My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Friday, December 27, 2013

Swap gifts

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas!
We have had a nice few days, enjoying each other's company and enjoying being in slow-down, holiday mode. The food's been fabulous and the weather perfect .... lovely summery days without the humidity... even some Christmas rain for the farm! Mum is still here which is nice, ED is enjoying being out of the city and is making the most of the beaches and enjoying some watersports. YD and her fiance were up for 24 hours only (the crazy hours you have to work in retail are not always sociable..... hopefully they had enough Christmas ham and pavlova to keep their energy levels up for the Boxing Day sales!)
Missing was our son and dil but they will be in NZ in February so we will enjoy having them here then.
We have some more family visiting again today so that will be great too. I'm sure we can find some leftovers to feed them with!!
***
I thought I would quickly share the gifts I received in the two swaps I took part in this year.
Michell, another kiwi, was my partner for Cheryll's Santa Swap.
Earlier on, I posted a picture of the gorgeous sack she sent me —
We were allowed to open it on the 18th but I chose to wait until Christmas Day. Here are the gifties that were inside it —
Lots of yumminess. Plenty of fabrics for my stash, hangings, soap and a
cute perpetual calendar (how did you guess Michell that I had been thinking
one of those would be a good idea!)
And can you see the Christmas runner it is all sitting on...?
...here it is again. Perfect, Michell, thank you again!


(And to step sideways for a moment; I was delighted to win a $25 gift voucher from the Fat Quarter Shop from the SewCalGal FMQ challenge I took part in this year. I've been trying to decide on which jelly roll to choose.... one of the 2.5"square packs Michell gifted me was a range I'd been looking at... Vin du Jour by 3 Sisters.....and I love it so will order that one!! Thanks Michell!!) 

And thank you to Cheryll for organising this fun swap!
***
The second swap I took part in was a Secret Santa Christmas Swap run by Chookyblue and GoogyGirl. This was fun as the person we sent to and recieved from were competely different, and many of us managed to keep our identities secret until the last minute.
My secret Santa sent me two very cute tree decorations —
From Lynette Anderson's Stitch it for Christmas book
Then this table topper to be opened before Christmas —
Her own design! Around the World Christmas style
 And on Christmas Day, she revealed herself to me when I opened this gorgeous bag —
(Gail Pan design.)
And it was Anthea, of Hibiscus Stitches - thank you so much Anthea! Your stitching is beautiful and I love the generous gifts you have made.
And again., thank you to Chookyblue and Googy Girl for organising this swap!

Time now to prepare for visitors!
Have fun everyone and happy stitching if you get a chance!

26 comments:

  1. A beautiful swag of secret Santa gifts Raewyn! Pleased you had a great day with your family!

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  2. Wow Raewyn lots of gorgeous gifts there and its lovely that you got some family time.xx

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  3. You recieved some really lovely things! The Santa Swap was fun. Your Christmas sounds like a good one!

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  4. Such a lot of lovely gifts . I especially love the Little bag

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  5. What fun, Raewyn! You really received some lovely gifts!
    Sounds like you have had a delightful holiday--and you deserve it. : )
    Any quilting happening?

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  6. It sounds like the perfect Christmas celebration. Beautiful gifts!!

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  7. Fabulous gifts .. And sounds like a perfect Christmas
    Hugz

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  8. Oh Raewyn...what wonderful gifts....glad you had such a good christmas

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  9. good to read you had e good time with family and also to see your lovely gifts, very envious of the bag ut is a real berauty

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  10. Fantastic gifts. Beautiful fabrics and stitching, just perfect. Your Christmas sounds fun and relaxing too.

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  11. You have received some beautiful gifts Raewyn. Enjoy using them. Hugs......

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  12. You seem to have spent a great Christmas season with your family. And wow, what lovely gifts you received in the swaps.

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  13. Your Christmas sounds lovely. Such wonderful gifts from your swaps too.

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  14. Fab(ric :>)) gifts, Raewyn!
    How lovely to read you had a Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,

    Jeanneke.

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  15. What lovely gifts! Happy New year! Jille x

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  16. Wow! What gorgeous presents! So much work involved in all of them, you have very talented and generous friends. Your tree looks awesome and OMG the food looks so good! I hope the rest of your holidays are just as great!

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  17. Glad you had a lovely christmas Raewyn ... your tree looks wonderful :-) Gosh what lovely swap gifts all round - that bag is just beautiful. Hope you have a great New Year also x0x

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  18. So many gorgeous gifts and such beautiful sewing. Lovely.

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  19. Happy Christmas Raewyn. Loving the gifts. Lucky you. Enjoy your family time.x

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  20. What lovely gifts! Such generous swappers! Enjoy your visitors and Happy New Year!

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  21. Love all your beautiful swap gifts, Raewyn! How sweet the stitched star is:-) Happy New Year 2014 to you!

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  22. looks like you had a very nice Christmas.

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  23. Sounds like the perfect family Christmas Raewyn. Your gifts are so lovely, Michell and Anthea have made great choices for you...
    Best wishes for Happy New Year celebrations tomorrow!

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  24. love your gifts from Anthea..........thanks for being part of the SSCS 2013........

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  25. Hi Raewyn - happy new year! - i am so glad you like everything i sent you - i really enjoyed the making of it that's for sure - have a wonderful 2014... x

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