Patchwork Christmas Trees & Friday Smile

It's a couple of weeks since I posted but that doesn't mean I have been idle! I've travelled the length of this country, 

first down to Brighton to visit two of my gorgeous little grandies who were so much fun and so good for us when we looked after them whilst their parents went off to an event up North.

I have also been busy at home making several seasonal items, which I have really enjoyed......

I finished this Christmas table runner, which is edged in gold ribbon.

This "feather" Christmas Tree was a project at a recent class and, whilst it was a bit fiddly, it  came together quite well and I really enjoyed making it. I did, however, resort to invisible thread which disguised my errors somewhat!

I also made a very special commission which is now with it's new owner.... I made a super, completely new suit for a certain special fellow, that all the children love, for one of his appointments at my grandies school's Christmas fair in Brighton.
 Hat, trousers and jacket all in red edged with white fur... Got it? Yes! I bet you know who it is and I will soon have a picture of him wearing it! 

This tree banner, below, is no so special but so much easier as it is made from half square triangles, bonded and appliquéd with blanket stitch.  

I forgot to add parcels around the tree on this one.

I finally finished this Christmas table runner, which is edged in gold ribbon.

I made a couple of sacks.

Handy big padded pockets in this easy Christmas sack, which made it stand up well....

I used up all my remnants of "Frozen" fabric for this one.

We took a detour on the way home from Brighton to stay a couple of super days with my lovely crafty friend Dolores and we crammed in so much.

Thanks so much to D & A for everything.

We visited West Malling and Dolores introduced me to a fabulous but crazy fabric shop.....

Quite a quaint little shop and I really didn't expect what I found behind this little door...

This really gave a huge smile to Dolores and me and so I will add it to 

Annie's Friday Smiles for this week.

I adored it and had a real rummage amongst the bargains and, of course, managed to find some fabulous fabrics to bring home.

West Malling shops have really pushed the boat out for their Christmas shop window displays and these Tree Dresses (in several shops) were amazing..... 

but I was bowled over by all these gingerbread houses on display in the window of "The Hungry Guest" cafe.

We visited Igtham Mote National Trust property, a 14th century moated manor house

The rooms were decorated in different periods for Christmas.

Most of the ornaments on the trees were hand made

It was such a lovely atmosphere with music of each period in the different rooms.