Sunday 29 December 2013

Secret Santa Fun

Brit Bee did its annual Secret Santa Swap again this year. It is hard to believe that this is the third time we have done a Christmas swap. You all know that I consider this group of women a great blessing in my life and the chance to make a secret gift for one of them cannot be passed up. We agreed that cushions would be the make this time around, and each person could specify if they wanted a Christmas cushion or a more general year round one.

This year I was a little sneaky though. Because the name I got assigned was Laura Jane. Laura gave the option of her Secret Santa making her a holiday cushion or not. Add this to the fact that she had just moved house and we had a small gathering there recently at which I presented her with a house warming gift of a new cushion (the teal and lime green one I made) it seemed only right that the second cushion would be a Christmas one.

When we were all at her house I was working on the snowflake cushion and showed everyone photos of the Noel cushion too. I asked them which they would choose if it was being made for them. Laura chose the snowflake cushion so I merrily continued to stitch it right in front of her, with her totally unaware that it was going to be for her. Job done!


Meanwhile, over in Belfast, Judith was secretly stitching a Christmas cushion for me. I had opted for this choice because I like the idea of some time in the not too distant future being able to totally make over the sofa come Christmas time with seasonal cushions and quilts.

Here is the totally wonderful cushion Judith made, double sided at that!


This cushion is just so big and puffy and totally Christmasy that you can't help but love it. The bauble designs are genius. Judith did a perfect hidden zip in the bottom, and she sent me some great Christmas FQs.


If I lived in Northern Ireland I would so be taking some of her sewing courses, especially the hidden zip one! So, Judith, my wonderful friend, thank you so much for getting it absolutely perfect for me.

Susan

21 comments:

  1. These are both such wonderful pillows, what a lovely swap.

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  2. Your cushions from Judith are wonderful and such fun!

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  3. Two great cushions.
    Love the baubles x

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  4. Just be careful if anyone asks to plump your baubles!

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  5. All stunners and such fun presents too.

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  6. Love the pillows. My wife made a ton of pillows for all the nieces and nephews this year for Christmas.

    Richard and Tanya Quilts

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  7. Always a pleasure to make for you my friend! And how funny about LJ's cushion! At least you knew she would love it! Genius! Jxo

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  8. Oooh, right in front of her? That takes sneaky to a whole new level lol Love it though, and I bet she does too, even if she is sunning herself!

    Love Jude's big balls too...

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  9. Such wonderful cushions. I will definitely be making more cushions in 2014. My sofa is a very sad little affair!

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  10. Both cushions are utterly gorgeous.

    How's your form? You ARE one sneaky chick sewing that right in front of her....

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  11. Ha ha love that you were stitching it in front of her. Fabulous cushion from Jude!

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  12. Both cushions are beautiful, what a great swap.

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  13. I just adore your snowflake cushion, lucky Laura Jane! Your double sided cushion from Judith is glorious too!

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  14. I just adore your snowflake cushion, lucky Laura Jane! Your double sided cushion from Judith is glorious too!

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  15. I love the cushion you made! Great swap!

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  16. You are a very sneaky woman indeed!!!! The snowflake cushion is a work of art and LJ is a lucky woman. Secret Santa's are great fun and it always a pleasure to make someone a present. Nice work. Di x

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  17. Both wonderful cushions! I've just made a quilt using blocks like the ones Judith used on your cushion. It's a shame to have to put it away for 11 months of the year, so it may just stay out.

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  18. Brit bee always inspires me. What Beautiful cushion everyone has made

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