Chooky's Secret Santa Swap 2009

Again this year, Super Elf, Chooky, organized a Secret Santa swap. I had so much fun last year I had to sign up again. My santa was Rebecca from Homestead Quilting.As you can see from this picture I got a beautiful calander of Australian Flowers. Everyone loves pics of great flowers - especially us in the USA that are in cold rainy/snowy areas and are pouring over our seed catologs dreaming of warmer weather and our gardens. And if you read this post,you can see I also recieved 2 stunning -hand embroidered items- an adorable candy cane holder and the ornament. But never did I think I would get the so very lovely table runner. It's a thing of obsolute beauty. Thank you - thank you- thank you Rebecca- I just love it. it's almost too pretty to have on the table. But rest assured that on Jan 7th- when the last of Christmas is put away after Kings Day- it will be the center piece of my table. I will have to try and get a pic of the quilting which is just amazing.

Rebecca thank you so much for being my Santa and spoiling me so and Chooky- thank you for all your hard work in getting all of us together again for a wonderful swap- please add me for next year.





With all the hustle and bustle of making jellies, jams- salsas and prettys to go into baskets for neighbors, friends and family, I almost didn't make any roll out cookies. Wednesday night I just knew I would be so mad at myself if I didn't take my copper cookie cutters and use them. For as long as I can remember, my mom used them with us kids at Christmas time and since they were given to me 20 years ago I have used them faithfully every year. How can I kill a tradition, I ask you? So after much digging in the garage they appeared.





I've added to them over the years- and they only seem to get used at Christmas even though there are plenty that are not of the a Christmas theme. One day I hope to split them and give some to both of my children......

I see a Quilt Design in that floor

While trasping around NYC with my friend Cheryl, we stopped on one of the beautiful churches. Which one this is I have no clue,sorry. But look at the lovely design in the marble tiled floors.....I'm thinking Birds in the Air needs to be made.

This Elf has been busy.....

I've been busy canning stuff for gift baskets. Just need to make some fudge and toffee and maybe embroider a few towels. The flavored liquors are ready, I got some great flasks at the container store for them. Herbs need to be repacked in cute glass jars. Now if I could just find 6- 8 nice sized non budget killing baskets I'd be good to go.

Salsa and jelly......




More jelly






Yipee! Both wall hangings are finsihed and hanging. I also did the binding on the gingerbread table runner while watching Angels and Demons with the hubby this afternoon.








trees up and since we had a snow day the kids decorated this morning....played with long exposure -movement and tree lights. Pics will be on the other blog.

Happy St Nicholas Day

This is Sinterklaas. The Dutch Santa Claus.

Wall hanging progress and SNOW

I've been working with the embroidery machine trying to stitch out 24 North Pole buildings- so cute :) I have 7 more to do for another wall hanging. I managed to get the table runner quilted today. Just need to trim and get the binding on :)






We had our first snow fall of this season....




DD and I went to NYC this evening for a short walkabout...pics are on the other blog ( click on the yellow orchids on the right)

Secret Santa Swap :)

Chooky ran a Secret Santa swap again this year. THANK YOU CHOOKY!!! My package arrived today. Rebecca from Homestead Quilting was my Santa and just look at the two lovelies I was allowed to open. Sad to say we don't have our tree up yet. Maybe Sunday. But the ornament is hanging by my desk here bringing a smile everytime I see it. The candy canes and holder are now hanging on my bedroom door. The candy is still sealed. I'll wait to open and share that with the family. Gota find my pretty candy bowl.








I have this lovely to open Christmas morning ( if I can last that long ) Thanks Rebecca - I love everything ( well that I could open )





Moose is so tired watching all the work going on here with the holidays coming.





Christmas Troubles is quilted and bound and hanging on the wall over the microwave. Once I get my kitchen tree up it will be so cute.







I found some extra blocks from last years mystery and decided to make ds a wall hanging. I really need to pay attention more as I have one hst turned the wrong
way :( and it's a;; quilted and bound.