New blog background

I have been having a messing about day today on the computer and saw on Chris's blog a link to Izzie Grace's free backgrounds and as it's taken me over an hour to figure it out I'm not sure whether I should leave it like this or go back to my original white background. I shall see how long it takes for me to get used to it.

PIF

I entered a PIF on Chris's blog last year and I was one for the lucky people to be drawn as a member of her PIF. I've not had chance until now to sort me and my blog out to give the chance to someone else so I'm hoping that somebody might find my blog and join in.
*** This is how it works ***
If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will then ask my DH to draw 3 names out of a hat on January 31st. If you are one of the chosen three then in return, please post the same offer on your blog.This is a simple and a lovely way of spreading joy in the stitching world. I hope that you will join in and possibly become one of my PIF members!This PIF is open for everyone.

Beatrix Potter SAL

I have finally sorted out my fabric and threads for this SAL and hopefully I'm going to try and get some stitches in before the weekend. I decided on 32 count antique white Belfast linen as I've used that before quite a bit and for some reason I can never match coloured fabric and threads successfully. The thread is DMC115 as I already had enough of that in my sewing box and I like the effect that it gives so I've stuck with something that I know that I'll be happy with.

It's not a very good photo, I think my camera is freezing up in this cold weather or it could just be my cold hands not doing it right lol.

PIB

Chris sent me her lovely needle case for her PIF but I wanted to send her something just for being a good friend and keeping me motivated with my stitching, her enthusiasm is certainly catching. This is what I came up with and I said it was a PIB, a Pay It Back, for all her kindness.This is the first time that I'd tried doing a heart shape and I'm pleased the way that it has turned out and I think chris was pleased with the end result too.

My Birthday

Well, I was feeling so much better for my birthday even though my head was still spinning for an ear infection that the flu had left me with and I had so many cards and presents for my birthday (January 1st) that I couldn't be miserable even if I tried.
These are the cards and presents that I received from the Threads Of Friendship group that I am in, they are a lovely group of ladies and this was either my third or fourth year of doing this exchange.

These are all my birthday cards, I think I had about 40 in all as well as some lovely smellies and chocolate and another Lilliput Lane cottage to put to my collection.

Chris http://alwayssmiling24.blogspot.com/ sent me her PIF that I was lucky enough to win on her blog and it is absolutely gorgeous.

Don't you agree that it is lovely, the photo doesn't do it justice so if I get a minute I'll try and take a better one.

Christmas and the New Year

It seems such a long time since I posted but things have a habit of going into freefall these days and I've not been feeling my best.

The week before Rachel and Darren were to move out, I came down with the flu and it stopped me in my tracks, I felt so rough and ended up in bed for almost a week which took us to Christmas. Tony in the meantime had also caught it but had to help Rachel move out or they'd have never got in in time for Christmas Day.

Sharon and Carl came for Boxing Day and Saturday and I felt so sorry for them as we just weren't up to visitors but they said that they enjoyed the time with us although we weren't 100%.

Rachel Lily and Darren came for Christmas lunch which turned out surprisingly good even if we didn't eat much but the highlight of the day was seeing Lily open her presents for the first time.

As you can see, she was more interested in the wrapping paper than she was of the gifts inside but she did love the little cooker that Darren's mum and dad bought her.
This is our Christmas tree which we managed to move back into the front room. We only had half of it up in the conservatory but once Rachel had moved all her stuff out we managed to get the whole tree up and decorated just in time for Christmas day.

The table setting wasn't too good this year as it was all done in a bit of a hurry but the old stanbys served their purpose and we sat by candle light for our meal.

All in all dispite feeling so ill, I think everyone enjoyed themselves but just in case they were being kind, we said that we'd do it all again at Easter if we can

On the move

We've had some good news over the past couple of days; Rachel and Darren and baby Lily have found themselves a house to rent and the good news is that it's only five minutes down the road from us so visiting won't be too bad.

Rachel moved back home to live with us before Lily was born as she and Lily's dad didn't get on anymore so we had to rearrange the whole house to accomadate her and her new arrival, not to mention the three cats that she brought home with her. To say that space has been on the tight side would be an understatement as me and her dad moved downstairs to sleep so that Rachel could have the little room next to ours for Lily's nursery.

It has been a struggle as our house isn't very big to begin with and with Kim still at home and Rachel having Darren her new partner to stay over, it's been a bit of a tight squeeze.

They get the keys on the 19th and they want to move in before Christmas and as it's a new house I think they'll manage to do it.

I'd like to think that I could move all my furniture back upstairs and have the dining table up and running again before Christmas Eve; I think I'll be pushing my luck, but I'm certainly going to have a damn good try.

It will be so good to go upstairs to bed again although it's been easier on the old knees but I've never felt quite right sleeping in the front room.

Apart from being really cold with this frosty weather, there's nothing much else to report. I've finished all the stitching that I needed to do for Christmas, I do have a picture to show but until it's arrived I won't post a pic of it yet just in case the friend who it's going to sees it.

Off to my bed now as my fingers are seizing up with the cold, a nice cup of tea, a good book and a warm bed are all calling me................

Gift of Friendship.

I received my GOF from Chris (http://alwayssmiling24.blogspot.com/) I wish I knew how to do a link properly but I don't. It was a lovely Christmas biscornu in the reds and greens that I had chosen and it's truly beautiful.

She also sent a Lizzie Kate pattern, some buttons which will come in handy for Lily's cardigan and a lovely Kath Kidson tin of pins so I feel quite spoilt.

I sent to Sally in Canada and she said that she loved the biscornu that I had made for her though she isn't a big chocolate eater so the selection box that I sent might last her for a while.

I've really enjoyed doing this exchange and I am now looking forward to opening my cards on January 1st for my birthday thread exchange. I've been in it for three years now I think and I love the little surprises that are sometimes tucked away with the cards and thread.

I was naughty last week and splurged out on six LHN charts from ebay. They were a bargain so I had to have them and they only cost me £7, a small price to keep me busy during winter............

Clearing out

I had a good old sort through my bits and pieces the other day and found a couple of UFOs that have been lurking at the bottom of a drawer for ages. When I saw this little chap I thought how sad he looked so I decided that I'd try and finish him before I start on anything else. He's been too long tucked away out of sight.

I can't remember when I first started stitching on this but it must have been a few years ago. He shouldn't take long to finish, it's just the outside window frame that's going to be boring but at least with one colour it should be quick.

Another sunny day today but still a bit too cold to venture far. Hope that it keeps fine for tomorrow, there's still a lot of clearing to do in the garden which needs to be done before the frosts hit.

There's Christmas cards to make too so that should keep me out of mischief for a couple of days at least.

Saturday

Well, it's a wet miserable day here in Derbyshire, not helped by the fact that the cat woke me three times in the night, I think the wind must have scared him. If it ever stops raining I need to get out in the garden and see if the fish in the pond are still alive as there's leaves everywhere

There's plenty to do if I can't get out, like all the washing and ironing and there's still the bathroom to finish off properly. We started it last Christmas when we had a new suite in but it's never been finished off so maybe todays the day to do it. The only problem is finding a time when no one's in there, it seems to be permanently occupied.

I finished my biscornu and I'm quite proud of my first effort.

It should now be winging it's way over to Canada for Sally.

I think before I do anything else I'll pop the kettle on and then do a bit of baking, nothing like the smell of homemade bread and cakes to cheer the house up......