This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

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...

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...

13 comments:

Micki said...

Lovely quilt Dzintra and the first one is always special. I love the gifts that you received too.
Micki

Terry said...

Family and handmade gifts are wonderful and create memories you will have forever.

Glad you and Nina enjoyed making the quilt.

Unknown said...

Lovely post Dzintra & photo's of your Day...I'm thinking of starting the Gingerbread Tradition next year when baby E is bigger...it's really Lovely isn't it...
NO Don't tell me it's been 2yrs since Gail brought out that BOM..mine is still a UFO..better get a move on for next Xmas..lol
happy New Year to You...
cheers

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Dzintra....as I scroll down to see all of your lovely Christmas memories, I am touched to see how at the very end, the little lad is fastly asleep; that is how all of us CHILDREN feel after the festivities are over, and it is a splendid thing to have the time to just simply REST!!!! We all had a special time...and OH DEAR...that CHOCOLATE WINE DEAREST WAS EXQUISITE! Run on over to your local liquor store and ask them for the Chocolate Wine from the Netherlands...it had a cream base and it was almost like a Godiva liquor, but with red wine. Yummaroony!!!!!!

And do you know that I did NOT get the sewing machine....hmmmmm! I could have sworn that I could read my husband's hints! But no matter because I KNOW that after all of our building is done and we organize our home as it should be, he will most definitely get me one. We have so many things to take care of at the moment...but my Audrey style dress patterns await me!!!

MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO YOU FOR 2011 dearest heart! Anita

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Well you have inspired me to finish my Gail Pan BOM....yours is gorgeous..Love your Christmas quilt and how good is iron on wadding...Thanks Dzintra, we are so pleased you signed up for OPAM....it has been a fantastic year, and I hope you are going to sign up again for 2011....

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

I do love that new quilt you're working on D... must be the hints of red.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year... long before it happens here.
See you in 2011!
Susan x

Pooch Purple Reign said...

i bet your hub was really surprised when he saw the quilt. you are the best. warm wishes for a happy and healthy new year. i am so looking forward to the new year. this one was hard.
cheers to you and your family
~laura xx

Simone de Klerk said...

Lovely finished quilt! And those roses are beautiful.
Love the four ladies of the house together!
And oh, how sweet to see the littlie sleeping under your wonderful stitchery quilt! Such a tender picture.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dzintra dearest!!! WELCOME HOME into 2011! Thank you for coming to visit with me so swiftly this morning...well, my morning! I hope your celebrations all went well dear one. We sure had a lovely and quiet time. The weather just makes us want to curl up and stay in, and with our renovations and all, the house is a mess and not fit to have a party, but come this spring and summer, I AM THROWING A HUGE PARTY AND you all will be invited.

Many hugs to you dear friend, Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

CLINK CLINK CLICK go our champage flutes as we celebrate friendship! Ooooo, stay bundled up!!!! We had an ICE storm last night!

Cozy up, Anita

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Oh how darling to see your littlies... and Ryan asleep under the quilt is just priceless!!! What little dollies they both are Dzintra! I know I'm way later in wishing you the best holiday wishes, but hopefully better late than never... Have a wonderful New Year dear Dzintra! xxxVicki

The French Maid said...

Lovely handmade things are just the best, aren't they!
New follower here!
--Lee Ann

Margaret said...

A good cook has all the correct ingredients for making a successful feast. We have feasted on your lovely Post thanks for the invite to partake in your journey and family, the pleasure is ours.

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...