Christmas in July and FNwF

I joined in with the fun Christmas in July swap hosted by Cheryll,  although the big opening was

on 25th July, here in the country we are used to late arrivals lol ....... so when I got home last night my package had arrived ......all the way from the top end of Australia, from Larrissa , and since it was after the 25th, I didn't have to wait to open it...... Inside 3 wrapped gifts and a packet of yummy chocolates that needed sampling  while I took my before pic......

The first one I opened had these 2 lovely thick revers able hot pads. I love homemade hot pads so they were a winner right away...... 

Then I opened the 2nd gift to find this beautiful table topper.  It is to die for!! I really love it and would like to just have it sitting on my table right now, but it's going to be kept for the month of December each year.   I've been wanting a Christmas table mat for a while, so this is just perfect!!!

But then I opened the 3rd gift and fell in love with this wonderful little bag.  It includes so much of what I love....Hexies, hand embroidery, country Christmas colours, sturdy, a zippered pocket inside and just a perfect size and a little snap closer.  

 Thankyou so very much Larissa for such lovely! and perfect gifts!!










And now I can share what I sent to Lynda:
One of my kitchen aprons...... this one in Christmas prints,  

A little mouse pincushion, and some of my homemade candle melts made with beeswax and essential oils.  I also popped in some drinks and there was a packet of chockies that also went into the parcel before it left

And now seeing as I couldn't post about this till it all arrived, it's coincided with FNwF, so I'm linking in with them in this post......... last night I was pretty exhausted but I did manage a little bit more work on both Petes Stripey Jumper........ I hope to get it completed over the weekend......hmmmm guess we shall see.....
and I also managed a couple more rows on the crocheted afghan I have just started.  Remember I told you about the yarns I bought at Bendigo to make up a blanket for our bed???  Well, here it is started....... I'm expecting it will probably be a year long project as once summer hits it will be too hot to work on...... not to mention all the other things I tend to be doing all at the same time!! Its actually a few more rows longer than when I took this photo a couple of days ago, but you can at least see the colours beginning to work together in it..   Well I'm off to begin my Saturday here with numerous things that need doing today...... I have quite a list which thankfully includes picking up my diesel 4WD that got contaminated diesel fuel on my way back from Bendigo......... its been in with Mitsubishi since then having fuel tanks removed and injectors checked for damage......... Praise God, they are not damaged!!
Talk soon,
Sharm