Advent

Busy busy busy.  That's what it's been like here at Anyone Can Quilt cottage.  The tree has been purchased and decorated, the Christmas candles have been lit, and the crafts are under way.  The girls are practicing for their Christmas program and I'm trying to get gifts made and some laundry done.  Which is why I am soooooooo behind on my favorite blogs!  I'm hoping to catch up on my wonderful blog friends this week. Speaking of crafts, we made these sweet little pine cone Christmas trees at our homeschool group.  The kids had such a glue-y, glittery, messy good time. 

I know you've all been dieing to see what was in some of my little Advent packages from Sabine.  It's been so fun discovering what's inside each morning!  This very morning my treasure was this.

Oh my goodness!  It's so cute!  Here's a picture of what I've received so far.

Here's my loot, minus the chocolate bar that mysteriously disappeared.... into my belly.  Oh, and it seems I forgot to add the wonderful Cath Kidston tissues to this grouping.  Which is odd because I loooove them so much, and they are my first official Cath Kidston treasures ever!  I'll get them in next time.  By the way, if you are unfamiliar with Cath then please click on the link.  You are in for a treat. 

Sabine sent me a wonderful Miss Marple movie!  She told me how much she loves these old movies that I had never heard of.  I love old movies and this one was great! 

I learned something I didn't know about DVD's though.  Apparently, our DVD players here in the U.S. are programmed a bit differently that in Europe.  When we popped the movie into the player a lovely little message popped up onto the screen telling us that this DVD is not for this 'region', and then to please remove the DVD.  Well I never!  I was so sad.  But then my computer genius husband suggested that I try it on my laptop.  Fortunately it has the option to change your region.  So I changed it to 'Western Europe', and we were good to go!  But, it did warn that you can only change your region 5 times.  Which is annoying.  My daughter suggests that we send a "Strong worded letter" to the DVD people.  I love that kid.  Anyhoo....

Two more of my lovely gifts.  This adorable mushroom ornament, and this gorgeous embroidered cushion cover!  It's so pretty, and huge!  I can't wait to make the pillow guts for it so I can put it on my bed.  It says "Sweet Dreams". 

Yummy tea.

Beautiful gloves.  And did you see my white wreath with the cute little mushrooms?  Well the little mushrooms were one of the little gifts.  I love how they look on my white wreath.  Thank you so much Sabine!

So I am making something that I'd love to share.  But it's a surprise for someone special who is reading these very words.  So that will have to wait.  I can show you this little ornament though!  It's from the book that I blogged about here.  I just need to attatch a string for hanging.

We've had white lights on the tree for years.  But last year we decided to go for the colors.  The kids love the colored lights, and they remind me of my childhood Christmas trees.  The girls had so much fun decorating the tree.  It's so nice that they are old enough to do most of the decorating.  But I have to say I do miss the days of their little hands putting 6 ornaments on one little branch. 

Look at this naughty girl.  She's been trying to open the Advent presents early!  She is such a handfull. 

I just know that when I turn my back on her I'll hear a little rip of the paper. 

Now I better get back to the Christmas festivities... is doing dishes a Chrismas festivity when you're listening to Christmas music?  It is for me! x

Comments

[periwinkle]

so funny you shuld mention all the ornaments going on one branch as that was what Milo did earlier, we,ve got coloured lights too although I prefer white.. Gorgeous presents from Sabine - I really love the little mushrooms. I think she must have had as much fun choosing them as you are opening them ..

[Lynsey]

Yep - DVD's in the US and Europe are different. We hacked our DVD player so it plays multi region dvd's (not as bad as it sounds - you just enter a code) If you google your make of dvd player then you should find a code to make it multi region. We did so that we can buy dvd's from the States as they are much cheaper than in the UK!

Love all your goodies btw - you are lucky!

[Eileen]

Everything is so pretty. Love your white wreath with the little red berries. I find it ver difficult to get a good picture of the tree with my camera.. yours are very nice.
That teensy pine tree you got as a gift is darling! And what a clever idea to glue beads on a pinecone like that! Sweet!
Christmas music is pretty much on 24/7 here.

[Carrie P.]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. That is very intesting about the DVD. Never heard that before but then I have never got a DVD from another country.

[Sabine]

Hi Sarah,
I love to see all these Christmas decorations. How wonderful they are! And your huge Christmas tree is decorated so lovely. It´s fun to look at all these ornaments. Each of them are so cute. I´ve seen a tree decorated in a C.Kidston shop, yours look very similar! Well done, hehe...
And the Tilda-boot? Beautiful!!
Hugs,
Sabine M.xxxx

[Melanie]

What lovely Christmassy wonderfulness. Those tiny mushrooms are darling. :-)

I'm a fan of coloured lights- the plain ones look so serene, but for a true Christmassy feel I like coloured ones on our tree. The pink and blue ones together I think made me like that combination on fabric.

Thank you for sharing such wonders of the season. What lovely friends to send such beauty.

[Laurie]

I love the little pinecone tree! The advent gifts from Sabine are wonderful, what treasures! Your home looks beautiful too! Enjoy every minute of this Christmas Season... xo Laurie

[Rachael Rabbit]

Those pine cones are simply beautiful!!! I mean all your decorations are gorgeous - but the pine cones really took my breath away.

[Dionne]

All your decorations are really lovely! I love the advent presents!
Cheers!
Dionne

[Nanette]

OH MY GOSH! Incredible Stuff!!! Sabine is a doll. She's talented and wonderful. That mushroom ornament - I might steal it somehow. So cute. It is all lovely. I can't believe how darling everything is in every picture in this post. I'm gushing I know but I can't help it.

[Karen]

I love your blog. You have the best pictures. I also love the beading you do. One of these days I want to try that. Check my blog. I have left something there for you.

merrylittlequilter.blogspot.com

Karen in IN

[thimbleanna]

Wow -- your advent presents are all amazing! I can't wait until you stuff that cushion cover and we can see the whole thing. And that littl pinecone ornament is absolutely adorable!!!

[Melanie]

Hi Sarah, there is a little something for you on my blog.

best wishes,
Melanie

[Melanie]

Hi again. I have a little something for you on my blog.

best wishes,
Melanie

[cathleen]

This was fun viewing, Sarah....your pictures are sure to get everyone in the mood for Christmas!

[happy zombie]

OH.
MY.
GOODNESS!

Everything is so beautiful, so full of love and friendship. THere's nothing better. And you'll always remember your first Cath Kidston (Doe gave me my first CK).

Cracking up about the strong worded letter.... that's soooo cute!

We're on snow patrol... waiting, waiting, waiting for the flakes to fall. I saw on the weather map that you guys should be getting it too. Fingers crossed for us all!

[Pat]

Love your sampler! Make sure you frame it without a mat. I have made over 30 samplers in about 20 years and 21 of them are Adam and Eve's. I also designed some. You have a treasurer there. Thanks.