notion and rotary cutter holders. Your bags as usual are lovely, you have become quite the "bag lady"!
Love the pictures of 3 Kings Day.
In Stitches --- Roberta
Hello Margaret,
Happy New Year to you too!!! All the best for you and your beloved ones.
I LOVELOVELOVE the wallhanging you made (jealous me, LOL :), it's soooo gorgeous! Thanks for sharing & hugs, Carolien
Happy new year! I liked the wallhanging you got very much, so nice with the bells! And the gifts you had made were beautiful.
I have got a charm pack as a gift, maybe I should make a bag of them.
Nice to see your new post. Lovely Christmas wall hanging you received. Thanks for sharing your photos of Spain. Looking forward to your next post. Regards,
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