Christmas gifts despite the flu!

Well the reason I have not been blogging this past month is that life has been extremely stressful, and I have been feeling very low, and then I went down with a really nasty flu bug and chest infection, and I was really under the weather for 3 weeks.  The only positive side to this was the fact that I sat by the fire every afternoon and cross-stitched Christmas gifts which was therapeutic, healing and calming.  So I am now ahead of schedule which is great!

I have been sewing Christmas stockings for "little people" and I am so thrilled with the results. 

These are so lovely to sew - in case anyone is interested in doing the same, these are Bent Creek patterns (available from http://www.sewandso.co.uk/) sewn on 20 count linen so they grow quickly. The only fiddly part is getting the binding and hanging loop to look good but I am getting better with each one I do! I also want to make some fun Christmas runners - here is one "work in progress"!

I have also just finished an applique cushion in bright pinks and greens which is a 40th wedding anniversary gift for some special friends at the end of the month.  They are having a Sunday luncheon party for 80+ friends, old and new, so something original and handmade is called for - these are "their colours" and they have a home in Barbados too so I think this will probably go there - hence bright and sunny!

I just hope they like!

My youngest daughter Dot sent me some gorgeous Liberty tana lawn fabrics as a "cheer mum up" gift - I am now planning what to make with these beautiful fabrics.  Any ideas?!

I do not intend to have such a gap between blogs again and as Christmas approaches I should have more to show you - with luck!  As "Sir Brucie" would say .... "keeeeep sewing"!