I've been . . . {another List}

• busily preparing for the celebration of Christmas

• to Scotland & back

• catching up with loved ones

• making.  Lots of making.

• baking 

Mary Berry's Orange Spice Cake -  absolutely deeelicious . . .

• sewing

• knitting

• shopping

• wrapping pressies

• swapping pressies

my lovely creative & talented Book Club ladies

• swapping crackers

Thank you lovely Sue from Crafts@home, my swap partner who completely spoilt me with an abundance of yummy goodies in the  Cracker Swap organized by Tracey over at Mad About Bags.  Squeee . . .

• making up our guest rooms for our family arriving to stay next week

• trying to keep on top of the laundry, the household chores, and muddy doggy paws

don't let that sweet face deceive you . . . those paws are mud-magnets

• planning my "week between Christmas & New Year" yarny project

  - a lovely Vector Wrap/Scarf Knit-A-Long with Rachel at Tangled Yarn.  This pretty Mirasol yarn arrived in the post today and I can't wait to cast on.  If you're looking for a project too - do join us.  (Just pop over here or have a wee look on Ravelry) 

 

So,
 are you "making a list & checking it twice" ?

Only 6 more sleeps . . .   ; - )

'til next time,

xoxo

* * * * * * * 

For Claudine, who was kindness personified,  truly beautiful inside & out, who loved to make . . . and who delighted in a good List too.  

RIP my sweetest friend . . . 

(1969 - 2014)

* * * * * * *

A Winner, a Swap and another Bloggy Get-together . . .

I do so love a long weekend, but it really does throw me off kilter . . .  

Usually I work on a Monday, but Monday was a holiday and I worked on Tuesday instead. 

 So yesterday felt like a Monday but was actually a Tuesday, which means I woke up this morning thinking it was Tuesday but it's actually Wednesday (still with me ? )  - which is why when the alarm service guy arrived at the door for his scheduled appointment at 8.30am this morning, I greeted him with surprise . . . and still in my PJs . . . OOops. 

 I just pretended that I was expecting him, and hoped he'd think that it's really quite normal and acceptable to swan around in one's PJs sans make-up before 9am. 

 And hey, don't judge me - it could have been worse . . .
; - )

Right, enough about that and let's get on to more exciting things shall we ?

a Winner . . .

Thanks to everyone who commented on and entered the little giveaway in celebration of my 200th post.
 My resident Random Number Generator (aka The Hubby) selected comment #17 and the lucky winner is . . .

the lovely Joy from Joyjinks Creations,
all the way down under in beautiful Western Australia.

Congratulations Joy, and your Kate Dress pattern will be winging it's way south to you shortly.

Thanks again to Jules at Sew Me Something for your generosity in donating this fab giveaway - And if you can't contain your disappointment at not winning this time, remember all three of the lovely patterns are available at their online emporium - just pop over here.


a Swap . . .


Now a wee while ago, Jo over at Three Stories High organized a little Spring Brooch Swap and I was lucky enough to be paired up with Chrissie at Chrissie Crafts.  But Chrissie and I both had things happening around the swap date so we agreed to swap once life had calmed down a bit.  And last week, this fab little parcel of gorgeous goodies arrived in the post:

Thank you sooo much, Chrissie - I LOVE my pretty lace brooches and my special little puzzly one too : - )
And the chocs were dee-lish-ious . . .

I think this little brooch will be permanently attached to my favourite denim jacket for the season.

And thanks to Jo too for organizing this fun swap . . . can we do it again next Spring ?

. . . and another Bloggy Get-together.

Lovely Jane who blogs at Plain Jane is organising a get together of fellow bloggy peeps on Friday, 30th May 2014 at Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire. 
The plan is to meet up for a picnic and spend the day nattering and crafting and exploring this beautiful National Trust property.
Would you like to come along and join us?

 It'd be sooo lovely to see you.
So hop over to Jane's blog and leave her a wee comment or drop her an email if you'd like more details. 
And for my fellow Midlanders - I've got space in my car for another 3 peeps so if you'd like a lift, just let me know : -)

* * *

Right, I'm off to do some baking for Book Club tomorrow morning . . .
It is Thursday tomorrow, isn't it ?
; - )

'til next time,
xoxo

Get crackin' . . . .

Thanks for all your lovely comments on my previous post - it seems that the general consensus is that we could ALL really do with some helpful elves  : - )

But pushing to one side that wishful thinking, it's been a busy week here at gilly makes . . . HQ.   I've been frantically trying to get things made, yummy things bought and pressies wrapped in between the social whirlwind that is the festive season.

And in the midst of it all, the lovely Postie arrived with an oh-so-pretty Christmas cracker sent all the way from New Zealand.  Yay - have I mentioned how much I LOVE getting proper post ? It makes such a nice change from the usual bills & junkmail.

 

 Leonie, who blogs over at Kiwi at heart was my partner in the fun Mad About Bags Christmas Cracker Swap which Tracy had organized.  So we introduced ourselves, swapped some notes and discovered we both pretty much liked the same Christmassy things. . .

. . . fabulous harlequin fabric, yummy chocs, the sweetest little mini-bunting, baker's twine, pretty red dotty buttons, cute tags, and the loveliest wee yo-yo Christmas tree you ever did see.

Thanks Leonie, it's all just too lovely   : - )

And here's a wee peek at what I popped into Leonie's cracker . . .

A big thanks to Tracy too for organizing and pairing us all up.  Can we do it again next year ?  

Please ? 

Right . .  things to do, places to go, people to be fetched from the airport  (yay, the Hubby's lovely sis is coming from SA to spend Christmas with us) , and some last minute makes to be finished . .  so best I get crackin'.

Hope you're having a merry & crafty weekend,

'til next time

xoxo

ps. all UK peeps - don't forget to watch The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special on telly tonight.  Ooh, and it's the Strictly semi-final results too . . . 

Enjoy . . .

I love hearts . . .

Happy Valentine's day,

Wishing you a day filled with love . . .

The Hubby has been working way too hard lately so on the spur of the moment, he decided to take today off - YAY . .  {very happy face} - so this morning we took ourselves out for a yummy brunch {eggs benedict: me, salmon & cream cheese bagel: him} at a favourite little spot in a lovely little village not too far away.

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the snow is melting away . . . could it be that Spring is just around the corner?

So, as it's a day to celebrate all-things-hearts, I thought I'd share some pics of the fab parcel of goodies I received from Hazel, my lovely swap partner in All4MeggyMoo's
 "I Love Hearts" Swap.

Don't you just love these sweet heart doilies ? 

An oh-so-pretty heart cushion, yummy chocs (which I have to confess, we have already eaten), a sweet framed crocheted heart, a lovely mug, candle holder with some linen-scented tealights, and two beautifully crocheted little hanging hearts. 

Thanks Hazel - everything is just SO me : - )

And here's a wee peek of what I sent to Hazel:

{sans basket, that is just a prop for the pic}

This was such a fun swap to take part in.  Thanks Shelley, for organising it.

xoxo

All things hearts . . .

All wrapped up and ready to go . . .

 I really do LOVE all-things-hearts and it's been such fun making and getting goodies together for the All4MeggyMoo I Love Hearts Swap.  This time, I remembered to take some pics before I wrapped them too, but I can't show you yet until Hazel receives them.  Watch this space . . .

 

I've been sewing a wee bit this afternoon too, but in an attempt to distract from the fact that I'm still trying to get Row 10 finished (Row 11 arrived in my inbox this morning), I thought I'd take some pics of this lovely Bee in my Bonnet Row Along quilt so far.

 I'm not sure in what order Lori will have us piece the rows together, as we've a few more rows to go still, but I love how they all are so unique.  Happy, cheery rows  : - )

{And another cute pups pic, just because I think it's such a sweet one and wanted to share it with you } 

And finally, a brief glimpse of my Row 10 in progress . . .
2 little houses built, 3 to go.

Hope you're having a hearty, happy week,

xoxo

More lovely goodness . . .

My days have been filled with goodness this week . . . even Ben & Jerry got a little something from Rae in my Advent Swap box . . .

The Ben-dog

The Jerry-dog

 . . . and here's what I've done with the little bag of buttons . . .

My friend (& crafty guru) Lee-Anne over at Crafty Fat Cat sent me the idea a little while ago and it was so quick and easy to make. Just a basic stryofoam ball, covered it in glue, wrapped it in a layer of tissue paper, then pinned on a whole bunch of cute buttons. Simple !

Thanks Rae, for adding all this festive fun to my week.

And then this morning, our Postie delivered another parcel of goodness  : - ) (much happy dancing & hand-clapping) . . .

 

A little while ago I was the lucky winner in a fabulous Giveaway over at 44th Street Fabric.

I have completely adored this fabric since I first spotted it. (pun intended). 

(I love everything dots/stripes/gingham/hearts). 

Bev is using it as the background fabric for her quilt in the Bee in my Bonnet Row Along and I was beyond excited when I won her generous giveaway.  

Thanks SOoo much Bev, I promise to treasure it and use it wisely. 

Wishing you a happy & blessed weekend,

xoxo

Lovely Advent goodies. . .

What a beautiful bunch of lovely pressies I've received from Rae , my partner  in the fun & fabulous Hookin' with LaaLaa Advent Swap.

It's such fun, waking up every morning and opening a sweet little gift.

In a very Dopey moment, I neglected to take pics of the swap goodies that I sent to Rae before I wrapped them, so you'll just have to pop over to her blog here for a wee peek.
Thanks Rae, for all these oh-so-yummy things, and thanks too, to Lynda for organizing all this festive fun.

*************************

Lots of crafty Christmas making lined up for this week here at gilly makes . . . HQ - what are you up to?

xoxo

The advent of Advent . . .

Hello out there . . . It's a mizzy, rainy morning here and I should be at my Pilates class, but last night our central heating boiler decided to misbehave. Sooo, here I am instead, watching over the plumber cum central-heating-guru trying to work out what the problem is and get it fixed.  Sigh . . .

Anyway, on to happier things.   I'm taking part in the Advent Swap over at Hookin' with Laa-Laa and the posting date is almost upon us, so yesterday afternoon I got wrapping & taping & tagging . . .

. . . and had lots of fun playing with my new roll of washi.    I've only recently discovered the joys of washi tape - how on earth have I managed to get by without it for so long ??   It's fabulous stuff.  I feel a new obsession coming on  : - )

So, that's everything wrapped and ready to be packed into its PO box and wing its way over to Rae.

Thanks for all your lovely sentiments about my Winter quilt in yesterday's post - the consensus seems to be that I could in fact keep it out all year round - tee hee. . . Majority Rules !

Wishing all my friends in the USA a very happy, blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving - enjoy all the fabulous festivities !

xoxo

Ta dah . . .

Here's what I had fun finishing this weekend . . .

The Christmas quilt.

The Mama has suggested I call it the Winter quilt rather, so I can justify having it on the bed for longer than just the festive season.

Quite a good suggestion, methinks : - )

Right-ee-o.

Christmas / Winter Quilt:  tick

Back to The List.

Next up:  Wrapping up my Advent Swap gifts ready for posting later this week.

Wishing you a good Monday,
xoxo

Anyone for a cuppa?

Just finished Row 6 of the Bee in my Bonnet Row-Along - yay ! 

This week's challenge is a row of cute cups and even with the finicky little bits (sometimes I wish I had dainty little hands & fingers), they were so fun to make.

 

It's all starting to come together so prettily . . . 

I just can't wait for Spring when it'll be time to sew it all together.

Right, so that's that ticked off The List.

moving along now,

NEXT. . .

: - )

A box of lovely goodies . . .

I should still be in London, but unfortunately my course was cancelled at the last minute.  Disappointing, but it will be re-scheduled for another date, so I will still get to do it at some point.

On the plus side though, it meant that I was here when the Postie arrived this morning and handed me a box full of lovely goodies from Mrs C at The Travelling Mam who was my partner for the Cosy Autumn Swap organized by Blueberry Heart.

And indeed they did  :-)

All beautifully wrapped & sprinkled with autumn leaves...

Pretty organza strips, sachets of yummy mocha, a cosy magic scarf, a very useful pocket diary, delicious-smelling candles...

... an oven glove, the cutest little squirrel & acorn salt & pepper set...

... and the sweetest ever knitted fruit & veggies.

 What a bountiful box of blessings - thanks Mrs C, for spoiling me and making my first ever swap so much fun  :-) and thanks to Kerry too, for so kindly organizing everything.

If you'd like to see what I sent to Mrs C,  hop over and have a peek at The Travelling Mam.

Hope you're having a good week,

xoxo