Happy Hooker

Back in my kitchen after a couple of glorious days on the beach, it felt like the last few days of summer and as the seasons are changing I wanted to get out there and make the most of the warm rays of sunshine on my skin before I pull on the long sleeves and boots! SO forgive my absence but I was doing what I do best and spending time on the beach.
When not on the beach this past week, I was sitting in my rather overgrown garden (due to being away at the beach all summer) trying to teach myself to crochet, you may remember I tried this a couple of years ago and I just got frustrated by all the ends to sew in. A little wiser now and with the desire to make a ripple crochet blanket with stash, (my yarn diet lasted 9 weeks, then I needed to finish a project and had to buy a couple of balls). The desire outweighs my capabilities and as I poked around blogland I saw I was not the only one with this desire, must be the thought of the cooler and darker evenings. The lovely MOOGSMUM directed me to ATTICA24. A delight of a blog, and with the news of a new baby, I poured through the many pages of this informative and beautifully put together blog.
SO I sat with my laptop and my knitting bag and worked through one of her tutorials. Within a couple of days I was one Happy Hooker...
But what about the sewing? Well my thoughts have returned to my sewing and its just time that is keeping me away from my sewing room. So it was a delight of an opportunity to go and spend a day with friends doing a little hand sewing using the fabric that I had dyed earlier in the year. (See this post).
After selecting my design, I light boxed the pattern on to the fabric, layered up with wadding and backing muslin, with the 'rocking technique' I sewed little stitches all the way around the pattern. Therapy for the soul indeed, I felt calm, relaxed and happy as I sipped my tea and eating too many bickies, chatting and catching up with what my friends had got up to in the summer, yes a pleasant way to spend the day indeed.

The breaking of a new day...

As we sat and eat our breakfast this is the view we looked on to... After all the rain, wind and floods, not to mention the absolute bleakness of this time of year... Today seemed to be the start of something NEW. This month really has been full of illness and apathy. My poor little patient is now on the mend, although his hearing is still quite an issue, he went into school today and I have just come from giving him his medicine and he seems to be coping well, he has a great 'Best friend' which is helping. SO after a week of 'full on' nursing I have taken the time to tidy up, to fill the cupboards with food, and catch up with general household duties...This afternoon I am going to hit the sewing room...YIPEEE!!!!
My head is full of things I want to make, I got some beautiful baby fabric so I am thinking bibs with matching blankets backed in soft fleece, maybe even a nappy wipe bag....how I hated the plastic of those nappy wipes...I have my bag design to finish off, nearly there with that one. I also have the binding of my sons Pokemon quilt to finish off.
Last night I made a whole load of cards to top up my card box, pre sewing days I used to make so many cards and sold them to businesses around the village I used to live in, once card making became so popular...my arty cards where not really what people spent their money on, so I slowed down my production and made them just for me. A few friends request customised ones every so often. I do however like to keep a nice pile for my own use. I came across a free design on a blog and thought 'OH that looks lovely' so an hour later and I had a great pile of button cards. I will take pictures and give you the link later in the week as its such a simple 'Happy' design I am sure you will all like to have ago. I managed to finish the two quilt blocks off whilst I looked after my little poorly chap. I love the colours on the first block, I am not so sure about the second one...SO not a complete lack of crafting and I am getting back to it now...
So yesterday was the first sign that good health was returning to the 'Suzie Sews household' and I managed to tempt my patient into eating a little food, it helped that we had all the quilts on the sofa and the fire going with a DVD to watch.
Ah after a little food we managed to get the energy to get dressed and we spent some time in the kitchen together...nothing like the promise of having your favourite cookies made for you to get you into the kitchen...whilst Mommy baked a little friend joined in for some cuddle time. Charlie one of the GPs from Charlie and Lola fame is actually my older child's GP and she is so skittish. In the company of her owner however she is just the sweetest thing and so loves a cuddle...although eventually I had to sit with Lola as she was squeaking for some attention too...

Thank you so much for all your well wishes, especially for the comment about getting my child to read to me when he can not hear me to do any story time...this worked out a treat. Thank you again and hopefully with the end of January insight, the sun shinning, the rabbit is lopping around the garden and the promise of a few hours sewing...life is starting to enter into a better rhythm...

Honey...

Madness...the last few days have been a bit of a 'making' frenzy...Usually I plan to make something and other things take over...housework, food shopping, cooking and even a little socialising...not this time...busy busy busy. So without further a do I will 'show and tell' First I would like to introduce you to the new member of the 'Suzie Sews family' this is Honey Bear. Yer!!!I made him! I know I am in shock myself...I went on a one day work shop taken by a member of my patchwork class. This is not something I have ever felt a need to make, but as I like the person doing the class and it was a good excuse to spend the day at my sewing machine I went along. The day did not disappoint. Now let me tell you...there is nothing cute about making bears...pins, washers, making holes and sticking in huge needles...not very cute at all...but look at the results...How cute is he!!! Of course the children all wanted a cuddle and to claim him for themselves, but as he is jointed and with glass eyes he is more of a Mommy kind of bear...The children named him, it was between Shmoo, Toffee and Honey and Honey won.
Now for a little late night crafting due to not being able to sleep I got round to making the cushion to match the quilt (see previous posts), it helps as the cushion pad is a very fluffy feather filled one and it makes the perfect little Autumnal set to snuggle under whilst doing a little hand sewing or knitting as the nights are now so dark and cold!!!
Its not just been me that has had the sewing bug...my two babes have taken to sitting on the sofa in my sewing room and as long as I provide them with their leap pad's or some books they tend to sit there quite happily. I noticed yesterday my older one eyeing up my machine and then he got upset 'Mommy have you got rid of my sewing machine???' In the clear out to make the play room in to a sewing room the children knew a lot of the toys they had grown out of got taken (with their OK) to the Hospice charity shop. Of course I have not got rid of it, its all packed away in the corner...'BUT!!!I want to sew now' What was a Mommy supposed to do...SO with a scrap of fabric he got busy making a bean bag, he filled it with split pee's (dried ones) and hand sewed the gap...now I know it does not look that much, but as my little one has had a hearing problem for many years his hand eye co ordination is not as good as he would like, so this is a major achievement for him, as for me I am one proud Mom!
Saturday was my patchwork class and I am now on to another quilt...yes I know the last one is not yet finished...Anyway after a rather sleepless night I found this class incredibly hard...I just could not get it...suddenly I had one of those light bulb moments and it all came together...I just have to sew the eight pieces together and my first block is done. That night I return home, put the children to bed and fell asleep with my youngest one (Oh the power of that child's cuddles) and I awoke the next morning after ten hours sleep...It is over eight years since I have slept like that...EIGHT YEARS!!!
Now I know not many people know this, but I am a qualified florist, this was the career I fell into (well actually...gently pushed) when it was felt that art college was a little to bohemian for a fragile daughter like myself. As with most careers when art is involved the pay was very low and I was unable to support myself so I sadly gave it up and worked in a travel and sales. I miss this profession and I am aware that even now if I went back to it I would not even be able to cover the childcare costs. So every now and again I get to make an arrangement for Church. This week was special as it was a wedding so I had three large pedestals to make. Armed with four buckets full of flowers and greenery cut fresh from my garden I got busy...sadly I did not get a picture of the three pedestals finished, but this one gives you an idea of what they looked liked, it was requested that lots of ivy and cream flowers be used with a touch of gold...

So busy busy busy...I am off to make a rabbit cushion now...projects not shown that has been worked on over the last few days... baby bibs, crochet squares, knitting and some lovely Reading...an amazon order arrived with some great books I have seen out there in blog land...

Look Mommy....

You know the scene, you awake to the sound of the kids playing and you stagger down stairs, you think maybe your late, it seems a little bright today...my oldest one was right behind me eager to get on with the days playing...I look out our kitchen window whilst I stumble to fill the kettle to get that cup of tea going, my eyes adjust to the start of the day...(7.00am)...the view I see is amazing, I think its pretty amazing on most days (except wet foggy ones) But, today the sky is stunning. I opened the kitchen door to share the delights with my older child...'Wow look Mommy the planes are sewing in the sky'... So we rush around looking for our cameras...my older child has got really into his photography, or should I call them his 'snaps'? I bought him a camera when I had to purchase a new one. The beloved camera that I had been using, my Dads, which towards the last part of his life brought him great joy... sadly it was handed back to my Mom. So if you had noticed the quality of the pictures is different, well this is why, I have a 'mare' of a camera which is just not a pleasure to use at the moment, but finances are meaning I have to wait till Christmas to see what Santa gets me!!! Anyway I bought my son a little digital for only a few pounds and he loves it, its fun to go out with him and share this passion. So today is very Autumnal...the chill in the air is enough to pull on a coat and there is no way I can get away with open shoes anymore...time to get the boots out!!! The boys and I breathed out 'Dragon Breath' as we set off to school...by the time we had reached school the sun had risen and the frost was starting to disappear, the crunch underfoot was especially crisp today and I came home via the park. Now this is bitter sweet for me, I love our local park, it feels remote with its amazing views of the hills, but is only moments away from the centre of the village and between school and home, I so wish I was there with my children and it just confirmed the fact that I miss them very much...still I took some consolation in the view...
Returning home to look at the Autumnal pickings...and with this season comes seasonal baking and the apples and pears all need to be used somehow...so on the menu this week apples have featured a lot, from apple crumble, fruit curry and apples with sticky spicy mince meat filling...now if I could find something to do with pears I would be OK...
Oh and just so you do not think I have forgotten that I am actually 'Suzie Sews' not 'Suzie bakes and takes pictures' this is the quilt I have been working on and off with for the past nine months on my course...it has all its boarders and cornerstones on now, it has been layered with wadding, backing and has even been tacked together (I loath basting). I will be working on the actually quilting from now on...I think this will be an ongoing project for a while yet, but it now looks like I am getting there...slowly...On Saturday I start a new course with a new Quilt design...
Now I have been tagged by the wonderful Weirdbunny of Chrystal Mountain to report seven HONEST things about me, actually she tagged me a while ago now (sorry) so that was going to be today's post...BUT...Oh there is always a BUT!!! I am having to rush off now and buy some flowers...I am doing Wedding flowers tomorrow and I have to go and buy them and get them all ready tonight as I will have little time tomorrow as its the schools Harvest Festival service...SO I shall away and wish you a happy and healthy weekend...I shall fulfill my Tag next week...

Corners of my home and WIP

The dark nights are settling in and the telly is rubbish...With the darker evenings its much easier getting the babes to bed, once all the chores are done instead of lumping in front of the telly I retreat into' my world'... I can now confirm that the sewing room/playroom is almost just a sewing room...the amount of work that has been involved to clear five years worth of play in a small room has been a feat that even I am proud of. I had planned to repaint the walls to a brighter colour than the blue...for now though I am just so pleased with the change in this area. Yes I miss the kids being around all day and I would rather have them in the room than my sewing stuff, alas as they are now at school it seems silly to not utilise the space...I have given them another play area its not like I have taken it away from them. So last night I curled up on the sofa with all the cushions and put tack stitches into the new Autumnal lap quilt...
I had the Creative Mom podcast (her voice is just so wonderful it never fails to calm me and inspire me)on and whilst I stitched I took in the view...the new table from Ikea, to make my work station an L shape, how clear the walls looked once all the nursery pictures and certificates had been taken down...I hung the essential fabric hoops that I think now hang in every crafters room across the world thanks to blogland.
I think it is tidy, but I am informed by my youngest that is is 'MESSY MOMMY' so I guess that would be organised chaos!!! On to a few bits and pieces I have been working on...well the quilt is the most resent project, I used the Boden Moo Cow cord fabric I got at the Harrogate (UK) show last year, it was intended to be a coat for my youngest, sadly he is getting past the 'cute' stage in clothing!!!Now I could have waited till I went back to the quilt shop, but you know the feeling when you have to make it NOW, you know as in NOW!!! So the Moo Cow fabric was used...it is the softest fabric, very like the liberty cord in texture...not your usual hard wearing rough feel, its soft and very pliable so should fall nice with the top fabric and be warm enough to snooze under on cold winter evenings!!!
Then on to the corsages, the felted ones are another batch of some I did at the beginning of the year, the tweed ones are the new ones I talked about last week. I like the matching button style and they look pretty good (if I may say so myself) on a jacket or a winter woolie. My corsages do seem to be the most popular of my 'makes' it is funny to see them on people when I go out and about, you sort of want to say 'Hey I made that' - How pretentious would that sound? I would not mean it like that...its just exciting to see people wearing or using what you make. I hope that feeling never goes away.
Now I accepted the challenge from Simple Sparrow to join in the crochet a square everyday (but no pressure, that's the kind of challenge I like) if you do not crochet sewing or knitting is an option...I am so glad I did...I am back on course with the squares and the little pile is growing slow and steady.

I really like to reply to your comments, I think if you have made the effort so should I, and I like responding too, often with more witter...I guess as I have a nice sized amount of readers this is still very achievable for me. Sadly though yesterday and today I notices a huge amount of SPAM, I had a peek to see what it was and it was all my comment's returned to me. SO I say a HUGE sorry to everyone, I do not why it has done this. As a totally non computer kind of gal, I can not find out why. I reply with the return email button on the comments that come through to my email address. I think Typepad allows you to do this automatically, but not with blogspot. If anyone can I help I would be very grateful...PLEASE do not think I do not appreciate your comments, maybe its a blip or maybe I need to find another way to do this. SORRY!!! I have replied to your comments they just have not got to you:-(

PS I have just listened to an interview with two people about today's crafting, its on radio 4, click on to women's hour (Tuesday) they are available till Sunday to listen to...it made laugh and nod in agreement and want to shout at the radio...a fun article to listen to all about our world!!! Go on get your apron on...Only yesterday two of my school gate Moms friends had been out and bought aprons...COOL!!!

Feeling special, thank you...

I am feeling very special today, I received a fantastic parcel in the post from the wonderful Quilting Debbs. I have just deleted a very long emotional post about the ups and downs of my emotions, heavy stuff so I am going to go with the English stiff upper lip and side line all the emotional stuff so as not to bore you. Never the less it is important to say that Debbs, having read my blog for a while, actually realised through my witter that I had been feeling down, I am so touched by this and I really do thank her form the heart. What a lovely thing to do. My delight is also in the beautifully made pin cushion, the choice of colours, I so love gingham, if you could be a fabric gingham would suit me in personality. Not only that, but Ric Rak, I have trouble sewing this on in a neat line and this is so fiddly, is beautifully done. I thank you Debbs.
I mentioned I had splurged on fabric over the weekend and this was my buy. I am so excited about it, what is it with fabric, I laugh when I say buying fabric is my 'Prozac' but you know I believe it, it makes me feel giddy and full of possibilities, sad maybe, but I could do worse things. Mmmmm just look at that eye candy. Yum!!! The first is a Moda fabric, sort of pre quilt...I plan to make a lap quilt for the winter, quilt the batting and backing with the top fabric, embroider some linen squares, design not decided yet, I have even already bought the backing fabric a lovely soft flannel dark cream sheet, which is washed ready for action. On my quilting course one of the girls brought in a quilt she was making at home and it has really fired me up to make one for myself using this fabric. The two green pieces are for stash, the pink...what can I say I have loved this since I fist saw it, sadly it was out of my price range but I thought I would invest in the sale, I am slightly disappointed though as there is a permanent mark right in the middle of one of the ruffles which makes it a little difficult to cut round so the planned project might have to change. The owl print is to make a spare pair of PJ bottoms for my youngest. As for the plastic lolly makers I bought these a couple of weeks ago, they are still unused and sitting on the kitchen window ledge, they look so pretty, a pound shop buy and they look real neat. Maybe when the sun does eventually shine here they might actually get used. In the meantime I am getting some joy out of their design, more as a work of art than a functional object.
I had an email about Charlie and Lola, so I thought I should show you an update on how they have grown, I came back from my week away in disbelief, they had got so big...
Can you spy the cushion in the background. I did plan to blog about this in the future, but as its sneaked into the picture I thought I would mention it. It needs no introduction I am sure you must recognise it, its from fellow blogger Treefall. I had so admired these cushions and pictures, so when it was my birthday I treated myself to the cushion and matching picture, its every bit and more what I thought it would be, the quality is superb. The picture is at a local shop being framed as we speak, well actually they said it would take two weeks, but I do like to support local business. Having done my early morning blog reading I have just discovered she has a new set for sale, maybe mine needs a partner!!!

Talking of spending money, what better way to make it go further than shop at sale time. Oh that's right the sales are already on. I have just completed mine, I have topped up my wardrobe with the Boden sale. As for luxury I paid a visit on invitation to Cath Kidston and finally bought the sewing box I have had my eye on for over two years, because I need one to add to the other three I already have!!! Well actually I also treated myself to a garden chair for the back of the car for when the sun finally shines. Lots of picnics planned for the summer holiday and I shall do it in style this year!!! Go on check them out, what will you go for?

As for the response on schooling this week I am still reading all the emails and taking it all on board, a lot of thought needs to be put into this from me and I thank you and value your opinions so much.

Making me happy!!!!

Look at the new love of my life, Slim, Strong and Multitasking, racing through jobs with a creative flair and endless possibilities. Is there a new man in my life? don't be silly its my new Birthday gift! I can not tell you how thrilled I am with this. I have thought about an embroidery machine for about nine months now, not really looking into it too much because of the cost of them. I happened to mention my interest to my local patchwork shop owner and she let me have a go at her machine that she was looking to sell. I was hooked, although due to the cost I had to hand it back and say 'Yep I am in love with it, but I need to give it more thought' It was a luxury, it was not going to change my life as my normal sewing machine had, it was, I had to face it, just an expensive toy and we are talking of the basic model here. So can you imagine my joy when I got this for my birthday, I was over the moon, the MOON I tell you!

I have been desperate to have a really good play with it but as I was away and then working on the Doll Quilt Swap it sat there just teasing me... Tease me no more...I got my hands on it yesterday and in a productive way too. I designed my Doll Quilt Label on it, it took a couple of goes to get the size right and colour, but I am so pleased with the result and just having the time to play. We never stop enjoying playtime no matter what age we are. Can you sneak a peek at my quilt for the swap, I am not going to want to give it away, all the hours of work I have put into this and then I am sending it off to someone who does not know me, say it gets lost in the post...worry worry worry!!!! Worst of all 'Will THEY like it'.
I am off to the store today to pick the fabric for my binding. I have a little birthday money off my Mom so I might get some threads to fill this up with...

Oh magic how did that happen? Well I already had invested in the brother threads when I started doing embroidery on bags with my other machine, I had a few commission cheques to play with (yer OK I should really bank them) it coincided with a sale in my local sewing shop, they down sized (sadly! I thought sewing was getting BIG again) and most of their stock was reduced, I mean BIG TIME reductions!!! So I indulged and spent every last penny of my earning!!! Oh and I also scored a few brother reels on ebay, five new reels including covers forfor a couple of pounds. It was so worth it, best ornament in the house at the moment, those pretty jewel colours. Oh look a couple of spaces and I am off to the store later, wounder what I will be buying...

Just a person not to my friend Caroline who gave me the stand when she up sticks and left me to the promise of a better life by the beach (how exciting is that).

Your stand is getting a lot of love at the moment, it was a great gift...thanks.

A note to our friends across the pound HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, I hope you have a day full of nice things...

doll quilt frenzy

Its a Doll Quilt Frenzy here at the moment. I am beavering away and making something I never thought I would make. I have always loved the idea of quilting and the history that goes hand in hand with it. Sadly without the knowledge or the skill I never really explored it any further. I would walk into a quilt shop and be scared by all the terms, names and measurements and as I am not one for following instructions I sort of gave up on it. Pre-children I used to live near a Laura Ashley fabric second shop (it is no longer there) and I bought what is now 'vintage' fabric squares. I took the time to sew them all together and then stashed them away. About a year ago I pulled them out again and actually made my first quilt (it was only seven or eight years in the making) it now lives on the bed on my youngest and its a real comfort for my babe, if he is poorly or just wants to cuddle up its the quilt he reaches for. I then made up my mind that I was going to learn this skill as I felt it was really worth investing time in. So I joined a patchwork course and as you know (if you read my blog regularly) I make a block or two a month. This has really had an impact on my sewing not to mention my bank balance. My general sewing has improved dramatically and I think before I make something so I now have less failures and just generally the quality is much improved and I am less scared of cutting into my precious fabric stash. SO I leave you with the photo of my fist quilt in its home which is far better than sitting in a bag in my stash cupboard, would you not agree.

I will share with you my new Birthday present tomorrow and a glimpse at my Doll Quilt. Because I am getting to use the two things together!!!

It did the trick...

OK I have to admit, it was a little more than a blog break. I disappeared for a whole week. I ran away on a little adventure with my children. I just went, it felt naughty, exciting and soooo much fun. I was so upset that my birthday plan had not worked out and various others factors just started to push me over the edge so I ran off to a place that is fun, peaceful and so beautiful and I am now restored.
The funny thing was it rained all day on my birthday so camping would have been grotty. Instead I was settled into a little cottage in the middle of a field miles away. Plenty of yummy food and a swimming pool, yep a swimming pool! I was woken up by my children singing happy birthday to me, very sweet, that is one of those special memories I will treasure. I then had to play the birthday cake came which involved birthday cake for breakfast. My babes and I climbed back in to bed with the sound of the rain hammering on the windows, all snug and cosy and we opened the cards and gifts I had taken with me. I was a little bit spoilt I can tell you. The week was a relaxing time, although we did swim twice a day, we did have a few hours here and there when it was clear skies and we made the most of it by going out for walks and jumping on the trampoline, well actually Mommy would sit and watch with sewing or knitting in hand. Infact I actually got a lot of creative stuff done, I worked on my patchwork quilt, cutting out the boarders for the blocks. I made a good start on my DOLL QUILT (press Doll Quilt button on blog) I am scared actually as my partner is an established quilter so I feel a little worried. Anyway I have done a little hand embroidery piece to go in it which I quite like the look of. The boys and I had a day trip in to the city of York, I am not a big city or town fan for that matter, but you know York is kind of special. I had not taken any knitting with me as I wanted to work on my quilting, but I could not resist a visit to a rather nice wool shop and came away with a project, I had got twitchy not knitting and it was just the tonic I needed, yer I know I have many projects waiting to be done...
So with all the bouncing, swimming, walking and creating (I shall share with the you the boys projects later this week) we also got a lot of sleeping done....
Oh its just making me tired just thinking about it. Remember Jammie the rabbit from Small Fox, those rabbits had quite a few adventures on holiday.

Half way through the holiday I came down with a cold, sneezing and coughing, so I guess I really was getting run down and the moment I relaxed the virus got a hold of me, pleased to report its nearly gone now and I am feeling quite in control. Yesterday I spent the whole day cleaning, The house sitter (who had looked after the animals whilst I was away) had done nothing in the house and it was a shambles, not that it was their job to clean up, so the house is in some kind of order now, I am off to my sewing room, some quilting is required...

Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes and comments, you made the sun come out on a gloomy day. Thank you

The goodness just keeps on going...

Look what happens when you stalk your postman...He eventually brings you a parcel or in my case this week two. Earlier in the week I had the fabulous magazines and vintage bits from Rebecca at Thrifty Goodness, as in yesterdays post. I am still reading all those lovely magazines and have idea's popping out of my ears now.
Then came this parcel from my best blogging Buddie, Sarah at Small Fox. Now the fabric as I am sure you are aware is Heather Bailey, its not that easy to get in the UK, may be next year, we tend to get things a little later! So when I raved about her purchase of it she offered to do a swap for some Liberty fabric and a few other little treats. Have a good look at my goodies. My first Moo cards, having heard about these for months, but not actually seeing one up close I was very excited. The beautiful pin cushion with the lovely vintage button, Oh how I like buttons!!! The tea towel as if I would ever use something as lovely as this to wipe my dishes...Best of all for me is my little Owl, how I wanted one of these when I first saw her piece them together on her blog, must be over six months ago now and today I have my very own owl.
Can you believe it, if that was not enough look at the lovely stuffies she made for the boys. I was so tempted to keep them to myself. I gave them to the children after they had been to the dentist, they are thrilled with them, the older one thinks its great someone sent them from so far away. So meet Amy and Jammie! Jammie was especially well cuddled last night when my little one was poorly, he has had a bad cough now for over a week and last night he awoke crying with ear pains, real tears and only wanted to be on his Mommy cuddling his Jammie.
SO whilst I was sat upright for a good portion of the night I totally enjoyed reading the two Romantic Homes mag's Sarah had included in the package. I had wanted this issue with Alicia's house in it when it was on all the blogs. I did not think I would actually get a copy, so good things DO come to those that wait. Thank you Sarah, I trust you enjoyed your goodies and the knitted stuff fits!
Well its still madness here, but in a different way, I am trying to QUILT like a mad thing and despite the pressure I am having a good time. This week alone I have made nearly five blocks. Yer I know there are only four here, the other one is by my bedside.
Its my course on Saturday and I am running behind with all the other stuff taking up so much off my time this month, I got worked up about it and then took time out to say 'Hey, this is meant to be fun' So I have realise I am not at the stage I would like to be, a few ladies on the course have had sessions missed so I can not be the only one and if I have to play catch up then so be it. Funny how a little talking to ones self can help.

Also my mind is buzzing quilt wise. I have my partner in the Doll Swap (see button on blog) if you click on it it will bring up all the information. I am so lucky to be in this, I nearly missed out as it has gone mental!!! So many people wanting to do it. My partner is an excellent quilter so I will have to pull off a good one. I have so many cool ideas in my head. I need to put some down on paper so I can get cracking on it. SO this will be next weeks project...

As you know, you did know right? Its my Birthday next week, dare I tell you my age!!! I am at that age when I realise that most of my friends are a good five+ years younger than me, so I assure myself that means they all think I am younger than I am. In my head I really do feel 27. Someone once told me that you reach an age you are comfortable with yourself and your life and that feeling stays with no matter what age you actually are. I was too young to be wise enough to understand those words. Well let me tell you, I was 27 when I had that feeling I am over 10 years on from that and whilst the mirror says otherwise my mind sticks to being 27!!!

Summer is on its way...

Summer is on its way, Yippee! Its official in our house now, the summer china has come out and the ice cream bowls are ready. We are all set for those long days chilling out in the garden. It was even warm enough to have our evening meal in the garden with out pulling blankets around us.

This was a long post with lots of photos, for some reason blog land would not put up my pictures, So I have deleated the origianal post and just left in the first and last paragraph.

A last note.
Thanks again for all your kind messages, the funeral went well or as well these events do go. My family is not a close one, which makes me very sad, so it was so good to catch up with some family members who I have not seen for a long time. This would have made my cousin happy, she was always good fun and people seemed to be drawn to her sense of fun. A sad loss for the world but a gain for heaven.

Retail therapy

Thanks you for your kind comments about the quilt, I am very pleased with the colour way, although this was effectively put together by Moda so I can not take all the credit here. I spent some time yesterday working on it, then had to rush out for the nursery run, leaving quilt-in- progress in a pile, came back and picked it up. STOP!!! Camera NOW...this picture really touched my heart, the sun streaming in through the window, our much loved wooden rocking horse bought for my children by a special friend and the wooden floor. Maybe its just me but it all looked so warm and welcoming! So off we (my smallest one and myself) went to the local fabric shop, we bought the padding and the backing fabric, I wanted something tough and plain, so it could be used a lot and not take away from the many colours on the front of the quilt. So it all went in the washing machine, just to make sure it would not run!!! Oh yes and must not forget 'Mumble' the penguin, he did not need a wash but my little one did not want to be left out of all this activity so he washed his 'Mumble'.
RETAIL THERAPY-Yep I shop when I am down. I can go weeks without buying 'stuff' then spend a lot very quickly. I guess I have reason this week, but I need to curb it as it will have an impact on next months budget, BIG TIME! Anyway that's the confession done with on to the goodies...Look what came in the post for me...
Love the pattern of this bag, I was recommended this company by a friend who assured me if you love Boden you will like this, so I bought one item, a dress, I am not a big dress fan (something to do with Breast feeding for three and half years!) So this was a treat.
Oh Boy! what a treat I am so loving this dress. The fit is great, I need to 'dart' it in under the arms a little, but it is so nice, an everyday dress but just my kind of thing. As for the rest of the catalogue... Some nice skirts that I would happily wear, but a little bit to, well, it is trying very hard to be its own style and its not quite mine. Saying that I think I will wait until the budget is OK and buy the dress in a different colour. I do this if I like something and it fits well, I buy it in a few colours (especially around sale time)
These arrived last week, I have been wearing them all week, they are the most comfortable things. I saw them at the Harrogate stitch show and thought they looked really funky, alas I did not buy them. As we are quite 'surfy' in the summer always down the beach with the Boards (not that any of us can surf but we can dream...) we saw a lot of people in them, again I never thought to get any. Mostly because they do look funny, they make your feet look HUGE...Mickey Mouse feet. I look down at them and see big round blobs of colour. That said I want another pair they are SOOOOOOO comfortable. Do you think I like green? I L.O.V.E. green!

On a much more serious note, it is my cousins funeral tomorrow so it will be no surprise I will not be wittering on to you tomorrow. It will be a sad day, I still can not believe that we have lost her. As a Mom my heart goes out to her Mom who had to watch her daughter suffer so and eventually watch her slip away. It seems so wrong, no mother should have to watch their children pass away. So sad also for her sister and ofcourse her Husband, I can not imagine the pain any of them are feeling now, may peace be in their hearts.

Blowing in the wind

We are just having great weather at the moment, its so warm, well HOT!!! But Oh Boy! do we have it windy, its a warm wind, it does not make you run for a blanket to snuggle up in, more turn your face to it and feel the warmth of the breeze pass over you. So its great weather for washing all that cotton that has been put aside for 'various' projects. So four wash loads later... The washing line was full of fabric, once one lot was dried the next lot went up, all waiting to be ironed that evening! Feeling in the mood for playing with fabric I thought I would work on some fabric I got at the patchwork shop last weekend. These are strips of Moda fabric, all pre cut, I had planned to make some summery bags with quilt strips running through, lots of birthdays in June and July so good for gifts, I threaded the machine and my fingers just worked away with out really thinking about the end result... SO I sat and sewed, sat and sewed...I had my ipod on and I was listening to cast-on. Now I have a theory about knitting and sewing, that it is not so much what you knit/sew, but what you knit/sew into it, your thoughts, the place you are in when you knit/sew it, the love for the person you are knitting/sewing for etc... I realised as I was happily sewing I had been thinking about my cousin, not of her passing, but the memories of our childhood, I remember staying over her house one night and she taught me to crochet ( I must have been about 10 years old, nearly thirty years ago now) OK so I did not get the hang of it , but I manage a chain. So suddenly to hear Brenda from Cast-on talk about memories in the things we make, well it sent a shiver down my spine.
So I guess I am making a quilt, I will name it after my cousin, its not going to be a big fancy thing to precious to use, in fact I want it to be a practical, loved quilt, a garden quilt, one for rolling around with the children on a hot summery day, for picnics in the park or sand filled buckets at the sea side. Yes a family quilt made with the memories of someone special.
So later I am looking forward to a trip to the fabric store to buy a good strong backing fabric, I think its going to need it!
Oh Hello Archie Bunny! He's also loving the sunny days too, lopping around the garden with the kids, nose pushing you for a cuddle if you sit still long enough, he's just the cutest, So forgive my indulgence in posting this unrelated picture.