Grab a cuppa, its a long one!

Happy Hogswatch!!



Death as the Hogfather



Remember his checking his list twice!

Death and Albert

So you better have been good! I love the Hogfather, one of my favourite books!

I promise I have had all intentions of stitching but things just haven’t worked out that way. Morning sickness is still what I seem to spend most my time trying to avoid. I’ve tried everything from lemonade (which helps a bit) to ginger biccys which baby don’t like!

On top of that Connors health has taken a turn for the worse. Over the last 4 months his started to really snore (think 80yr old 60 a-day smoker snore!) he has started to stop breathing awhile asleep which is very worrying. Sometimes as often as 3 times in 2minutes. I have been to the doctors several times and the first time was given a asthma pump for him the second a course of antibiotics, neither of the doctors looked at him checked his temp took any history or made any attempt to work out what was going on. I was told that I was being over protective.

 My aunt had him over night (my first night away from him) and confirmed that something’s wrong, so I took him to the doctor again. I and the doctor don’t see eye to eye in fact we have had major problems in the past. He has no bedside manner, his English is very poor and he admits he is too blunt. But that being said he is a damned good doctor.

Anyway it turns out Connors tonsils are 9 times the size they should be. Which explains why he stops breathing, has been choking on his food and snoring. It’s not tonsillitis though. The doctor isn’t sure why it happened but we are waiting for an emergency appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat specialist. He will be having an operation to have them removed as soon as a surgeon is available which means were just waiting for a phone call. Possibly by Xmas or the New Year. If they get any worse he will have to go to A&E and have them removed by emergency op.

So as you can tell I’m pretty stressed but by the New Year at the latest he will be better.

I have been reading all your blogs and everyone’s work is amazing. I do have a favour to ask though. I have seen cross stitch pillows boarded with fabric. An example here: ~~~~ can anyone give me a very simplified way to make it? It’s for a Xmas present. I attempted to make one today but it just doesn’t seem to be going right. I have found instructions but mostly in French and the English ones were very confusing. Please help! I’ve got to get it finished and wrapped and delivered.



Pillow



And please Remember be carefull who's holding the mistletoe



Hope you have a great one!

Praying to the porcelain god....and our Xmas tree

I’m so sorry that I have been away for so long. There’s been very little stitch progress as in all honesty I have spent the last few weeks with my head down the loo.....great mental pic I know. I thought I might have had a virus as I have a lower immune system but it turns out it is “morning” sickness...yep that’s right I’m pregnant! 8 weeks preggers we are over the moon. My partner has turn't into Hitler...no joke! I have to get healthy, stop smoking, eat right, get enough sleep, and not have my bath too hot the list goes on and on.  Very over protective! Hopefully some stitching will fall back into place soon. I think I have a very pretty uterus don’t you ?

I thought I would I share a pic of our Xmas tree as everyone is showing there lovely decks. I promise it looked great before Simba got it! Xmas trees and Bengals don’t mix

Giveaway Winner

Hello all the giveaway is now closed! As I wasn’t too sure who wanted to be entered and who didn’t, anyone who commented on any of the posts where it was mentioned has been entered. So without any more rattling on the winner is:

Mouse!

Congratulations can you please email me your details and which book you would like I will get it sent straight out to you.

No stitchey updates today I’m afraid but I am going to share these sweet pics of Connor. I picked up a DIY stocking kit from a local shop. Only £1 and it makes two stockings. It was great fun and so easy as all the pieces are ready cut and sticky on the reverse side. We had loads of fun making these and I’m hoping to pick up some different designs when I’m next uptown.

Tribal Dragon

Tonight i started Smaug. Its been so nice to stutch even this little bit. This is part of his neck by the way, even if my partner did say it looked like a twig!

27-11-11

New Start - Tribal Dragon

I have finally kitted up “Tribal Dragon” by Sparklies. I brought the chart ages ago but had to concentrate on other pieces before I could even think about getting started. I have chosen different fabric then what is suggested. I love the red fabric but thought it might be a bit scary for my son .He is mad about dragons so this will properly end up in his bedroom. It took me forever to choose this fabric and by the end my partner refused to even look at any more fabric pics.

I have spent a good 3 days just doing the gridding. Its drove me mad and I have had to remind myself constantly that it is so worth it. I haven’t gridded like this before and it was a lot slower than the way I normally grid. But looks so good. Does it always take that long?  Tomorrow I will be starting the dragon! I can’t wait. I have decided to name him “Smaug”, the dragon from the Hobbit.

Gridded

Happy Dance!!!

A new baby is finished. Well the stitching is. I plan on making this into a pillow, which was my partner’s idea! I just have to wait till I have the pennies for the material.  I would love to say thank you to the 2 very kind ladies that sent me the key chart for a new baby after I had lost mine. Without their help I wouldn’t have been able to finish. I randomly emailed around 9 people I have never spoken to before and asked for the colour symbol part of the chart and I received emails from these 2 lovely ladies. If you every see this you are both STARS!!!

So the million pound question is...da da da...what do I stitch now?

I still have black rose to finish, tribal dragon I could start in a week or so (I’m just waiting for the hand dyed fabric to be delivered). There’s elegant kimono but it’s just not calling to me. Call of the wilderness isn’t tickling my fancy and hidden spirits isn’t screaming” finish me finish me”. I have a few small Xmas kits but there my travel pieces so I don’t want to spoil my travel time. I was thinking that black rose would be best but I need to lengthen the fabric as I started too high. So I might attempt that in a little bit.

Don’t forget I have a giveaway going on it will run till the 30^th. If you wish to enter then please comment on the giveaway page. I will be adding a few more little bits to the giveaway. Once this giveaway has ended I will be holding a xmas giveaway which I must admit I have already started collecting for (please don’t tell my partner :P )

I have had my new framey thing turn up. It’s a q-snap frame. I saw that quite a few of you use them and I have to say it is heaven! So easy to hold light, chunky. The only problem is getting the fabric taught but my wonderful other half has that duty now

Spreading the love

Hi everyone, just a quick post to say hi and share a bit of love

Have you checked out Cross stitch heaven it’s amazingly cheap, easy to navigate and even makes up HAED thread packs! If they don’t have the one you’re after just send them an email and they make it for you! This is so amazing I found that sorting out what threads I needed was a nightmare on “Strength” and I know a lot of the blogs that I follow do a lot of HAED this is my idea of heaven!

It was my blogverasy on the 14^th so I am doing a giveaway. If you haven’t noticed already I have made a separate page for giveaways, you should be able to comment on there. You can also comment on the post that I announced it, on the new page or email me. My email address is at the very top on the right. The more entries I receive the more stash ill add to it.

I am just waiting on some hand dyed fabric from Sparklies which is looks amazing, and this will be the first time I have used hand dyed fabric , then I’ll be starting a new project. I’m so excited about this. I won’t have a time limit on it so I’ll be able to enjoy every stitch. I don’t know how I’m going to finish it as it works out as a very big design but I have months to dream about it, don’t you just love that feeling.

~*~*~*Happy Dance!!!!*~*~*~ ( The coherent version) And blogversary Giveaway!!!

Hello ! I apologise for my earlier post, it wasn’t all that coherent. Not enough sleep does that too me, but don’t worry my lovelies I’m more then awake now! The last post should have read:

I have finished “Strength” story keep!!!! I’m sorry for not posting for so long; I have worked solidly on this since my last post. Just as well really it was a mad rush to get it finished! I now have bruising on my fingertips, partly due to the EDS partly due to it being really hard to push the needle through. I managed to get it finished and “framed” in my own way this morning. It’s the first time I have framed anything and it was a nightmare! I think when I have some spare money I will have it done properly. Black card and masking tape isn’t too professional.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

My wonderful Daddy

Framed

Framed

On the 14^th of this month it is my one year blogversary! One whole year. I would like to thank you to all of you for putting up with my incoherent ramblings. To celebrate I’m doing a quick giveaway. Simply comment on this post and spread the word if you want (but not necessary) Drawing will be on the 30^th November. If your name is drawn you will get to choose from the following:

·         Jane Greenoff  “Cross stitch castles and cottages”

·         Maria Diaz “101 cross stitch card designs”

·         Joan Elliot “Sentiments and sayings”

·         Dorothea Hall “Cross stitch for the home”

~*~*~*Happy Dance!!!!*~*~*~

i have finshed strength storykeep!!! sorry for posting for so long i have worked solidly on this since my last post. i know have bruising on my fingertips...damn EDS.
this is a old pic taken late last night since taking it i have finished but dont have a proper picture yet hopefully by tongiht!
just in time too as its my dads birthday today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!

Halloween :D

Sorry for not posting yesterday. I thought I would wait until today to save doing two posts. There’s been a fair amount of stitching going on, but no pic today. The progress made is hardly noticeable so I’ll wait till next Sunday and post. There is only 11 days till my dad’s birthday so hopefully I’ll be able to finish if not it will be his Xmas present.

So Halloween is not something that I normally go to town about. We go trick or treating but only a few houses of people we know well. Pumpkins are normally silly faces, I rarely dress up and haven’t since I have had Connor. This year I decided to make an effort now that Connor is a little bit older. We did some pumpkin carving, decorated the front windows and went trick or treating. I had so much fun.



Mr Oogie Boogie



Cute Spider

Connor was very shy while trick or treating. He said thank you but didn’t say trick or treat. When the doors were opened he insisted in giving the owners his sweets he had brought from home! He got a very good haul for only 6 houses.

Vampire Connor

Next year I plan on doing more Halloween wise. Decorate the house. Dress up. We’re talking about having a house party. Maybe even a little spooky stitching. Starting earlier will help i think. Its been too much of a rush to get everything done.



Decorations

Decorations at night



Manic weekend

Hello all.....

I’m sorry for not updating yesterday like I normally do. This weekend has been manic. Saturday I was helping at drama group in the morning. In the afternoon we took a family trip to the woods. It was so much fun. Me and Connor collected different colour and shaped leaves and twigs, acorns and a stone. We took Simba with us, it was his first time in a woods. He done amazingly! Was very nervous at first but settled into it very quickly and was soon climbing trees and dragging my partner through the undergrowth.

Steve and Simba

Walking the cat

A spot of tree climbing

Early hours Sunday morning I was woken up by the doorbell ringing. It was very surreal as it took me a few minutes to work out if it was a dream or not. I stumbled downstairs trying to put my dressing gown on the wrong way round while attempting to remove the hair from my eyes. I looked through the spy hole- couldn’t see anything- thought it might of been a dream. Just as I was covering up the spy hole I saw movement. The only thing that crossed my mind is I’m gonna get murdered. My heart was racing. So instead of waking my partner up or going back to bed I opened the door- fast (hoping for the element of surprise). My partners brother was stood there 4:30 in the morning. His partner had gone into labour yay!!!  He dropped his daughter off and she settled to sleep on the sofa. I went back to bed and got a little sleep. Later in the day we did some gluing and sticking the things me and Connor had collected at the woods. Steve’s mum came over for Sunday roast. We took the kids to the park. By about 7pm I ready for bed.

Baby Skye was born weighing 7lbs 12oz. There were complications but mother and baby are doing very well and came home today.

So that’s why I don’t have a decent amount stitching to show but here it is:

Strength first 7 rows done

I have a question for you all:

Do you personalise your charts? When you’re stitching and mess up like I have done a lot on strength do you "frog" it or rip out the bad bit and start again? I quite like knowing that there are little mistakes in my work. It makes it personal to me. If it’s a big mistake I will correct it but otherwise I tend to work around them. In strength there is a whole extra row of stitches which I didn’t notice till I was half way through. I’ve frogged past it and knowing that there’s a whole row of stitches that no one else has done makes it special to me! What about you?

Just a quick one!

This is the progress on strength. I have completed four rows. There was loads of confetti stitches and its felt like it’s taken forever. I’m glad to have the first part done. In the pic it looks like its bowed little bit it’s just the way it was laying as I took the pic. It’s amazing how many different shades of green there is in there. I personally think it would look just as good with half the colours.

First four rows

The kittens have all found new homes now. And the house is just a bit too quite, I am seriously considering getting a German bearded dragon. One of my friends has it but they are not at home enough to keep it happy. I’m not sure yet but it’s got a lovely smile.

"Doris" the german bearded dragon

Joyzse the plant that the flower is from is a common spider plant. And it seems almost impossible to kill :D

I do not own this picture

i do not own this picture

( both pics taken from google)

Stitching Frenzy

This week I surprised myself how much progress I made on strength. I think it’s because I wound myself up so much over my last blog post I have been in a stitching frenzy .it doesn’t look like I have done much, but I have made loads of progress it just doesn’t show that much. Mainly filling in gaps of the green. 

Full view

Some filling in

More filling in

I have been thinking about how much bigger this design is then I thought it would be. It’s so much bigger than any bookmark I have used and certainly bigger than most of my books. I am now toying with the idea of framing it and using it as a wall piece instead. I have never framed anything before so it will be a new challenge

Flowers!!



I have flowers! If you have followed my blog for a while you may have picked up on the fact that I love gardening, but cant for the life of me keep anything alive for long. One of the plants I thought was almost dead has flowers!!! YAY ME!!!

The kittens are now 8+ weeks old and this week 3 of them will be leaving to climb a whole new set of curtains. I’m going to be glad of the peace but I will miss them when they are gone.

Who would of thought a folded down push chair would be so comfy?

I have been having problems with commenting on blogs. I don’t know why but I’m going to get my amazing boyfriend to have a look later tonight.

I have been “stashing” and once all my orders turn up I will tell you more about what I got. I have found some amazing pieces mainly charts but some other wonderful bits and pieces.

And the panic starts to set in.....

Arrrrghhhh I only have just over a month till my dad’s birthday. Starting to wonder if I will have strength finished in time. I wanted to have it finished way before so I didn’t have to rush through it. But as I have been ill or just haven’t felt like stitching I haven’t got as far as I hoped. I was amazed to see that on the lettering hardly any of it is black.

As of 2nd October

I think after I have finished this I will do a few smaller designs. I have found a program that converts pictures into charts. I have been considering having a few more tattoos done and started playing about with the program. A few of the designs I have been thinking about have came out really well. So I was thinking maybe stitch them before they are inked. They would also make perfect travel or fishing patterns as they are small and mainly in black.

We have been fishing a lot lately which is great fun. The heat is still killing me but I have been coping better the last few days. We have come up with a plan that seems to be working during the hottest part of the day, I do nothing! Between 11am and 6pm no housework is even attempted. The most taxing thing I do is make lunch or empty my son’s potty. That’s it. Nothing. Nada. Nil.  And I’ll let you into a little secret.....I have enjoyed every second of it!!!

Steve's first fish

Our new friend

Just before we left fishing on Saturday a total stranger walked past us with a pigeon on his shoulder. I pointed it out to Connor and the bloke came over and talked to us. He said he had found the bird the day before. It hasn’t been hurt from what he could tell. It just edged its way over to him and sat on his shoulder. He took it home and it hadn’t left him alone since. It could fly perfectly fine, didn’t look tagged and said that we can keep it as the kids (and my partner) loved it, and left. There we were left holding a pigeon at 8:30pm. After a little while we decided to see if it really could fly and it did. It flew away into the night and we went home. It was extremely surreal.

Connor has started to show a interest in reading and writing. I am in my element! I love reading and writing and love learning. His doing very well and has made more progress on letter forming and tracing then i thought he would.

Look at that penmanship!!

Loving every secound of this!!

I am so sorry about my late update. Last night I locked myself in the bathroom ,run a hot bubble bath and read some of my book, it was heaven! I have been reading your great blogs but for some reason haven’t been able to comment.

Sunday 25th September 2011

Hello J

Another week has past and only a little progress to show I’m afraid. I was hoping to have half the page finished about 28 squares.

I set aside a chunk of time for it aside, I had all my threads measured out and read to stitch. I had the vital chocolate and coffee ready. But my health took a turn for the worse and I spent all Friday either in bed feeling sorry for myself or being violently sick. Lately I have been having problems digesting food, not all the time, but Friday was a particularly bad day. I wasn’t able to keep plain water down. I slept for hours on end. Saturday I managed to keep most of a small dinner down, but nothing else. By today I was feeling a whole lot better and have been hungry most the day. My fluids are slowly getting to where they should be and I have an appointment in two weeks with my dreaded GP. Hopefully we can stop days like Friday all together. So here is the progress:

Progress

You can just about make out the words "Strength" now

Today we went fishing again. I’m starting to really enjoy it. I got a few really good pics. And although there was no fish caught there was a fair few crabs which the kids and my partner was fascinated by.

Cute Crab

Shiney sea

The kittens are doing well and one of them seems to be potty trained.

Too cute!

I want to say thank you for everyone who visits my little blog. I have been meaning to mention it over the last few posts, but I’m so forgetful it’s unreal! There has been over 1000 page views now!!!

So I have decided when I reach 2000 page views I will do a giveaway. I have already started adding to my magical giveaway box. I don’t think it will take long to reach 2000 page views. I am planning on trying to do it in a slightly more fun way then just be a follower and spread the word type thing. I’m not going to give any details away just yet but you’re likely to need your camera.