Giftmaking and a spot of summer

*warning!!lots of photos*

I've just realised that as it's the last day of 2014 I'd best share the rest of my 2014 makes so they can be on my December OPAM list :-)
In my last post I shared what I had received in Chookyblue's fabulous Secret Santa Christmas Swap from Cheryl.
Here is what I sent to Sue —

A stocking with sewing goodies in it

And this table runner.
This was called Strawberries and Cream by Christine Book from Homespun #48.

A fun project. The red strips were sewed on to a foundation meaning it was
pretty much quilted all by itself!

[I also made Sue the ornament shown *here*]

Do you remember me saying in a pre-Christmas post that I was not going to launch into any last minute Christmas sewing, no matter what? Well, I did keep my resolve - NEARLY!! While packaging up a box of goodies for my sister I decided she needed a (decorated) hand towel in it to stop the bottles from rattling..... that's allowed, isn't it?

And then I thought it would be fun to send DH's nephew a Christmas postcard - homemade of course. He's the nephew (seen *here*) who comes and visits during calving and loves to make postcards at Aunty Raewyn's.. so I whipped this up and managed to get it into the post before the big day - phew :-)

I hoped he would appreciate the cow in Christmas garb!

My post title mentioned a spot of summer - here is a 12" summer hanging I made....

This may or may not have been inspired by my garden - it was looking lovely in early summer; the roses have been particularly beautiful  —

We don't usually have a summer holiday as the cows still need milking but we have just managed a quick night away while ED and her Hunter/Diver milked for us... we hopped in the car and headed north... the further north you go the less people there are but the beaches are just beautiful and cant be beaten, I reckon.

First of all we had to wave goodbye to two little dogs - don't they look so sad
that they cant come and frolic on the beach too?

Watching these two guys have a little chat while eating our lunch...

...here...

...at the World Famous Mangonui Fish Shop - delish!

Beautiful beaches...

...and gorgeous Pohutakawa trees.
aka New Zealand's Christmas tree.

 You'll see the Pohutakawa on many of us kiwi bloggers' blogs over summer. I know I'm not alone in considering it a favourite NZ tree.

I'd like to end this year by thanking you for your visits, feedback and friendship. And I'd like to wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2015. 

May your dreams be fulfilled and your bobbin always be full :-)