Inspiration, motivation.............

 .......whatever it is that's lacking, I definitely need some. I very often sit down and think about my little blog and what I could write about but then while I sit here poised to type something, my mind goes blank. What have I been doing for the past three months, where have I been, what have I made?

Well, this post is just a reminder for me that I have been doing something.

 I have been doing some stitching.

Celtic Noel is coming along and it will be finished for Christmas, there's not a lot left to do. The top part that you can't see is all finished so it's just this bottom piece that needs finishing.

DD Rachel and I have both joined in with the Sewandso Stichalong, for me just so that I can have a quick finish each week and for Rachel because it's her first SAL. I do wish that I'd done it on evenweave though as it's a while since I've used aida apart from card making.

Earlier in the year I started stitching CCN Ladybugs and bumblebees but twice I changed the thread because the writing wasn't showing up on the fabric so I changed the fabric and I'm still not sure about it, it seems to blend in too much.

DH saw me looking at some HAED charts that I liked, I've never bought one as I don't think I'd have the patience to do one but later in the week this turned up in the post. I don't know if it will ever get done, it's a bit of a project. It's called the little dreamer's tree at least he ordered the one with just 90 colours and not the 200 plus one.

Another pair of socks have been knitted  though not yet pressed and a few more rows put into DHs jumper which I'm hoping to finish for Christmas.

We had a lovely day out in Trentham Gardens and I managed the walk right round the lake. It's so beautiful there and we just had to stop and say hello to these lovely creatures.

And we managed to get to the monkey forest just in time for feeding. It was a bit scarey walking through the monkeys but apart from the odd scuffle they behaved.

I've stitched cards and paper crafted cards, read loads of books and decorated two rooms so I've not been idle there's always so much to do.

This is my eldest daughter Sharon during her 10k run in Salford. Her group raised over £1000 for  Alzheimers. I am so proud of her as she had never done any running before


She also does some model stitching too and here's her son Alex showing off his new clothes.

During the good weather the garden has taken up most of my time but there's not a lot to show out there at the moment as everything is dying down for Autumn. I love Autumn, I love the colours, I love swishing my feet in the fallen leaves, love that the grass is green and love the fact that I will soon be able to put the lawnmower to bed until Spring. The daffodils, tulips and hyacynths have been potted up ready for their time to shine next year so the garden is getting ready to have its annual rest.

Well that was my summer, we did lots more but no more photos to show so I'll leave it till next time.

Love and hugs, Sue xx

This year is flying by

I don't know where the past couple of months have gone but they've certainly gone quickly but I have managed to get a few things done here and there. I was off line for about three weeks as my computer decided it needed a break so I took the opportunity to do some decorating in the hall and kitchen. The kitchen is still not finished but it can wait as the garden tends to need a lot of attention during the summer months.

This year we have decided to cover the flower borders with stones and hope that with the weed suppressant matting underneath it will make them easier to manage. DH doesn't have a lot of time any more and I just don't have the energy so anything that makes life easier is a bonus. We are still having flowers in the borders but we will have them in pots that we can change and move around.

Getting ready,

the bottom border,

somewhere to sit and relax.

We've had a few days out with the grandchildren but as usual I forget to take my camera or if I remember to take it I still forget it's in my bag. These are a few that we took when we went to Beeston Castle in Cheshire where they had a jousting tournament and bird display.

Becky looking at the birds,

 

Joshua and Alex posing for the camera.

I have been stitching, these are a few birthday cards that I made,

 

Teapots is finished, just need the backstitch finishing,

 

Cherry Hill made into a zip up bag, a free class on Craftsy.

And this is Stella who we had to say goodbye to on Tuesday night. She was always tiny, more like a young kitten but she suddenly stopped eating and couldn't walk properly. Steroids and injections didn't help so it was decided that it was time to let her go. We will miss you Stella xx

 

Lastly, just a few flowers in the garden and I'll be back soon with a few more bits and pieces,

love,

Getting back to normal

 .....or as normal as I'll ever be.. I had a bad start to the year with one thing and another but hoping that now Spring has finally arrived I'll be in a better place. I have tried to keep busy but it's been mostly reading and falling asleep, two of my favourite hobbies at the moment.

I have done a little stitching, please excuse the photos, I do think it's about time I had a new camera.

Another tea pot has been added, just one more and then all the backstitching to do.

Lots of stitches put into Celtic Noel that seemed to take forever.

And because of this, I remembered that I had this to finish off. I don't know what he was doing sitting in the bowl.

I started this one years ago and stitched something wrong on it, once upon a time I would have frogged it all but it took me a while to find the mistake when I picked it up again so I've left it.

I've missed doing my stitching but can't seem to get motivated at the moment, any ideas on how to get into a routine again?

The garden is coming to life with lots of blossom on the trees and it looks like we might have a bumper crop of fruit this year, especially looking forward to seeing what the new fruit trees we planted last year will produce. We've already had a couple of rhubarb crumbles and still loads more stalks to pull.

Just a few photos of the garden before I go and hopefully I won't be so long in posting next time.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sue x

Where did this month go?

After Christmas I was full of good intentions but it wasn't to be. I came down with the flu type bug that was going around on New Years eve and it's only this past week that I'm feeling better. New Years day was my birthday and I did manage to get up for a couple of hours but I felt so weak that I soon went back.

Flowers from my DH cheered me up, he also bought me a set of saucepans which I really needed but then bought me a pair of boots too so I forgave him.

Before Christmas I joined in with an exchange which I like to do, it only happens twice a year and I can cope with that. This is what I stitched for my partner Marilyn.

I finished Cherry Hill by CCN,

and finished another tea pot.

Celtic Noel is still having a few stitches put in now and again but as they are all over the place it's hard to see where I've been.

These are my good intentions that I mentioned earlier on, presents from Christmas that need doing.

Looks like I'm going to be busy.

love and hugs,