Thank you to everyone!

This email is a couple of days late sorry! Miranda, i was just speechless, what a beautiful bookmark and the work involved in it! It is just delightful and it will be used, Thank you so much!
It is sad to see our 12 swap days come to an end, as it really has been an amazing and the most enjoyable experience! Thank you to each of you for the lovely gifts, and to liz for making this all happen!! I am now looking forward to the next one!
Love Vicki
xox

CAIRNS CHRISTMAS TREE

Double click on Jean's tree to enlarge the photo and you can see our gifts -awesome!!
Liz

Merry Christmas to all

Thanks Miranda for the lovely bookmark. Such delicate work and the wrapping was great even thou I know it caused some stressful moments.

Merry Christmas to all of you, and safe and Happy New Year.
Everyone has sent the most beautiful gifts all individual and creative so thanks very much for a great 12 days. Look forward to the next swap.
Cheers Hazel

To my swopper friends, I hope all had a lovely day yesterday and I am sure Santa was kind to you. Some how my day got away from me. I visited at our little hospital to make sure Santa arrived with the patients gifts and was blown away when 40 people turned up for morning tea. I am told that never before have so many people joined in for Christmas morning with our long term residents. It was such a happy morning and a pleasure to be part of it. Thank you to Wendy Jean Amah and Miranda and to any one else whose gift I have forgotton to thank them for. I have loved them all and the excitment and anticipation of opening the little parcels. Funny I even got excited about opening my own to see which one had returned to me. I got a book in my christmas parcels which has already given me ideas for next year so I hope we can all take part again please Liz. Liz an especially big thank you to you for keeping us in there when you yourself was having a difficult time. So a big hug from me. HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone may 2009 bring you happiness and pleasure. Love to you all Adrianne

AMAH'S (EDNA) email

Miranda -What can I say
I will think of you when I use the beautiful bookmark as I do a lot of reading.
Thank you so very much, I feel so happy to have been able to take part in this wonderful Xmas swap.
Haven't we had some fabulous gifts and made such kind friends??
I do wish you and all the other swappers!! a happy and healthy coming year and roll on the next swap !!!!
Love to All ( Amah Edna

MIRANDA'S GIFT TO US

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Stunning, amazing, beautiful, gorgeous, lovely
Miranda I am so, so impressed , in fact stunned would be a more correct description of how I felt.
We actually opened them last night together, Amah, Rachael and I, and that was special, as we ooooohed and aaaaahed,
Jean from Cairns rang this morning (I stayed at Rachaels) and she too `blown away'

A very small profile of Miranda as I am not showered or dressed.
Miranda is another of my `dear Nelson' friends, and like all of us has fiddled over the years and I did know that she could crochet, but have never seen any evidence before - our bookmark is inspirational.
Thank you dear friend and I am so glad you took the challenge , your wrapping is gorgeous and imaginative, and you always say you have no talent -mmmmm !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully we will all contribute to our blog, until the New Year as it will be fun to chat about our Christmas.
Liz

Hi everyone, so sorry I haven,t said thanks to Rachel, Adrianne, Wendy, Jean and Edna. I have been very busy finishing of xmas presents that I have been making, All done now. I have enjoyed this very much and cant wait to open the last one in the morning. Thanks, Marian

Thank You Everyone!!!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your wonderful and clever gifts and for making this one of the most enjoyable Christmases I've had since I was a child!!! I haven't been able to get on the computer over the last couple of days and my apologies to Adrianne, Wendy, Jean and Edna for not thanking you on the day I opened your gifts however we (Seini and I) were blown away each morning by the beautiful gifts we saw when we unwrapped your parcels and I feel very lucky to have been a part of this great Christmas Swap - very humbled and touched by the time and effort everyone has put in to their gifts, you are all wonderful people!!! Have a relaxing day tomorrow and best wishes for the New Year to you all,
from,
Miranda and Seini xoxo

OUR 12 TH DAY -

Merry Christmas to you all, we are going to open Miranda's gift at 12.01 , should still be up, but may not post, will see :):).
I hope tomorrow is a special day for you all, and that it will be as fun filled as our last 11 days have been.
Take Care Dear Friends and family and a big thank you for sharing `My Dream' and making our swap come true.
LizXX

Christmas Tree in Cairns :)

Merry Christmas from Cairns

Thanks you so much to each and every one of you - special thanks to Liz & Rachael for getting me involved in this very special Xmas Gift Swap - I so enjoyed making my gifts to you and of receiving your gifts to me. I just want to keep going ewith more :):):) Merry Christmas to all of you and take care Love Jean

Thank you Adrianne,Wendy, Jean and Edna
Wow haven't we been lucky, sorry in not getting on here sooner.
Adrianne I loved the blue/star xmas ball - my colours very clever. Wendy you made a fantastic job of the mosaic tile cross, well done.
Jean your gift cards are just lovely - yes too beautiful to use! Marian will love those as she is into scrap booking (infact she has whipped up a garden scrap book for me for xmas - just lovely)
And today we have this beautiful cross stitch xmas decoration - I can't believe you are 82 Edna what amasing work.
Only one to go, I'll say thank you now to Miranda for day 12 as not sure if I will be on the blog on xmas day.
A big THANK YOU Liz this has been great, I have loved been part of the 12 days
Merry Christimas everyone
Love Cheryl

AMAH'S (EDNA) GIFT TO US

12 of these , and 24 pieces of tiny cross stitch to make this most beautiful and exquisite Christmas tree decoration , plus assembling the pieces to make it , and look-that isn't all......... Mine has a little boot attacked to the bottom, plus the red ribbon to hang it -it is so lovely and I am so impressed that Amah at 82 can actually see to stitch such fine work.
And I do believe that it is stuffed with Lavender - FANTASTIC!!!
Amah's tag was so nice and my camera didn't pick up the other side , but there is a nice little (Stick On) Christmas message as well.

Another wee parcel, that gave no indication of the contents -surprise!!!!
Amah, as you will all realise is my Son-In-Law's maternal Grandmother, and when Steve was a little boy , he couldn't say Grandma (or I think that is the story)
And yes, Amah has crafted and stitched for ever, and if any of you are ever here at Christmas time, -her house is filled with the most beautiful Christmas decorations of all kinds, beautifully made -I am lucky enough to live close by.
Thank you Amah -your gift is simply beautiful and soooo neat
Liz

EMAIL FROM AMAH (Edna) 23rd Dec;

Hi Jean ,
I didn't have a clue who the gift was from today !!
No name on the parcel ! but what a lovely idea thank you very much
What will tomorrow bring?
Gets exciting doesn't it?
Mum

JEAN'S GIFT TO US

I never want to use them -and if I do, then the recipients would have to be pretty special to appreciate the dainty and delicate, dear little gift tags.
What could have been in the little parcel? - the Customs declaration said `CARD' so no true indication of what was inside.
Jean, these are fabulous and I do feel that you must have a wee stash of Japanese papers.
They are all perfectly made, with minute detail -how patient you must be as I can see that these little gift tags were not just whipped up, as they are so perfect
Your colours and layout are perfect -I keep looking at them

The wrapping was also done beautifully, and did you all see how the red tissue sort of poked out like a wee border? -definitely Japanese influence.
Jean just so happens to be Rachael's' `Mother-In-Law' and Stella's Gamma, so I obviously have known Jean for many years, and again like all of us, has fiddled, stitched and made things for ever -she also used to do `framing' and had a workshop.
Jean has always loved all 'Japanese' things and Rachael has on her walls various fans , prints etc from Japan.
Thank you Jean -the gift tags are magnificent, that seems to be the wrong word , as they are too dainty for such a big word.
You are in Cairns, but this Xmas Swap has brought you much closer to home, friends and family.
Have a wonderful Christmas
Liz

FANTASTIC!

Thank you Wendy! My cross is blue,white and red, and i just love it! You have put a lot of work into them with all the little pieces in the mosaic.
I cant believe we are up to opening parcel 10 tomorrow morning! This really has been amazing and i will miss the amazing little surprise/gift each morning, when we finish!
Vicki xox

EMAIL FROM AMAH (EDNA) 22nd Dec

Hi Wendy

What a beautiful bag, complete with beaded tie, then when I opened it----
What a kind thought for the right time of the year, very appropriate and lovingly crafted each day brings us closer to the last gift- hope we don't all lose touch ?

Have a good Christmas and a bright New Year
Amah- Edna

Good morning everyone, the gifts have been beautiful. The thought that goes into them is amazing each time I open one I have thoughts of the whole process of making twelve. It has rained all weekend the sky is grey but getting up to open our gifts just brightens the day and is so exciting now I remember what it was like as a kid waiting for Xmas. xxx Have a great day everyone. Wendy.

WENDY'S GIFT TO US

Wendy, amazing, and so very beautiful , also a reminder of what Christmas is all about, as you have so cleverly portrayed it by your exquisite handcrafted cross -I actually felt very moved when I opened the gorgeous bag.
I love the idea and am actually blown away by it , the other girls will be as well -it is lovely

Have you all had a look at the back of your cross?

The bag, is a gift in itself, and my camera hasn't picked up the gorgeous beaded tie.
Wendy -well Wendy is just lovely Wendy - we worked together at Nelson Hospital, and she is the Head Orderly - but amongst other things is so very talented and does amazing stuff , she also has hundreds of projects happening all at once -you must all think that Nelson Hospital was a craft group , but many a discussion has been held (in work time) -it was fun
Wendy is a devoted Nana and her grandchildren have all been the recipients of her fabulous talents.
Thank you Wendy -our cross is beautiful and so very Xmasy -I love it

EMAIL FROM AMAH (EDNA)

Hello Adrianne,

Another wonderful surprise gift today - thank you so much.

What a pity we cannot thank each friend in person, but how lovely to be able to share this friendship through these exciting parcels -

Can Xmas last all year ???? Edna

ADRIANNE'S GIFT TO US

Well........ what do I say, except to say that this is so, so typical of my friend Adrianne to create, put together this wonderful Christmas Tree decoration -
I t is hanging on my tree `Pride Of Place' and I can see Adrianne making this, she would have had such fun fashioning , planning and putting it all together -she would have had the room and table looking like a bomb -site
It is FABULOUS !!

A gorgeous Christmas Card

A special Christmas message to us all

Another Mystery Parcel.
And now to a little bit about my friend Adrianne.
Adrianne now lives in Kaikoura where she is Nurse Manager (I think that is her title)
of Kaikoura Hospital.
I have know Adrianne for many years, both of us worked at Nelson Hospital - when I first met Adrianne she was President of the Nelson Embroidery Guild -she encouraged me to join and as they say `The Rest Is History"
Adrianne has been my inspiration -she showed me how to extend my embroidery, push the boundaries and introduced me to a whole new away of thinking -she constantly encouraged me and over the years we have `crafted and made' the most amazing projects.
When we are together -we tend to feed off each other's ideas and there has been many `non-work related discussions in the `Treatment Room' of Nelson Hospital.
Thank you Adrianne for the most amazing gift
Liz

On the seventh day of Christmas

Glad you all liked your Victorian fans.

I had so much fun making them, I had seen them on a blog site sometime ago and knew that is what I was going to make for my swap gift.

The bags were a last minute idea . . .

Thought I would show you this photo I took today of 82 year old Edna (Amah) wearing Marion's necklace. It is stunning on her!!!


Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Rachaelxo

EMAIL FROM AMAH (EDNA)

Hi Liz I am lost for words now

Marion's beautiful necklace yesterday in my favourite colours Blue - couldn't have been chosen better, and today my lovely fan by Rachael ,

Aren't we just so blessed by having so many friends ? doesn't it make you feel humble?

Love Amah

Hello Marian and Rachel
Wow aren't we lucky girls, I love my necklace, I wore it to work yesterday - lots of comments, thank you Marian. Everyone wanting to see how you had made it. Butttons, buttons love it.
Some infor. on Marian, she is always making something - from crochet ( she has made me a beautiful blanket which I just use all the time), scrap booking, quilting etc great at making chutneys too! Marian works from home - childminding full on not sure how she has the energy! Marian has been to a Xmas craft night at the local craft shop and produced three beautiful Santas but from that some of the ladies are now meeting at her house to carry on with more craft!
Rachel (2nd cousin) you have impressed me as when I saw you down here at Labour weekend you hadn't started. I was opening your gift at 3am! I would have gone onto blog but couldn't get in??? Old computer! What a great idea and your bag is beautiful with bells. Very clever well done glitter girl.
Roll on tomorrow
Cheers Cheryl

RACHAEL'S GIFT TO US

On the 20th December, my very own daughter gave to me...
Actually when I saw the bag I did wonder what HIDEOUS creation would be inside, especially when her house was covered in silver glitter (she is a glitter girl)
But all was revealed to find the most divine, and I do mean that:)
The construction alone is unbelievable, and the `old worlde' little picture s are unique .
I love it and it will grace my wall in `The Powder Room'

And the tag

And the machine sewn bag with the little bells and embellishments - a stirling effort daughter, but
I put it all down to everything you know -I have taught you:):)
Thank you dear Rachael , and for those of you who don't know Rachael is my adopted daughter:)

Hi from Cairns

Just to let you know I had an envelope today from Brisbane customs - They returned the Xmas pud recipe :):) LOL
Amazed at these beautiful gifts I am opening daily am actually feeling much closer to family and friends :) Liz you are amazing the box & bracelet are just awesome. I have just opened # 6 the button necklace is very special thank you Marion. It's so cool that everyone has made such different pressies just can't wait for tomorrow.
Maybe I can open a little earlier :):):)
Cheers Jean

JULIE -MIRANDA'S MUMMY

Hi Liz

Julie here (Miranda's mum). Just have to email you and let you know what fun and excitement I'm getting from visiting your "Blog" every morning and seeing that day's presents. What amazing creations people have made and so beautiful. Miranda and Seini are getting such a buzz and I know "warm fuzzies" are never far away. You have done a wonderful job putting this together and what a delightful way to express the Christmas spirit amongst 12 people some of whom don't even know each other. Thankyou for my daily "wow" moments. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and best wishes for a great 2009

Luv Julie

This is just the best and ooooops -need to put this through spell check :) a few too many Chardonnays, but a very nice (Old Coach Road -Nelson) if anyone is interested:):)
Julie -thank you - it has been beyond my wildest dream and the Blog makes it even more special -sharing and caring (I now have to get myself into gear to get up early for tomorrow's posting !)

MARIAN'S GIFT TO US

Simply exquisite -and the most amazing piece of jewellery (bling) I am sitting here stunned, not only by the beauty of my necklace, but the many, many buttons that have gone into constructing this -and Marian -so neat - the parcel certainly gave no indication of what was inside -even with the `SQUEEZE test'
I am blown away -and I say this to myself each morning -amazing- I am going to wear it to work this morning, even the way you have it attached it to the cardboard is perfection++

The tag of course matches our gift so well, the two cute buttons cleverly attached to the gift tag

And all so beautifully packaged
Marion, I am so impressed, fabulous, just fabulous, and now a little about Marian ... in fact I don't know her, and whenI asked Cousin Cheryl if she had a friend who might like to participate -Cheryl said `Oh Marion will' she is so talented and crafty' -so all I know about Marion is she lives in the DEEP SOUTH -Mosgiel -a suburb of Dunedin, Marian dropped her gifts off to me, when I was in Dunedin at Labour Weekend -we must meet again. (and soon)
Thank you Marion -and I am sooooooooo happy that you are enjoying our Swap -it is such fun to share our talents.
Liz

Sorry I rung so early this morning Cheryl, I was keen to look at my gift, Must say I am enjoying this very much, great way to build up to xmas. Thanks Liz , loved the wee box and what a surprize to find the felt bracelet inside. Must say thank you to Eileen for the cute wee beaded serviette rings. This is so much fun, marian

Thank you cousin Liz,
Just lovely -you are very clever, what beautiful work you have done with a needle and I imagine you have made the felt to Liz? Beautiful work! I was late today - had Marian on the phone before I was even out of bed. This is causing alot of excitement down here in the south! What will Marian have for us tomorrow and then Rachel - exciting. I'm sure Marian and I would love to be involved again next year. Cheers Cherylx

WOW!!!

I don't know what to say! Liz, you always come up with the most amazing things!! I got up this morning and opened your gift, and there was this beautiful wee embelished box you have made! But wait, there was more... inside was the most amazing wool felted bracelet you have also made. Liz, i just love it, and it fits perfectly!!! Thank you for your gift!
Love vicki xox

On the fifth day of Christmas . . .

My very own Mummy gave to me . . .

a Christmas Bon Bon


opened by The Princess



and inside a fabric covered box, and as Babes would say "with embellishments"


and inside the box, a hideous green thing . . .








which turned out to be a fabulous felted cuff. Mine has a bow on the top, lots of sparkly beads and blanket stitching. ( I have to say Hazel, I do believe your blanket stitching is neater!!)

All in all, very gorgeous, very funky, it has not left my wrist this morning!

Thanks Mummy!!!

Rachaelxo

LIZ'S GIFT TO US!!!

What excitement this morning when Seini came in to my bedroom with gift #5 "its Liz's one!" she said very excited (Liz is pretty high up there on Seini's list of special people...!) wasn't organised enough to get a picture of the gift before we unwrapped it (maybe someone else did?)........! But it was beautifully done in red and green cellophane, wrapped up like a christmas cracker with a lovely personalised gift tag which is now hanging on the tree (its becoming a bit of a ritual now!). Seini unwrapped it and we saw the most beautiful little red cylinder shapped box with a sparkly decoration on the top, braid trim and a sweet wee key on the back tied on with beads. But there was more.......






Inside the box a gorgeous bracelet made from felt and embellished as only Liz could do with all sorts of spectacular beads, leaves, stitching, gauzy material and lined with a red and green striped material. It is so cool and unique and I'm still 'ooohing' and 'ahhhhing' over it. Thank you Liz, I'm blown away by the little gift box and the bracelet, you are so clever and I feel very lucky to be a part of all this and receiving such wonderful gifts (warm fuzzie moment there!!!) Must go, daughter needs a hurry along and I'm not dressed yet - school by 9am is looking less and less likely!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Miranda

MY GIFT TO YOU

MERRY CHRISTMAS GIRLS
Isn't this awesome, amazing, beautiful, fantastic? -just what you have always wanted!!!!
Who wants to do it again next year?
Liz

Hi there everyone,
Another great day opening number four well done Eileen I especially love the idea of the napkin holders - food for thought there. Roll on tomorrow
Cheryl

Cairns here again

Hi swappers

I must say I am having a ball just so lovely to open a present every day :)

Thanks Hazel and Eileen (sister ) love the Xmas puds - Yes customs had opened this parcel as well I think maybe they thought you had sent real ones Hazel :):)

Will take the napkins down to Brissie Eileen thanks love the wrapping too :)

Good to see you managed a blog Mum :):)

I open mine after work and I promise I will take a photo of the tree with the tags half way through :):)

Cheers Jean

WRITTEN BY AMAH -EDNA

I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting Amah's email to me.
Amah (Edna) is Steve (son-in-law's Nana) and like us all, stitches, crafts and still makes beautiful and lovely things.
Amah also lives close by to me, and does have a computer, so she is able to view the Blog and keep up with what is happening .

I am really so pleased with the Xmas swop I don,t think I realised how exciting it would be the 1st gift is so cleverly made by Vicky what a lot of love has gone into the making . and the 2nd one well what can I say Cheryl must have spent hours sewing all the patch work these clever people !!! today of course Eileens gift which I liked the novel way she did the crackers Wonder what tomorrow will bring?????

Hope to catch up with you at the weekend Take care Amah ( I am 82 !!! ) gosh I am getting old eh ???
Liz

EILEEN'S GIFT TO US

Oh -what a magnificent gift , I do love Bon Bons, so up bright and early again, camera in hand, my poor cat has to wait for her breakfast.
Anyway - oh I do love the colours, and the little red beaded serviette rings are gorgeous.

Check out the wrapping -I do like the red stamped paper, and have always thought about playing with stamps, and Eileen your tag is so very pretty and special

Eileen lives in Auckland and just so happens to be my son-in-law's Aunt - sort of my extended family I guess.
Thank you so much Eileen, the vibrant colours certainly make one feel Xmasy, and I shall use them -perfect!

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Spare a thought to poor Jean in Cairns -Customs savaged her box, even opened the Christmas Puddings!! attached recipe gone -some numbers not on her gifts - I am livid, however we have sorted it and think everything is in order for her -I have had dealings with the Queensland Customs on more than one occasion and all of them have been BAD -like having a wand thing brushed over me for DRUGS!
Liz

Gorgeous!

Thank you so much Hazel! The little christmas puddings really are just gorgeous and so clever!! I have a very small Christmas tree sitting on a table in the entrance way. Each morning after all the excitment and unwrapping, i place my gift on the table around the tree. I think my husband is secretly enjoying this too; each night after work he asks me "so what did you get today?"
Vicki xox

I love this early morning parcel opening ( it would have been even better if 'Lily' the cat hadn't peed inside) - Hazel you did lovely work on the little Xmas puddings.
Roll on tomorrow for number 4. Cheers Cherylxx

I have decided to add this little addition in referrence to Hazels gift and that is "Asparagus "xxx

Hi from Mosgiel, What great gifts we have been opening. Vicki I loved your angel scissor keeper, I have a wee pair of scissors that will love to sit inside the little angel. Cheryl is my best friend down here in the sunny and wet south, Cheryl I will treasure the little black patchwork bag that you have made . Did everyone find the breast cancer ribbon inside your bag? I have pin mine on the outside of the bag. I couldn't open todays gift fast enough, When I found the recipe I thought what is this, Then what a surprise when I found the cute wee xmas puddings, Well done Hazel. I am enjoying this so much, what a lovely way to start the day, Marian

Oh Hazel how cool. All your worrying for nothing. They are cool. from Wendy.

HAZEL'S GIFT TO US

Oh -what can this be??

Hazel, this is unbelievable - initially I thought, my goodness -we have to make a pudding, as I viewed the recipe -but........................inside the cleverly packaged gift was these dear, dear little hand crafted Christmas Puddings

I am so, so impressed, they are truly delightful, and shall sit on my dresser with my other Xmas bits.
In a previous Blog post, I did say that Hazel is very talented , but do you know until a couple of years ago, she could hardly thread a needle .
Hazel, they are gorgeous and totally innovative -Love my wee puddings and I just know the other girls will too.

Hazel is one of my very bestest friends in Beautiful Sunny Nelson
Thank you so much -amazing!

Wow

Hi from Cairns

Pleased to say I got the parcel today - a couple of days behind and I resisted looking on the blog site well actually Rachael did tell me not to:) Thanks so much I have opened days 1 & 2 and just so delightful to know that everyone has enjoyed crafting :):) I have my parcels under the tree and Vicki and Cheryl the ribbons and tags are now adorning said tree. Will snap a photo in a couple of days and will have a go at attaching to blog mmmmmm

mmmm 3 hrs behind if I stay up til 9pm I can open another one can't I :):)

Cheers Jean

Weepy

Thank you girls for making this real -I am humbled by your enthusiasm.
LOL and there is so much to look forward to.
Heaps Of Christmas Hugs
Liz

Thank you

Hi Everyone,
So pleased to hear you like the little scrap bags. I have been patchworking for a few years now - just a bit slow on some projects, like my daughter Kate's 21st quilt not quite finished yet and she is now 23 years old, that is my summer project - I must finish it. I will then need to start on Aimee's 21st quilt as she is 22 in February next year! Just a bit behind. I dabble in lots of craft and love it, but as Liz said the garden beckons too.
Can't wait for tomorrow to open number 3!
Cheryl

Greetings to all swappers isn't it fun having something to look forward to. Thankyou Vicki and Cheryl lovely gifts. Vicki I had a little pair of scissors so happy to have their own resting place and Cheryl your lovely little bag will be just perfect for me to put the next 2 little parcels in as I have to travel south for 2 days as I certainly don't want to miss the fun of opening my parcels. Look forward to reading the blogs when I'm back home. Thanks and Bye for now Cheers Adrianne

THANK YOU!

I have been waiting all day to get home from work so i could make a posting! I opened my parcel before going to work this morning. Cheryl, i just love it! I have been wanting to make a bag for ages, but always working on another project. Now i have the perfect size bag to take my stitching along in to my patchwork groups, I am just thrilled!! and so special to have one made by someone else.
Thank you, it's just beautiful!
Vicki xox

Thanks Cheryl

I am a complete non sewer, so am utterly amazed at what can be produced from so called scraps!! You are very clever and thanks so much for your lovely gift.
Hazel

Well what can I say other than I have soooo many fuzzies about this special sharing of beautiful gifts. The time and craft skills that have gone into them is amazing. Have a lovely day Wendy

Thank You Cheryl! from Miranda

Great excitement again this morning as Seini found parcel #2 and unwrapped it for me! Both of us speechless as she held up the most beautiful bag made from pieces of gorgeous floral patterned material. All beautifully lined inside, just lovely - my (lack of...!) photography skills don't do it justice. Thank you so much Cheryl, I love it - you are so clever :)

from Miranda

CHERYL'S GIFT TO US

CHERYL'S GIFT TO US
Well, here I was at 6.45am snapping away with my camera, I have to work full time this week -yuk, but I am so glad I was up bright and early.
Look what I got?????
This beautiful handcrafted bag, made with the most amazing little bits of fabric

Cheryl calls them scraps , all put together in little strips!!! hours of work.
Cheryl, just awesome and I absolutely love it -a girl cannot have too many bags and I am taking it to work

Look at the tag

Cheryl lives in Dunedin and just so happens to be my first cousin -she is a twin, and as long as I have know her (which is all my life) she has always been a crafty person-she is also an avid gardener.
I can appreciate the many hours that were spent on your project, as I HATE-HATE-HATE sewing on a machine -this is what makes this gorgeous bag so special.
Thank you -thank you -simply beautiful- I love it

Thank You Vicki!!!

Oh Vicki, I can't believe you made 12 of these!!!! She is so beautiful and your stitching is so incredibly perfect!!!!! I love her so much, she is actually going to hang on the wall, much to pretty to have hidden away!!!

I did the same as last year and let Stella open the parcel. Like Seini she claimed the tag (love the tag, love the star!!! ) but unlike Seini she is going to put it on our tree.

Vicki, thanks so much, just gorgeous!!!

Rachaelxo

p.s. I am going to post on my own blog, roseroom, if you want to read comments from around the world!

Well done!

Hi Everyone,
Vicki your little scissor angle keeper is just beautiful. Your work is immaculate just perfect and I even have the scissors to go into the pocket. I to was awake early 6am but restrained myself from opening my first pressie that early! I have arranged my presents under my very small tree - they look so good with all the fancy wrappings. Cold here in Dunedin - even have the fire alight!! Roll on summer?
Merry Christmas Cherylxx

Good Morning!

Hi girls. I hope you have all enjoyed opening parcel number one this morning and have some use for her! My main love is patchwork, but also love stitching embroidery, and trying something new. Yes, i made the little wooden gift tags and the spicey star button. I had some help from my husband who kindly cut the wooden tags for me, they were lots of fun too make.
Roll on tomorrow morning!
Vicki xox

Here is a pic of my daughter who has claimed the beautiful tag from Vicki's gift, as her new necklace (see comments on 'Vickis Gift To Us')!!!

Miranda

VICKI'S GIFT TO US

Oh Vicki, what an exquisite gift - and how special -I woke at 5.30am, but resisted the urge to rush downstairs -this was worth waiting for.
The beautiful tag - I am sure I detect a whiff of cinnamon -knowing Vicki as I do, she would have made the little star.
I wonder if she will tell us that she made the gorgeous wooden tags -two of her brothers are joiners, and her Dad was a carpenter, so could be! I am going to use my tag as a Tree decoration.

Onto the the unwrapping -I savour these moments and try not to rip and tear the paper in my rush -all beautifully wrapped oh `my goodness' the most divine little Angel Scissor Keeper -Vicki she is beautiful and your embroidery is so neat -I love her and shall treasure her.
I am sure the other girls will be thrilled and look forward to seeing their comments.
Stella drew your name first -so the surprise won't be as great in your house:)
Vicki lives in Christchurch and is the dear daughter of one of my dearest friends who lives in Nelson -I have known Vicki since she was a little girl, and at the tender age of around 13ish, she was doing the most neatest Cross-Stitch I have ever seen.
Thank you Vicki -your gift to us is absolutely fabulous
Liz

One More Sleep

XMAS SPIRIT
I wasn't going to post, but I have just had a look and Vicki from Christchurch has posted, just look at her tree -our gifts are all beautifully placed on the branches .
Actually , I am a little poorly -I think I may have over indulged, so a very sluggish day here in the Beautiful City of Sails,
My guests loved the truffles, and the stuffed mushrooms were fabulous -the wine was also fabulous.
We are all on the big countdown for Day 1's gift which is from Vicki -
Don't forget girls, to comment on each other's posting -that is half the fun -and keeps us in touch with each other.

Yay! 2 days ago now i arrived home from work to my box of goodies sitting in the letter box. I couldn't wait to get inside to open the box and see what was in there - lots of beautiful parcels! I am really looking forward to tomorrow when we start opening them!
I was placing them under the tree this afternoon, but thought it was a little more fun to put them in amoungst all the decorations. They are all in there!!
Vicki :-)

Beautiful site.!

I am amazed, what a wonderful site, such clever animations and wonderful pictures and "bits"!
I shall return for the opening of the "presents." HFS.
Written by my friend in Alexandra who has been following progress all year -Liz

***SANTA HAS BEEN***
While I was busy wrapping up my truffles , I heard a noise, and there under my Christmas Tree was this blue, sparkly bag.
oooooooh what is inside the bag ???
I had a wee peek -my goodness some people have been busy - 3 more sleeps and number 1 will be revealed

The truffles were another story-I am having a little BBQ here tomorrow night and thought it would be nice to give my guests a little gift-the little something turned out to be a major
LESSON -don't purchase cheap white chocolate buttons -but hey -the wrapping is fabulous , and hopefully after a few drinks they won't notice the imperfections -I have lamb cutlets marinating in Cajun and oil , plus I have just stuffed 20 mushrooms with yummy things -the ladies are bringing salads etc
No post tomorrow from me -will be far too busy.
Do you all like Hazel's outdoor tree? amazing
Cheers Liz -