December 22, 2013

Ready for Christmas?


I think I'm just about ready for Christmas! My presents are wrapped, the shopping is done and the baking is complete (apart from the roast turkey dinner on the big day). 


Yesterday we organised mattresses, sheets, pillows, blankets, and towels for all our guests. Then we cleaned all our spare chairs, extra cutlery and crockery and counted everything twice to make sure that we had enough for everyone - now 23 of us on Christmas Day. I think we're organised - just a couple of last minute bits and pieces to do before the first six of our family arrive tomorrow.

I've been thinking also about being ready for Christmas "on the inside". It's a bit rude having all the celebrations for Jesus' birthday, and then not giving him the place of honour!  So, one of the first things we will do on Christmas Day, is to attend a Church Service where we can focus on Jesus, who is the reason for the season. 

Christmas usually means parcels, and among those that arrived in the post this week was the lovely Patchwork and Quilting magazine (Vol 23/4) along with my Tranquillity project.  


We have been blessed to live near the water for 26 years of our married life and I never tire of seeing our beautiful Australian Black Swans. I just had to applique one on this wall-hanging in the paper-cuts style:


I can never resist the lure of oriental fabrics and love the colours in the butterfly border:


I decided I liked this wall-hanging so much that it was going on our wall instead of being hidden away in a crate.

Now for a reminder!  
My 2013 Apples of Gold free block of the month quilt will be removed on 31st December.  All the patterns are available until then, so hurry and download yours before it's too late!

Elizabeth has already completed her quilt!  Doesn't it look great:


My sewing machine is back from the technician already.  Happy!  I will now be able to do some more work on the 2014 free Block of the Month quilt.  Hopefully it will be ready to be launched mid January!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and that in the midst of all the celebrations you have time to ponder God's amazing gift.

Happy Christmas!
Blessings,
Val

11 comments:

Susan said...

and a Merry Christmas to you too Val - that is a lot of visitors but Im sure you are used to it.

Kate said...

Merry Christmas, Val!

Melody said...

Thank you so much for all you share with us.

Tammy said...

Merry Christmas Val.

Marie said...

Bien chére Val,
Un joyeux Nöel et une trés heureuse nouvelle Année 2014.
Je vous embrasse a bientôt
Marie Christine

Gina E. said...

I hope I can grab a copy of that issue of P & Q....I missed out on P & S vol.14 No.10, with your pattern Night time In The Forest. I went to our newsagent as soon as I read about it on your blog, and they said it was due out shortly. So I kept looking for it, but all of a sudden they had Vo.14 No.11 in stock - somehow I'd missed No.10, or they didn't get it! Sounds like your Christmas will be busy - hope you enjoy your day without getting stressed out!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Val, enjoy all the hustle and bustle of family - it sounds like you are ready for an invasion! I really like the addition you made about going to church and including Jesus in your celebration. =)

Nima said...

Have a blessed Christmas Val with all your loved ones.

Annmarie said...

Your swan wall quilt is just gorgeous! Have a Merry Christmas & have an enjoyable visit with your families.

ZHOBEYDA said...

HOLA, COMO STAS... INTERESANTE TU BLOG, ME ENCANTO..¡ TE FELICITO.
AHORA TE SIGO, TE INVITO A QUE ME VISITES Y VEAS LO QUE YO HAGO, SERAS BIENVENIDA SIEMPRE..
BESOS, ABRAZOS Y BENDICIONES. FELIZ NAVIDAD..
ZHOBEYD@.

Anonymous said...

What a Lovely quilt! Thank you so much Val for all of the work you put into giving us this Free Quilt of the Month pattern. Just love it. Thanks again.
Carol O