Planning

 I've had a few days off from this cross stitch project, I was struggling to choose which design to use on the left hand side, I realised my issue was I was unsure how much space I have there. I had always planned the two or 3 designs for the bottom left corner, and I also knew I wanted 2 complete oblong designs along the left boarder, so I have popped the bigger side bars on, and I am doing the lower designs, this way once finished I can know what designs to fill the middle section. 

I am loving stitching these hexagons together, I can stitch 4 flowers most evenings, it's a restful thing to be doing, and of course Grace gets to sit on my lap. My work box is emptying, each flower uses 7 hexagons, I still have some to sew around the paper template, I'm not sure I will use them, the workbox sits by my chair, tucked out of sight, so easy to pull out and work from. I still have no idea what to make with the stitched flowers, I have far more than expected.

Another small project is for me to unpick these 5 small cushions, which I have made over the years, I intend to stitch them into one big cushion cover, which will be easier to have out at Christmas. Over the years these have been sat on, tucked out of the way, last year I did not get them out. I am thinking a patchwork design around them. I intend to make just a cushion cover, so in December I can pop it over a cushion I already have.

My first attempt at patchwork freestyle, this is using some of my many scraps of cotton, I am sewing them onto another piece of backing fabric, I did cut the backing fabric in one big size, but decided to cut it again into 4 and make four similar designs just over 7" square. Once all four are done I can sew them together, with or without extra fabric boarders, which would make a cushion cover or a front for another bag, I don't need either, but I don't want to not use it and still have it in my stash. There are alot of greys in this design, but the blue cutting board has distorted the colours, I really enjoyed doing this, took me about an hour, mainly because it took ages choosing what to stitch next. 

Saturday was wet as we got up, but it dried slightly and we managed to get out for a short walk, so another day at home with nothing much to do, it was dull the whole day. Thank goodness hubby and I get on so well, we are spending too much time home alone. 

Sunday we woke up to blue skies, hubby got all the towels on the line, it was windy enough to get rid of most of the damp. We popped out, we need cat food, which we purchase it in tins, and Grace is fussy eater, so we went to find her food, most places only sell pouches, and like everything else the price is now so much more. We still get our cat food in tins as they recycle easier, less shops sell tins. I know you can recycle pouches, but the local store is in an area we only go to every 5-6 weeks and I don't want to have to store used pouches. We also got cleaning items and a few tins of food. 

Monday we took the bus to town for our fruit and veg, again the stall was not there, we are going to check other markets to see if they go, we do love their fresh produce. Hubby got a new battery put into his watch, I got some more bread, and we popped into Wilkinson's for a few items. We did not stay out long, the wind is now bitter cold, I'm a soft southerner. 

Today is sign group, I have had a cough for over a week, it's annoying in the day time and can keep me awake at night, so I decided to miss the group today, quite a few of the ladies are older and I don't want to pass on germs. I spoke to my doctor on a follow up call, he thinks my issues are all a result of my kidney infection last year, and whilst I still have a few abnormal results, they are within an acceptable level, he want's just one more test, if that's OK, then I will have another blood test in 3 months to see if I am back to where I should be. I am happy with his diagnosis and how he has checked everything relevant. 

Sewing instruction - Finish

Beautiful patchwork

 All neat and tidy

 Another cushion cover and hearts

 With an envelope pocket (no zip)

 Shopping bag from tea towels

 Lovely neat lines. 

We have had a very busy week of sewing, all the above made, ready for gifts to be taken home by our house guest.
Back in the 80's we had a Spanish student Izzy, she stayed with us for a month, and was a wonderful young woman and we loved having her to stay. She visited for many years, her desire to learn everything British has helped her in her work life as an English teacher in Spain. We have been a part of her family, watching her two young daughter grow into lovely young women. We have had wonderful holidays in Spain with the family, Izzy and both daughters visited last year, another lovely holiday together. So this last week for the first time we had her eldest daughter Alba staying, she is 14.
Alba loves to sew, so most days we had my sewing machine working. We used tea towels for the bag (a gift for her mother), Union Jack cushion cover (a gift for her sister), and we choose fabrics from my stash for the patchwork cushion, which Alba made for herself.
The patchwork being the hardest sewing Alba has done, she choose all the fabrics and then placed them to make the final design, with coaching from myself, she has done most of the stitching, I only had a tiny input. I am proud and very pleased with the improvement Alba has made, she was willing to learn and tried most things I asked from her. I hope when she returns to Spain tomorrow with her gifts, her family will see the hard work and enjoy each item. The three small hearts are for her friends.

So, what you doing

Reduced to £2, another hellebore for my garden

I am working on last years blog book

1st photo is the grids I use to edit 

2nd photo is finished page from this blog post 

I will purchase in November when the 50% discount is given.

This allows me to use the best quality paper, finish and a hard cover.

 These should be my sewing machine cover,

They sits in the lovely patchwork holder I made

but I now feel the need to get on with it. 

 I have read this book, I got it from a local charity shop for £1.50

The beginning was a bit confusing, but once you get past that, the story line is good. The author kept you thinking all through the book, and to confirm everything you had to read to the end. I will seek out more books for this author.

My new book club book arrived yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon I spent an hour in the greenhouse, I have planted on 3 different types of marigolds, these are doing well. The seeds in the 5 trays left in the greenhouse are beginning to show, as yet I have not started any more seeds, I need to wait a couple of weeks.
The hellebore above is now in a bigger pot, I want to see loads of new growth before I plant in my garden, it did have great roots.
I have started working on my hexagons over the weekend, I really want to get this cover finished, I am stitching the hexagons together to form the fabric required to make the cover, which I will then quilt. It is peaceful stitching, which I enjoy.
I am still full of cold and cough, on Saturday I found spots, should I blame Will, I only have a few, so I hope no more new bugs, I am finding sleeping difficult, the cough and resulting headache really is bad at night. Coughing fits have left me with achy muscles across my tummy, so feeling a bit down here.  I have tried to get out most days, and in a moment of weakness on Saturday I purchased two magazines, on crochet and sewing, both had useful gifts and a couple of patterns I can use. I spent most of my time reading and resting.
So very little change here, the excitement like the snow has gone,  just the count down to the new planting season.

Christmas cards

Still loads of colour

I spent time in the garden, firstly I had loads of leaves to collect, hubby helped and we cut back a couple of bigger plants, our garden is just too small to let anything get too huge. We are having issues with cats digging in pots around the place, so I have been using wooded sticks for the BBQ and sticking them into the pots, this stops all the issues. Both our cats have an area which they use, we are keeping an eye to ensure there are no issues there. 

We have another problem from our lovely mad cat woman next door, mice are coming through at the bottom of our garden, Purdy sits for ages just watching, so far any mice she brings inside are dead, she does love to give us treats. On the plus side in this photo we still have fuchsia's in full flower and a couple of buds to come, they love the raise chimney for a bed. 

Shopping on Friday we went to Dunelm, the fat quarters above were just £7, so this pack came home with me, I have added the cost to my stash list. We also popped into Home Bargains, just to stock up, ensuring we don't need to pop there again before Christmas. Again I passed on all the Christmas decorations.

We have had our first Christmas card, for me it's always a sad moment, for most of my married life, my older brother's wife Carol always sent her card early enough to be the first to arrive, sadly she passed away back in 2011. First Christmas card will always have me remembering her, we have just received our second card, it must be almost December. I have to work out the design for our Christmas cards, they should only take an afternoon to make, we do not send as many these days. I have purchased the family ones, we have a super card shop local, not Card Factory, who's cards I feel are cheap, I do like to send nice cards as often it can be the only contact each year. 

Saturday we drove Will, mummy and daddy to Gatwick airport, they are visiting Grandma and Grandpa in their winter/ summer home, so a quiet week here. 

Getting there

Will's quilt is coming along, 

I have to stitch all three layers together

the back is just a pale grey. 

It's pinned and ready to go. 

 I am very pleased so far

 Good bargain for card making

I love my light box

Just a small display 

I never decorate for Halloween, but I do like to keep a few sweets in, just in case we get a knock at the door, we always open the door to early callers, which are the children in our street.  I got these squashes because they look pretty, and I will use them in soup, the scary ceramic one in the corner I have had for years and normally sits on my doorstep at this time of year.
My light box I have had for a while and I do change the messages, it a fun thing to have in a dark corner.
We have been shopping today, Lidl firstly, got most of what we needed, plus stuff for a big family lunch on Sunday, then on to Tesco, cheapest place for beef, we also got Bertolli with butter it's only £1.50 again. With Christmas in mind we got a few things, plus 6 bottles of wine with a 25% discount. Our coffee was at full price but we still have a few packs left, so no panic as yet. The sticky back book covers came from there as well, £6 off, less then half price, I have added the £2 to my stash list.
I have done very little this week, still feeling a bit yuck, today has been my best day. I have not picked a book up to read, yesterday was so sunny and warm, but I did not feel up to being in my garden, which is very rare, the fore caste for tomorrow is good, so my plan is to be in the garden in the morning, and sew some more on the quilt in the afternoon. It's nice to be making plans again.
Friday will have to be housework, the place is tidy but could do with a proper clean, and with a houseful on Sunday, it's a must be done task.

Dull in so many ways

Two fat quarters,

just because I love the colours and designs.

 We always covered our school books with brown paper

mine always had ban the bomb on them. 

 I have just finished this book

I enjoyed the story, very different from my normal read. 

 My Roses

 Will's Quilt

It's such a dull week here, the sun has hardly shown, very grey and cloudy, I have had lights on in the afternoons. Having said that, we missed all of the storms, just had a few windy days and a bit of rain, along with the strange skies.
Daughter took me out on Tuesday just for a couple of hours, we went to a new to me fabric shop, where I got the two fat quarters shown above, lovely colour on a dull day. The cost has been added to my stash list.
I have finished The Handmaid's Tale, interesting book, different from my normal read, I enjoyed it, the plot is a bit like 'Big Brother as in 1984', I am going to watch the TV adaptation over the weekend, it will be interesting to see how they deal with the plot.
I have also started stitching Will's cot quilt, I am working much slower than normal, but I am pleased with it so far, all the extra time I took when cutting it out has ensured all the corners are neat.  I am home alone on Sunday, so the hope is to get it finished, I have every thing I require to make it.
Hubby cooked a lovely Turkey crown as a roast on Tuesday, he always cooks too many veg's, so I blended the leftovers, added the turkey stock and made soup for lunches for two days, it was lovely. With the leftover turkey, I used an oven proof dish, I had a tray of cooked stuffing, so I cut into cubes and mixed with shredded turkey and cranberry sauce. On the top I cut Parma ham into slices, and reheated in the oven, both hubby and I enjoyed our pie, the sauce kept the meat moist, some of the stuffing was soft and other bits we crispy, the ham crisped up. The colours are bland, so it never looks great, but we both love the taste, it is the first time I have added the ham, and will always make it this way. We always have one meal like this after Christmas, we find it's a good way to get rid of leftover turkey.
I am being very good and taking my antibiotics, and starting to feel a bit better, I will do anything to avoid another day like last Sunday. Plus taking things much slower, I will see mummy and Will this afternoon, just a catch up, so loads of cuddles and laughter.

My weekend

I have placed all the squares for Will's quilt

 Shopping for bargains again

 All planted up

 Down by the shed, hedgehog winter sleeping pad

Tidy blackberry vine. 

It's been a quiet weekend at home, my brother Martin has been with us and is now driving the 100+ miles home to Somerset.
We had a great meal out on Friday night, the burgers were good, the service not so good. Will enjoyed himself and tried some of everyone's food. I think we would go again, but in a couple of months to allow the service to settle.
Saturday we popped to B&Q, we required a new remote controlled extension lead for behind our TV,  we are unable to reach the sockets, so we like to use the remote control to turn everything off, our existing one was beginning to stick and not work every time. 
I got the yellow pot mums (6 plants) and the Sweet Williams (9 plants), in the sale for £5, both have been over watered, but will survive. Plus some more spring bulbs for a pot I am creating. £17 has been added to my stash list. 
We also popped to Home Bargains as there in not one in near to Martin, we did not require much, and did walk past all their Christmas stuff.
This morning I have spent an hour in the garden and greenhouse after watching Monty on the TV, I have cut back my blackberry and fanned the top branches.
I had stopped opening my greenhouse door, but on Monty's advice I am now opening the door again, I have covered a few of my cutting and delicate plants to ensure any cold does not get to them.
All the plants have been put into the garden, I am pleased with my bed in front of the greenhouse, it's full of colour.
I have also been building a hedgehog house, I won't know if it is used as I now won't disturb that section.
I want to stitch Will's quilt this week, so I have l;aid all the squares and now have them ready to stitch together. As I have said before I am not very good at random, so I prefer to laid the design out before stitching.

Cutting out

Another good month, hardly anything for the garden and no craft

I did get bulbs for the garden. 

I could not put this book down, interesting story line,

who is telling the biggest lies, and an ending which was wonderful. 

 Squares cut for Will's winter cot quilt

 I took loads of care, ensuring the cutting edges were straight

 With some leftovers of another project.

Really pleased with my stash spend, I will blow any savings soon, I have a project for Christmas day fun, and it will require loads of fabrics. Daughter and I are going shopping soon, I'm hoping the festive fabrics are in the shops.
I spent Monday afternoon cutting out fat quarters, firstly I ensure each fabric was square and cut straight, I got 12 squares from each piece, 8 designs, so 96 squares. The quilt requires 48 squares, 6 across and 8 down, the extra's will be used on the floor of the reading wigwam I am also making. The designs should sit straight along the quilt, I am looking for a smart finish, the design is much simpler than I wanted to make, but I stuck to the design my daughter had seen and liked, the only difference is the fabric designs. Daughter loves the shades of grey, I have added a bit of extra colour with the airplane design. I have a cushion with a book pocket to make, and I will make another using some of the bits left over.
I will not sew today, the cutting out was intense, my shoulders ache, but I am pleased every thing should line up, it would drive me mad if the design was wonky or the corners don't match on the finished quilt.

all sorts of everything

Sewing machine is out, this is the 3rd cushion almost finished

I love the fabric, very easy to work with, but it does fray.

I hope to have all 4 cushions finished by the weekend

 Hubby finally decided to sort his wardrobe, it's full of clothes from his working days. I have kept these 3 cotton shirts for Hexi's the rest have been taken to the charity shop.

 I hope to varnish my items made at our break in May, 

The last week it was way too hot to get things done.

 This corner by my water but is looking good

The Peony did not do so well this year, soon I will dig it up and make 3 plants. 

I love the bird feeder, which never worked, so I have put an alpine plant in there

 Lillies are looking good, some flowers are going over but still loads of buds. 

 Walnut sappling in my greenhouse

 Kiwi and pomegranate on my desk 

 Two books from a lady in work, 

I will start one later. 

A very mixed post this time, I have enjoyed using my sewing machine, the design on the fabric makes it very easy to match up. I don't have a pattern, I just cut the pieces and sew them back together again, I did not want to wrap the material around the foam, I wanted it to stay looking neat with the lines straight and the seams keep it all in place. The cushions are for a camper van for our neighbours.

I am hoping to do some more hand sewing of hexagons, I have loads stitched, I just need to sew more together.

The garden is still looking after itself, all I am doing at this time is watering and harvesting fruit and salad things. I am planning to redo the side garden as I stated in a previous post, plus my raise cut flower bed is not shaping up to what I wanted, so I will be sorting that, I have sown some Sweet William seeds for plants to over winter in the garden. 

With just under 5 weeks left of my working life, I am busy making leisure plans, I am tracking down the local gardening club, they help out alot in our local parks, which I think will be fun. I want to go back to doing yoga once a week.  I would also like to be a part of a craft club, but I don't think there is a local one. Once I have finished work I might test the water and see if I can start one. 

Last weeks steps = 80,568, average 11509 steps each day

May Spending

Low spend month

 These pale grey fabrics will become Will's cot quilt

nice quality cotton, perfect for quilting. 

Savings to come from the greenhouse 

 My few crops are coming along well

we have already had potatoes and lettuce

Lovely books, finished another Sue Grafton book

Just starting Jojo Moyes

I got just a few plants for the garden in May, the cost of the womery has not been added, I used the last of money I was given, so I decided it would not be added to my list.

The fabric spend was for Will's quilt, I will work with my daughter and let her choose what fabrics she likes, I have also been asked to make a reading wigwam for the nursery, having seen photo's should be an easy task, I have plenty of time as it won't be used until next year.
My sewing lessons are going slowly, my friend needs loads of help, I have a feeling I will be doing most of the sewing for the three cushions, I can see the look in her eyes and it's pure fear.
I think I divided you all with my last post, our lawn is brilliant, it does crunch as you walk on it, but that will settle, it does have the feel of grass, and close up it is very realist. Hubby has a huge smile on his face. I have the 3 pots by my back door to plant, which I will do tomorrow, the plants have been outside for a while. I do not have any space in the back garden, it's pleasing to be complete, it's never finished, never will be.