Job done - tick!

Today I woke up all achey - every time I moved, it hurt and I just couldn't stop yawning.  I have no idea whether I am coming down with anything - but a dose of paracetamol, followed by a hot water bottle, seemed to do the trick.  I felt well enough to pop out for a cuppa and a catch up with Jean at Watts for Tea (she had never been!).

Whilst I was out, I stopped off at Appleby's and gave them my stock of fabric makes (well, I had finished the last "sew together bag"!) - they seemed bowled over with the mini tote bags / knitting kits (the ones that took the least to make - isn't that always the way?)  Ah well, let's see if it makes us our fortune!!


Back home and it was the usual housework / washing / ironing (whilst listening to Radio 2 where Michael Ball did a show paying homage to Andrew Lloyd Webber - what's not to like about that combo?) before settling down for some handsewing on the sofa.  The tablets had begun to wear off  so I figured that I deserved a rest!!  Mind you - I did find a pocket of time to start looking through the mass of clothes bought for the cruise - me thinks that its time to start sorting out outfits and aiming towards one of Trisha's "capsule wardrobes"!  I also managed a "quick" nap - and woke up gone 4pm!!  Oops!

The difference between work and leisure

So - finally there was a chance to have a lie in and please myself - so I work up at 8:20am and enjoyed the rest!  I had "scheduled" today to be the day that I caught up with, and finished, the items to take to the gallery at Appleby's.  I have no idea if they will sell / which lines may sell better than others, but I had two sew together bags to finish and two more knitting kit tote bags.  First up was the pink Sew Together Bag - with the "Garden Notes" version quickly following - it just needs some handsewing and then two zipper tabs attaching.  I am planning on dropping them off tomorrow so that task is done - I am not sure that I am cut out for this work lark!!!




Next up was a lovely walk on the beach with the two pooches.  We have been blessed with a sunny, but cold day here and the walk was wonderful - until Daisy appeared having rolled in something!  Cue a wash in the sink!





Then it was onto the two knitting tote bags - which will be finished tonight.  Fortunately my cousin sent me some labels for them so that's one less job to do tonight!

I will also confess to getting a new toy today which kind of took my attention away from the tasks in hand - but, hey, I am retired so have no boss to answer to - right?

Preparation is the key - so hey say!

As I mentioned yesterday, today I was at Spindle Cottage for my monthly sewing class to create a lovely heirloom sewing box.  Although we missed last month's class, due to snow, we have now reached the point where we are making lots of little pieces and, rather than getting the sewing machine in and out (there's a distinct lack of space at the workshop!), today was spent preparing each small item - ready to sew next month.





First there was the needlecase and pocket










then there was some customised pockets for scissors which now need to be embroidered,








followed by the handles,







the thread catcher








and the four sides -complete with pen holder.

Of course I have come home with embroidery homework but can't wait until we finally start to see everything coming together!




As for me -well, I can now start to relax from he weekend retreat.  I am not due to be going anywhere for the next 4 days and so can relax - ish!!  I will confess to being absolutely shattered and look forward to turning the alarm off tomorrow morning!

It's a doggy tail!

Back to earth with a bump (not to mention an increase in the scales - cough cough), today started with the arrival of the new window cleaner - he was going to wash the outside, plus the conservatory, plus clear all of the guttering of the winter debris.  Wow - what a difference it has made - well worth the expense!

Whilst he put the shine on the windows, I popped up to Mum's to collect the two pooches and fill in some paperwork with her.  You can tell how stressed they both were with the experience!  However I did hear that they had escaped - and then came home on their own as if they had been out on a stroll!!

The main event of the day was to take Maisie to the groomers for the first time in her life.  I am not saying that she enjoyed herself - but she smelt and felt so much better with those tangles all gone.  Ah well - her next appointment is in 10 weeks time!


After all of that excitement, we didn't get back home until after five so its a quick post and then a dive into the low cooker for a sausage casserole!  Then its onto sorting out for my monthly sewing class tomorrow - plus some handsewing of course!

What a weekend!!

Last Friday we set off from all quarters of Lincolnshire - initially to converge on Bridlington for a fabric shop (what else) and a lovely lunch by the harbour.  Looking at the cars I had no idea how everyone had managed to pack so much in!  However we arrived at the final destination for our sewing retreat - Hackness Grange in North Yorkshire - and quickly set up.  Truthfully the treat table was the first completed table!!!  We vowed that we would never get through so much food - but we gave it a good try!  I should add at this point that , although the breakfasts and evening meals were included, the hotel staff kept us going with bucket loads of coffee / tea and cakes - lots of cakes - plus cream scones most days -we didn't suffer!



Of course we were there to sew - and sew I did.  First up was a Christmas present, followed by another Christmas present (for the same person as it goes) and then the first mystery project.  Five people took part in my two hour project - a very useful cable  plug/ storage bag.







On Saturday (yes, we managed all of that in one day) we set off for Scarborough and our favourite fabric shop (cue more purchases of course!)  On the way, some of us spotted a cute tea shop in Scalby - The Yew Tree - so we stopped off there on our way back for coffee and a cake.  The tea room had the most gorgeous Emma Bridgewater wall paper (around £66 a roll!!)

Back at the hotel ( and in our very own HUGE conference room complete with fairy lights, personal orangery for dining and patio / chairs / tables outside) it was back to sewing - this time some microwave bowl cosies for Mum to give as a gift - before starting Terry's two hour project.  This was a five pocket, two zipper bag and took me five hours to complete - with a sleep inbetween.  the record was 20 hours - but everyone who started finished it!

Sunday saw the afore mentioned completion of the mystery project, followed by a visit to a local craft fair.  Heather and Louise decided to go on a ramble at this point - only to find Louise waist deep in water as she tried to find a short cut!  The location of the hotel was beautiful and I don't blame them for getting some fresh air.  By now I was definitely wilting and, although I carried on with a new project (a sew together bag), there are some aspects that will need re-doing!


All in all, it was a great weekend - one filled with laughter and good humour - and it was finished off with a couple of games - Quilting Bingo being one of them complete with prizes!  The food was wonderful - these pictures are just the last night's dinner!  Melon, fruit and mango sorbet for starters, Roast beef dinner with large yorkshire pud followed by sticky toffee pudding and ice cream!







In fact it was that good that we have booked to go for the same weekend next year!  Just look at what we achieved between us!

Of course, back home it is back to reality - the suitcase unpacked, the bed stripped and the washer on.  Ah well!  After all that food - the diet is back on - darn it!!

I should also add that Wendy and I honoured the Humber Bridge tradition -winding the windows down and singing "Oh what a night! as we drove home.  However it was an improvised version - no cd, I couldn't remember much more than the first two lines and didn't realise that I had the song on my phone until we had nearly reached the end of the bridge!!  However - we tried!!

err - I got a little distracted!

I woke up this morning really feeling my age.  Every single bone and joint hurt!  But there was too much to do to stay in bed so I roused myself and started with a load of washing, followed by a good clean through - no-one wants to come back to an untidy house now do they?  It was at this point that I became distracted.  When I tidied up my sewing retreat bag the other day, I came across the corners that I had cut off nearly two months ago (thinking that they might come in useful).  Cue a stop over at the sewing machine to run up a pin cushion cube.



Firmly back in holiday prep mode, I then sorted the bags that I wanted to take - only to think "wouldn't it be useful to just sort those sides of the bag out"  Cue more time at the sewing machine sewing the sides for two sew together bags!  Really!!





Back on track, I had time to put the hoover around, and iron the washing and talk to the house sitter, before popping out to take the dogs up to Mum's - finally coming home to pack the suitcase.  I don't know whether I will be able to blog over the weekend so please bear with me!  Seriously, the amount of projects that I have taken will last me the weekend (and more) providing I don't sleep at all / go shopping!

Blowing away the cobwebs

This morning, I awoke to glorious sunshine.  Just the ticket for our WI walk.  We had planned to walk around Covenham reservoir - around 3 miles.  Sadly the gate was closed and so we had to climb the mountain  of steps - no problem for this fit lassie!  The stile did prove challenging for some - but soon we were off.  The walk is fenced in both sides and so the dogs were able to run freely - Daisy loved it - bombing between the various groups.  the sunshine on the clear blue, lapping water was just a magical tonic!  Bring on the summer!

On the way home, we stopped off at Appleby's for a coffee - and were treated to an update viewing of their craft gallery  plus a tour of the ice cream factory!  The gallery is really showing some potential - I have now contacted the owner (she wasn't here) to firm up the arrangements for my "makes".




Back home and, I will confess, a long sit down with lunch - the dogs were shattered (can you just make out Daisy asleep at my feet?) - followed by more sewing retreat prep - I am now up to three bags plus the suitcase - with at least one more to come!  (Sorry Wendy!)  However there was time to tackle one of the prepped projects -some mini tote bags which will house a knitting kit for beginners which Happymum has supplied.  I don't have many children's fabrics at home but came across these in my stash and so put them to good use!

Tonight it's off to pilates - I will enjoy it when I am there but ................

I have a cunning plan ......... he he he!

So, now we are in full on holiday preparation mood - first up as the hairdressers to be coloured, cut and generally pampered - always one of my favourite days!  On the way home, I popped into Mum and Dad's (thank you for the bacon buttie), caught up with the progress of their conservatory - more like a terrace at the moment - and said hello to Maisie!  What is it with dogs and their need to roll around the lawn?




Back home, and with the shopping from Tesco's unpacked, it was time to search for this roll of "plastic".  I have had it for many years and believe that it is soluble fabric (I will test some before I start).  The concept is to trap all of those tiny bits of fabric and thread between this and some calico, machine it to death to trap everything and then wash the top layer away to reveal "new fabric".  Well, whats a retreat if it's not to try new things like this?






Talking about the retreat, I also came across my Cath Kidston wash bag - well, I can hardly use my new wash bag, I am saving that for the retreat!  So it was shampoo bottle filling and wash bag sorting!




Next up was some cutting of fabric to finish a project at the retreat (I have enough projects to last at least a fortnight and we have three days!)  The visit to Mum also resulted in a "commission" which needs a visit to The Sewing Centre at Scarbrough on Saturday for the"right" fabric- what a shame!

The final task of the day (apart from washing etc) was to empty the car.  Tomorrow the WI walking group is walking around the local reservoir and I have volunteered to take a couple of passengers - as well as the two pooches.

Holiday d-day is now three sleeps away!!

Down to earth with a bump!

Well - it couldn't be anything else - now could it?  Truthfully, today has been the usual Monday routine - Textile Group followed by Slimming World - where, yes, I put on!  I suppose that eating a creme egg fondant , birthday cake and home made tiffin might actually result in a weight gain!  With a long weekend approaching, perhaps it's a good idea that I have a fortnight to get back on the straight and narrow!

That being said, I have had so many compliments about my weight loss so far that it's never a bad idea to take stock and see how far I've come.  The odd weight gain is just a little bump in the road - it's how you overcome the obstruction and carry on that matters.

Elsewhere any activity is heading towards the impending sewing retreat - checking projects to see what is still need to be purchased (30" of 1/4" navy ribbon since you ask) and packing my new "Ultimate Carry All bag"  now that I don't have to go to another class or group before Friday. Next stop?  A date with the hairdressers tomorrow followed by a secret assignation with Mr T to secure some treats for the "treat table" -all low syn of course!!

Wow - what a weekend!!

For the past six months, or so, I have been planning and organising a surprise lunch for Dad's 80th birthday.  Of course I couldn't mention it before - he never reads my blog - but it would just be my luck!! The plan was that I was going to take them both out for a birthday lunch - my present to them.  Mum was in on it - but the whole family (over 30 of them ) were then congregating in a local "Steak on the rocks" restaurant.  Imagine the surprise when dad walked in - just to be greeted with everyone!

It was a lovely lunch - the food had been pre-ordered and the service excellent - but, eventually, we had to com home - to Mum and Dad for a cuppa and birthday cake.  We rather filled the lounge!!  Dad even enjoyed a cuddle with the latest addition - Ruth.

My niece, Cadi, had made the lovely cake and all of these wonderful cupcakes - she had put a lot of thought into it and should be proud!!









Meanwhile the great grandchildren did a chocolate Easter egg hunt around the house - and then just loved rolling around on the floor!







Mike gave Dad this lovely jigsaw - the family photo from his wedding last summer!







Eventually, all good things come to an end - and we all went home, apart from my cousin and her family who were staying overnight.  Consequently I went back to Mum and Dad's today to help her mend a very decrepit sewing machine (we got this much dirt out of it - nearly fifty years worth she believes).  I am pleased to say that it is now working again!

 

I also made pudding - this recipe for a Creme Egg chocolate fondant kept popping up on my Facebook page and I wanted an excuse to make it - I only had half - honest!  All that I now need to do is to make a Slimming World Ameretto cheesecake for tomorrow - before thinking about my sewing retreat on Sunday and checking that I have everything that I need!  Phew - I should sleep well again tonight!