Gestation

First, may I apologise to anyone who has commented and got no response. Blogger, in their infinite wisdom, have stopped forwarding comments to my email, so I do not always register they are here! I should be able to catch them eventually, unless someone comments on a fairly old post- I do love to know you have been here, and enjoyed ( or hated, even- I do not always love what I have done) some of my projects..

Now to the point of the post!

Some things take their own time. I think the Brazilian Post office comes in to that category.

Last year we did a swap. It was a Winter/Christmas swap. I drew they loveliest of ladies for whom to make. Sil, who lives in Brazil. The last day for posting was on November, but I knew I had lots of making to get on with, so I got my parcel off early. So my package went in the post towards the start of November.

I had pretty sparkly frosty looking fabric to give the 'chill factor'. and with some blue and crisp white on white, I thought a little scene would appear- Birdies in the snow, a few left over leaves, and we are set.


A wee play with borders,  some careful mitring,  fairly simple quilting, and I had a result. 

sorry about the 'Freds' in the picture... 

I know Sil loves all things Christmas, so I popped in a home made ornament, for her, reckoning 6 weeks in the post? Max, she will have this for her tree... 

And I sat back to wait..... and wait.... and wait!

Eventually I contacted the swap mamas. What should I do? Should I start again, now months later, and send another one? Or should I leave her in the lurch- no swappy quilt on her doorstep? Either option feels unfair, but what could I do? Post office here cannot trace it past our borders, Brazilian post is notorious... 

Mamas said leave it. So, reluctantly I left it. 

Then, this week, a whole 9 months later, News!

The package has arrived! 

Sil's beaming face is all that I could have hoped for, she is such a joy to give to, as she shows all her delight in the offerings . 

So, that is now home, and I think, after 9 months we should call it a baby!

Back down to earth

We have had a lovely time, a dear friend came and stayed, Oh, I am so lucky, the sort of friend who feels like family! and we have had these

 and some of these...

 and also lots of these!

and then we had some of this

and went out to watch some of this

brave Saint George, who slayed Slasher










all in a fight over the virtue of fair Phoebe.....

and then this quack doctor 'cured' Slasher

so that the father of fair Phoebe and Slasher, could be content...

yes quasi English tradition is still alive and well in the pubs of Cheshire!
 worth seeing at least once! to the confusion of all...









and so we then had some of this on the feast of Stephen!

 I looked out later and found that small people from next door had made the most of it, and there were plenty of footprints across it! Good job they did, it was all but gone this morning.
And then, finally, we had some of this!

I hope all of you had just as good a Christmas as we did!
And I hope my dear friend may come back and do Christmas again some time!

Christmas tree star!

 This block came together nicely, once I had decided what to do. I think the tree needs a star on top, but I am not quite sure what type of star on top is wanted! So, I think I shall let it's recipient decide!

And, with a bit of luck all these blocks can slide into an envelope and get themselves into the post this week!  Then Pico Sailors can decide just what she wants to do with them all!

And I can work out which urgent project gets attention next!

Blocking..

The Fat Stash Brit Bee got a little shake up this month. November's queen bee had a few unexpected items crop up in her calendar, and so, has elected to do her month at the end of the bee. So, December's queen has very wisely sent out her request a little early.
Stacked rainbows. with a lovely sketch background.. Only stipulation was that the rainbow start with red, and end with purple, please...


I do not know if I am on my own here, but I love orange and yellow, and find it really difficult to find good ones!But we did it!

 And then I managed another Christmas block, for a previous queen, and will do a couple more extras..Considering how much I do not like FPP, I seem to be doing more of it than I would expect...
Anyway, that is this weeks offerings.. for what it is worth.

Progress

My camera now works intermittently, and as and when it feels like it.. so I have a few pictures to share again!

 Yes, there is a person buried up to the neck in net! scramble gathering it ready for application to tutu bodices.. Beware! When you come to visit me you may well be pressed into service!

 Armband kindly modelled by my son... It requires some modification..





















And while I was awaiting verdicts on armband styles, I was able to get on with a much delayed Bee block.
I had already done this one- not photographed, due to temperamental camera action, but I had been able to make it. And then I got stuck.

I wanted to make at least one other block, but ideas were not announcing themselves with traditional gusto!


But today! I was filled with the desire- most unnatural, as I hate FPP- to FPP a tiny Christmas tree!

The block will end up 3" finished.
I planned it, I modified it, I glared and stared at it, and then.......






I decided I better just get on and do the thing!

 Of course, it refused to pose for a picture on its own!. Too bright and glary- cannot see a thing...












Too shaky, still not seeing a lot!




Strange that it was later quite content to be in a group photo! Camera shy blocks- what would you believe!



So after that, I did an applique star to complete a set!


Hope she likes them!

Revealing a few secrets...

I made some silly odds and ends recently, and as they have all now departed from my care, I feel able to share a little,

First, an explanation. This too will be a little obscure, but it is enough, I hope!

  I have had a wonderful weekend.

Slightly mad, but such fun!




































Everyone in England knows what a tea shop is...


but, somehow I do not think this is quite what we would expect...

The array of teas for sale, and not all fruit teas but honest to goodness black and green teas, defies my belief.

 And then there are all these cubbies, each with tea of one description or another...



















Tea on the shelf, has a little cup with the tea in, so you may smell and see what you are buying!

There are local blends as well, so you may buy the blend for where you stay..

oh, and all the odds and ends for enjoying your tea!

A far cry from an English Tea shop! What a joy!

 So, I visited a friend, and left behind some traces of my time..

 little gift for another member of her household,














And not forgetting another one...

So, they shall not forget my visit too soon....













but, then, I was laden down with gifts to come home- so, I suppose, it was a fair exchange...


I never saw a hedgehog cookie cutter before, either!








And I was given heaps of tea to bring back--- Thank you for my lovely time, and thank you for your very kind and thoughtful gifts! You know who you are!




And I hope you will visit me very soon!