Tuesday, December 2, 2008

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

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The countdown to Christmas day has begun in our house - with the setting up & decorating of the Christmas tree, and putting up the advent calendar (complete with chocolate coins). The advent pattern is an adaption of a Nancy Halvorsen of Art to Heart pattern called Glad Tidings, that Katherine and I made in 2001. I made the mistake of using 'Heat and Bond' Ultra for the blanket stitched pieces and nearly gave up crafting because my fingers were so sore. Katherine was even scared to give me anything crafty for Christmas, just incase I threw it back in her face :) It is now a treasured possession that we enjoy bringing out every year at Christmas.

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Pocket 25 is the manger, can you see who is hiding?

My Secret Santa from the Bee Sew Whimsical Christmas swap was revealed yesterday when this fabulous parcel arrived containing these marvelous goodies.

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My swap partner was none other than the gorgeous Kylie from A Bite of Country Cupcakes. Thank you ever so much Kylie for all my wonderful swappy goodness, I love your faux creations.

I have been busy sewing and creating too. I made 40 of these flat Babushka/Matryoshka angels, to give out as prezzie's, at our Christmas 'Chick Chat' girls night - at Church last night.

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I am looking forward to seeing how you've all made your homes look & feel 'Christmassy' too.

With Love

Janellebelly2a

16 comments:

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Oh those hanging doll ornies are gorgeous!
40 of them! Wow and you still are able to part with themafter all that work.

Glad you like your Secret Santa swap goodies ...It was o much fun and I will keep popping by your blog.
Merry Christmas...It's all beginning to look alot like Christmas

Christy Amular said...

Oh I love all your christmassy goodness and goodies. Your santa swap gifts are soo cute!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Your Babushka angels are so sweet!!I bet the recipents were thrilled with them!! Love the goodies you received in the swap - just in time to decorate with! Your advent calendar is fabulous - love the ativity theme. I need to get a move on - I haven't started the decorating yet!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

What a gorgeous Christmas Advent calendar and the angels are so cute too. You scored well with your swap parcel from the lovely Kylie - it really does look like Christmas now.

If you have time, I tagged you on my blog...come on over for a visit.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

Anonymous said...

Ah I remember the pain of the advent calender stitching but every Christmas we will be thankful... Those flat babooshka's are gorgeous. Well Done!

Me ! said...

You clever chicken.. they look beautiful.. 40 of them gee that is a lot.

Take care, Claire

smileykylie said...

ooh ahh, all that loveliness...great job on those angels, they are very cute. I remember those sore fingers, it was such a lovely project though, each year when you get it out you'll think of all the blood sweat and tears that went into it. love :)Kylie

Terri said...

Those angels are simply adorable and I love your advent calendar!

Terri

Lulabell said...

I love those little angels! What a excellent little gift idea for xmas.

Darlene said...

Look at all that gorgeousness. Glad that you have had awonderful time with this swap. I was definitely pleased to host it for you gals. You have all wrapped the world Honeypot love & festive spirit!

Love all the Christmas goodies you've got up... all beautiful.

ps: Heat & Bond... hmmm... boy have I done that too - hehe. I've found that the US girls use H'n'B so that they don't have to do a great deal of button hole stitching. Saves so much time but I still love the button hole look!

take care... I wish you & your family a joyful Christmas.

hugs
xoxo

RG said...

Hi Janelle :o)
Thanks for joining in my giveaway and I'm glad you popped by...it is a big blogging world out there!
Look at all of your gorgeous creations...lovely!
Good luck...hugs
Robyn xx

our shabby cottage said...

oooo, I love your advent calander too!!! And those matryoshkas are gorgeous!

RebeccaMom said...

Your advent calendar and babushkas are gorgeous! And what a wonderful package from your Secret Santa! I'm trying to decorate too- we are almost there. We just needed to wait for a night when we'll all be home so we can do the tree!
Blessings <><

T.J. said...

HO HO HO MERRY XMAS. Can't believe that it is nearly that time already and once you have come up with the goods my dear. Your Babushka angels are really cute and I love the Advent calender. Thanks again for inspiration and generosity. Love you heaps. xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Janelle, You have been a busy little bee this christmas!! How generous are you to make those 40 babushka dolls... I am not sure I would have the stamina to make that many!! It is lovely to see your christmas decorating. Best Wishes, Evonnne xx

Ruth said...

Those dolls are so cute! Wish I was at your church girls chick chat night... sounds like fun!

The advent calendar is great too! We have an advent calendar but we are also doing a Jesse Tree this year.

Ruth xx