Winning a swap!

So, I posted the picture of the cushion I made for the X-Factor Pillow swap and due to not being home in daylight I haven't been able to share a picture with you of what I received.
Well, I think I was a very very lucky swapper as I got this beauty.

It was made by the lovely Tiina, who is also the hostess of the swap and she was the receiver of my Christmas Cottage Cushion, so I feel like we had a little private swap.

The fabrics are perfect and I think are not just Christmassy, but are good all though the winter season......well thats my excuse for it to stay out longer!!!

I might add that due to the daylight this time of year my photos are not that great and I went to the brightest room we have!!
I am so pleased that I joined in with this swap, the formula is so simple. You make a cushion to the theme that is set and that you like, not for a set partner, then everyones cushions are shared anonymously and the makers get to vote the cushions in the order of their favourites. The cushion with the most votes gets the maker their first choice and works down the scores awarding cushions to everyone.
The best bit is you really don't know what you are getting in the post, as you can't guess that something has been made to your tastes, likes or dislikes.
This will probably be my last post of the year as I'm working right up until the big day, so all thats left is to say.........

....tis the season to hoot, drink wine and have fun with friends and family!!!!
And to thank Tiina once again xxx

Christmas Cottage Holiday Pillow

I have been working like a madwoman and life has definitely taken a few bumpy roads over the last month, but I was determined to find some time to sew (to save my sanity!!) even if it was at midnight.
And sew I did, but it was of the secret sewing variety.............I made a pillow for the X-Factor Pillow Swap on Flickr!

This was my entry, The Christmas Cottage. I used a paper pieced pattern by Kerry from a book she contributed to called Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects. This block made me buy the book, so when I spotted that the theme for the pillow swap was Holidays, I knew just what to make.

I added two borders to the block to make it a decent size cushion cover and left quilting to a minimum.
It has a concealed zipper and very candy cane style striped binding.

 The details

Pattern - Winter Present Basket from Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects 

Size - 20"x20"

It is a brilliant swap formula, as you only make a cushion to go with a theme, not for an actual partners likes and dislikes. So you just make what you love and hope someone else likes it.
I really love the finished cushion and hope that its new owner enjoys having it around for the festive season, as I really didn't want to part with it........ but it got posted off to is new owner this morning and I am eagerly awaiting my cushion to drop through the letter box!!  
Although, I have to say this secret sewing lark is soooooo difficult, you can send the organiser (the lovely Tiina/@Cottilello) sneak peeks, but I do love asking the whole of Instagram for advice on fabrics choices and sharing the whole process of the making and it was really tricky not to let anything slip to spoil the anonymous element of the swap!!
Remember you still have a few days left to link up your Christmas makes for Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew over here, for a chance to win some lovely Christmas fabric.