Happy New Year

I waited right until Christmas Day to open my Secret Santa gift from Cheryl - and it was certainly worth the wait - just look at all the goodies she sent me! I'm intrigued by the Peppermint Bark - we don't have anything like this at all in the UK - and you may have noticed that it is all sitting on a lovely Christmas table runner which just fits nicely across my hall table.

We have been in Carlisle since Boxing Day and just got back yesterday so not much done on the creative front (what am I talking about - I haven't done anything creative in weeks). I seem to have lost a bit of impetus - my sewing room is a tip, which doesn't help. Another reason is that I've got three tops waiting to be quilted and I don't want to start piecing another until I've quilted at least one - I really want to see them out on display and not folded up in a plastic bag. I think the thought of sandwiching a big top is becoming a bit of a mental barrier. Still, it has to be done, no pain (in the knee region), no gain.

I'm not much of one for New Year's Resolutions, but I do want to get back on track both with blogging, which I have missed enormously since I've been so busy at work and with getting on and being creative.

Part of Cheryl's Christmas Gift was fabric with pre-printed quilt labels with quotes on them, and one of my favourites was this one, "The best things in life ... aren't things". With that thought in mind I'd like to wish everyone reading this blog peace and happiness in the New Year.

Christmas Parcel

My Secret Santa Swap arrived! All the way from Cheryl at Polka Dots and Rick Rack. I opened the (big) box - sorry, couldn't resist it - to find this gorgeous bag filled with presents wrapped in polka dot paper tied with polka dot fabric bows. What could be better? I am going to save the presents inside until Christmas Day but I am thrilled just with the wonderful bag made of such lovely fabrics. I don't think my photograph does it justice but in my defense (a) the battery compartment is now being held closed with a piece of sellotape and (b) there has been no sunlight in the UK for days so I was doing my best at night. Better pics when I've opened the presents but you've got to admit, it does look nice and Christmassy against the evergreens.

I think Cheryl has a very generous nature, not only did she send me a wonderful present but if you visit her blog she is running a drawing for a beautiful Christmas Quilt - but hurry, there are only two days to go!

At the weekend I actually tidied the house - now I don't mind if you step over my threshold. I put my Christmas row of houses on the mantelpiece - I bought the one on the left last year and the one on the right this year. I hope they carry on making them, I'd love to end up with a whole street!

Work-Life See-Saw

Aaagh - it's been a whole month since I posted anything - what is the world coming to? Well, I'll tell you, my work life balance has become seriously unbalanced that's what - I've got an impending audit at work and it has taken over my life! I am soooo sad. Once it's over I hope life can get back to a semblance of normality. It's a good job none of you can call on me because I couldn't let you over my threshold - my housekeeping skills are minimal anyway but even I can't stand this level of untidiness for much longer.

Needless to say, not much creativity going on here, I just managed to finish my Secret Santa Swap (sneak peek above). Posted a little bit late, but at least I finished it. To cap it all I've just dropped my camera on the floor and the catch that holds the battery compartment closed has broken off - rats!

Roll on the Christmas holidays, that's all I can say.