Two Steps to Heaven....

Some of you have had such lovely Xmas gifts that I thought it was about time I told you about a couple of mine. Well, my Mother in her infinite wisdom, decided that I really needed these....

....so she wrapped them up in the prettiest Xmas paper and put on the tag `This is your Practical Present`!....I`m still waiting on the `impractical` one!

At the other end of the scale, my two boys clubbed together and got me a Kindle, which I haven`t taken a pic of because I`m considering chucking it from the nearest window! Don`t get me wrong, I really appreciate the trouble they went to and the thought behind it and I would NEVER tell them that the Kindle and me aren`t really getting along! I suppose it`s just a matter of giving it a chance and getting used to it.  I have to say, though that I really like the whole concept of visiting my local library, choosing my books and getting them home and diving in! The Kindle, for me personally, just doesn`t have the same appeal but I`ll keep you updated with my progress.

I took part in the Pillow Swap organised by Corry and Heleen over at http://dutch-sisters.blogspot.com/. My partner was the lovely Alice from http://aliceinhobbyland.blogspot.com/ who is the most talented seamstress and knitter - take a look at her creations, they really are beautiful. Anyway, this is what Alice sent me as part of the swap and I must say, I have never owned such a beautiful piece of embroidery and now it`s mine to keep and treasure always......

...aren`t the flowers pretty? Thanks so much, Alice and thanks also for your patience (the bad weather held up the post so long, I was beginning to wonder whether Alice would ever get her cushion from me! You can see it on her blog since I didn`t take a pic of it before I mailed it to her). I made Alice`s cushion cover from a patchwork of Harris Tweed and corduroy and when I was in the newsagents last week, this magazine (I think it`s the Jan/Feb issue of Patchwork and Quilting)was on the shelf.....

.....always suspected I was ahead of my time! Harris Tweed is in!...and talking of quilting, I started this for my niece when she was born.....

....she`ll be 17 in April! I think I better get on the case and get it finished for my Grandaughter!Doesn`t time fly?!....
and while I was poking about the attic, putting away the Xmas decs and all the while balancing precariously on my new step-ladders, I found these...

....a little wallhanging which is approximately 20 years old now and was my first ever attempt at Welsh Quilting (all done by hand, I may add) at my then Patchwork and Quilting Group  (I had to give it up when I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, an occupational hazard for crafters unfortunately).....
....and then I uncovered this little beauty which I bought many years ago but never really had the opportunity to use, mainly because it`s so old and precious, I didn`t want to risk damaging it or exposing it to bright sunlight. It`s already suffered a little wear and tear in its lifetime so I`ve kept it wrapped in tissue in a box for all these years! I`m not sure exactly how old it is but I love the fabrics and the colours which have been used in the hexagons, especially the velvets and tartan. It would be great if anyone more knowledgeable than me could put a date on it.

....and last but not least, I found this....

.....my first born`s first walking boots! My sister can`t believe I chose black patent bootees for my son but they were Russell and Bromley`s finest at the time and very de rigeur! Memories are made of these indeed!

Have a Great Week, y`all!

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