Advent Calendar

Here is the advent calendar I made earlier in the year for DH's grandchildren. My stepmother made my children one 20 years ago so its a tried and tested pattern that I loved doing. Im not a great hand sewer but I did enjoy sewing the little blankets on (when I tried machinging them they became very flat rather than fluffy and something you want to snuggle under). The most challenging thing will be for their mum to find small enough sweets and gifts to fit into the little stockings hanging at the end of the beds! Oh yes and in case you can't see it in the photograph all the children are asleep, except for one who has an eye open waiting for Father Christmas!!

Shopping bag

Ive finished it at last!! I started these pieces several years ago with the intention of turning into a bag for my cutting board. OK so its shrunk in size but at least I've finished it - whether I use it or not is a different matter, blue isn't really my colour but I rather like it!

Christmas trees

And here are the finished wall hangings. They now have three little red tassels and beads hanging from each one. They look great and so easy to do!!

SHR - round 5

Here is my next round for the Stay at Home Robin. I wanted to bring in a larger block of colour, but I'm wondering if I should have done it in a shade of brown, so I'm going to live with it for a while or wait and see what the next round will be and decide then whether to keep it!!

More Christmas trees

Here are some more little Christmas trees made by Number One daughter. I think they look gorgeous. I really love the dark blue background and bright red border - good job!!

Christmas trees

Ive had a fun weekend. Christmas shopping on Saturday really got me in the Christmas mood. So today I put together this little wall hanging. The trees are foundation pieced and taken from Karin Hellaby's book, Sew a Row Quilts. Number One daughter has also been busy and started a couple to give as gifts.

Naples

Our last port of call was Naples. DH and I spent quite a long holiday here several years ago, so rather than doing an organised tour we decided to chance the mad Italian drivers and adventure out alone.

We took the funicular train to the Certosa di San Martino, a monastery high above Naples bay. And that's the reason we went there because it is the best place to take photographs of the bay. But what a fantastic jewel of a place. The photo above is of the large Cloister, one of Italy's finest, with 64 marble columned portico designed in the 16th century in Renaissance style

The nave of the church is a riot of Baroque art - the most complete record of Neapolitan art from the 17th and 18th centuries crowded into one single space. It was also a real haven of peace and quite with few people around and if we hadn't gone it alone we would not have discovered it!

In the distance is Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that erupted in AD 79.

and Naples as the sun sets and the last leg of our cruise!

Athens

DH and I love visiting historical sites - probably has something to do with having a daughter who is an archaeologist! Athens was no exception. Im always in awe of sites like this. We were walking where people had walked in the 5th Century AD! The Parthenon is magnificent. Can you imagine a giant gold and ivory statue inside the Parthenon, representing the goddess Athena?

And then of course there was the crowds!!

I saw this painting on the side of a building as we were driving around Athens and really liked it.

Istanbul

I loved Istanbul and it might be my favourite stop of the Cruise. I loved the sights, sounds (calling to prayer) and the smells. We did a walking tour of the city, you see so much more when you are on foot! And the Blue Mosque was so beautiful inside it took your breath away. Its decorated in 20,000 iznik tiles which have a shimmering blue cast - hence Blue Mosque.

It also has 216 stained glass windows (I've always loved the light and colours that are cast by stained glass). The mosque was build in 1609 - not very old when you consider what else we saw on the cruise, but I thought it was fantastic!

We also visited the Spice Market (it was Sunday so unfortunately the Grand Bazaar was closed) but it gave us a great taste for Turkey and was a great place for photos.
A day was just not enough time so we will just have to come back and visit again!

Cairo

Our first port of call was Alexandria. 3 hours drive from Alexandria is Cairo, where we visited the Cairo Museum and saw the treasures of Tutankhamun. The museum was old fashioned, crowded, hot and noisy (just how you imagine the Cairo museum to be) and the treasures were amazing. It was fascinating to see Tuts death mask and his sarcophagi that fitted one inside the other like Russian dolls along with everyday items like foot stools and gaming sets! It was then on to the Giza Plateau to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx. The Giza Plateau became a burial site in 2600 BC, such an incredible age and what a fantastic experience!!!

Also a real treat was to see the pyramids with the sun setting behind them!