Christmas Gifts 2013

Well Christmas has been and gone and I did manage to get some presents made - despite nearly running out of time after a few weeks laid low by the dreaded Fibro.

This is the first year I've really made presents for people - well I made a table runner for my other half's niece last year, as it was her first Christmas as a married woman and in her own home too, but other than that I've been a bit nervy of giving presents I've made myself.

This year though I really bit the bullet - made presents for my aunt, other half's mum, sisters and sister-in-law and also his nieces.

There was another Union Jack cushion too for one of his nieces, in blacks, reds and whites and amazingly it matched with a log-cabin quilt that her great-aunt made and that was with no consultation!  The large quilt I made was for my mother-in-law and is the first full-size quilt I've fully completed - the rest are all at various stages along the way (my very own collection of UFOs)

The rest are all mini quilts with the addition of some stitchery - something I've really gotten into.  I used to do a lot of cross-stitch before the Reynaud's in my hands got too bad, but when I came across the idea for these - in a newsletter by the lovely Jenny of Elefantz (www.elefantz.com) I thought I'd give hand stitching another go.  I'm really pleased I did.  Although I still have problems with my hands I have found that using a TENS machine on them can really help and sitting and stitching is something I can manage when everything else seems too difficult.

I have found a lot of web-sites that have free downloadable patterns for stitcheries; they are easily found if you search for things like embroidery or redwork patterns.  Please though DO NOT just find images on sites like Pinterest and just use those (unless they say you can obviously) think of the designers who have developed the patterns and respect their work.

I also made a little hanging for my patchwork teacher as a thank you for renewing my confidence in being able to take something to completion (forget all the aforementioned UFOs) and to let her know she is very much appreciated.  This year the classes have made a great difference to my life and attitude; I still can't make every class - in fact I missed the last three due to my poor health - but they give me reason to try.  This is the hanging I made for her: