January update

January comes full of good intentions and expectations but neither seem to have worked out this year. I've been having computer problems since before Christmas so the last thing I wanted was stress at such a busy time so I decided to have some time off while I got Christmas sorted.

A quick repair and it was up and running again until the beginning of the year when it went again so another trip to the pc doctor and hopefully we are all mended and ready to tackle 2018.

But then, just as all was well with the world, the sun was shining so I started out in the garden picking up leaves when my back decided to pack in as I was bending over. A weeks rest either in bed or on the sofa and I'm eventually feeling less pain and less like an old crock.

I thought I'd put a few pictures up just so I don't forget what I've been doing.

First is the Sewandso Christmas SAL which was a nice quick stitch and I managed to finish it in time. There's a new one starting next week so hopefully I shall join in with that one too.

And finally, Celtic Christmas is finished and framed, I can't remember when I started this but it was a long time ago.

                     The light isn't very good and neither is my camera but I'm pleased with the result.

Flowers for my birthday on January 1st, I also had a new phone and a little hedgehog kit to try out some needlefelting.

The hyacinths are blooming and smelling lovely and the poinsettia is still going strong which is unusual as I can't normally keep them.

I managed a walk down the garden after lunch, it was so nice to get out in the fresh air. Lots of signs that Spring is on her way and maybe this year we might have some daffodils that flower and not just leaves.

One thing good about having to rest was that I had time to read, both of them were good books but I'm a bit biased as I love Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

Thank you for dropping by, until next time,

Sue x

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