Saying Goodbye to December

Tomorrow will be the last day of 2011 so this will the final post for the year!  To say it has sped by is an undertatement, it has been very full indeed, especially with the beautiful weekly Civil War blocks by Barbara Brackman!!! 

Because of the time of year I would have expected the last block of December to be a bit Christmassy and so we have #52 Christmas Star!

I decided to Foundation Paper Piece this block because trying to get 5 even measurements out of an 8"x 8" block was really playing with my head, so I reverted to my trusty method LOL!!!!

I was very fortunate to have been the receipient of some lovely gifties too this Christmas!! Santa certainly didn't bypass my house LOL!!!

I did a swap with a few quilty friends,  as you can see I nearly ripped off all the wrapping paper before I took a pic!!!

From Elyte http://teafabricandotherthings.blogspot.com/ I received this delightful little embroidered pouch and pin!  Elyte's stitching in red on white is a real treasure!!!   Thankyou Elyte!

I sent her a Mugrug with matching mug and a pincushion!

From Barbara http://sanguinestitcher.blogspot.com/ I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous cross-stitch pincushion and delightful FQ with a wonderful little tatted tag - I will definitely save that and use it on something special!   Tatting was something I always wanted to learned to do, but haven't done so yet!!!!  Barbara does exquisite cross-stitch, just love her work!!!  Thankyou Barbara!

Because Barbara lives outside Australia I thought I would send her a little something that was Aussie!

I included a pair of Scissaroo scissors, they feature a kangaroo pattern on the scissors instead of the traditional stork!

From Lyn I received a two gorgeous embroidered placemats!!!  I just love the embroidery stitching design, they are perfect and will definitely be used and treasured!!!   Thankyou Lyn!

I sent Lyn some items using 30's prints!

From a couple of my Quiltbee friends I received  some beautiful sewing threads and quilt labels and a homemade Christmas cake!!!!    Thankyou to Sharon and Margaret!!!!

Thankyou girls for making this Christmas quilty swap such a lovely experience, it is so nice to receive treasures from others, we all have our special talents and specialities, so all your gifties are very much appreciated!!!!!

I wish you and all my followers/ readers a very safe New Year holiday, and all the best in needle and thread for 2012!!!

See you next year.........

Take it easy,
Merilyn