Some news to share

I sincerely hope you had a very Merry Christmas with lots of special time with family and friends ,I know for many this time of year is a real struggle and to them I hope you were able to find  peace and joy .
Christmas day for me was extra special,I spent it with my Mom, Dad , my sisters Jacqueline and Donna and their families.We don't get to spend a lot of time together so this was the best gift I could have possibly received . My Mom went to a lot of work cooking for the crowd and I tried to help by cooking a turkey and a couple of pies and a sultana cake , there was plenty of food and lots of laughter and my Dad is the worlds best story teller so all in all it was absolutely wonderful. We were very lucky with the weather as well , the drive is long and the fact we drive over mountains and past the lake often means we can encounter nasty weather but it was clear sailing not one flake to be seen , it was a very green Christmas . Our drive home was a little different , we did have some snow to deal with on the roads from our son's home and then another 60 or so km. past there . We stopped in to visit them on Boxing Day and I wish we could have stayed a little longer but our dog was being boarded at the Vet and the pick up times were for a very short time that day and we were also expecting company .
 The title of this post is some news to share , well let me tell you I have some extra special news to share with you , I was a winner in a recent giveaway , not just any giveaway but a wonderful giveaway that I will be sharing , you see I won not one but two quilts from Clothworks ,you can't imagine my surprise and elation when I received the email telling me I had won . Now their is a catch , one I am more than willing to fulfill,I must pass these two quilts on to a charity of my choice , I just received the quilts and have not had an opportunity to take care of this task in fact one of the planned recipients I am having some problems locating .I will not be revealing the names of the charities with you today I would rather share that once I  deliver these gorgeous quilts .I was hoping they would arrive in time for Christmas but I am sure they will still be very pleased to receive them  .
 I also received some other wonderful mail from quilting friends . First off Jeanette and I have been friends for about 10 years now , long before blogging was even a word I knew about , we have taken part in many RR exchanges over the years and she feels more like a sister than a friend now.

Jeanette lives in Australia and sent me this gorgeous calendar of the wildflowers that are found in her country , oh it is lovely ,I love flowers  . She also included some pretty note cards in a quilty pattern and a needlecase which will come in handy , a gal can never have too many :-) Thanks so much Jeanette

 Narelle sent along this lovely Aussie Christmas fabric ,I participated in her One Christmas Item a month and was the lucky winner of this fabric for that participation ,love this card too :-) Thanks Narelle.

My friend Annette in Saskatchewan was sweet enough to send along this beautiful handmade scarf and the prettiest snowflake brooch to keep it in place and make it even more beautiful and some warm woolen mittens/gloves , isn't that combination just the best thing since sliced bread . As Annette said they are perfect for me when I am outside taking photos in winter , thanks ever so much Annette !

 Linda sent this grabbit Hedgehog along to me in the mail as well  ,I had asked her about this little tool when she posted about it being a favorite and a day or so later it came in the mail, what a great friend . I can't wait to try this out on those difficult spots in the quilts when we are hand quilting on Tuesdays ,it might just save my fingers a little .Thanks again Linda .
 Well I have lots more to tell you but I think I have kept you long enough ,thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
 hugs Sheila