Happy Christmas to me.

Well on Friday I bought my Christmas present to myself. A Fab-u-motion. This is a fabric mover to attach to the sewing machine which makes it very light and easy to manoeuvre the fabric to sew in free motion, either quilting or embroidery. After watching the instruction DVD 3 times I eventually pluck up the courage to put it on the machine and have a go. It certainly made free motion quilting much easier and easier to keep the pattern quite small and neat. I also decided to have a go following a quilting stencil in free motion too, which was successful. I purchased this little heart stencil at the Fat Quarters on Saturday. While I was there Kim and I had a long conversation about sewing machine needles as I am guilty of just using the same needdle for months and months until I break it before putting in a new one. I bought some demin needles which Bonny recommended for quilting at the Husqvarna demonstration a few weeks ago. I am going to have a go with the free motion on this Nancy Halvorsen Calendar panel. However I still like a bit of hand sewing in front of the TV so this little stitchery has kept me going

Christmas Day

Well this is what it was all leading up to... the months of preparation, shopping and spending...... Christmas Day culminating in a big family lunch. Now the kids are older we didn't have to get up until nearly nine o'clock but they were still excited for their presents. My sister and her family came to spend the day and Dad was staying for a few days too so there were 9 of us for lunch. I also got more quilting type gifts, a book, Tips for Quilters, some nice small pointed scissors, a desk top needle threader (so I can thread needles without my specs now!!), some lovely embroidered ribbon and a cute little cup cake trinket box which will live on my sewing table. My other favourite presents were the Jackie annual and Jackie - The CD, just right for bringing back teenage memories for those sad 40 somethings among us. I have spent the last 2 days sitting in the conservatory , sewing and singing along to David Cassidy,David Essex, Donny Osmond, The Bay City Rollers, Mud, Roxy Music, Peter Frampton.....

Quilters Christmas Party

Friday saw the girls from the Fat Quarters Friday afternoon class out celebrating with a Christmas lunch. A great time was had by all. Santa delivered parcels for all and you can see Margaret and Janet opening their gifts. Santa was especially kind to me, thank you for the lovely presents. I can't wait to make a start on the lovely quilted bag from the pattern by Rosalie Quinlan. It has been good to have fun with great new friends over the last year. After lunch it was back to the Fat Quarters for some sewing (and knitting) this week. Margaret's daughter Mandy sent this cute snowman for Helen and lovely box of chocolates which we all thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks Mandy.

Christmas tree

The Christmas tree is up and dressed, again the photo has tested my skills (or lack of) with the camera. I like to have a real tree but since we went out late on Sunday to buy it choice was limited and it was dark. Anyway after the usual marital dispute, a green prickly one was chosen. Some things are traditional about Christmas and in our house it is the annual falling over of the Christmas tree, it hasn't happened this year yet but there is still time. I made the folded patchwork tree decoration from a kit. Lots of ironing and burnt finger ends, very little sewing.

Bad day at the office

A bad day at the office today. So I am seeking refuge in sewing and posting on the blog. I can't show you what I'm making at the moment as it is for the secret Santa gift for our Quilters Christmas party. So as they say on Blue Peter "Here is something I made earlier" This table runner was one of my first quilt projects last year. I was really pleased with it at the time and I still think it looks good now. I think the pattern comes from a Debbie Mumm book and the block is a delectable mountain or something like that. The Santa tea light holder was an impulse buy from Brocksbushes at the weekend. The large slice of toffee pavlova I bought too was not an impulse but a planned purchase.

Strawberry Apron

This lovely strawberry fabric caught my eye at the Fat Quarters a few weeks ago. When my niece said she would like an apron for Christmas, it seemed the perfect opportunity to use it. The photo isn't very good though. I am having trouble taking photos for my blog, how to arrange objects artistically. The camera is a bit temperamental so I use my phone but it doesn't have a flash. In the summer I arranged things in the garden, nice background, plenty of light but unfortunately I am out at work in daylight hours at the moment. Work does get in the way of both quilting and blogging. Any suggestions for taking better photos greatly received.

Advent Calendar

Christmas is coming. Jenny has always wanted an advent calendar with little pockets full of surprises. Well at last I have got round to making one. It was a close thing mind you only finished at nine o'clock last night, but stuffed with goodies it was waiting for her when she got up this morning. Made from a panel it was very simple and easy to do but much more personal than buying one of those cardboard ones full of cheap chocolate. I also like the decorative hanger I got from the Fat Quarters. We had a very relaxed class at the Fat Quarters yesterday, with everybody getting down to some sewing. Janet bought lovely cakes - A belated Happy Birthday Janet. Margaret brought photos from the Harrogate show last week, where Monkey buttons had the seahorses quilt on display - beware anyone who bought a pattern!!