Countdown to Christmas

As Christmas gets closer we have been gradually decorating the house, studio and courtyard to make everything festive.  With little rain around it has been very hot here in the tropics which has slowed proceedings somewhat but gradually we are getting there.  We have added lots of new decorations this year including this beautiful Nativity Scene by Jim Shore.
 
In the studio I have been gradually adding to the bird tree which now features lots of new owl decorations many of which I received as gifts and I will show these in detail later.
 
We also have a special santa shelf in the house with lots of new ones to add to the collection.
 
Before dinner we often have a drink in the courtyard and really enjoy watching the light show, particularly the gradual awakening of all the solar ones as they light up one by one.
 
I couldn't resist adding a photo of this beautiful Hibiscus which flowered in the courtyard yesterday.
 
Till next time
Frances
 
 
 
 

Comments

Shirley said…
Looking very festive Frances and that is quite a collection of Santa's and owls.
December 18, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Karen said…
Great to see your Christmas decorations. I do have a weakness for the Jim Shore collections.
Love all the Santas, too.
December 18, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Joy V said…
Your home looks lovely Frances and I love your collections. I also have a Santa/Father Christmas collection, plus an angel collection. Must remember to take a photo - note to self.....
December 19, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Radka said…
Lovely pictures, Frances; I love the bird tree!
December 20, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Sue said…
Love the Bird Tree Frances and all your decorations. Have a safe and happy Christmas. :-)
December 22, 2012 at 8:06 PM
Linda said…
A beautiful post Frances!! I hope your Christmas is restful, happy and everyone stays safe. Thank you for your support and friendship. It has been a pleasure to read your blog. Cheers.
December 24, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pickle Dish, DWR and friends

Image
Well its been a while but I have been inspired to post after seeing my quilt "In a Pretty Pickle" on the cover of the latest "Homespun" magazine https://www.facebook.com/frances.leate with the full project instructions featured inside with a brief profile about me.  This quilt was machine pieced and quilted on my Bernina domestic machine. "In a Pretty Pickle" by Frances Leate featured in Homespun, November 2017 Issue The Double Wedding Ring quilt with its melon shapes and curved centres has inspired me to design a series of quilts in this style.  One of these designs was "Ring of Roses" which featured solid arcs rather than pieced ones with applique on the centre pieces and melons.  This quilt was published as a project in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol 25 No 12.  I hand pieced and hand appliqued this quilt using the fusible applique method and then quilted it on my domestic Bernina. "Ring of Roses" by Frances Leat...
Read more

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Image
  Its that time of year again when Amy over at Amy's Creative Side  is organising an online quilt festival so I thought I would add my quilt "Concerto for Mixed Peel" to the all the fun.     "Concerto for Mixed Peel" by Frances Leate This quilt is approximately 78" square and has been created using the Orange Peel block in three different sizes.  The blocks were hand appliqued using the fusible method with blanket stitch.  I chose this method of applique as I needed a very portable project at the time and this proved to be just the thing.  I  quilted "Concerto for Mixed Peel" on my Bernina 440 machine in a simple style and then added the scalloped edging.  It was commissioned by Australian Homespun magazine and the brief was for a quilt using the orange peel block, thirties style fabrics and to be bright and fresh in colour.  The project was published in Homespun No. 105 Vol 13 No 2.     Till next t...
Read more

Civil War Blocks

Image
I have finally caught up with my blocks for the Civil War Quilt and here are blocks 37 to 45.  These blocks have been pieced by hand and machine and there is also some needleturn applique. Here is a quick photo of all the blocks lined up together on my small design wall.  With only 8 blocks to go it is time to start thinking about how to set them all and Barbara Brackman has some great ideas over at Civil War Quilts  .  At the moment I am think of straight sashing with cornerstones but I have been known to change my mind (at least once or twice).  I have really enjoyed being part of this stitchalong project. Till next time Frances
Read more