Gifts of Christmas Past

I am really blessed to have several overseas pen friends who also share my passion for quilting. So their gifts get an outing too each Christmas. Let me show you some of the wonderful Christmas themed gifts I have received over the years. They have their own special spots where they get hung each year. First up is a lovely little wall-hanging featuring Robin Redbreast and his friends, you can tell this one came to me from England! And how about this bright and cheerful hand appliquedued Christmas Trees decorated with buttons, which arrived from USA.

I have also received a couple of Christmas panels and these make very acceptable gifts too, as I get a lot of enjoyment from the many happy hours spent hand quilting them. This one hangs in the dining room over the Christmas holidays.

Christmas Panel

And this lovely Christmas ABC panel hangs up high over a doorway in our hall. Both lovingly hand quilted by me, over a long period of time, I must add. I like to hand quilt when we are away in our caravan, but I am rather slow. Never mind, they get completed sooner or later!

Christmas ABC Panel

Father Christmas is sitting at his sewing machine stitching himself a new hat, with his cat snoozing in a basket at his feet. He has pride of place on top of the gas heater, which of course, we do not need to light over Christmas, as it is Summer time here in New Zealand!!

And sent to me over several years is my lovely collection of little mice (and one elf) sitting astride sewing paraphernalia, such as a cotton reel, thimble, and pincushion, sent to me from USA. They are so cute, and I just love them. I set them out on top of a piece of hand made lace made by a lovely English pen friend who has sadly since passed away. And then there are my two lovely snowmen ornaments, also from USA. The larger one is beautifully decorated and looks so happy ringing his bells. The little one in front is beautiful Jim Shore snowman with his patchwork vest.

Mice and snowmen Christmas ornaments

There are so many lovely memories attached to all my treasures. I am so lucky to have met up with several of my overseas pen friends already and really appreciate the friendship we have shared over the years.

Merry Christmas to you all.