OPAM (One Project A Month)...and Christmas 2010!!!!

Here we are...the final OPAM (One Project A Month) for the year!!!

The final one is a Christmas Quilt for Mr Armchair!!!

As I slowly learn quilting I thought it fitting that a quilt for him be made on the new (Ber)Nina sewing machine!!!

Front of quilt...

I just did triangles for my first go...

I used an iron on wadding...much easier than using pins...

and quicker too I think than pinning and basting...

turned over to back...

and the label...

I have stitched it with various stitches available to Nina...

I have called the quilt 'Berry Christmas'...

We were up at a little place called Berry and came across Elizabeth's patchwork shop...Mr Armchair admired a quilt on the wall...

Elizabeth kindly showed us the quilt and how it was made...

It is from Moda Bakeshop by Rachel Griffiths...

Elizabeth then gave us the pattern...

when we came out of the shop he asked if I bought the charm squares for the quilt...I said  no...

I then went back to purchase them and the rest is history!!!

Thank you to Peg and Kris for hosting this Challenge...I have thoroughly enjoyed it and probably have 12 more projects finished than I would normally have!!!

Last week I received a Christmas gift from my very dear Blogging Friend, Simone...A Christmas stocking above sitting in the tree...

Some Winter Tea...and a little windmill magnet for JoJo!!!

How so very thoughtful Simone to think of her!!!

I think the cute little pouch is a camera pouch (please correct me if I am wrong Simone)...

Thank you Simone...I enjoyed opening up this lovely gift from you all the way from The Netherlands!!!

And of course I had to hang up my Shepherd's Bush stockings!!!

These were such a delight to do...I have done 9 of them...

and am thinking of getting into cross stitch a little more next year!!!

The 2 littlies...Ryan and Lidija...

And the girls all together...

My Daughter Jacqueline thought she's make a Gingerbread House a couple of years ago...this has now turned into a tradition...And what a lovely one enjoyed by all...especially Ryan as he 'crashes' into it!!!

The little 'people' in the house...

Jacqueline bought these absolutely stunning roses for me!!!

Thank you so much Jac!!!

Candles behind the Gingerbread House...

And Ryan asleep at the end of it all under 'A Christmas Wish' by Gail Pan Designs...this was a Block of the Month 2 years ago!!!

It's been a fabulous blogging year for me...

I can understand what people mean when they say blogging is a life changing experience!!!

Thank you to all fellow bloggers...new friends...passers by and loyal followers...

May we all enjoy good health, happiness and safety in 2011...

and of course much stitching...quilting...reading...and baking!!!

Happy New Year...bring it on!!!

Dzintra...

Vale...George

Image from Renee

Late on Christmas Eve I had the sad news that our very good Friend George had passed away after bravely battling with his illness...

I have known George since I was 17 and introduced him to his Wife, Michelle...I just feel so much for his Family...His beloved Michelle...Daughters Carly and Leah and Grand-daughter Aimee...

My Heart goes out to you all...

George was one of the most kindest, gentlest people you could ever meet...

'We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey,

especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way'...Anonymous

Rest in Peace dear George...

~~~~

What a year it has been for loss...

Olive

Kerri

Denis
George

God Bless...

6 Items Swap Received!!!

I recently joined a '6 Item Swap' hosted by Maree...I think I'll dub Maree 'Queen of Swaps' now...she always seems to have one going and this is my first one with her!!!  I am absolutely thrilled with my gifts from Thimbelina!!!

Thank you so much for organizing this fabulous Swap Maree...

and thank you Tracy for the wonderful gifts...I love them all and I can't stop looking at them!!!

Before the 'Grand Opening'!!!

I had thought about saving them till Christmas...but nah that didn't work!!!

First one was 'Something to read'...

 A book in this gorgeous bookpouch... And check out the book...City of Bones...Vampires versus Werewolves!!!  I'm going to love getting into this one Tracy!!! Perfect holiday reading!!!  I'm never without a book to read!!!  

 

This very thoughtful note that came in the book!!!

'Something for the Craft Room'...a little elephant pincushion...Very cute!!!

                 

  Something handmade...

 And check this out...this little armchair companion by LeeAnn Beasley...this is a pattern I have admired for some time and had not gotten around to purchasing it...You read my mind Tracy!!!

 And what gal can't resist 'Something smelly'...Coconut & Lime soap accompanied by a lovely scented candle!!!  I light a candle most evenings Tracy...and even during the day sometimes!!! Just perfect!!! 

                       

 'Something to eat'  CHOCOLATE!!!

As I sit here I am having some chocolate!!!

'Christmas Item'...This one I was going to save till Christmas Day...I walked away from it...stared at it...walked away...and gave in and opened it up...and what a beautiful little tea towel...I usually get myself a new teatowel every Christmas!!!  Mr Armchair then came into the room and said 'I thought you were going to save that one'!!! Hah...fat chance!!! 

All opened up...

 And all together...sitting nicely while I walk past and admire it every day!!!  I'm going to love using all this Tracy...but until then I'm just going to keep looking at it!!!  Thank you so much Tracy...this was is soooo much fun!!!

And a big thank you to Maree...I think I'll be participating in the next Swap!!!



~Progress on Quilt and Cook Up With Vicki No 9~

Before getting into the Cook Up here is the surprise quilt for Mr Armchair that I'm working on...coming along now and have slowly begun to quilt with my machine...It's all trial and error with it as I learn to master In The Ditch!!!Hopefully it will be all done by next week!!!

This cook up with Vicki is from Donna Hay magazine October/November 2010 issue...

Tonight's menu...Herb Crumbed Schnapper

and Honey Custard Meringue Tarts...

Schnapper served atop Mashed Potato...

Steamed Cabbage with Honey Glazed Garlic Carrots...

Herbs used are Flat Leaf Parsley...

Dill and Baby Rocket (Arugula) leaves...

all from our first little herb garden here YAY!!!

Sweet shortcrust gluten free pastry by Rick Grant...

Cutting into rounds...

with filling in...

Meringue on top...

All done!!!

Am loving this pastry and experimenting with it...

Start of the little herb patch 20th October...

8th November...

and 5th December!!!

It's so handy having it not too far from the back door and I try and pick something each night from it!!!

This weekend with JoJo I plan to make a Steamed Pudding and a Boiled Fruit Cake...recipe for the Fruit Cake I got from Fee...

Thanks so much Fee!!!

Now it's back to wrapping...card writing...making lists...etc, etc etc!!!

Happy Baking...and Bon Appetit...Dzintra 

I'M IN PRINT...Homespun Magazine!!!

Back in July I received my subscription for Homespun magazine on a Tuesday...

and ended up making the 3 little felt decorations above by Lenna Green in record time...

They were all ready by Saturday!!!

I emailed the magazine and told them I had done this!!!

Last week I received the latest edition of the magazine...and blow me down these little 'ornies' are on the Reader's Showcase page!!!

WOW...WOW...WOW!!!

I couldn't believe it!!!

Here's how they appeared in the mag...

I've not made too many items from a magazine but almost straight away I went through the thread box...the bits of felt and started almost straightaway!!!

I was only intending to make one for JoJo...but went on to make a Snowman for Mr Armchair...

Santa for JoJo...

Then I thought I might as well have one also!!!

The pic that appeared in the magazine...

And the fruit cake we had at the time to celebrate Christmas In July!!!

Now it's almost time to get baking again...

Planning to do some with JoJo next weekend!!!

Where did this year go???