First Day of 2012...a surprise gift...and some new fabric and projects!!!

Welcome 2012...let's hope it's a good year for everyone...

On the first day we thought we would have fish'nchips by the beach for dinner...

no stress...no cooking...all FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

We saw this amazing sandcastle...

And here are Ryan and Lidija standing next to it...

Ryan with his name...and a train next to it...He is a huge Thomas The Tank Engine fan!!!

How cute is this...he is drawing a line from his house to ours'...

I put the zoomer on the camera as there was a boat in the background...we rarely see boats this size here...

No zoom...

I received a surprise gift from Vicki wrapped in gorgeous paper and a gold ribbon...

Envelope...

and card...

And wrapped up in the paper was this Snowman pattern....

I hope to make it for Christmas in July this year...

and buttons also were included...

Thank you so much dear Vicki...it was just such a surprise to receive this!!!

Some new fat quarter fabric in my Christmas Stocking...

It's called Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda...

old fashioned writing on one...map of Parisian streets...just gorgeous...thank you Santa!!!

And then I had to go and get a metre of the paisley as well...

Check this one out...the Eiffel Tower, and all in soft chocolatey colours...sigh,

Then I thought I would write down my 'must-do's' for this year...

well, 3 pages later I was still writing LOL!!!

A panel I bought a few years ago...it's a Christmas one that JoJo will just love!!!  When we went to the Quilt Airing in Mendinee she said she would like a Christmas quilt on the wall...so let's see how I go...

Around Christmas time I saw this free pattern on the net by Anni Downes from Hatched and Patched and that made the list as well...

Now I think I'll have to rethink it all, and I better get a move on!!!

OPAM (One Project A Month)...and Christmas 2010!!!!

Here we are...the final OPAM (One Project A Month) for the year!!!

The final one is a Christmas Quilt for Mr Armchair!!!

As I slowly learn quilting I thought it fitting that a quilt for him be made on the new (Ber)Nina sewing machine!!!

Front of quilt...

I just did triangles for my first go...

I used an iron on wadding...much easier than using pins...

and quicker too I think than pinning and basting...

turned over to back...

and the label...

I have stitched it with various stitches available to Nina...

I have called the quilt 'Berry Christmas'...

We were up at a little place called Berry and came across Elizabeth's patchwork shop...Mr Armchair admired a quilt on the wall...

Elizabeth kindly showed us the quilt and how it was made...

It is from Moda Bakeshop by Rachel Griffiths...

Elizabeth then gave us the pattern...

when we came out of the shop he asked if I bought the charm squares for the quilt...I said  no...

I then went back to purchase them and the rest is history!!!

Thank you to Peg and Kris for hosting this Challenge...I have thoroughly enjoyed it and probably have 12 more projects finished than I would normally have!!!

Last week I received a Christmas gift from my very dear Blogging Friend, Simone...A Christmas stocking above sitting in the tree...

Some Winter Tea...and a little windmill magnet for JoJo!!!

How so very thoughtful Simone to think of her!!!

I think the cute little pouch is a camera pouch (please correct me if I am wrong Simone)...

Thank you Simone...I enjoyed opening up this lovely gift from you all the way from The Netherlands!!!

And of course I had to hang up my Shepherd's Bush stockings!!!

These were such a delight to do...I have done 9 of them...

and am thinking of getting into cross stitch a little more next year!!!

The 2 littlies...Ryan and Lidija...

And the girls all together...

My Daughter Jacqueline thought she's make a Gingerbread House a couple of years ago...this has now turned into a tradition...And what a lovely one enjoyed by all...especially Ryan as he 'crashes' into it!!!

The little 'people' in the house...

Jacqueline bought these absolutely stunning roses for me!!!

Thank you so much Jac!!!

Candles behind the Gingerbread House...

And Ryan asleep at the end of it all under 'A Christmas Wish' by Gail Pan Designs...this was a Block of the Month 2 years ago!!!

It's been a fabulous blogging year for me...

I can understand what people mean when they say blogging is a life changing experience!!!

Thank you to all fellow bloggers...new friends...passers by and loyal followers...

May we all enjoy good health, happiness and safety in 2011...

and of course much stitching...quilting...reading...and baking!!!

Happy New Year...bring it on!!!

Dzintra...

~Progress on Quilt and Cook Up With Vicki No 9~

Before getting into the Cook Up here is the surprise quilt for Mr Armchair that I'm working on...coming along now and have slowly begun to quilt with my machine...It's all trial and error with it as I learn to master In The Ditch!!!Hopefully it will be all done by next week!!!

This cook up with Vicki is from Donna Hay magazine October/November 2010 issue...

Tonight's menu...Herb Crumbed Schnapper

and Honey Custard Meringue Tarts...

Schnapper served atop Mashed Potato...

Steamed Cabbage with Honey Glazed Garlic Carrots...

Herbs used are Flat Leaf Parsley...

Dill and Baby Rocket (Arugula) leaves...

all from our first little herb garden here YAY!!!

Sweet shortcrust gluten free pastry by Rick Grant...

Cutting into rounds...

with filling in...

Meringue on top...

All done!!!

Am loving this pastry and experimenting with it...

Start of the little herb patch 20th October...

8th November...

and 5th December!!!

It's so handy having it not too far from the back door and I try and pick something each night from it!!!

This weekend with JoJo I plan to make a Steamed Pudding and a Boiled Fruit Cake...recipe for the Fruit Cake I got from Fee...

Thanks so much Fee!!!

Now it's back to wrapping...card writing...making lists...etc, etc etc!!!

Happy Baking...and Bon Appetit...Dzintra 

Braidwood Quilt Event...Annual Airing of the Quilts...Braidwood, New South Wales

Last weekend we were passing through Braidwood and were lucky enough to view Airing of The Quilts an annual Quilt Event in Braidwood...

The entire town is classified by the National Trust and Braidwood is the first complete town to be listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. Braidwood also boasts the fact that it still retains most of the Georgian town plan, one of the last left in Australia. The rural life and charm of the town is carried on against many fine examples of 19th century architecture.

Many quilts were on display hanging from the balconies in the village...

enjoy these pics of the quilts!!!

Double Irish Chain...

Where are the Belisho Beacons...

One of the fine old buildings in the street...

Vintage quilts outside 'Braidwood Times'...

Looking front on to the Braidwood Times building...

Even the footpath outside is old timber pieces...

Cute cottage garden...

We thought we'd wander over to this quiet little corner across the road...

and hanging over the railing was this gorgeous Christmas Quilt!!!

The lady on the stall...whose name is Kitty...offered to hold it up for JoJo...

turns out that she has a holdiday house in our area and offered to call in sometime when she is down this way!!! 

One of the borders!!!

I just love this quilt!!!

She was such a kind lady she offered JoJo a Shortbread Christmas tree and a Candy Cane which just thrilled her to bits!!!

Thank you so much Kitty...it's lovely to meet you!!!

We had a wonderful time viewing the quilts...strolling through the town and look forward to perhaps going there next year!!!

Braidwood was so inspiring to visit..I'm keen to get quilting!!!