Been and gone and done it

You will be pleased with me today, I have managed to finish the stitching. Took two and a half hours of solid stitching. Had to stop every half hour to let the motor on the sewing machine machine cool down. So that made it take all afternoon.





Here is the bargain Bernina I bought on e-bay, having a well deserved rest, as you can see a bit battered, but I will repeat myself.... it can really stitch.


On reflection it is probably it is a good idea, from a health and safety point of view, for me to rest every half an hour from this intensive activity. I tend go right away from the sewing table and do other things. Hope fully doing that will help to prevent me getting RSI.



So here is the embroidery.. hot off the sewing machine..... and I mean that literally.




Tomorrow morning I have to get up early to help my daughter.....just hope the weather improves... we have severe flooding again... and it is snowing at the moment. The forcast is for more snow and then Ice overnight and treacherous driving conditions. What fun! If the journey tomorrow was not so important.. I would stay in bed. Just hope the hospital staff make it in.

Promises, Promises

Got up early especially this morning ... sorted out all the gear from the Day school, set everything up to finish the machine stitching I had shown you yesterday, ready for after breakfast. Ate my porridge like a good girl, then sorted my emails and post. All ready to go to the studio and work.

Then the phone rang........ my daughter.. could I go round for a cup of tea. So yes of course I can. Whilst at my daughters, the phone call came from the hospital, my son in law needs an operation and he is now an emergency ... so he will be going in to hospital on Saturday morning at 7.30am.
I will be looking after her 3 children whilst she takes him to be admitted.

When I got back home I was not able to work at all.......I sorted all sorts of different stuff out. Real displacement activity. Surfed lots of blogs, found a wonderful silly programm on one blog, (apologies I did not make a note of whose it was.) So I played with it.. took my mind off things.





If you have some time to spare do have a play -click here.

Serves me right for promising to finish the machining today. Another day tomorrow. At least the studio is all set up and waiting.

Sandra Thank you so much for nominating me for the Make my Day Award...... I am so flattered. It has left me speechless.

Thanks for all the great comments on my blog, it is always a lovely surprise to think that people visit and read and I hope enjoy. It gives me such pleasure to read the comments you leave.

Karin, I am pleased that the stitching of the flowers gave you inspiration, and Lynn - its a pleasure.

I have been racking my brains about the TIF challenge (check it out here) that Sharon B has set us. My thinking has got to the stage where I have considered a whole host of people whom I admire and then have asked myself the question why? That has been the stumbling block.. to recreate that "emotion" I feel about the admiration into visual imagery. I suspect I am not alone in this. I have decided to use the artist August Macke as my "idol" he had a short life... but the the way in which he used colour .... I so admire his style and the way in which he progressed in his art.

I feel much better now I have thought it through... tomorrow I shall finish the stitching from yesterday ( I hope) then I shall get my sketchbook out and make a proper start. I have to do so much thinking around a subject before I can really get started. Reading your blogs ....I know many of you have the same problem. So we will see what happens next...... ooohhh scary!

Making my Day Award

Here are my 10 nominations , and I know that some of you will have the award twice... but I would like to share with you blogs I enjoy and find informative. This list is by no means exhaustive and I have left so many inspirational bloggers out of the list. Had to restrict to 10. I hope you too enjoy these blogs.

''The rules are: "Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!"Some of you may have received this award already, if so, please do not feel any pressure to participate again".


Anna - so talented, but has inner struggles which I can relate too, and expresses them well and assists me in overcoming my struggles..
Angela- such an inspiration with a fresh and delightful approach to stitching in all its different formats.
Christiane- Who inspires me with her creativity and talent.
Gunnel - for her beautiful hand stitchery, so clever
Kirsten - whose creativity astounds me.
Susan- I am a huge fan of Susans work and her blog is amazing.
Maggie- It would be totally remiss of me not to include Maggie, she is an inspiration to so many- need I say more?
Gill - sho has the most wonderful creative ideas.
Helen - an artist who uses colour with attitude and is so inspiring .
Liz- who is so generous in sharing her skills and techniques.
Sue - who creates beautiful work and overcomes her health problems with strength and determination.

Now you see them........now you don't

Remember these.....?

They have both gone.... eaten!

The day school was wonderful today..it was really relaxing... did not quite finish my piece of work, but non - the - less, will share with you. I took my cheap £30 e-bay purchase sewing machine with me ( Ex school Bernina) It performed brilliantly ... it looks beaten up, but my goodness, it can stitch.

This is pictoral machine stitching. Great fun.

Have been stitching.

Yes I have been stitching, about time I can hear you say. I feel so much better, and stitching has really lifted my spirit. Thanks for all the kind comments whilst I have been indisposed and "under the weather".





Yesterday we had some errands to attend to in the village my parents used to reside. Interestingly a new air sculture has appeared. This used to be the site of an old wartime airfield, which when I lived at home was pretty derelict..... in fact I learnt to drive on the old airstrip! It was made into a business park about 20 years ago... and now they have a sculpture too.




This is part of one of the pieces I have been working on.. photo is rather dark... sorry. When I went to take the photo today...... daylight had disappeared under low cloud. If you click on the photo it will enlarge.... it looks better. The piece is block printed with acrylic and cable stitched on the machine... I enjoy the texture and effects created by this technique.... but I hate hand winding the bobbins with the thicker thread. Am happy to work upside down though.

Tomorrow I have another wonderful day... stitching all day at a day School. Bliss.

Fuzz is clearing

At last I seem to be beating the virus, and feeling more like my old self. Actually feel like doing some stitching, as the fuzzy head and sight is clearing. Have eaten properly tonight as well, which is quite a step forward.... not that there has been much weight loss---2 pounds. I am not one for going on the scales though, as I am very partial to my chubby bits.

Had to go to the shops and buy a new steam iron today, and was so pleased when I delved into the box ---- it had been wrapped in tissue paper and cardboard ... no horrid polystyrene or plastic bags. I am not into advertising..... but well done Kenwood. May other manufactureres follow your excellent lead.

Recycling

Took all the Christmas decorations down yesterday and put them away for next Year. The house always looks so bare after they have disappeared. The Christmas cactus has been flowering for a long time now........ but this is the last bud. I could not resist playing around with the photo in PSP7.

Have not done that for a while ,.. must do some more this year. Sounds like a resolution ...OOOps

The UK is having a real attempt at re-cycling, certainly we are all separating our rubbish into different bins. I suspect we could all add this as one of our New Years Resolution.

Personally I feel manufacturers, really need to look at their methods of packaging. Why so much

plastic?

Most of my waste is from supermarket plastic packaging.... although I try to be very careful.

I recall when I was first married, and found I had to do some serious food shopping or else starve, there was far less packaging of food. For instance:

The butcher used greaseproof paper and clean newsprint for wrapping meat.

At the greengrocers, we took a net to have the potatoes tipped into after weighing and all the other root vegetables went in on top. Fruit was packaged into brown paper bags.

At the Bakers, your bread was either wrapped in a strong tissue paper or into special paper bags, same with cakes.

At the sweet shop, most sweets were dispensed into white paper bags.

At the Fish and Chip shop the fish supper was put onto white newsprint and then as an insulation to keep it warm wrapped in old newspapers.

Why can't we have the return of paper bags for our goods.... surely we can now use re-cycled paper?

At the grocers or supermarket.....you either used your own bags to carry the goods home or in a shopping trolley, or cardboard box. When I had a big silver cross pram, it had a shopping tray underneath..... brilliant.

I do try to take my own bags to the supermarket as often as possible. I have never liked the notion of advertising to everyone where I shop, through plastic bag logos!

I have been making Morse bags for a little while now ( link is on the sidebar)

One of the lists I belong to is also making a bag a month .... here is the January bag...... brilliant idea Kandy. Before long we will be leaving all the plastic bags at the checkout! Yes!

Looked around the garden today and realised just how wintery it looks . I was looking for opportunities to take photos..... I have just started another blog.....called Maggies 365 photos click here to see my first offerings. The idea is to take a photograph every day. Should be fun. This is part of the compost bin... my Birthday flowers. So recycling again.

However I still need my car....... despite years of attempts.... I still cannot ride a bycycle. That will not be on my New Year resolution list. The rest of this post will.

Happy New Year

Watched the fireworks in London on the TV...brilliant this year.... this picture is thanks to the BBC News, for the full article have a read here ...... quite a spectacle.

During the day I watched a fascinating programm on the BBC. I will try and link it for you to see. It was the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and its about Beatrix Potter. The costumes were absolutely stunning.. let alone the dancing ......... here is the link.

Here is the BBC TV link to the programm with the London Fireworks..... click here.

If you would like to have a look at the BBC TV programs (think you need to live in the UK) for the past week..... here is the link for you ...click here . A brilliant idea. By the Way .. I have no affiliation to the BBC.... just think this is such a great idea.

Another great idea is the Take it Further Challenge which I have signed up for this year. Should be fun.

Where has it gone?

This Christmas holiday is going so fast...... as is the year...... tomorrow is the last day of 2007.

This is also my 250th post on this blog...... quite an occasion. I never thought I would be able to keep chatting to all my intenet fibre friends for this long. I really enjoy reading your comments, and it has been great this year to meet so may of you who pass by my blog. How am I celebrating? With hot lemon and paracetamol....... yes I have a horrid virus. Again!

To make the most of the celebration I have given myself a few days off. A luxury really, as I have to still to finish the button band on the cardigan. Maybe this evening..... I forgot to get any buttons before Christmas. Have them now though.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

and a special candle for my Doger chums.

Had a great Christmas Eve party with all the granchildren last night.. here is avery clever use of bricks... by six year old granddaughter

Hope you all have a wondnerful time with family and friends.

Finally.........

Finally ..... the Christmas cake is in the oven....... I suppose better late than never. I have been attempting to make this cake over the last 2 weeks. The recipe says it is best made 2 weeks before Christmas.... this one will be 3 days. Do you think anyone will notice?

With everything going on with the family, this has been my first opportunity to make the cake.

I bought the necessary ingredients 2 weeks ago. I have only made a Christmas cake twice before, both times I was on maternity leave..... so a long time ago! I was so pleased I managed to find the recipe again. On my midnight shop last night I bought some fresh eggs, the packaging made me laugh.... love it. Will I be Big and British after all the eating at this celebration?

Another important ingredient of course is the spirit.... this recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of Sherry...... and of course a glass for the cook!

The final mixture looks delicious. Yummm.

Only problem.... I no longer have a cake tin big enough to take the whole mixture. Never thought about that. However hope the solution works.

It cooking now, doesn't it take a long time? I hope it will be OK. Time will tell.

On your head be it!

I can hear my mother say it...on your head be it!.......such happy memories. She said that particular phrase every time, I made, what I thought was a grown up decision.

Well I think I have made one of these adult decisions again..... instead of us going to one of the childrens' abodes on Christmas Eve for a family party....... I have invited them ALL here....... I have so enjoyed the idea of us all being together on Christmas Eve. So they have all accepted an invite for Christmas eve at 6pm


Two years ago we were at my daughters, yes I know it was a terrible ending to the partying, but we were all together. Which turned out to be a huge blessing, as we were able to look after the other children between us. It ended happily though, when we finally managed to resusitate young Jessica. All right, I know I ended up sleeping on the sofa, whilst they were at A & E....... but the children were as good as gold.






Last Year we were all together at eldest sons, and that was brilliant , and no dramas. Really enjoyable. So this year it will be here. Unfortunately youngest sons house is not big enough to accomodate all of us,no chance of going there, so I suppose really it had to be my turn.


So in preparation the Christmas Decorations are up already, never been so early in this household! I have made a shopping list of nibbles I need to get..... when I will get to the shops I do not know. We have some more family illnesses to sort out... but I am determined that there will be laughter and joy in the family this Christmas despite everything else going on. Hubby is sorting our the Christmas music.... he is very good at that, and the children love it. Disco time!

I have done most of my present shopping, quite a bit online... it was needs must. Last year I bought a lot online from one of the big chains ( you know the one...been around for years... famous for good quality underwear! Especially those navy blue knickers when we were at school. If you are my generation - you will know!). I was extremely pleased with them last year, told lots of people too.

Well this year, they have let me down badly..... telling me last weekend .. everything was in stock, and then this morning 5 of the presents are out of stock....... I was fuming ( to say the least). They also now know I was not happy. So apologies to everyone to whom I have recommended this particular store... they are now stricken of my list...... very poor service, may I suggest you strike them off to.... very unreliable. Gripe over.
Maybe I ought to go shopping tomorrow..... my enthusiasm to go to the shops is nil! We'll see.

P.S. Still knitting........ how many days to Christmas?

Life's like that.

Life is like that sometimes... a real roller coaster. I expect no sympathy, as most of you reading this, will have had the awful, horrid virus. For what its worth... it attacked my throat, nose and ears with a vengeance.... lots of headaches and the coughing. Then...... just as you start to feel better.....next morning there it is back again. Lets move swiftly on to more fun stuff.

Sooo .......In between I have had lots of fun.... you will be pleased to know the knitting is progressing well.... Sue saw it last week and can verify the progress made. I will post a photo at another time. Feeling rather pleased with myself.

I have also had the joys of yet another birthday, they seem to come round so quickly these days. So 22 years old again. Such a respectable age. The presents were lovely and lots of chocolates and cards.

Did a lovely workshop too with the Swindon Embroiderers Guild, it was lovely just to have time to work with friends. Angela did a good write up on her blog.This is a photo of my stitching plan.... dragonflies. These were machined freehand all over the surface of the "fabric"

My burned offering has not progressed at the moment, I have a rather lame excuse.. I could not find my soldering iron. I have found it this week. Am rather embarrassed to tell you where, I must have been having a very blonde moment when I last tidied it away.

In the bathroom which we rarely use.. is a cabinet /tablewith a drawer... for some reason the soldering iron was in the drawer. Why? Have no idea!

So I suppose I had better get burning now!

Think this will make a nice round bag..... watch this space.... will it get finished in time for the Christmas parties. Doubt it .... New Year more likely.

The next bit is bad news.... and if you wish you can skip down to the next picture where it gets back to the fabric fun. My daughters husband.. only in his early 30's had a mini stroke and when they investigated further they have found the horrid C. In very early stages... and they are VERY confident of a full cure. Needless to say I have been most fortunate in babysitting their 3 children and looking after them.. which I have thoroughly enjoyed, whilst family emotions are quite naturally on a roller coaster.

We had another great meeting of the Great Western Embroiderers ( see here) .

Anna had organised a wonderful white on White experience for us... we really enjoyed ourselves...and . the work in the photo is from group members... we were particularly inspired by Sorbello stitch , which Anna asked us to play with and practice.

We have taken our GWE Exhibition, which was opposite the Designer Outlet Village, down now, hope you managed to see it. As a result of the Exhbition we had a wonderful interview by BBC Radio Swindon. We have more Exhibitions planned for next year too. So watch this space.

I have also signed up to Sharons new challenge ( see here) I really enjoyed the stitch challenge last year... though I had some difficulty keeping up. Let's hope I do better in 2008.

Excitement in the Inbox

Well there was an exciting invitation in my inbox today, to be a member of Revelry. Thought I would have to wait until Christmas as there is such a long waiting list.

Just finding my way around the site at the moment.... loads to look at and it seems, if I want to post pictures I have to have a Flickr account. This web stuff is such a big learning curve. So I better get some more knitting done....... otherwise they may think am not a knitter. Must confess though I am far better at Crochet and Tatting, however I am committed to lifelong learning... so here we go. Or maybe I had better get back to the knitting.

Ramblings

Feel like rambling on today, probably a direct effect of the virus I have in my head and throat. Its driving me mad. I blame himself of course, as I had to take him to the hospital and doctors last week, places I try and avoid at all costs, could have sent him by taxi, but seems a bit cruel now I have taken early retirement. These places are full of sick people, and I do not like catching their illnesses, however seems like I have succumbed. So am feeling very sorry for myself.

Thanks to the lovely folks leaving me comments on my blog..... Veronique the shop has had a lot of visitors since our exhibition went in the window, by the way love those bags on your blog you have lucky daughters and Helen C we have had quite a few enquiries about folks wanting to join since the radio show.

The CD cases are so easy to make a display with, HelenS, they are far better than a book with printed CV's.

Angela enjoy your visit to Swindon on Wednesday... if you go in the shop... say hello to the owner from me. She is going to start stocking wool soon, so I expect you will become a regular visitor.

Talking of wool, the knitting is progressing despite the awful headaches and coughing fits, which are rather more like work-outs for the pelvic floor.

Have just realised I am close to my 250th posting, however the slow rate of posting in November, it probably means it will be Christmas day before I manage it.... how should we celebrate? Any ideas? Right back to the coughing...........

Exhibition and the Radio.

I have just set up the first exhibiton of Great Western Embroiderers ( the new textile group). The exhibition is in the sewing shop opposite the designer outlet village in Swindon. Such a diversity of techniques and skills. The Exhibition is in the shop window until December 10th.

It is just a small exhibition of some of the members work, showcasing the amazing talent in the group. It has attracted a lot of attention, including that of the local radio, BBC Swindon. Kath, one of the members, gave an interview all about what we do. She gave an excellent interview. I feel sure we will reach lots of interested artists as a result.

This photo was taken at our last meeting ... we called it dyeing the un-natural way. We had a great time.

Still knitting too.......

Wiltshire countryside

Last weekend I spent at Urchfont, deep in the countryside of Wiltshire. Here is the evidence of autumn... quite spectacular.

After recent conversations with Clyde Oliver about shadows, I could not resist taking this very flattering photo of my shadow. I have some really long legs.. can photos tell lies?

Amazingly there was evidence of some flowers still in bloom.... this rather lonely rose on a south facing and sheltered wall. However I was ther to work on my projects for the weekend and one of my first tasks was to create a shroud for the green man that Gordon Dickenson had created. ( I did ask his permission to do this). I wanted to do some rust dyeing. Considering it had only 36hours to perform.. not a bad result. The gardener was a little concerned/surprised on the sunday morning when he saw the green man covered in calico!

I did do a lot of other work.... but bacause of these rather intense rules about showing work before exhibiting etc...no pictures of the stuff I have been working on.

Thought I would leave you with some photos of the Saturday evening sunsets.... spectacular.

Still knitting.........

Knitting Saga

After the Great Western Embroiderers meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Sue gave me a lift home to have a cup of tea and had the dubious pleasure of meeting Herr Schnauzer and Sir Siamese... (the old lady moggy was having her afternoon nap - so no sign of her). Sue is a great buddy.. she sorted out my knitting for me. Thanks so much Sue.

Here it is after Sue got me going again. The first 2 rows of the pattern.




Five days later I am pleased to say I have managed to get quite a way up the back. Will it be finished for Christmas? Place your bets now!







Impressed?? I am.

Here is the cherub, that it is destined for... just hope she does not grow too fast! As you can see abig girl for 9 months old.... sorry about the dummy! She loves it.....I hate it!






Have so many other things to talk and write about, it has been such an exciting week. Unfortunately not much time. Off to dinner with eldest son in a minute... so I had better dash. Will try to bring the blog up to date later.... but if I do not manage it, at least you will know that I am knitting for Christmas!

Forgiveness is-- catching up with the row counter.

Well I have forgiven Herr Schnauzer for his misdemeanors with my knitting, due to pressure from comments left by Rosalind and Verobirdie, who thought he looked guilty enough, and I also told him, every one in blogworld is laughing at him ...so I would forgive him just this once.

Maggie, I am pleased to say he had the good sense not to swallow the end of the needle or the row counter.... here is the evidence retrieved from under the settee, and not from the end of the dog!!

However I have to report that the knitting has not progressed, I need a major motivational push to get going again. I have tried to join Revelry on the recommendation of my Internet chums, I am about 10,000th on the waiting list. So, I think Christmas will be here before I get accepted. No joy there then.

I have been working very hard, though, with my hand stitching, I cannot show you the whole thing.. but here is a very tiny taster/snippet and close up. Do you remember all that dyeing I did in the Summer,(see here) I am now using all of that, and have to say I am already running out of some threads. I hate dyeing in winter as it takes so long to dry. It seems like cheating though to go and buy some thread from a shop, after making the decision to work with my own colours.

Mmmmmm. Decisions,decisions.

Those who know me well and are reading this... please note and applaud... yes that is green you see, it is not an illusion ........ there is a first time for everything.

Meanwhile back to my embellisher machine, it has gained a new decoration since it has been sitting idle om my work bench , whilst I have been busy with my hand stitching. An elegant edition methinks. He would soon move if I start the motor though!

In the dog house!!!

For this post to make sense you may want to re-read my previous post.... here. What a difference 2 hours make!

Yes, Herr Schnauzer is in the dog house.... definitely in my bad books..... thats why he is hiding under the settee. Can you spot the difference in this photo of my knitting--- to the previous post??

Yes, the knitting is no longer on the needle, and yes, the end of the knitting needle has disappeared......chewed! I am not a happy bunny, this piece of knitting is dogged by bad luck..... Herr Schnauzers only saving grace is he did not chew the knitting! He has not chewed anything in the last 2 years ....so why this knitting needle and row counter???

Now I need to buy new size 4 knitting needles and a row counter. I shall have to stop his pocket money, ground him even. This cardigan will never get finished for Christmas ...and I have the perfect excuse....the dog chewed it!

Schhhh...Christmas!

Would some one please tell my cactus... its not Christmas yet! It is flowering beautifully, and yes I know the shops are filling up with festive gifts and decorations.... but in my house .... not yet please!

My family seem to be catching the Christmas bug too. I have been asked/cajoled into knitting a cardigan for the 8 month old GC. I had not joined in the present knitting frenzy gripping the world. Looks like I will have to now. When my children were younger I used to make all their clothes... and that included knitting. Sadly my skills have laid dormant and unused for a number of years.

Not to be defeated though I set forth with needles and wool.... ribbing was OK... but the bubbly textured pattern.. .....that has defeated me and has been pulled out 3 times. My lame excuse is -- I was busy watching CSI New York on the telly! Seems that my multitasking skills left home as well last night.

I think they expect that this cardigan will form part of the Christmas present this year for the GC.... I am blogging about it to shame myself into continuing. Right, will attack that pattern again tonight... wish me luck.