SSCS and another finish! Happy New Year to all....

I had to share my wonderful SSCS gift from Lynn in Australia, I was blown away by all of it, but adored the journal that she included which documented her journey in making this for me. How special is that.As a scrapbooker... I so appreciate that! Never done it myself...but this is so special. There were two

little wall quilts..including the adorable stars to hang them on...and a journal and a little packet of pre-cut fabric squares, a stitchery pattern...darling little buttons and little decorated clips! I have already

hung the quilts up...had to share them as well. They are too cute and I had just the place in the breakfast area! They are the perfect color too!

I also wanted to share my own little SSCS swap to Judith in the Netherlands.She has already opened it...and this is what she

received...and once opened... this was the contents.

It was a lot of fun to do..and I adore what I received. I waited until Christmas day to open...and that was very hard. I am happy to announce that the winner of the "ball wars" was DS in law, how he managed to keep it at the top...I will never know. It wasn't near the top, then as we unwrapped gifts I saw it there! He was photo-ing most of the time....so still stumped as to how West Texas A&M beat out the 4 other schools! But congrats to him.... he sure had to earn it. The Oklahoma State cowboys finished second, maybe because he is married to DD ...and it is her alma mater. One last little thing to share..... This is the little table topper I finished to use for Christmas.... we did use it...and I have finished piecing a baby quilt for my neice..but it is unquilted. Maybe tomorrow?????

These are a few of my favorite things..... last Christmas in South Africa

I had to share a picture of a little girls baby quilt, I just did for one of the local girls.It is hard to see the water stipple behind the turtles, which she had already hand quilted. Then added a little flower border. It surely is a sweet little quilt.

As I began to decorate the outside of the house...just the front porch so far.... I began to ponder....on what things I enjoyed putting out year after year...and why some things stayed in the boxes.... year after year. I guess it is that some have stronger memories about some things than others. As I put up the tree ornamnents....and for years I have traditionally used shaped ornaments.... some from my folks tree, others I discovered at thrift stores..or after Christmas sales. Some of these have absolutely no value...except in my memories..of the kids hanging them up...or the walnut shaped ones that we found still in the Neiman Marcus box..at the Goodwill store..which my youngest had called Neiman Marcus, ( we kind of taught him that so he wouldn't blurt out we had bought his older siblings something at Goodwill... so he just always said it came from Neiman's...the little guy was too young to read!) Or the Waterford ornaments I bought to remember my trip to Ireland, or the bowling mouse, my oldest chose as his ornament one year to buy for the Christmas tree. I just can 't seem to let them stay in the box. It certainly has been fun taking them out of their boxes... as this is the first time in 4 Christmases we had our own things to hang on the tree. I am so looking forward to having the children and Grandkids here, good times are ahead. ONe of the

traditions that began several years ago...were the "Ball Wars". I had purchased DS 1's College alma mater Christmas ornament...and also had DH and DD's alma mater. Well the kids came home...and suddenly the balls began to move around the tree. Every time someone walked through the living room, they would shift their alma maters ball to the top and shift all others down below. We need to add two new balls this year...but DD has suggesested, we go by BCS rankings...so her school will be on top! We'll see when they all arrive what happens! I had to post this photo of me sitting in a taxi in South Africa, this was a bakki taxi, basically a little pickup with seating for four or more in the back of the camper part. I rode through the parking lot with these lovely ladies. That is what I was doing in South Africa last Christmas! Had to include a front picture of the vehicle...for your enjoyment. Note the wire holding the hood shut! Good times. Happy sewing to you. I have another quilt to get out tomorrow, and one to finish before I go to Phoenix next week. I get to work with my sister at a Conference...so it should be fun. Have a good one. Hope to post again before I fly out.