2014 Online Advent Calendar Blog hop

This year I am taking part in the gorgeous Jo's Online Advent Calendar Blog hop again.  This is so much fun and a great way to spread some Christmas Cheer and to meet friends - both old and new.

We only have two easy tasks to perform as part of the blog hop (Jo is kind to us!).  The first is, of course to show a Christmassy pic, preferably of some stitching or craft.

So, of course, I am going to show off my Bah Humbugs!

Three are completely finished (by the wonderful Wendy and Sue at my LNS, Lazy Daisy, thank you Ladies)  whilst two new ones are waiting for something more to happen to them (plus of course, one has been sent on its merry way to a new owner).

Now, do not let the Bah Humbugs fool you, I love Christmas and strive always for a perfect Christmas (hmmm! Not sure that I have ever achieved that) but there is something about the quirkiness of these designs that I just adore, I am not sure what but I love them!

The second task was to talk about their Best Ever Present.  Well, I have two to tell you about.

The first was given to me one Christmas when I was about 12 or 13.  That year, all I wanted for Christmas was a transistor radio or trannie as we Aussies called them (in our innocence before that word had another connotation).  I remember my excitement as the presents under the tree were given out and I received the 'obligatory' books and pretty things, etc but there was one present that was just the right shape to be a radio yet I couldn't quite work out the name on the label.

Well, you can imagine my joy when I received this:

Now, unfortunately, I no longer have this radio (this pic is from the internet) but I can tell you I had years and years of wonderful times listening to the latest songs on it.

My second memorable present was the birth of my youngest son, NOT happening on Christmas Day of 1991.  I can remember being at my sister's for Christmas lunch feeling most strange and I think that I literally sat all day with my legs crossed, telling myself "I AM NOT HAVING THIS BABY TODAY!".  Well, it worked and DS2 was born on Boxing Day instead - lol!

Here he is with my Dad, a handsome young man about to fly the nest early next year to take up a job in Sydney.  Where have those years since 1991 gone?

Thank you, Jo for hosting such a great blog hop.  So, please just hop along to Jo's blog to check out the rest of the Advent Calendar.

Merry Christmas everyone,

hugs,

Chasing my tail.....

Oh dear, it seems to be the story of my life lately, trying to catch up with my blogging - posting, reading and commenting.

I am so sorry everyone, I do try to keep up and I do read all of your comments and try to visit as many blogs as I can, but sometimes it is hard to keep up.

I feel like that tiger chasing his tail....

Yep, that sums me up perfectly!  lol!

Let's see, the postie has been busy around my house this week.

I was lucky enough to  receive some great parcels in the mail:

First of all, it was my Santa Sack from Lisa V, this is a swap organised by that awesome SwapMama, Cheryll each year.

I wonder what is inside this parcel?

Look, it is a gorgeous stocking but what is inside the stocking?

Wonderful gifts, of course, but for now I am only allowed to squish!

Thanks, Lisa, I cannot wait to open them all.

Then, the lovely Gaynor sent me this very cute design as I was a winner in her Breast cancer fundraiser.

So cute!

Thank you so much, Gaynor, I hope that you are feeling better.

Then I won another giveaway, this one was hosted by Andrea from The Craft Room.

I won this absolutely gorgeous mini pillow - it is so beautifully stitched and finished.  I am so proud to have such fine work living in my home with me.

Of course, I sent off a Santa Sack parcel, too, but no pics until Lisa receives it, in the next couple of days, I hope.

I also sent a Christmas exchange parcel to my very, very dear friend Shirlee, but that also is secret until she gets it.

... and I will be joining in the fun of Jo from Serendipitous Stitching's Advent Blog hop on Wednesday, in the meantime, check it out here.

Okay, gotta dash - work awaits.

Have a great week everyone,

hugs,