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

Saturday, December 27, 2014

A Kiwi Christmas and handmade pretties

Hello everyone!
I hope that you all had an enjoyable Christmas, celebrated doing the things you love to do.
We shared a lovely day, it was nice and fine and not too hot so we spent most of the day on the deck, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying each other's company.
Most people in Northland know someone who hunts, fishes or dives and a welcome addition to our Christmas ham, chicken and salads were some wild pork sausages, scallops and crayfish. The barbie came in handy for the last minute cookups.
Pav and berries are a must have dessert in our house at Christmas and of course a sprinkling of chocolate, gingerbread men and Christmas fruit mince tarts kept (and continue to keep) our sugar levels up.
Trying to work off a little of the Christmas lunch —
I hope they can see the rugby ball, as I sure cant!
It wasn't all eating though; we had fun with pressies. We're not big on gifts throughout the year so we always enjoy finding a perfect little something for each other now. And this was the first year since our son was born in 1986 that 'Santa' didn't come to our house (hehe our youngest is 23!!) - it felt a little strange at first but we recovered!
Even the pets get spoilt!
Anyway this was meant to be a quick post, not a ramble!
I really just wanted to share with you the handmade gifts I received this year.
Beautiful coathanger and jewellery roll.
(Lying on a piece of gorgeous silk from my sister)
These two photos show the beautiful gifts made for me by Cheryl in Chooky's Secret Santa Christmas Swap. They really are gorgeous and I love that they are practical as well - perfect! Thank you so much Cheryl :-)
The padded bit down the centre has a snap fastener at one end so you can slide
rings onto it - and 3 useful zipped pockets.
I think I'll be asking Cheryl where she got the pattern, I can see this as a
great gift for my nieces next year!
Here is the tree decoration Cheryl made me, which we
were allowed to open earlier on :-)
And this most gorgeous wee sock decorating the dog's chair was on the outside of a thoughtful little gift from Di. Again, thank you Di and Miss Gracie :-)

Finally, Mum made me this lovely set of goodies —
Sweet set of useful sewing things.
(Lying on another piece of silk from my sister)
 A cute little story behind the needlecase ... Mum and I were going through her 'orphan' embroidery blocks (more on them another day) and I commented that a particular one would make a lovely needlecase.. and what do you know, here it is! Sneaky sneaky! Thanks Mum :-)
This was stitched on very fine cloth. Look at the tiny little bugs and butterflies!
Our ED and her Hunter/Diver are still staying; it's so nice spending extra time catching up. I've been reading a little and sewing just a very little bit. Still very much in holiday mode!
Happy days to you all,

27 comments:

  1. Looks like such a beautiful sunny day! Isn't it lovely what your mom did with the needle case? How sweet and thoughtful.

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  2. Hi Raewyn so glad you had an awesome xmas day,you have taken lots of fun pics,and i love the gifts you have received,enjoy your evening my friend,xx

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  3. sew pleased you had a great day with family and friends...
    Lots of wonderful gifts you received...

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  4. How fun to see your gorgeous weather and celebration down in NZ. I think handmade gifts are the best. I love the hangar! I've not seen a pattern for something like that before. Your mom has "orphan" embroidery?!! Can't wait to hear about it. Merry Christmas!

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  5. How fun!!! Lovely family and absolutely wonderful gifts!! Your needle case is divine! Tell Mum she does absolutely beautiful stitching! So glad that it was a perfect time! Ours was grand, though one GS had the sniffles and was bit fussy. The fellowship was great and the presents just what everyone loved! Hope to get a post sometime in the near future!

    Hugs from Texas - love the bluebonnets!

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  6. Merry Christmas from Germany.
    Gorgeous weather in Nz. Your gift`s wonderful.
    Hugs from Flensborg- Germany.
    Gitta

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  7. looks like a perfect day. Love the embroidery needle case your mum made

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  8. Looks like a beautiful day--weather wise and company wise. : )
    You got some lovely gifts, and I am especially enamored with the gorgeous little stitching on that needlecase!

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  9. Dear Raewyn,
    semms you and your familiy had a wonderful christmas time. Your gifts are gorgeous and your Mam made some really lovely little ones...
    Thank you for your email, I enjoyed it very much reading from you.
    Many, many hugs from germany
    sigisart

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  10. Looks like you had a lovely Christmas day.
    That photo of your dog is so cute :)
    Happy New Year ,
    Connie :)

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  11. What a lovely day you had with the family Raewyn. Beautiful gifts.

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  12. Sounds perfect Raewyn, glad you had such a good day. Love your gifts, the Jewellery roll is a really good idea for neices. Your Mums work is gorgeous, it must be wonderful to share your sewing with her. Enjoy the rest of your holiday mode.

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  13. I've been lurking on your blog for a while Raewyn. Good to see you had a great Christmas. Lou x

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  14. Thanks for showing us the snaps of your day, and all the lovely gifts. Your needle case from your Mum is beautiful - love it.

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  15. Looks like you all had a happy day and beautiful pressies!

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  16. Very pretty gifts. Love the needlecase. Enjoy the moment.xx

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  17. sounds like a most perfect day!!
    so many gorgeous gifties especially love the needlecase, such perfect little stitches.
    Hope the holiday mode lasts a little longer...

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  18. what a lovely relaxing looking day you had and you were able to enjoy the weather.............
    lovely gifts from Cheryl..........they would make great gifts for nieces............
    thanks for being part of the SSCS once again..............

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  19. Looks like you're having a fabulous time. Hasn't the weather finally turned great! Happy nearly New Years!

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  20. what a lovely way to spend the day with close family and friends, we are having our Christmas lunch tomorrow must do some cleaning today! Love all the hand made presents you received so nice to have family who can make such delights now we know where you get you amazing talents from your dear Mum

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  21. It looks like it was a wonderful celebration. Your gifts are so sweet - especially that stunning stitched needlecase. That is a real treasure.

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  22. Looks like a lovely time with family and friends. The needle case is a treasure.

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  23. Sounds like a wonderful day Raewyn. Love all the handmade gifts. Hugs.... Happy New Year......

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  24. Yum - your Christmas meal sounds delicious. Lovely embroidery on that needlebook, so special that your mum made it too.

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  25. Your Christmas day looks lovely. Perfect weather and food.
    Your gifts are all gorgeous!

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  26. A lovely day ! Similar to the one we had. Is your dog a Schnauzer ?

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