A Christmas award

My friend SMC won the award above

http://birdwomanau.blogspot.com/ I list 5 (only 5) reasons why I love Christmas, and that I pass the Award on. She then says

'I would like to pass this award onto a Lady who I know doesn't really like Christmas but I think she has made a tremendously magnificent effort this year. That is decoration wise because I know that she believes in the Reason for the Season. Well done Jane '

My topiary tree which I made a few years ago and renew at least once per year

How I wish my gifts had been wrapped....!

I am somewhat mirthful at the moment re the timing of this award
and these photos may explain why.

Have not left the house since Dec 21 st and yesterday went to the chemist
Target and Safeway. Being a firm believer in Christmas
Decorations being purchased at half price I went on a little splurge.

You see my friend is correct in that Christmas time of the year has
some painful personal memories for me, but I really do love Christmas
and while I have always decorated a little, the last year and this I have
actually packed other things away, wonderful way to wash ornaments
etc and refresh arrangements.

Also last year I also went to the Chemist and amongst the half price items
I found my train. See the post 'This train is going to glory'
I did not unpack it when I got it so did not fully remember or recognize
that it had lights. But this year when I unpacked it and connected it up
its cheery lights have made the area look special.

I also loath the heat so doing very much that involves going out in the heat
is a negative but we have been blessed with enough rain to have green lawns
this year and days that are reasonable enough to go out in.

Not sure about 30C on Sunday when I will be up on the stage at Church
under floodlights...singing as part of the worship team.

So I came back from the Chemist and Target yesterday with the loot below.
I mean could you leave that cuddly bear there for $4?

There is a little Church scene in blue on the edge of the table that has batteries in it and there is a cute tree with a star on top beside the bear and some lovely angels which have instruments.



So, being totally exhausted when I got home at 10pm after a stop which involved an impromptu invite to dinner I spent the night attempting to sleep and deal with cramp.

But I had made my friend this table or sofa quilt a couple of years ago and had not taken
a decent photograph before I handed it over. Probably no label either, must check.

So I took some photos so I would have a record of it in my collection.
Then, being somewhat fragile this morning, I greeted my handyman/gardener and set him to the tasks for the morning and tried to sleep. Not terribly successful with the postie bring me a parcel....more about that in another post.

So wondering if I was too groggy to go out after the wonderful night, I rang the Dentist to see if I had used up my HBA allocation and bother it.........I had only been once this year.

So pulled myself together and persuaded Moggie that there was only one way to get today's food and that was to finish yesterdays....and off I went.

I had something that had crept under a veneer between my two front teeth at the top and should have had it fixed ages ago but got in on the last day of the year.

I am however, a little proud of myself that I have made an appointment to have a metal plate to fill in two gaps ....that last one the infamous tooth that was infected and had to be pulled out before the surgeon would operate on my knee mid 2007.

So am booked in for Jan to deal with this. My first act of non procrastination for the new year.

I then went to the Plaza and of course there were cars everywhere, so found one in the disabled area near the theatre. This was oh so handy as I could walk from one end of the place and back!!

Must be .25 of a mile at least. I went to the Newsagents, but was too late for their post Christmas specials, but bought myself a super organizer diary.....such virtue. Plus Down Under Quilts.

From there to KMart, where I had seen lovely white porcelain angels, prior to Christmas and should have got them, as they were not that expensive.....equally should have got there before now. I did intend to drop in after Church last Sunday but woke to the alarm and listened to the songs and decided that a headache and sore throat and back were indicating that bed was the best place. Mind you I did shower and dress later as two lots of visitors came.

But there was a nice young lady pricing the remainder of the Christmas goodies and so I was able to end up with a bag of very well priced loot. One angel. I did also purchase some great bargains in linen which of course means I must go through the linen press and throw some of the old sentimental items out. Slipped into Coles, then across into the Kitchen type shop opposite and found a couple of lovely presents, although I suspect one of them may remain with me...lol.

Then I found a quilting calender for half price and thought it too expensive...Better Homes and Gardens, and it had patterns, so it was then a reasonable price. (See photo above) Since I always seem to have one quilting calender and have not seen any advertised this year, I was happy with that purchase.

So with great resolution I turned in the other direction......it is a long walk, but I had a trolley to lean on so headed for Bevilles. You see Bevilles had a catalog.

And when Moggie sees a CATalog she knows it is the best place to buy her Mummy a present.

It is in the big brown box peeping out of the edge of the bag below...while the green bag has my KMart collection. (I opened it..see above) I paid all of $2.75 for the big ball on the floor. And there is a lovely gold cage of glittering balls in the top of that box.

So having got lots of goodies for presents if they manage to get out of my clutches and I suspect some will not, I was noticing that stores were closing. It was New Years Eve after all.

Not having had a coffee since Breakfast I slipped into Gloria Jean's next door and purchased something cool, take away and calorie loaded so managed to sip my way down that long long length of the Plaza. I must measure it next time I drive the length of it.

Was virtuous and took library books back and tried to see if the local supermarket had their usual selection of Pannettone Breads which are lovely toasted, or made into bread and butter pudding. http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/566/panettone-pudding

Then it was home and I could feel the cramp in the same leg again. So tried a few remedies, put the perishables away and decided that I was much to tired to heat up food, so took coffee, lay on the bed and managed to come to some sort of consciousness and come out here and check the computer.

And I found my award.

So Five things I like about Christmas:

1. The Lord of glory humbled Himself to leave His glory and come as a babe in Bethlehem as His first step on the road to the cross. The greatest gift.

1. The name Emmanuel which means, God with us.
   
2. Christmas food and table settings and the special things we do at Festive times.
   
3. I am enjoying decorating again and would almost have to add 'shopping' here after today.
   
4. Singing Christmas music and watching Carols by Candlelight.

And next year I shall try to learn to wrap presents nicely.

I have relied on bags for too long. Or else I shall make

fabric bags.

What is this?

I suspect it is called avoidance behaviour.

I am making a bag. I am following a pattern.

A friend started at the same time.

More or less as I am sure I fluffed

around while she got on with it.

She has finished and is almost up to where I am on the

original but on her second one.

And what am I doing?

Well lots of sleeping but you know that...getting caught in

night attire, or flying into the shower and clothes if I have

warning of visitors....but apart from waking up with

a sore throat and going to bed with same...

and it is not talking that is causing it.

So what I am doing?

I am procrastinating.

I even ironed 6 pillow slips when I ironed

the gold colored piece of fabric above.

I managed to iron on interfacing onto the front and back

and front and back of the lining last night.

My entire effort on the bag........

However....

If you know me it is no secret that I might be able

to pass exams, but I am lousy at following patterns.

So rather than stick to the darn pattern and get the

bag made..

Have to interrupt here to say I did finish another bag

I hate to think when I last showed you this and I have been

intending to put a pocket in but decided I had gone to

far and it was more trouble than it was worth.

This is LazyGirls free pattern on her blog

http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=913

Again this is a simple one hour tote.

But can I follow instructions and be simple and get it made.

So we decided to add batting and to quilt the bag.

It was at this point that the bag became a UFO for some months.

However with a $9.50 pair of handles. Even correctly

linked up, it is now complete.

I have to make about another 7 so am not sure if I will

be making fabric handles as my friend did

and hers is lovely. She also turned over the top which

I did not do.

So getting back to what I should have been doing.

Well I was using the correct fabric......just not on

the actual bag. You see there were quilted leftovers.

So I added one more row and quilted it.

Well I did have to use the walking foot while it was on

the machine. And at the moment it looks a bit like

this....

we can be kind and call it a rotten photo, a work in

progress or a mess.

I am going for the bad photo and the work in progress.

You see I have decided I can make a small bag or purse

to go in the larger bag..and make it from scraps.

Have I ever told you how I love scraps??

I have no idea why I buy fabric......well I sort of know.

Tonight I wanted a lining for this bag and found a

lovely piece of Robyn Pandolf in gold.

It was a long quarter that I had purchased

for such a time as this.

The bigger bag is in yellow/cream fairy frost fabric.

I am not sure whether the lining on the small one

will form a binding and show...maybe it will show

over the top. This is my design table....lol.

So you see I have done something.

Just not quite the right thing at the right time.

But I have finished one bag!

I get some brownie points for that!

Trash the tinsel

The trap of the tinsel

Trash the tinsel. Tell the story
Unto us a child is born
Emmanuel, our God is with us
He will wear the crown of thorn.

People fill their lives with tinsel
Lights and trees and trash abounds
Seek to hide the gift of greatness
Light of truth is seldom found.

Tiny lights on tiny trees
Houses lit with lights to please
Seek to blur that heavenly star
Leading wise men from afar

True wise men will always seek Him
Seek the truth by God displayed
In His word so freely given
Showing all Salvation’s plan..

What a trap is all that tinsel,
Lights that blind us to the Light
Light of World sent down to lead us
Lead us to the cross of love.

Cross of Love and cross of Justice
There the two will meet and meld
Jesus dies to meet God’s justice
Is risen to affirm redeeming love.

Heart aches here are partly met
In trashy gifts and worthless jewels.
But at the cross is full redemption
Healing, hope and lives restored.

Do not hide the glorious gospel
With the kind old Santa man
Yes tis love and yes tis giving
But Santa man is not God’s plan.

Sing the carols, but read the story
Written clear in Gospel’s four
Written clear throughout the Bible
Told that man be lost no more.

Trash that tinsel, Tell the story
Dim the lights and see the Light
In the manger helpless lying
At the cross for us is dying.

Tell the story of God’s kindness
How His goodness did appear
How the gift so freely given
Now often left behind the tree?

Tangled in that trashy tinsel
Pushed aside with gift debris
Just not seen as priceless treasure
Many spend their lives to seek.

Those who find that priceless treasure
Gift beyond all earthly measure
This the story, Trash that tinsel
Now reveal the greatest gift.

For God’s plan is found in Bethlehem
Further found in Calvary’s cross
A babe who came to walk that pathway
So mankind need not be lost.

c. GCB

Sunday song

Rich Mullins was a Christian musician who died at a young age, having left a legacy of some great music.

This is a song that I have always resonated to and the music is in my play list if you have not heard it before.

Rich Mullins

If I Stand

There's more that rises in the morning

Than the sun

And more that shines in the night

Than just the moon

It's more than just this fire here

That keeps me warm

In a shelter that is larger

Than this room

And there's a loyalty that's deeper

Than mere sentiments

And a music higher than the songs

That I can sing

The stuff of Earth competes

For the allegiance

I owe only to the giver

Of all good things

CHORUS:

So if I stand let me stand on the promise

That you will pull me through

And if I can't, let me fall on the grace

That first brought me to You

And if I sing let me sing for the joy

That has born in me these songs

And if I weep let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

There's more that dances on the prairies

Than the wind

More that pulses in the ocean

Than the tide

There's a love that is fiercer

Than the love between friends

More gentle than a mother's

Then her baby's at her side

And there's a loyalty that's deeper

Than mere sentiments

And a music higher than the songs

That I can sing

The stuff of Earth competes

For the allegiance

I owe only to the Giver Of all good things

CHORUS(2x)

And if I weep let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

What a pillow to fall on is Grace and the Grace and the kindness of God are beyond both our comprehension and understanding.

But the God of Love is also the God of Justice

And Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection, the grace and mercy that bridges that gulf between love and Justice.

There is no earthly gulf so wide. There is no bridge so sure and grand...yet so few take that first step of faith to walk Home via this bridge of God's glorious grace.

Had visitors...

So I used them. I was also very glad to see them, but one of my big Tupperware type drawers had something fallen down behind and it being the bottom draw, and my new knees not made to kneel upon, I decided to ignore it till someone came.
So we lifted it off......I did help as it is easier with two, and my friend got out the lids that had fallen ........then, what a saint...he asked for a brush and tray and cleaned out the dust etc under the drawer.
I thought I would reward him (if you believe that you do not know me well) by giving him my new slide, negative scanner which is a magic gadget. He knows me well enough to say no if he did not really want to do it but put it together for me, loaded it on the computer and got it to work.
The first lot of slides I grabbed down were Mum's ..super old and not taken with a good camera. And this is one of them.

Taken up at beautiful Bright which is one area up in our alpine region where we do get good leaf color.

I have decided rather than my friends all each buying one of these as we all want to put things into digital format, that I shall hire it out and maybe slowly pay it off......lol.

I am dying to get to some of my slides which were taken with a better camera but I then had another visitor who had come to sew.....so we played bag making.

I sometimes think I just play...but I did get something done.

When the first visitors came I got the wife of the couple to hold up my quilts that I got back from the long arm quilter. Of course they are not yet bound...but you can see something of the color in these.

I kept getting a bit of a flare at the bottom right, but this one was a mystery quilt and it is no mystery what the bit of brown and white is at the edge of it. Will have to see what fabric is left over to do the binding with. I hope maybe one of the autumn toned ones.

This is incredibly hard to photograph well as the colors are dull and any corrections tend to make them too bright.

I fell in love with the floral and purchased the blue and green (in the 4 rail bits) and then ran out of the green. I cannot remember if I got a little more or made the quilt a little smaller as I also have a table runner.

Again not bound yet but I made up the pattern by just playing around with the fabric and colors.

I hope I have enough of the floral to bind it.

No bag photos tonight. More progress needs to be made.

Free Teddy Bear Note Generator

Christmas and other wraps

Just pop over and have a look at these beautifully wrapped presents
http://foxglovesfabricandfolly.blogspot.com/

I am so bad. I used to try. Last time I did the man who was watching
took over......lol.
I use bags when I can.

And one friend received two lots of glasses....totally unwrapped except one was in a plastic bag.

So next year........one of my new resolutions along with starting decorating at the end of Nov is to have a decorating crate....get the rubbish out of the draw and sort it and then have this to hand with things I can quickly add and end up with some lovely decorated presents around the tree.

Somebody remind me of this lofty aim.

http://myhydrangeahome.blogspot.com/2007/12/friday-feature-gift-wrap-ideas.html
another place to inspire

So I shall collect the things I have in one place. I shall purchase cans of spray paint and use some of the baskets I have hanging in my laundry. And the pods off a tree in a basket in the laundry.
I shall walk and look for interesting gum tree bits that have fallen and collect them to paint or not.
I shall even watch a view of the demonstrations I have seen as I googled gift wrapping images.
I shall try..........notice I did say try.........to be organized.

OK How do you manage it?

Miss Moggie and her Christmas bling.

Boxing Day

Goodness....I thought I would illustrate Boxing Day and I went to the clip art. I cannot see it until it opens and these opened and opened and opened.

I thought I would share my quiet day. One phone call from a long time friend, some lazy reading in bed, a late brunch ...and here I am up late.......again.

I resisted the sales. Even though there were some nativity scenes I had my eyes on for the after Christmas sales.

But I have worked...as long as I could stand until in pain, and then I resorted back in here to catch up on blog feeds.......will I ever? I think I must edit a little.

But there has been a crate sitting on a table outside the door of this room and it has been holding the more or less current paper warfare.

It is probably the debris of the last few years boxes of paper warfare and oh have I tossed and torn and filled up the recycle box. And now I have a big box of receipts to file. That will take another day and a clear table to make piles.

I was actually looking for a letter. One that I managed to not deal with when I was recovering from surgery back in July and I am bothered if I can find it. This may mean I have to search for more piles of papers. I thought they were all in the one place, but maybe this is not so.

Does anyone else get swamped by paper warfare. Paper less society. What a hoot?

It was never this bad when I was a kitten. I had a tidy flat/apartment, when I was young and I cannot remember even having a place to store papers.

It is just unbelievable the amount of post and assorted receipts, booklets, warranties which need to be kept. Just try not keeping one........it will be the object that fails just before the warranty expires.

So my lovely tidy dining table with the beautiful gift box of flowers is alas not as pristine as it was

But I think I am getting somewhere?

Maybe reviewing them every few months can be said to be dealing with them!

When blog leads onto blog........

One gratuitous rose from my garden.

I had been visiting my kind friend 'The Tatting Goddess"
http://threadsofatattinggoddess.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-tie-easy-open-gift-bow.html
and found a UTube for how to tie a bow.

Now I am not clever enough to embed things into this spot. I can put them at the side, but how do you insert them here.........so being dense I shall just cut and paste.

So help me if you can?

I was sending this collection in a letter to one of my quilting groups and thought I would share it here at the same time.

Lots of fun things in this lot. We jump around a little.

Started learning how to tie a bow.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Jom2z5awqyg
Then I wandered off into floral arrangements
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=1VbJ-ht-YkU
Like this way of using tape.......yes I am sure most of you know this but I had forgotten about using my rectangular and square vases with tape like this....as in the tulips. Did not enjoy the first bit
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ogghw30DsTU
Not sure about this one...cannot quite imagine the right occasion for that it its entirety. But I found bits of had good ideas. The combination put me off.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=w913HbTuWbk
Then I saw this one.....and could not work out what on earth he was calling the oil.
After a few views I got it.....by George I got it.........so what is mineral oil?
Being convinced that google is essential to my brain's functioning, I went and asked......
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mineral-oil.htm
And now I know.
Wonder when I get to try that trick.

But who has used mineral oil?

And does anyone in Australia find as many goodies in yard sales, thrift shops etc as our USA friends seem to do?

Blessings to you at Christmas

Have a blessed Christmas Day

thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1.20

This day when we remember the babe, who laid aside his glory, took human flesh, lived a perfect life, each step leading Him to the cross to be our Saviour. Emmanuel.....God with us, was not yet evident as the baby but was oh so clear at the cross and resurrection.

Carols by Candlelight

One of the early singers came out with a lovely

glossy booklet of words tonight.

This is the booklet/folder that we had back in

'58 or '59...the first time the Carols were held

at the Myer Music Bowl.

It must be Christmas

If I can allow ferrets, even loving cuddly ferrets on my blog.
Spring Rock ferrets.......you owe Moggie and I.

If I could convince myself that they were not related

to the ones on the farm where I grew up...the ones

that went down rabbit holes and had nasty sharp

teeth. I just might share my friends

enthusiasm....

But alas.................go visit you enthusiasts.

http://lifeatspringrock.blogspot.com/

Christmas Eve in Melbourne

This is what I will be doing Christmas Eve. Watching Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne.It is held and filmed at the Myer Music Bowl on the edge of the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens.I had the joy of being in the choir the first time that it sang in the Music Bowl.

I so wish I could remember more of what it was like.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PxgOC8W0tGU

I have included this one as it comes from a past year but gives a good into to many of the performers.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggb90PPbUCk

This lady is one of my favorites, or should I say is my favorite.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zahTmGcHOB8

Sylvie Paladino - Behlehem Morning.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=erlntsBT8m0

and Hugh Jackman some years back with the same song.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=xvC8Hjcm5b0

and while mentioning Hugh Jackman I will allow one song from the Sydney Carols in the Domain. Since David Hobson is also a favorite I will let this one in. I would love someone to

slow that orchestra down. As a true blue Melbourne inhabitant I will be provocative and say that without doubt we do the Carols better than Sydney any time.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=a8XKEvClA-k

This next song is one I probably included this last year, as it is my very favorite song by Sylvie

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxic5OfdGlI

Your Grace still amazes me
Copyright: ARIOSE MUSIC Year: 2002

VERSE 1:

My faithful father, enduring friend

Your tender mercies like a river with no end

It overwhelms me, covers my sin

Each time I come into your presence

I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS: Your grace still amazes me

Your love is still a mystery

Each day I fall on my knees

Cause your grace still amazes me

Your grace still amazes me

VERSE 2:

Oh patient savior, you make me whole

You are the Author and the Healer of my soul

What can I give you? Lord what can I say?

I know there's no way to repay you

Only to offer you my praise

(chorus)BRIDGE:

It's deeper, it's wider,

it's stronger, it's higher...

It's deeper, it's wider,

It's stronger, it's higher

Than anything my eyes can see

(chorus)

A close favorite amongst the female performers is Marina Prior.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=JPJP3NHttSQ

I wish I could bring you a recording that I have of 15 Australian Christmas Carols which have never received the acclaim they deserve.

Here is one selection

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=gjO2LtwKorM

The weather report is for a lovely fine evening after a day of 26C.

That is a good heat for me on a summers day.

The criminal element in my grounds.

I guess I should add here (benefits of being able to edit)

that this was taken through a large window where

they could clearly see me.

These criminals are without guilt.

Here they are ...having been disturbed from snuggling up together in the grass plotting evil against my birds ....but are they scared. Ha Ha.

They move apart.

I walk out.........silly me without the camera and they move to the bushes.

I start to reach in the bushes........one moves, the other boldly tries to stare me out.

What do you do with the little rotters. They live next door with two dogs, so it is more peaceful in here.

I must put a quilt on the ground one day.

Bet the little devils will find it and lie on it. They did that with the handyman's jumper.

I can bang windows and yell till I am blue in the face but neither they nor their owners think I am for real.

The all black one is at the rear, and the black and white one sits it out.

But it was that one that ran first. Horrors.

just back from the longarm quilter

Not a good photo and still has to be bound but at last a mystery quilt has been quilted.

Color is more true in this shot.

A little closer.

The other one is so far off in color that I will wait till I can take a daylight version.

Here is the back.

However I laid it over a chair and it has been adopted into the house.

She had laid on my bed and watched the carols with me but went exploring

and look Mum, see what I have found!

Latest arrival

of fabric after a long drought. Plus my lovely pomegranate and the lilliums I rescued the other night.

These are the new 5" rolls and two of the fabrics from the RJR:Celebrate2008-TwiceCharm
Thimbleberries.