Reasons to be cheerful....

Christmas is on it's way and I'll soon be able to open the lovely package sent to me by Sonia from the Land Down Under.   A land where I know for a fact that bathwater swirls down the plug hole in the opposite direction to here  in Scotland.... strange.

It didn't take me long to rip the paper off unwrap the one package that Chookyblue allows her  SSCS Swappers  to open in advance of Christmas day.    Here's a shot of the lovely Christmas 'Joy' Star that Sonia made for me...... I love it!

Look at the reflection in the glass and you can see the lovely red polka dot back.   It brightened up a really dreary, rainy day here.  This cheery star won't be put away with the Christmas decorations that's  for sure.  Thanks  Sonia!

I'm relieved happy too that I posted off both my SSCS and Christmas Angels swap gifts in good time.

Here are the  SSCS parcels that are speeding towards......... sorry I'm not letting the cat out of the bag.   You'll just have to wait to see if the package lands on your doorstep.   I didn't manage to get a photo of the second batch of packages but I can tell you that they are well on their way to Wendy in the USA.  Phew... I did it!!

Another reason to be cheerful.......... it's my birthday..... TODAY!!

Yes.... the above photo really is me.   Proof that they did have cameras back when I was a nipper contrary to what Chris and Sally would like to believe.  They never stop rubbing in the fact that they are both younger than me.  Who needs friends like that.... OK... me!! 

I figured that this might be a good time to tell you all that this is my 59th birthday.   So I won't be able to claim to be 50 something on my bio for much longer.     Next birthday I'll be in line for that most prized of awards...... the free bus pass!   Not that it'll do me much good as there are only two buses a day through here... one going nowhere and the other coming back.   

As I have reason to celebrate I thought  today would be a good day to have a Give-A-Way...... a sponsored one to boot.  Well.... there is something  slightly 'off'  about me giving one of you a present on my birthday... not that I'm greedy you understand.  

So without further ado.... here is our Batty Benefactress (aka Chris) brandishing the book that she is has very kindly agreed to give away.   Now don't go thinking it must be a dud of a book if she's giving it away... far from it..... she wouldn't part with her copy.   It's down to the fact that strange things happen to quilters sometimes... like they end up with two copies of the same book!  I'm saying no more(!).... other than thanks Chris for donating your 'spare'!  

 All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning the Best of Fons and Porter Star Quilts is.....

 already BE or BECOME a follower and leave a little comment on this post.... that's it.   Simples eh!   

Closing time for the give-a-way is Midnight (GMT) on Monday 17th December.   One of you is going to be seeing stars soon!  

Now I'd like to introduce a new quilting friend...... Lucy.

She's thrilled to bits with her very first attempt at putting together a quilt and she has every reason to be.   I can't believe that she came over one night to find out how to cut and piece squares then went away and created her own lap quilt..... without the aid of a pattern!    Something tells me the rest of us are going to have to pull our socks up to keep up with her!   

I certainly know how to pick my friends too.  You see..... Lucy just happens to be a Firefighter!!   It's very comforting to know that in a case of dire emergency there is someone out there who will save my stash!  

Chez Dimple has been receiving visitors lately.    First came Tilly (soon to have her own blog launch) who came for two days and stayed a week!   Wish I could show you what she stitched while she was here but numb nut that I am I forgot to take photos.    On the day Tilly left she changed the sheets on the spare bed ready for Kitty.... bed hardly had the chance to go cold before she took up residence.

Mac was thrilled with the visitors.   He spent his time trying to persuade them to head straight to our place when the world ends (!)    Told them to bring as many bags of rice as they can grab with them.  Why he would see 'puddings' as being of prime importance beats me.    It seems his plan is to set up a 'Community' here... for survival (his) purposes only.   He's also discovered that  National Geographic is launching a week of Doomsday programs  in the lead up to Christmas  the End of the World.   Honestly...  who needs the Grinch!!  

Back to Kitty.   I did remember to get a photo of her latest project.....

She did the quilting on it while she was here.   No mean feat!    The fabrics are Kaffe Fassett and the pattern is called 'Economy Blue' from his Country Quilts book.   It's a stunning quilt.  Much, much better than the photo shows.   Mac is totally besotted with it so you can guess what I'm collecting fabrics for now...... 

Heck... I'd better get going.  My mum is taking me out for a birthday lunch.  Actually I'm taking her... to her favourite place for her favourite lunch... fish and chips!!   Boy... we do know how to live it up out here in the sticks!

Have a great fun filled week...

See ya soon....

Josie

p.s..... don't forget to enter the give-a-way... you have to be in it to win it! ;o)