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?????

Little Rabbits.... Las Noches de las Luminarias and a luittle finished quilt.....

I finished this sweet paper doll quilt for a friend. It turned out cute. I must admit I could hardly wait to start it...as the colors just spoke to me. There are hidden pockets to hold the clothes.... located around the quilt.






Then these wonderful glass sculptures.....

My sister and I took one night off from working...and went to see Las Noches de las Luminarias..... at the Sybill Harrington Botanical Gardens. It was such a treat....all the luminaries lit up the cactus grounds and they had spotlighted Glass sculptures .... live music. If you ever get a chance to go.... absolutely wonderful.

While staying in Phoenix this past week.... at a Marriott hotel...I found out that these little rabbits used to live on the land...so when the hotel was finished being built....they returned. They are all over the place...and very cute. This little boy was so intent on sneaking up on them..... but they let him get super close before hopping away. My family is coming...soon....as in 2 days.... yippee. So may not get much done before then. Still have a little baking to get done. Hope you all have a blessed Christmas. I sure am blessed being able to spend it with the family who is going to be able to come. I have been oh so good...and not opened my gift.....from Australia.... for the SSCS swap....but every time I walk past the tree I have to stop and think of the wonderful lady who sent it to me.

When life gives you scraps.... you make orphans! Orphans complete....so two more 2 Ufo's too!

I am off to Phoenix tomorrow, to work for my sister at a conference out there...no time to play, but with lots of sitting in airports...I decided to take some orphan strips..... the messy pile in the top photo, and began sewing them together similar to the many fat quarter lap quilts I have seen. But I had a few extra squares...so they became a little block strip near the outer border....but still had more strips....so made another lap quilt. These together are about the size of a queen...and I did have two names in our family exchange...so they are off to Pennsylvania for the Family Christmas party. I will be spending my time in the airports wisely sewing down the bindings. I am so pleased.... two Orphan UFO's..... kind of like a two for one! HAd to include a photo or two of the Princess and the Wee One from Thanksgiving..... we did so have a good time...but I forgot to have backup power..for my camera and missed some good shots! And My SSCS swap has been received in the Netherlands.... so here is what she will be opening on Christmas Day. All the little goodies are inside this huge stocking.... can't share the contents until after Christmas. Don't you love the cool wood carved bowl from Africa in the background? I keep Bread or fruit in it...depending on the need at the moment. And the candy thermometer I use to make Christmas candy....in this case ....Pralines. Yummmy. Still have some baking to do...but almost caught up with where I wanted to be at this time. The professor and I put up our outside lights ...all our little iron trees...and the blowup snowman. So I feel like that is complete...except for the greenery lining the driveway. The Professor says we need to put some lights in the back yard...for the kids.... we will have 4 of our grandkids here for Christmas. Good times ahead. Hope you all had a great weekend...and a good week to come.

My ship has come in!!!!! and more UFO's .... semi completed,SSCS SWAP

First a wonderfully mysterious Parcel arrived....sometime whilst I was away last weekend. Hmmmmmm I resisted the temptation to open it...but am looking forward to it with anticipation! I am about to send my own Swap out.... for Chooky Blue's SSCS swap. I have not divulged any of the contents.... Also, the delivery of my Ship items took place on Saturday while I was in Atlanta learning lots of fun things to do on the longarm. I have gone through it all, it seems to be all there..... a few damaged items which are the South Africa branch of the moving company...so won't hold my breath about getting any of the damage reimbursed for. But at least it is here...and I am now planning where to hang paintings, and other decor items. It felt like Christmas opening up all of the boxes...and of course brought back wonderful memories of where we purchased much of it! In fact, I was so nostalgic that I immediately called a few SA friends to hear their wonderful accents! Will post more about that stuff as it gets put out! Now about my wonderful longarm class....I learned a lot. Not mastered it yet...but wonderful class. Well worth the long drive over. The Teacher

at Pat's Calico Cottage is part of a group of longarmers...several award winners, and they did this wonderful quilt. I adored it. I also loved the batik 9 patch.... it was so well done. I really learned quite a bit. My machine seems to be humming perfectly at the moment...thanks to her husband... who sorted the few problems I have been having. I have to share a little photo of the leaders and enders quilt in progress...I am about out of red and white fabric bits...from my African quilts..but had enough to do this one. Now how to make it just a wee bit bigger...to a full bed size???? I already bought a Baptist fan template to quilt it with.... just have to make it a bit bigger. I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I am going to finish up a few things, I am binding two charity quilts to donate to the Sheriff's Dept. for our quilt guild...and have binding on a little Thanksgiving table topper to sew on this evening, whilst watching tv. Keep warm. It is getting colder here tomorrow...and we have wood being delivered tomorrow for the fire box in our Family room. Enjoy your weekend.I so am going to!