lovely mail

I got some lovely mail the other day. It was from my blogging friend Jo from Through the keyhole. Jo has been blogging for 10 years and had an anniversary giveaway on her blog to celebrate this. I have been reading Jo's blog for a long time - I checked back on her blog and the first comment of mine that I found was in October, 2012. I then checked on my own blog and Jo commented on mine also in October, 2012. Nearly 8 years! That's a long time!

Anyway, I was amazed, delighted, surprised and ecstatic to win Jo's giveaway and the parcel arrived earlier this week.

I very quickly opened my box of delights.

And this is what was inside.

Oh. My. Goodness. Look at all that lovely stuff. Fabric. Yarn. A kit to make a wee sloth. A book to read. Tulips to plant. Flavoured teas and hot chocolate to drink. And lots of chocolate goodies to munch. (Some may have already been munched!) I don't know what I'm going to make with the yarn or the fabric yet but I'll think of something!

Jo wrote a note inside a card with a beautiful drawing of a Cavalier King Charles on the outside of it.

The picture looks just like Jo's Archie and our wee Rosie (still missed after 7 years.) I especially like when Jo shows Archie on her blog. He just makes me smile just like Rosie used to do.

Of course, as soon as the parcel arrived I e-mailed Jo and thanked her but I just want to say thanks again on here. Here's to many more years of you blogging, Jo, and I hope we'll keep commenting on each others blogs for many more years to come.

busy, busy, busy

I've been busy sewing again. Nothing new there! LOL

First of all, I made another blouse using the Gilbert Top pattern from Helen's Closet Patterns - here.

I made this version about 1½" longer than my previous version which I showed here. I like the slightly longer version and might even make it another inch longer next time I make it.

Next I made some wee pouches for Joanna.

She likes them all. Yay! Also, I used scraps to make them so that's always a good feeling - it's like getting something for nothing.

One of Joanna's friends had a baby boy so she asked me if I'd make a baby quilt for him. Of course I would! I must say I am especially pleased with the way it turned out! All in boy-type fabrics and colours.

The back is a fleece which makes it cosy but sturdy at the same time.

Jo's friend texted her after receiving it in the post and said to Jo that her mum is soooo talented. That's me! And, yes, I am! LOL

I sold one of the knitting project bags I had for sale in the tartan bee. Yay! I made another one and got it loaded in - here.

Next it was time to sew some more Christmas stockings. 2 each of these fabrics:

One of each of these fabrics:

And 4 patchwork stockings - 2 with red backs and linings and 2 with green backs and linings.

I know it's a wee bit early but I confess that, whilst I made the stockings, I had Christmas music playing on my computer! What fun! 🎄🎅🏻