Tuesday 5 April 2011

This old blog of mine

Just having a moan to myself so I'll understand if you don't want to read any further.

I nearly deleted this post but it's here as a memo for me.

When I started this blog it was partly on the advice of my doctor; I've suffered from panic attacks and depression since my late twenties and she thought that if I wrote a diary of my day to day life it might help to see what achievements I've made and spur me on to do more. I started with a big notebook and wrote all my thoughts and memories down and then gradually when I got used to the computer I thought that it would be a good idea to write about my life, family and hobbies on here and I'd also be able to make it more real by adding photos. Somehow, along the way, my blog turned into a stitching blog.....not that I mind showing my cross stitch....but it doesn't record the good days and bad days like my notebook did and after reading one of my old books it's made me realise that I seemed better then than I do now.

Winter is always a bad time for me and I can't wait for spring to arrive but this year I can't get out of the rut that I've got stuck in over winter. Curling up in a cosy armchair in front of a roaring fire watching endless programmes on the telly might seem an ideal way to spend a day, but when you do it day after day and can't motivate yourself to do anything, it starts to become a habit that I can't get out of.

I don't know why I get depressed. I have a wonderful family who are my world, my husband never moans when I'm feeling down and always tells me not to worry and do what I can when I feel like it. I do have good days when everything goes well and I am so grateful for these days.

I know that I should thank God for every day that He gives me especially since losing my cousin last month to breast cancer at the age of 44, and I have so many blessings with children and grandchildren so why am I like this!

Perhaps I'll never know but at least I feel better for getting it off my chest.

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will be a good one.......

Love and hugs,

Monday 21 March 2011

Sunshine days

It's been lovely to have a few days of sunshine and to be able to get out into the garden for some much needed fresh air and after such a cold and miserable winter it's been truly appreciated.

Chris has let me know that she has received the PIF that I sent her.

I know that Chris likes her garden so I thought these words taken from a Country Cottage Needleworks chart would be right for her, and thanks to Chris for letting me copy her photo as my camera is on the blink at the moment so other than this I can't show you any more of my stitching.

This is the latest photo of my daughter Rachel and her children Lily and Callum, taken at the nursery that they both attend. Aren't they both cute, well I may be biased but I think they are!

My eldest daughter Sharon is due to have her second baby in just over two weeks so I'm looking forward to welcoming another addition to the family. We went to see them at the weekend and had a lovely time and best of all I got dinner cooked for me.

Well that's about all my news for now, nothing happening apart from gardening, stitching and cooking and cleaning, not a bad way to spend my days now that I'm retired.

love and hugs,

Saturday 29 January 2011

Look what the postie brought me


I had a lovely surprise this morning when the post lady came, instead of all the usual bills and junk mail I received my PIF from Elisa.


It is really pretty and as I love cats it was very appropriate for me and what Elisa didn't know was that I was going to stitch that for myself as I'd just down loaded the pattern. Now I don't have to and it's been made into a beautiful pillow with the most gorgeous backing fabric. Thank you so much Elisa, I shall treasure it.

love and hugs,

Sue xx

Thursday 27 January 2011

Beatrix, an exchange and a new start

Beatrix is coming along nicely though I forgot to post a pic last week when I had done another two motifs, I did another one this week so although I'd like to get it finished soon, I can at least see some progress..



My Valentine exchange arrived with Carol this week and I hope she enjoyed receiving it as much as I did stitching it for her.
The pattern is from a Shepherds Bush leaflet, Valentine Folio. Stitched on 28 count antique white jubilee with DMC threads.




My new start is a Country Cottage Needleworks Summer Garden I can't wait to get stuck into it but every time I've sat down to stitch this week someone has either phoned or popped round so not many stitches have been put in. It has been nice catching up with friends and family, nothing like a good gossip or a moan to make you feel better.



As Chris was the only one to enter my PIF, I shall stitch something for her and do a couple of RAKs during the year, the problem is, who do I stitch for, there are so many nice people out in blogland.

Not  a lot been happening in this part of the world though my middle daughter, the only one left at home, has informed me that she will probably be moving in with her boyfriend in July so I might get to have my craft room yet, wouldn't that be nice. I'm not sure how I feel about being an "empty nester" yet but she will be 30 this year so I guess it's about time that she put some love into a home that they can share.

It is freezing tonight so I'm going to make myself a nice hot drink and snuggle down in bed with my book,

Love and hugs,

Sue xx

Monday 10 January 2011

My Valentine Exchange, Beatrix and a PIF


This is my Valentine exchange piece that Elisa stitched for me on the Exchange Heaven blog. It is really lovely and my poor camera can not truly do it justice. Thank you Elisa, it was really nice to receive it.



And here is my progress with Beatrix, just one motif done but as I have all year to finish it, I'm quite pleased with how it's coming along.

And finally as I said in my last post, I was fortunate enough to be one of Elisa's winners in her PIF so I would like to offer it on my blog if anyone is interested. If there are no takers then I will do a RAK during the next twelve months to people who I think deserve one.

Edited to add that the draw for my PIF will be 23rd January, my daughters birthday.

Everything is getting back to normal; Tony is back at work, the house is getting some order back to it after Christmas and New Year so I'm looking forward to getting plenty of stitching time in before the garden takes up my time, which won't be any time soon judging by the weather we keep getting........

Love and hugs,

Tuesday 4 January 2011

A New Year, a birthday and stitchy updates

I know that I'm a few days late but I'd like to wish everyone one out in blogland a very healthy and happy New Year and may all your hopes and dreams come true.

New Years day is also my birthday so a double celebration in our house although after a hectic Christmas with all the children and grandchildren, it was nice to have a quiet birthday this year spent sewing and knitting while hubby decided to put in a new loft ladder and add to the insulation in the roof. I received some lovely sheepskin slippers, another Lilliput Lane house and some M&S vouchers from my daughters so I feel truly blessed.

Last year as you've probably noticed, my stitching bug kept going on holiday but hopefully, he'll stay with me this year as I have quite a few projects that I'd like to do.

I've joined in with Chris's Quaker SAL and have decided to try and finish off my Beatrix Potter which I started stitching in 2009. This is as far as I got with it.


I've also joined in the Valentine Exchange on Exchange Heaven blog which is coming along nicely.

And, as for those socks that I have been knitting, well, I finally managed to finish one of them after struggling with four needles.

Whilst Tony was emptying the attic, he found my knitting machine that had been up there for a while as I ran out of space to use it; I've persuaded him to bring it downstairs for me so that I can have a play around with it. Goodness knows what state it is in, probably covered in rust knowing my luck, but I'm dying to have another go on it even if I just do a scarf.

I was lucky enough to be chosen for one of Elisa's PIFs before Christmas so on my next blog post I will offer the same to anyone out there who wants to join in. I've also got another project that I want to start, a Country Cottage Needleworks chart that I bought last year but as the batteries in my camera need charging at the moment, I'll put a pic up next time.

It is so cold this evening and we had snow again today so I'm having a lazy night sitting by the fire with the TV and my stitching and trying hard not to finish off that box of chocolates that keeps calling........

love and hugs,

Sunday 19 December 2010

remembering.......

Writing out my Christmas cards made me a little sad knowing that some of my friends and loved ones are no longer about this year and I know that many friends in blog land have lost loved ones so I thought I would share this verse that a friend sent me when my Mum passed on. I hope it might give someone a bit of comfort.


My First Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
with tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular! Please wipe away that tear, for I
am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas
choir up here. I have no words to tell you the joy their voices
bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your
heart, even though I am so far away, we really aren't apart.
So, be happy for me, loved ones. You know I hold you dear.
Be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home
above. I send you each a memory of my undying love. After
all, "LOVE" is the gift more precious than gold. It was
always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do, for
I can't count the blessings or the love He has for you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this
year.
Author Unknown

Love and Christmas Blessings,

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Another wintery day

I can't believe how the weather has changed since last time I blogged and although I've not been able to get out very far, there's something about the snow and the frost clinging to the branches that makes me glad that winter is here and Christmas is just around the corner.

I've done a lot of my Christmas shopping online this year, I used to love walking in town with such pretty decorations to look at, but lately it's become too much of a hassle to fight my way through the crowds of shoppers all trying to get a bargain, I'd much rather sit in front of the fire with a cup of tea on hand.

I've been busy decorating my living room and thankfully I've managed to finish it and start to put the decorations up. I'm still waiting for Tony to get me the other boxes out of the shed so that I can put a few more decorations on the wall and then it will really begin to start to feel like Christmas.

The Christmas cake is packed away but being fed regularly with brandy and I have to say that it smells yummy. No stitching to show as I have been knitting, a cardigan for me and my first pair of socks which I'll post a picture of later when I find whether they look like socks or something unrecognisable!

I'm looking after Callum, my grandson, today and at the moment he is fast asleep in his swinging chair so I'm having a minute before he wakes for his next feed, he looks so peaceful lying there, you wouldn't believe that ten minutes ago he was screaming the house down......

love and hugs,

Wednesday 6 October 2010

A time to relax

Blue skies, fluffy white clouds, you could almost think that it was the beginning of Spring instead of the start of Autumn. The garden is beginning to look a little tired now that everything has bloomed but there is still plenty of colour out there. It will soon be time to dig everything out to make way for Spring bulbs and then another gardening year will be over.
We've spent a lot of time out there this year, pulling stuff down and building things up but I think it's been worth the effort. The willow tree that has been causing concern for the past couple of years was finally taken down this summer; it had got too big for the garden and was overhanging next doors garden too and although it looked really nice in full leaf, it never stayed that way for long.

This was when Tony started to take it down,and here it is before we started on the backbreaking job of digging the roots out. We'd had the idea of putting the grandchildrens swings there but then we decided to build something for us, or at least Tony did.

This is what he came up with, all his own work and design and I couldn't have asked for anything better.

He finished it just in time for our anniversary in August and I've already spent many an hour out there reading or stitching. The pots were full of busy lizzies the week before I took this photo but some greedy slugs came and devoured the lot.

I do have a little stitching finish to show....

I really enjoyed stitching this LHN, Rose Sampler, just what I needed to get me back into the swing of things, now to decide what to stitch next......

Take care,

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Catching up

Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? It's been hectic the past couple of months; the garden has taken up a lot of my time, forever watering and weeding and this year it's been for little return but I have enjoyed being out in the sunshine.

The flower garden has provided a good show as have the fruit bushes and once I get the time I shall be making jam as I'm down to my last jar.

I am still cross stitching but have no pictures to show any progress as I can't find the cable to my camera, I've looked high and low for it so I suppose that it will turn up when I'm not looking for it.

On a happy note, I became a grandma again on Friday. Callum Owen Brodie popped into the world at 2:08pm weighing in at 8 pounds 1 ounce. I've managed to snag a photo from my daughter Rachel's Facebook page so that I can share him. At the moment he is being good although I don't think that Lily is too sure of him yet, I think she thought that he was only going to visit, not be here all the time but I think she's enjoying being a big sister.


Hope all is well in your world,

take care,