The Travelling Pattern and Other Stories

Good morning from a sunny York….YES…..SUNNY…no wind or rain…it’s breezy but that’s ideal for drying the washing on the line…the bedsheets are blowing well in the breeze…happy news!

I was lucky enough to be chosen by Margaret to stitch on the "Count Your Blessings travelling pattern.
This pattern originated with Daffy Cat in Februrary 2011 and three years later it’s still travelling,I’m the 37th person to stitch it.
If you would like to be the next stitcher please leave a comment on this post only.
You do need to have an active blog and be known in the blogging community as a reliable exchanger. I will leave the post open until Sunday 2nd march, I’ll then let you know who the next stitcher will be….

Here is my version of the pattern…I stitched it on gingham linen which I had in my stash drawer and used hand dyed Carries Creations threads…I’m pleased with how it has turned out!

It’s been half-term here this week, we’ve had a quiet week at home, baking, crafting, DVD watching, bedroom gutting and kitchen spring cleaning…little miss baked buns and young man baked brownies…I did take pictures but unfortunately my daft phone decided to crash the other evening and I lost all my pictures…grrrr…annoying or what!

I did get this picture of the little miss modelling one of her new masquerade masks she made….she’s a real girlie girl, she’s always dressed up in some costume or other from her dressing up chest…they are often a strange combination and mix, but she has fun…

I did a little embroidery as well as stitching on my travelling pattern….this is a free design from Jenny at Elefantz, she designs some gorgeous embroidery, worth a visit to her blog, she also has an craftsy shop and offers some free designs and tutorials…so are delicious…

I also finished up my cowl and wrist warmers using that gorgeous Folksong yarn….here they are…

They are so soft and snuggly warm….perfect for those cold mornings on the jaunt to work…I hooked the cowl in half treble and the wristies in double crochet, both this a scalloped edge top and bottom (UK terms).

Back to work tomorrow…*groan*…today is a final lazy day, the goulash is simmering in the slowcooker, the washing and tidying is all done, so the rest of the day is mainly mine for doing what a fancy.

Have a great week…

Hugs & Stitches

A New Yarn Basket!!

It’s a damp drizzly day in York today, but after the freezing cold few days we had at the start of the week, a pleasant relief, we skated to work and school this week, I nearly ended up on my posterior several times as my office is located on an industrial estate on the edge of York in a little village so the country pathways were decidedly dicey.

i have been rather under the weather too, since my flu jab in November, I’ve not been right, a constant cold and cough which didn’t want to shift, last week it just got worse, i could hardly breathe, a trip to the docs gave me the diagnosis of a chest and upper respiratory infection, no wonder I was feeling so crap…anyway I’m now on the horse pill sized pills and starting to feel a bit better.

I’ve managed a little stitching this week, the next of my LHN Sheepies….Patience, I’m stitching it in the recommended DMC threads, but have made a change on the blue, I fancied something a little brighter.

 

I also got a new basket for my yarn this week…..I love it sooooo much, it’s lovely and big and will hold a good amount of yarn..

The weave is fairly smooth, but as I don;t want my yarh to get any snags, i am going to line it…I have had some heavier weigh CK fabric in my stash cupboard for a good long while, it will be perfect for the job…and it’s pretty too..

My mum is going into hospital tomorrow for a hysterectomy, she’s been waiting an awful long time for it, she will have  12-16 week recovery period afterwards too, so I will be on hand to help out with household stuff as much as I can….I’ll keep you posted on that.

Right folks, time to make a basket lining template I think….keep warm and dry

Hugs and Stitches

Pottering….

It’s been a pottering few days, catching up on chores, cleaning windows and washing curtains and all the boring things like that that have to be done. My living room is looking lovely and clean and tidy now, the paintwork and decor is a little tired but that will have to wait, but by changing some of my trinkets and treasures around it makes it feel almost new again….also another pretty bouquet of flowers always cheers me and the room up…

I dressed my other hottie this week….another bright and cheery jacket…

The Little Miss started Rainbows this week and was very excited….

I have been doing a little stitching, I started this quite a while ago but it fell by the wayside with Christmas gift stitching…it’s Ewe & Eye & Friends ‘Love Letters’, I’m using Six Strand Sweet threads of my own choice, I should hopefully complete it over the weekend.

Finally…Andrea messaged me to say my Blogaversary giveaway package had arrived to her…I loved putting it together…enjoy it Andrea!

A quiet weekend at home for us…it’s bright and sunny here but it’s biting cold…brrrrrr!

Hugs & Stitches

Almost There……

Wow what a quick year 2013 has been, it’s been a whirlwind….I hope 2014 slows down slightly….I’m getting no younger!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their festive season, it’s been quiet here, a nice relaxing couple of days, but now it’s back to the grindstone with study and work….the kiddiewinks had a great Christmas and were spoilt rotten as usual….

I also received some lovely gifts….in no particular order…

Thank you Mum :)

Thank you Mum and Dad :)

Thank you Michelle :)

Thank you Karen (My OU Craft Group Christmas Exchange)

Thanks you Kath :)

and last but my no means least….a cupcake timer from the little Miss and a travelling sewing kit from the little man, both chosen by themselves :) :)

…I was spoilt too :)

I cooked this year, the traditional turkey with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding….it was yummy if I do say so myself.

I had a childfree wander around the shops yesterday and treated myself to some new make up, a new hair colour (Frosted Chestnut), some new sparkly glittery nail paints and a new lunchbox and tea mugs from Cath Kidston :)

In my last post I offered two charts that had been gifted to me….Lynda I have emailed you for your details…well done :)

I also noticed that it was my blogaversary on Christmas Eve….6 years I’ve been blogging…460 posts, 1 pregnancy and birth, 3 relationship break ups…lol, 3 house moves, 2 jobs, a degree enrolment, a diabetes diagnosis, hundreds of craft finishes….a 40th birthday..*gulp*….anyway in the time I have made many lovely blogging friends and special friends and have loyal followers and commenter's, therefore my blogaversary giveaway this year will be chosen at random from one of my loyal commenter's from the past year…so if you are one of those…maybe an email will be with you very soon…I will make the drawing on New Years Eve.

Well I must now get out my study books…..Islam is the book of choice at the moment…..

I will be back with New Year plans…very soon

Hugs & Stitches

UFO’s and a little moan..….

I’m back again for a fleeting visit…..I’m now back in the workforce 17 hours each week, also fitting in 25 hours of study each week, as well as all the other stuff that us lone parents have to do….some days I do struggle as I don’t have anyone else to help me with all the tasks around the house and garden…I will be honest I have been thinking of stopping blogging as I don’t really have much to show, but I will continue just to pop in every so often to say hello….I’ve also stopped reading a lot of blogs, for several reasons…firstly time…or lack of it….secondly these sickly sweet blogs that everyone seems to arse lick…oh sorry swoons over….being honest they make me more fed up and somewhat envious…some of these bloggers live in a bubble of easiness….anyway that’s it…

The little Miss turned 5 last week and celebrated with a Princess party….she has a fabulous time with her friends…

I made cupcakes and a daisy cake…

I’ve made a conscious effort to complete my numerous UFOs over the next year…I had two which were almost complete….well now they are…

Milady’s Needle ‘A Gift From A Friend’, this was gifted to me 2 Christmases ago by Michelle, I started it straight away and stopped as you do….anyway it’s now complete…..

 

Shepherds Bush ‘Sophie’s Roses’ was gifted to me by Barb ages ago I started it and almost completed it…but it’s now done too.

Both these charts I would like to pass along…if you would be interested in either of these charts please post a comment, I’ll leave it open until end of December and then draw 2 names out of a ‘hat’ ….

Finally…my young man and his classmates proudly sang in York Minster last week alongside two other schools and the Minster Choristers …

not a great picture, we weren’t given much opportunity….but the cathedral is HUGE…

Catch you soon…

Hugs and Stitches

Naughty November

It is you know….naughty…it snuck on me from nowhere and here we are day 5 of it already…well what a busy month October was…my studies began on the 5th, 2 modules at once approximately 26 hours a week….arghhhh…why? I did wonder, but I have to tell you all, I am loving it, thank goodness I changed degree path to follow religious studies, it’s totally right ‘up my street’.

Anyway onwards to the 10th…my 42nd (more arghhhs!) birthday, I had a lovely day, was totally spoilt with lots of messages, cards and gifts…

Cath Kidston Mug and spoons from my Grandparents…

 

Beautiful stitched pillow, card and CK goodies from Michelle…thank you again Michelle xx

Treats from my gorgeous kiddiewinks…plus the flowers jug in the background…

Lovely chart and card from Kath

A better picture of everything…..not pictured is the gift from my parents, gorgeous YSL Elle perfume, wooden heart ornament and a lovely snuggly scarf..

Onwards a little more…..I have been very busy crafting but it’s all for Christmas so I can’t really share apart from 2 little treasures…

My first attempt at fabric origami…not too bad…a little more practice required…

secondly…this is for my parent’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary in November, it’s a CCN design…I framed it myself…

Almost there……are you still awake??

Halloween…..my big ghoul and little witch trick or treated the neighbourhood to within an inch of it’s life…

My young chap became a fully invested cub…

last bit now…..

Diabetes news, my blood sugars have dropped by 13 points to an almost acceptable level, so no medication required at the moment….and finally…yes….finally MY BIG NEWS….no I’m not having another baby…lol, after 5 years of being a stay at home mum….I am finally returning to the workforce….partly because I wanted to and partly because in the UK if you are a single parent as soon as your youngest child hits 5 (Martha does in November) the government ‘force’ you back to work….anyway…I will be working 3 days a week around school runs as a marketing executive for an IT distribution company…it’s local and they are keen to work with and around me for my kids…which is very lucky…I start next week….so with 26 hours study, 18 hours of work and the rest of my daily stuff…I may not be around for a while….

All good stuff though eh….worth the waffle…..

Hugs & Stitches

Whoosh…….

Just a swift visit whilst I have what seems like 5 minutes to catch my breath…I feel like a dog trying to catch it’s own tail at the moment…spinning around and around and never quite catching it….

Its been an age since I last posted but be sure that I have not been sat on my posterior idly….lol

Lots of bits to show you but not too many words I’m afraid, my brain is rather mushed today after a neighbour decided to start a party in their back garden at 1.30am this morning….grrrrr…the lack of sleep is not good….

 

Crocheted across body cotton bag……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pink and white baby blanket for my oldest friends first grandchild, due in September.

A few new dishcloths were required…..

A crochet lavender pillow for my Gran’s birthday gift.

Little lady’s ladybird costume for her Ugly Bug Ball…..

Gift I made for Michelle for her birthday….backed in pretty Cath Kidston fabric…

So as you can see I have had some makes, alongside this I have been busy making red satin sashes for the First Holy Communion Mass in 2 weeks and the order of service booklet, alteration of the altar cloth…also I’m trying in vain to keep up with the LHN Sheep Virtues and am working on a sampler for my parent’s Ruby wedding Anniversary later this year….it’s going to be a busy few months and the back to study in October….a glutton for punishment!!

I have been sporadically reading blogs but must admit have been a bit lapse on commenting…apologies for that….

Finally I entered a giveaway at Elizabeth’s blog here and was lucky enough to be one of the 3 winners of one of her exquisite handmade bags…

aren’t I a lucky girl…..I just adore it so much….

Well better be getting ready for the school run…again!!

Thanks for visiting my blog today…

Hugs & Stitches