Happy New Year 2016

(My favourite Christmas tree from Zermatt, Switzerland)

Wishing everyone who drops by to read my blog a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2016, with good health and happiness.... Last year seems to have gone by very quickly for me. It must have been all the good time that I had and all the things that I love and enjoyed doing, and still continue to enjoy some of them, quilting is definitely one of those. :-) .... Since I have settled back into the routines after my last trip to San Francisco, I have been very busy with the festive season celebrations, catching up with family and friends, and not to mention all the quilting to be done.!

Before I left for San Francisco, I had one free morning to make a Christmas wreath for the front door. I bought Christmas fabrics from a local fabric shop for the project. It turns out quite nice (I like it, anyway) although it doesn't look exactly like the one in the picture from AllPeopleQuilt.com where I have got the idea from.

(AllPeopleQuilt.com)

I have got a few strips of the fabrics left over from making the wreath. I had an hour free on Christmas afternoon before my big Christmas dinner cook up started, so I made a pot stand by wrapping the strips of fabrics around piping cord while sewing the cord round and round in circle using my domestic Bernina sewing machine (which I also love). The idea isn't new. I have learnt the technique from when I was becoming 'acquainted' with my Bernina when I first acquired it, and have made a few of the similar pot stands previously. My crochet skill comes in handy for the edging, giving a nice finish.

I hope to be around home more this year, with only two overseas trips planned, so far. I'm looking forward to spending more time sewing, quilting and cooking all the yummy dishes while 'fitting in' work here and there in between.!!!! :-)

The festive season has started!!

It's December and the festive season has started in our household....I thought making Christmas cards for homework was all I had to help my Sunshine this week. We gave the paper cutters a good workout last night, and it was a fun family activity with DH helping with the glue. :-)

This afternoon, my Sunshine had his first Christmas concert at school, and everything was fine with practicing an Australian Christmas song called 'Six White Boomers' at home. BUT, it would have helped if I had read the note, sent home from school last week, properly.!! Only this morning after a quick chat to one of the mums, I realised that he needed a Christmas outfit for the concert. I made quick trip to the shop, and an hour after I got back, I have got these two cute Gingerbread men stitched on the singlet for my Sunshine. And, this time, I gave my beloved Bernina Aurora 440QE a good workout.!!.... The concert was fantastic and very much enjoyable. All the children were wonderful with their singing, and we had a lovely time.