Poorly Pup!

Okay so he isn't a pup, he is 12 years old, but he is poorly!

This morning involved a rush visit to the Veterinary Hospital as our lovely sheltie was collapsed on the floor. An ECG, blood tests and a drip later, he was then on his way to his usual vet for further investigations. We had a call this evening to bring him home. They are waiting on further blood results but the preliminary ones don't show anything too untoward, although perhaps indicate something could be wrong with his pancreas. I certainly hope not. He is still rather subdued this evening but at least he can walk now. They do worry you.

So to keep me from worrying too much today I put my mind to some tidying, vacuuming, bed making and clothes and sheet washing and drying to keep me busy. Oh and I also managed to finish my stitchery as well. Good thing as I'm starting the Stitching Around the Block stitchery tomorrow. It is already traced on to the fabric. In the process of choosing colours for the embroidery now.

Until tomorrow...

Sewing and a Meet Up

Today was the monthly quilting group day I attend. We meet from 10am until 4pm, and sew, have a good chin wag and laugh. Oh there is also time for cups of tea, lunch and cake! It is such a welcoming group to attend, the ladies are lovely and so helpful. I am sure I am going to learn a lot from them.

I spent my time embroidering...

Almost finished...

and trying some new techniques...

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Yesterday was the meet up in Victoria and Albert Museum with my friends Penny - Penny's Hen House, and Jo - fiddlesnips. Jo has written a lovely post of our day out...and done all the hard work so I will refer you here if you want to know more! I know it is cheating somewhat, but I'm sure she has written it so much better than I would have done.

Now the other day I tried my hand at free hand machine embroidery. I have tried before and it has been a total failure. This time I thought I'd try it out on Miss Nina Bernina to see how she could cope with it. Well absolutely admirably I'd say.

Now did I start with something simple? No I decided to start with the names of my two blogging friends I was going to meet up with on Friday.

I then turned them into book marks...with a flavour of New Zealand of course!

Not too bad for a first attempt...thanks for being my unknowing 'guinea pigs' Penny and Jo, and so glad you like them.

Just Hanging Around

Are you Ready?

Wednesday already? Goodness just WHERE do the days go? A slightly busy day today which involved an unexpected visit to the Doctors with DS1, various tests were done and we are awaiting results. DS2's cheek has swollen up again - looks a bit like a chipmunk or hamster! So he is back on antibiotics for that...looks like he will probably have to have the tooth out after all.

In between times I've managed to do some sewing and some knitting. This morning I put some finishing touches on the 400th Post Giveaway gifts.

All wrapped up and ready to go! (Posted)

I had some fun experimenting with free hand machine embroidery on Miss Nina Bernina. Rather successfully in a very small way. Can't show you yet though...

This is the pattern and the wool that I bought at the Knit and Stitch Show on Sunday.

I have started my Christmas jumper, whilst soft the wool isn't exactly the nicest wool I've knitted with...it keeps splitting which is a bit frustrating as it just doesn't flow on the needles like I would have hoped. Still it will look nice when it is made.

Now of course my 'Wild Thing' let loose at a wool and fabric fair! Dangerous!

Hubby very generously gave me an 'allowance'. Now I'm not earning, I like to discuss with him what is reasonable to spend etc... (well sometimes that is!)

So are you ready?

Here goes...

Fabric...

Oh and some more fabric...

Cute buttons...

Some needed sewing machine supplies...

A gorgeous pair of scissors for my 'hexie' work tin.

A circular quilting cutting mat and a frame for quilting.

The perfect storage solution for my cutting mats and shapes. This I've already put to good use and I can say I am very pleased I bought it.

Oh the fabric I used to make the quilt on Monday.

A book with various patterns and lessons.

Oh and some more wool! ;-)

So YES I was rather 'naughty'.

I forgot to photograph a couple of things...some Christmas ribbons and some dressmaking patterns. Making my own clothes here I come!

The birds have been busy on the bird feeder today and the Great Spotted Woodpecker has been back a few times as well as the usual tits, sparrows, robins and nuthatch. However it really is starting to be a bit too cold for me to sit with the patio door open for long.

My lovely hubby has been busy building my 'glass' house and it is nearly finished so big reveal coming up soon.

I would also like to say a big hello to the lovely people who have recently started reading my posts. Unfortunately I can't visit you all as you don't have blog links. If you do have a blog, please do leave a comment with a link to it so I can visit you, otherwise a big welcome to new friends. I still feel amazed that people want to read my ramblings!

Too tired Tuesday.

Just a quick photo of the jumper I am going to make for Christmas. Yes, one of my purchases from the Knit and Stitch Show. Started this last night. I'm just too plain tired to upload or write more today...that dreaded monster exhaustion crept up on me and I've had to spend the afternoon zonked out in bed. Still at least I managed to get a load of washing out on the line and do a full 'stock up the freezer' grocery shop first.

What have I been doing?

Well another fabulous day today, after yesterday's lovely day, it seemed almost too good to be true to have yet another glorious sun shine filled day.

My day started off with the usual getting DS2 organised for school. I also finished the ironing :-)

Three loads of washing were done and put on the line, another load to go on the line tomorrow. Goodness, how do these boys manage to go through so many clothes?

What else have I been doing today?

I've had Miss Nina Bernina running through her paces. She was serviced the other week. Some of my friends might remember I wrote about this machine some time ago. I was given this machine to fix (if I wanted to) as it wasn't working. I took it to see the lovely sewing machine repair man who said, 'Yes, this machine is definitely worth repairing, once repaired you won't want to sew on anything else'. (Well apart from my delightful Singers of course).

Sure enough he was correct, after spending a little bit on this machine to get it back into tip top condition I now have a lovely Bernina that sews like a dream.

So what I have been busy sewing on Miss Nina Bernina? Another quilt!

Ta Da! Now I need to get some wadding, backing and bind it ready for quilting.

In progress...

The book from which the pattern came from.

The fabric I used...

What did I do yesterday?

Yesterday I caught the train to Alexandra Palace to go to the Knitting and Stitching Show. I'd forgotten all about it and it wasn't until I read Karen of Tilly Rose's post about it that I remembered! I think I chose the right day as although it was busy, it wasn't heaving and I had a jolly good walk round enjoying the wonderful stalls and displays.

Isn't this pretty?

The stained glass window...

Decopatch

Wonderful quilts...

I have to admit I did spend rather a lot of time around the quilting stands (and the wool stands)

More wonderful examples of quilting.

Unusual quilting!

One day I would like to make a quilt like this blue one.

From an artistic point of view, I really I like this, as a musician - there are several 'mistakes'.

So much to look at!

Loads of delightful fabrics...

Was I a good girl and just 'look', or was I rather 'naughty' ?

Stayed tuned for tomorrow!

Friday Fun

I went to bed last night with the realization that I actually feel happy. I don't know how to describe it, but it is a true happiness, one that I have been searching for a very long time. This happiness seems to have crept up on me unaware, well not completely unaware, I have been feeling reasonably content for a while now, but not exactly happy either, and now I think I can truly say, Yes I am Happy! When I think back to how I felt some 20 months back or so I can't believe how far I have come and for those out there that really feel things are hopeless, take heart, life can and does get better. Perspectives change, you just need that little bit of faith and support. I really felt I had hit rock bottom, had been feeling that way for a number of years if I am really honest with myself and just felt like giving up and running away from it all. How glad am I that I stuck it out. Yes things can and are though at times, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel/rainbow :-)

Now I wasn't idle last night, hexagons were traced and cut out...

and I even managed to sew some up!

As promised to myself yesterday I have had a lovely day sewing today...

Sewing machine, cutting board, material were out early this morning and sat there for a some time I might add, while I thought and procrastinated about just what I wanted to do. Books came out of the bookshelf, and then got shelved back again until finally I came across something that took my fancy.

Now the question is do I turn this into a mini-quilt or a large cushion?

A little bit more sewing went on...

Some crocheting...

Some more Flowers for Friday.

I've even been for a walk down the road to do the banking for DH.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

When I told my lovely husband last night that I was happy, he said 'What even with a sore arm?' and I said yes, and gave him a big smile. I know it sounds strange, but yes that is how I feel.