Christmas Wishes

May you all have a Happy Christmas...sharing the joy of this special time with family & friends.

If you are travelling, stay safe....it is a wonderful time of year.

DH is recovering from his op...so Christmas here will be quiet & housebound. My dear Mother is with us and the children are both home...nice to all be here together. It has been a challenging year, many changes in our lives...but we have worked together as a family and had the support of our friends...many positives.

Last weekend we took Mum to Sydney for a special weekend. she has not been shopping in Sydney for 20 years but she loved it! 

 Shopping, the Christmas window display at David Jones, St Mary's Cathedral, the enormous tree at the Queen Victoria Building hung with Swarovski crystals,

dinner at Circular Quay, 

ballet at the Opera House...The Nutcracker, 

and morning tea at the QVB Tearooms...a weekend of indulgence which she thoroughly enjoyed. Our hotel rooms overlooked Hyde Park and we were treated to fireworks from the Carols at the Domain. It really was a perfectly wonderful treat...our gift to her.

A joyous Christmas to you!

Cardygirl xx

Just popping in....

...to say a quick hello. It is a bit hectic, not much thought regarding Christmas yet... DH had his big knee op yesterday  ( a high tibial osteotomy for those medically inclined)...it meant an 0430hrs start as the hospital is 2hrs away...I am back today for work & then off...he should be home before Christmas.  I will pop back tonight & update on all our busy-ness!

Cardygirl xx

I am a 1.5...I think!

Maree & Chookyblue have recently had a discussion about there being two types of crafters.Type 1 is super organised, efficient & focused, perhaps a tad annoying(!)...Type 2 is more casual, laid back, tends to be a little disorganised. Hints were made that I might be a bit stuffy...tending to be  more Type 1 than most... hmmm... lucky I am not overly thin skinned...I could see their thinly veiled point...LOL...sometimes a chill pill may be in order in Cardy world...even I can see it! I responded that I think a 1.5 may be in order as we all know that procrastination is big at my place! Especially when it comes to binding...aaargh!

So, after finishing my Christmas stitching, writing Christmas cards & spraying the magnificent crop of weeds that have flourished since our recent rain....I decided to bite the bullet & stitch the binding on this disappearing 9 patch from Kate Spain's Christmas fabric. My table looks quite festive!

Cardygirl xx

Christmas tree cuteness

Lots of things to do at the moment...like you I am madly trying to get Christmas organised...but I am easily distracted...I know the cards need to be written....the windows need cleaning...those cobwebs really need to go...those quilts need to be bound!

BUT, instead I was distracted by this bit of gorgeous-ness! A free pattern from here...inspiration from here... made as a mini using 3"squares to make prairie points...looks lovely in my Christmassy house. Made with leftovers of Figgy Pudding, Fruitcake & Winter. It is our December project with Le Petite, but I couldn't resist sharing it with you...quick, easy & super cute!

Cardygirl xx

Le Petite Butter Churn

Sherri & Sinta have organised a group...Le Petite...stitching a small quilt each month. No pressure....make it if you can...no huge requirements list...quite fun & motivating. A great group to follow and marvel at everyone's different interpretations. Follow the parade on their blogs.

The quiltlet for November was "Butter Churn" by Sherri Falls of This & That Quilts. It was a great little quilt which I made entirely of scraps from some Lakehouse fabrics left over from other projects. It is only 24 1/2" square...I am thinking of adding an extra border or two....maybe some more of those super cute churn dash blocks to make it suitable for a baby quilt ( I mean as a gift!). I love making these small quilts...so great for practicing techniques & playing with colors. Pop by and see the cutest little Christmas Tree quilt that is the December project...prairie points are perfect for this time of year!

Raining here today...might have to sew when the house is clean....and the Christmas cards are done!

Cardygirl xx

My SSCS elf!

Was Nicky of Farm Girl Stitching! I have been a fan of her lovely cross stitch so it was a wonderful surprise when a parcel arrived from her home in New Zealand. I was SO excited!

Lovely presents...

and a Customs surprise! Apparently something in the gift flagged the attention of Customs & Quarantine aka "Border Security"...and the parcel was opened & inspected. I wonder if they liked it? There was a note explaining & assuring both Nicky & myself that nothing was removed or damaged. Maybe this parcel may become a star on TV's Border Security! Who knows? But is is safely here & unharmed.

Inside I opened my ornament to find a lovely cross stitch mini pillow. The stitching is fine and gorgeous... thanks Nicky- I will treasure it. 

There was also some beautifully fragrant rose soap, a notepad ( I am always looking for one!) and a fun New Zealand tea towel...a lovely gift. But I was good Chookyblue and my Christmas present is safely under the tree!

Thanks Nicky!

Thanks Chookyblue for your AWESOME organisational skills!

You girls have made my day!!!!

Cardygirl xx