December 19, 2010

And the winners are ......


The winners in my giveaway have been chosen by the random generator and they are:

1st Prize - Sharon


Congratulations ... and thank you to everyone who entered the competition.

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A couple more lovely ladies have sent photos of their Gifts of Grace quilts.

This is Lyn's gorgeous version - aren't the colours beautiful?


And look what Helen has done with her beautifully embroidered blocks.  Aren't those snowball blocks clever?


I just love seeing the beautiful interpretations you have put on my design.

The free pattern will be on the website until 31st December, so hurry in to download all the blocks.  Meanwhile I am working on another free BOM which I plan to give you in January.  It's looking very sweet, so I think you will  like it.

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My computer is still at the doctor's - SIGH!  Oh well, at least I have my husband's computer I can grab to do some blogging if he's not using it.  I managed to complete another couple of Christmas presents, which means everything is now ready with just a few more presents to wrap and put under the tree.

This week I feel like a happy mother hen with lots of my chickens under my wings.  Daughter No 1 arrived home from overseas this morning for a few weeks, and Daughter No 2 and her four children will be here very soon.  Last night we babysat Son No 2's two boys.  So with lots of family around, it's time for me to take a little blogging break for a couple of weeks.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that you can pause long enough in this busy season to contemplate the wonder of God's love in sending Jesus.

Blessings
Val

December 12, 2010

A problem and an intruder


I have a problem with my computer so it's at the doctors!  I'm pretty much stymied in all sorts of ways - it's like having my right arm cut off!  So this is just a little post on another computer to say "Hello".

I can tell you I made another 9 Christmas presents this last week.  The list is getting shorter!!!

I can remind you about the Giveaway - you have until Friday to enter.

I can let you know that I plan to commence another
Block of the Month free pattern
for you in January.  I hope you'll plan to include it in your 2011 "To do" list.


I can show you a photo of my Christmas envelope and gift tag that was just published in the Australian Handmade magazine.  It's ideal for a small gift, or great to put money in, and then after it's opened, the wrapping is totally reusable!

This is the back:


and the front:




Now for my story of the week:

We travelled up country over the weekend for my niece's wedding and stayed in a motel overnight.  Just after 3 am my husband heard an intruder in our room.  It sounded like someone was slowly treading on the floor trying not to make a noise - plop, silence, plop, silence, plop - all ever so close to our bed!

On go the lights - and yes, we did have an intruder!  A little green frog had somehow found its way inside and was making valiant attempts to get out again!  We helped him out, but that was the end of my sleep for the night.  Just as well I could have some little naps on the way home in the car!

I'd better go and finish unpacking!

Regards
Val


December 5, 2010

Giveaway - Celebrating 100!


It's Giveaway time to celebrate my 100th post. 

I've so much enjoyed my blogging experience and have made so many lovely friends - most of whom I've never met, but feel I've known for years!

I have put together two little parcels as prizes.  The first prize will be a Spring Showers Cushion cover, a Mug Bag and a gorgeous antique Christmas panel (plus a couple of other bits and pieces):


And second prize will be a Vintage Christmas Pudding wall-hanging, Heart Scissor Keep Kit and an Enchanted Garden Pincushion:


To enter the competition, leave a comment telling me what five things you would like to receive (as in the 12 Days of Christmas song) instead of  5 Golden Rings. Or maybe you'd really like the five Golden Rings, so that's OK too!!!


Of course, I'd like other crafters around the world to get to know about my work, so it will be the usual deal 
* If you're a follower (or become a follower), leave another comment to tell me that, for a second entry.
* And if you mention the giveaway on your blog, leave me another comment to let me know that, for a third entry.  Feel free to use the 1st Prize Giveaway photo above in your post if you like. 

Entries close on Friday December 17th at midnight (Australian Eastern Standard Time) and the competition is open to anyone, no matter where in the world you live.
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The "To Do" list actually seemed to reduce this week!  Most weeks lately all I've done is add more jobs to do!  I managed to get seven Christmas presents made.  Can't show you them yet as some of the recipients actually read my blog!

Handmade Magazine featured a couple of my projects this month.  Here is the Vintage Christmas Pudding:


It features a recipe that has been handed down through at least four generations of our family.  It would not be Christmas for us if we didn't have this fabulous Christmas Pudding served after a traditional Roast Turkey!  The pattern is available for purchase on my website here if you don't have access to our lovely Australian magazine.

How are you going with purchasing/making/thinking about Christmas presents?

Christine is well and truly organised and has made these:





Aren't they just gorgeous?  The free pattern is available from this page on my website. They are quite quick to whip up, so you might be able to solve some of your Christmas giving with this design.

We had a great time being proud grandparents again at the Awards functions last week. This week we will be travelling to attend my niece's wedding.  We are really catching up on lots of family events at the moment; we're making up fast for being away for so long!  LOVE it!

Regards
Val