Sunday 26 December 2021

Mad About Bags Christmas Swap - Advent

 Phew, this could be a long post.

This is my second year at joining in with this fun swap... Tracy from the UK organises everything  - I don't know how she keeps up with everyone because we have check in days and time frames in which we have to have things done by.. She keeps us all in step - which is very helpful for getting things done.. Maybe I need that 'whip cracking' in life to get things done... I joined three swaps out of 6 - The Advent (opening each day from 1st-24th Dec) , Twelve Days of Christmas (open from 25th Dec - 5th Jan) and the Deck The Hall swap (December).  Oh and I joined the 'Cracker Swap' - so four swaps in total..  

Advent swap first up..  My swap partner was Jenell from Walkersroadquilts.  Jenell is a local so to speak, as she comes from the north side of Brisbane..  Jenell spoilt me big time... 

Day 1 - Gorgeous home made tags, handy bronze string and cute christmas buttons...   I will admit to using the tags before the week was out...

Day 2.   Pretty reindeer lights and a fabulous zippy pouch - I have always loved the look of these pouches, but never seem to get round to making myself one..  love it..
Day 3.  Kitchen items - cookie shapes and pot holders - I love these too..  Jenell mentioned that she made them from a charm pack that I had sent her last year..  I like this idea - send out fabric and receive something made back... 

Day 4...  yay - a new book and very handy handmade page marker...
Day 5...Blown away - crochet snow flake - wonder if I can hang this up all year round?  Oh and some handy buttons...
Day 6...A beautiful handy scissor keeper pouch... with goodies inside too... 
Day 7... A Christmas mug rug with snacks  - can this swap get any better...
Day 8...  New socks, washi tape and fabric bucket (Not sure of the proper name for the bucket but they are very handy)..  I lost one sock within 5 minutes - darling daughter thought one should go to her ... lol oh well, I've hidden the other two...
Day 9... Wow, still being blown away each day..  how does this look on my stand...  my new bunting..
Day 10...  A pretty pouch with secret garden business inside...  tickled pink..
Day 11.  Christmas gnomes, pretty fabric basket and christmas napkins...
Day 12..  Zippy pouch with gorgeous kitty cats on it...  I found christmas earings inside - I am wearing them to my sewing party...



Day 13.... I told you I was spoilt - and I'm only half way through ...  Something to put in the caravan - a new tea towel - I'm going to be the envy of the parks...
Day 14... Bonus - another zippy pouch, it's a little bit larger than the first one and it is filled with tea bags...  
Day 15.. Another mug rug - now I agree that I can share this one with hubby but I will have to clean it out first...lol
Day 16...  Look at this fabulous ornament....
Day 17.... Another fabric bucket with my favourite treat...chocolate bullets...I can never stop at one..
Day 18... Gorgeous table runner... 

Day 19... Another crochet snow flake...these are gorgeous...
Day 20... A christmas tree tea towel to brighten up my kitchen.
Day 21....  An arm chair caddy...  you would think that I would own one of these by now but I didn't so I am stoked I have one now....
Day 22... A matching fabric bucket and riches.....tasty riches that is...
Day 23....   Reuseable make up squares - I love these...
Day 24...  Wow - another zippy pouch - I have three now - all matching - perfect... surprises found inside include threads and charm square... 
Day 25...  This is an extra gift as we were meant to go from 1-24 but I too add 25...  I opened a new sewing caddy.. filled with notions...


Day Bonus.... I had another not one, but two bonus gifts in my parcel of goodies from Jenell...
Another crochet snow flake with christmas ribbons and pretty nail file with gorgeous fabric... 

Wow, I still can't believe what I received from Jenell - she was very generous and I feel so blessed to have been partnered with her...  Thank You Jenell - I will be enjoying your gifts for a very long time..

I will post about the other swaps in another post - this one is long enough ....
cheers


Tuesday 21 December 2021

Amelia's 21st Birthday

 Youngest daughter turns 21... boy does that make me sad - where did those years go?  One minute she is running around the yard with one of our chooks under her arm, playing dress up and making dirt angels in the driveway and the next she is celebrating her 21st.  Oh well as a mum, you have to let them grow up, make their own way in life and be there if they need you - but most of all, you take a step back from their world and hope they are happy with whatever they do..



Now less serious stuff - The Party.  We held this at home, hoping Covid wasn't going to shut it down.  Wayne built a deck out back and put up a pergola frame - we covered the frame and everywhere else in fairy lights... add food, lollie table, friends and lots of drinks, oh and heaps of music - and Ta Da - Par-Tay.




































I have heaps more photo's but I will have to add them later...not sure where I stored them... 
Happy 21st Sweetheart - Mum and Dad love you very much..
xxxx