Online Christmas Advent Calendar Day 5...

Hello and welcome to the Online Christmas Advent Calendar Day 5 (Blog Hop)... organized by Jo from Serendipitous Stitching ..

I would like to introduce myself to those who are new to my blog.. or just popping in today :)

Well I am a happy, smiley adventurous kind of person that loves to experiment and try new craft things.  I currently cross stitch ans sew... and dabble in a few other things too.  I will try anything as long as its fun and makes me happy. 

For me to participate in this wonderful Christmas Advent Calendar blog hop I have to ooooh show you some wonderful Christmassy (love that word) things :)  And answer a question...

Here are some Christmassy things I have stitched...

This is from my favorite designer.. Blue Ribbon Designs and LOVE everything that Belinda designs.

This is a Prairie Schooler Design ... I only very recently found Prairie Schooler designs.with Thanks to Frances :)

Another Prairie Schooler Design... they are just timeless..

This was a special design created just for me!  I know!!  It was designed by Gaynor from Stitchers Anon.  

This is another new designer I have only very recently discovered... Its a Heart in Hand Design called "Christmas Alphabet".. lol Thanks to Frances again!! :)

My post before this one.. the 4 th December is all about this project.. sorry I posted this post th December slightly early as I did not want any one to think I had forgotten what with all the different time zones....

And the back of it :)

A lovely friend ... and I have become to know many lovely friends here is blog land.. Frances sent me the most wonderful Christmas ornament and it was she that sparked my interest in lots of lovely designers and making ornaments.

Here is the one she sent me...

The question is...

What is the best Christmas present I have ever received?  

  I thought about this question for some time.. over the years as a child I have had the best ever Christmases.  Growing up and living in Germany was amazing and I loved it.

But I thought I would tell you all about a brilliant Christmas present I actually only got about 5 years ago.

Should give you all some back ground...

For years and I mean years I have always wanted my own sewing machine.  As a child I have watched my mum make things and really enjoy this too.  I can recall her even making me clothes as a child.. ha ha visions of the Von Trap children come to mind.. but oh no, they were really lovely things, dresses and skirts.  Later I see her making curtains and recovering chairs.. so naturally I wanted to follow in her footsteps and have a go myself!

But like I say for years and years I asked, Christmas after Christmas hoping one year that someone would buy me one.  They never did... 

Oh this is not a sad story and not the end yet...

So it was about 5 years ago... out of the blue whilst at my parents home celebrating Christmas I was given a large box.  Now I really had no idea what it was...  I only got as far as ripping off the top bit of Christmas paper.... then I just sat there and cried my eyes out.  Even recalling this now brings happy tears back to me.  See for all those years wanting a sewing machine then to be given one... I was very over whelmed.  Yes once the tears stopped rolling down my face I then proceeded to scream the house down!! ha ha shreeking OMG I have a sewing machine!

Oh but the story does not end there!

Yes I was thrilled to have a sewing machine now... but the sad thing is for the past 4 years its been tucked away in the cupboard or in a box when I have moved.  See I did not have the confidence to use it, I did not want to do things wrong.

It was not until the start of this year ..2014 that my mum and I got together and she sat for hours showing me how to use my sewing machine.  I need a little more hands on and guidance when it comes to learning new things.. see if your not aware I have specific learning difficulties... dyspraxia, dyslexia and dyscalculia too... but after many hours I picked it up :)  And the more time I spend on it, the better I will get.  

So yes the best Christmas present I have ever got was the sewing machine my mum bought me.  And my confidence keeps growing as I do use it all the time now :)

That is it! 
Lovely that you have popped in to see me... feel free to leave a comment :)

And I hope to see you again soon :)

Happy stitching and smiles to you all :)

xx
I have not forgotten about Friday Night With Friends.. I will make my next post for this... and show you all what I have been up to :)