The downside of losing weight!

So, it's Monday and - Guess What - it's Textile Group!  Today we were doing a  multitude of tasks.  Me?  I was finishing my 7th and final toiletry bag








Starting to lay out and fix in place my first Christmas block

and heading towards the finishing straight with the final Scamblesby block.







Back home and it was the last bits of ironing for the cruise - look at all these labels that have had to be cut off from my new clothes!!  It's a very pleasant downside to weight loss!




I always knew that I wasn't likely to lose any weight this week - what with my pre-holiday celebrations - and so wasn't surprised to maintain.  I won't even begin to predict how much weight will go back on once I am on the cruise - someone tried to tell me that they lost weight on a cruise - REALLY?????  What is more important is that I have a good time and then get back on that bike!

Tomorrow it's glamour time - hairdressers / manicure / pedicure!  Then, finally, I can begin to pack!! I also need to speak to the house sitter and sort out the minor details like the bins going out etc!

They're not all mine - honest!

So, yesterday Wendy, Jean and I went to see "Hairspray" in Hull.  I have seen it twice before - in London and Manchester with Michael Ball playing the starring role.  I have to say that the Hull production didn't let me down - it was fantastic!!  In particular, Brenda Edwards - of X-factor fame and who played the role of Motormouth Maybelle - was simply amazing!!  When she sang "I know where I've been" - it brought tears to your eyes and shivers down your spine!  We had decided to take a pack up with us - and ate it in the car.  My plan had been to make a ham and egg salad - until, that is, I left the eggs boiling for half an hour - totally forgetting about them.  When I rushed through and took the now dry pan off the heat - the eggs exploded all over my jumper - oops!!

Today I had set aside to get down to serious cruise sorting.  First up was the paperwork.  If we don't have the right documents then its not for the sake of trying!  Heck I even phoned the bank to see if I have to notify them that I am going abroad - apparently I don't!  Then it was onto the start of the ironing - my home is beginning to look like a laundry with clothes hanging up everywhere!


Next on the agenda was to finish my clutch bags off by adding a wristlet and tab to hold it.  It was one of those jobs that I have been putting off and yet took minutes to complete and will make my life much easier!








Likewise the kitchen cupboards.  With just one day to go in April, and one cupboard left, I had bought an over the door basket to help with the storage of the baking tins - only to find that there's a shelf in the way which would need moving.  Still - getting everything out meant that I could give it a good sort out!  So, with that sorted and some church paperwork dealt with , it seemed only fitting to have a break -so Wendy, Cathy and I went round to a new friends and perused her book shelves.  YES we have been before and NO we haven't read them all yet - but good friends need to help each other out - now don't we?  This was Cathy's first visit and she was rather blown away by the amount of books - and came away with 4 bags of her own!!

With the pretence of taking some trousers up for the holiday, it was then time for a nap and a catch up of missed tv programmes - by which time, I will confess, the afternoon had flown!  Still - I have achieved all that I set out to do so that's not a bad achievement - now is it?

A right royal knees up!

So - let's start with the WI event last night.  We had nearly 60 ladies enjoying a presentation (and tasting) from a local Gin making firm.  As I said yesterday, I taught the owner Maths for five years and, whilst the hugs and kisses were nice (I won't deny) it was really heartening to hear that he had gone on to do A Level maths, trained as an engineer and even been designing roller coasters - until he came home and declared that he wanted to give it all up and make Gin and grow Christmas trees.  What started as a business making one litre a time in his kitchen has grown, in just over a year, to planning permission to build a distillery in Louth.  His partner is clearly very patient - she was expecting their daughter when  he declared this so couldn't even taste the product she was selling.




Everyone was served three large glasses of gin and tonic - to different recipes.  As I was driving, and don't drink much - guess which glass was Jean's and which one was mine?






This morning started well - the weather wasn't bad and I was out in the garden at 8:30am - rescuing a pot!  I am a somewhat accidental gardener nad noticed this weed filled pot of daffodils with some sweet peas struggling to come through.  So I spent time clearing and trimming to give the sweet peas a chance.  Once they grow a little longer I will tie them all up.







After a WI meeting (where I swapped roles and am now responsible for the competitions so don't have work to do before each meeting - phew)  it was home to continue with the tracing and lining of the embroideries I started with yesterday - along with rather a long afternoon nap!  Well, it's book club tonight and we won't get home until late!  Tomorrow I am off to watch Hairspray so there may not be a post - just warning you!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Well - apparently the Christmas edition of Pointless is being filmed today so I thought that I would get into the spirit!!




Today I was up and early and at the car wash by 9am - that usually means that you get seen to much quicker - as, indeed, I did today!    Why the need for a car wash and internal valet?  Well, I can't go on holiday with a messy car now can I?  Heck, I even checked the tyre pressures!  Go me!  I also popped into Tesco's where this crochet magazine caught my eye - but only because of the sock blockers! Now - would crochet socks be easier I wonder?





On the way home I detoured via Mum and Dad's and we tried out a new tea room that has opened in their village.  I will admit to having my doubts as it looked bad from the front.  However I hadn't reckoned on it being at the rear of the building and everything was spotless.  I resisted temptation - easier than usual - they didn't have many homemade cakes in yet - and we spent a very enjoyable hour catching up.  I was also impressed that my American came as an expresso with boiling water in a jug so that I could adjust the strength of my coffee.  It was an appreciated gesture.

Back home, and with the dogs walked and a healthy Caesar salad for lunch, it was off out to mow the lawn before settling down to a mountain of tracing which all now needs to be lined before sewing.  Well - you know how I like my hand sewing!

After rustling up a steak casserole for tea - there are some lovely smells coming from the kitchen right now - it was back out into the garden to put soil on my emerging potatoes, plant a cherry tree and to plant up some summer bulbs, before coming back in to fix the afore mentioned linings.


Tonight it's our WI group's meeting where a local Gin company are coming to talk to us and give ou samples.  I can't quite take it seriously - I used to teach the owner!!  However we will find out how my wine bag goes down in the competition.  Just to complete the circle - I am keeping the bag and the bottle for some lucky recipient at Christmas (ssh -now who do I know that would appreciate a fabric gift bag and a bottle of red wine!!)

It's all finally coming together

You may recall that. once a month, I travel over to Spindle Cottage to sew my sewing box.  This is really a labour of love and, so far, I have made the central tower.  But this sewing box is not just any sewing box - this one has sides that fall down and reveal a multitude of pockets and a thread catcher.  Today we focused on making those sides and getting them quilted.





Unfortunately I genuinely forgot to do one piece of embroidery and so couldn't complete the thread catcher.  Instead I sewed the handles and fixed the one onto the lid of the central tower.










Whilst I was there, my eyes happened upon this lovely dust cover that someone had made for their sewing machine and this lovely cushion.  Apparently there's a kit coming out for a different cover (blue of course) so I will watch out for that!






Back home and, after driving through a heavy thunderstorm, its time to rest and recuperate.  the sewing box has embroidery all of the way around the outside and my fabric was too dark to trace it today.  So I need to trace the design and then finish the embroidery that I forgot to do!

The holiday countdown starts right here!

I mentioned the busy week ahead and today saw the start of it - a trip to the Senior Screen to watch "The Greatest Showman" for the second time.  I have to say that I enjoyed it even more the second time around - although I wish that I could have broken into song!  We sat on the back row (like naughty school girls) and the screen was really full.  About an hour into the film, a lady walked past us and tried to open the door to the projection room!  It turns out that she caught the wrong bus, was late and couldn't see a spare seat in the dark.  Although we moved up for her, she elected to sit on the steps!



With a trip to Tesco's under our belt, we then dropped in to see Jenny - a friend who was celebrating her birthday today.  I wrapped up the bag that I made at the sewing retreat and put some smellies in - she was bowled over and couldn't believe that I had made it!  I would have taken some photos - but she has a bad back and was till in her dressing gown so I didn't want to embarass her.




Back home, and with rain pouring down, it was time for a very late lunch (think 3pm!!) before scooting round the house for a quick hoover and tidy up before finishing the retreat bag that I started at The Textile Group - why do they go much better when I am on my own?  All that needed to be done was then to pick up my prescription for the holiday, pack the car up for my monthly sewing class, prepare my pack up - then sit and chill!!

Foodwise I have been on it - fruit salad and yoghurt for breakfast, a cooked breakfast concoction for lunch and salmon with new potatoes n veg for tea.  I am also trying strawberries with a chocolate dip for tea.  Apparently you mix some quark with an options chocolate to make the dip - I will report back tomorrow!!  This week I am planning to experiment with quark and see what turns up!!

Congratulations!

Isn't it fitting that William and Kate welcome their third child on St George's Day?

On a more usual note, today has been the usual Textile Group, where we were working on finishing our retreat bags started last week, and Slimming World - where, I am afraid - the scales were not kind (think pre-holiday mode / water retention).  Ah well - taking the scenic route detour again!!

Squashed in-between was an emergency visit to Mum and Dad's to sort out his computer.  Why, oh why, do you need so many passwords, case sensitive and difficult to recall?  Dad had not been able to access his internet, and therefore his emails, because he couldn't remember a password set up years ago and the computer wouldn't allow him to change his password because it wouldn't accept the answer to his "prompt question" - grrrr!  Fortunately I managed to sort it out for him but it's frustrating!

Tonight will see more handsewing - following black outlines n dark green fabric is a tad eye-straining but needs to be done!

Finished - at last!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting ready for church this morning, I decided to try a different pair of shoes - one with a kitten heel.  You see, I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitus some years ago and have worn flat shoes for nearly five years - but a long dress for the cruise really demands some form of heel rather than lace up flats - so I thought that I ought to "practise".  I have no idea how I used to walk in them and stand in them all day teaching - my ankle ended up feeling strained!  Long story short, I have found a more comfortable pair from my shoe stash(!!) which pinches my big toe a little but are much easier to walk in!!

Once home from church, and with the dogs walked in the lovely sunshine, I then set to painting the front fence.  You may recall that I painted it last year - but had about 10 "pickets" to do that never got done.  I have had such stick about the unfinished fence that its nice to get the job done at last - even if it did take an hour and a half to do! Now I just have the inside of the fence (the bit that I can see) and my large side fence - and the front garden will be complete!!!!!!

As a "treat" I then sat down to do the Christmas tree for the advent calendar - which took about 2 1/2 hours - why is nothing ever quick and simple?  Now that the 4 parts are complete, they need to be bound, a trunk appliqued, a secret pocket installed and red ric rac added to the tree - before finally attaching the tree - all by the end of this month if I don't want Sewingbuddy on my back!  During any normal week, that wouldn't be a problem but this week is my "preholiday " week. Monday is the usual Textile Group followed by Slimming World, Tuesday I am off to see The Greatest Showman again at the cinema, Wednesday is my monthly sewing class, Thursday the car is being valeted followed by a PinGin event in the evening, Friday is a WI meeting followed by Book Club and Saturday I am going to see "Hairspray" in Hull.  Phew - I really will need a holiday then!!

The final task of the day was some weeding - this weather is definitely getting chillier but it's still dry so I wanted to make the most of it -before starting to get ready for the Textile Group tomorrow - and thus another week starts!

A sense of achievement.

I am liking this combination of nice sunny days and cooler nights - that way you can actually get a  good night's sleep! Truthfully the temperature today has been much better but I walked the dogs early so that the deed was down before the temperature climbed - I always worry about the tarmac getting too hot for their paws!

My main aim for today was to complete the titchy tiny foundation pieced houses for my Lynette Anderson block 3 of Seaside Town.  However, this wasn't something that I wanted to sit down and complete in one go - it actually took something like three hours in total!  So I interspersed my crafting activities with ironing, gardening. sweeping the patio etc.  In fact I even answered a "cry for help" on Facebook and gave the local playgroup some picket fencing -which creates more space in the shed.

I actually completed the block this afternoon - whilst listening to next month's book club book on Audible - "My Cousin Rachel".  As with the larger version (these houses measure 3" square) I had an issue with the chimney placement - but it's nothing that a well placed button won't cure!  I also need to do a little more embroidery so that the fence rails meet the seam - but it's a relief to see the back of this one.  Blocks two and three have travelled to two different sewing retreats without being attempted.  After looking at block 4, it appears that I have already cut out some parts so, I guess, you could count the block as being started!

So, who goes shopping with a ruler? Don't be shy - hands up!

This morning started well enough - but I will confess to wanting a distraction.  I had decided to tackle the WI wine bag and follow the you-tube video step by step.  All was going well, until her "normal" bottle of wine must have been smaller than mine - the only bottle that I had in the house was too big for the bag (which has a "hat" on and therefore size is important!





Just as I stopped to ponder my dilemma, Wendy called round with a  lovely bunch of tulips to congratulate me on reaching my first weight loss target - wasn't that lovely of her and Nigel?






Then mum called and I arranged to meet her and Dad at a garden centre for lunch -problem solved, I could stop off at Tesco's and get another bottle of wine - hence the ruler.  Yes I honestly did go up and down the wine aisles measuring bottles!  In the end, the bottle was the smallest that I can find.  I need to sew a button on to finish it off - just hope that they like it!






Back home, and a quick dog walk, it's nearly tea time - just where has the day gone?  I can report, however, that the knitted waistcoat is now sewn up and I am contemplating binding the seams with some lovely bias binding that Wendy got me for Christmas.  Cruisewise, I have now checked in online both ways and have been sent (and printed out) my cruise e-tickets.  I have allocated next Sunday to go through everything and check that it's all in order - but I think that we are good to go. Heck - Mum has even bought me Percy Pig sweets for the journey!!  Just got the ironing and packing to go then!

With the knitting complete - hey, I can go back to handsewing!! Life is good!  Oh, and on a totally different note, Sewingbuddy and I "tendered" for a designing job last night.  A mutual friend put us in touch with an american start up company who wants one of their products re-designed and were looking at a number of different companies to take on the task.  We probably won't be successful but it's all good experience!!

The annual battle with Mad Millie

So - another scorcher eh?  After feeling rather smug that I had swapped to the summer duvet (and, consequently, am getting a good night's sleep), my first task of the day was to make bag number 6!  Well - I wanted to let the grass dew dry out before getting out and mowing the lawn - which was then swiftly followed by the second power washing of the patio are to get rid of those last few dregs.

With a change of clothes (you do get filthy power washing!), it was then mid morning and time to chill in the summer house. For the first time this year, the doors were thrown back and the rocking chair enjoyed.  I would say that it was a lovely peaceful morning but, just as I sat down, the next door neighbour started with a strimmer!

With a short break to check in online for our return flight (boo - 3 weeks today the holiday is over!), it was back outside for some weeding - I'm a regular "wonder woman" today! - before bringing the powerwasher in and taking the table outside to the clean patio - today's mission accomplished (watch it rain tomorrow!!)

So -what about the blog title and "Mad Millie"?  Well it was time for her booster jabs this afternoon - never my favourite task as she goes mad in the vets.  Every year we get a different vet(now I wonder why?) but this one thought that she looked good for her age, was surprised to see that this mad monster was nearly 12 and, when we weighed her, I was surprised to see that she had only put on 0.7kg in five years since she was weighed last year - not too bad going eh?  However, having survived that, we then came home, picked up Daisy and gave them a nice walk (trying to keep to the shade of course).

Tonight I have the church's AGM, which is a shame since I have just got to sew my waistcoat up and that project is finished!!  I also volunteered to make our WI's entry for a group competition next week - a decorated wine bottle bag! - so that will be my next focus.  Just to add to the list, my ricrac arrived today for my advent calendar Christmas trees - no excuse now then!!

Battling with the hosepipe!

Well, the sunshine has arrived and it's glorious!  So I decided to go ahead with power washing the "patio" so that I can move the table and chairs outside.  It didn't start so well - connection issues etc - combined with two different hosepipes to choose from - one of which is ancient and has kinks - but has a better connection.  Eventually - the problem was solved and off I went - I do love the difference it makes!  I will need to get rid of the debris and then give it (and the covered walls) a once over - but we are nearly there for this area of the garden.




Covered in muck, I stripped off and filled the washing machine - before sewing another couple of toiletry bags - I want to have made 7 (strange number I know - but! ) and currently have 5 so I am getting there!  Heck I even braved using a double headed zip - I have always avoided trying this in case there is a gap in-between because I have put the heads on wrong.



By now it was time for an early lunch ( Bacon and asparagus pesto pasta since you ask) before setting off for the inaugural "Knit and natter" group (wearing my nice new M & S top may I just say!).  There was a good turn out and we certainly had a good natter -meeting new friends is always good.  Heck - I almost finished the back of my waistcoat and even got to sample the new Pin Gin cocktail  - the owner was in and the barmaid gave us one between us to sample.  I can't go for another few weeks, but - wait for this Jo - a group of us are going to try knitting a sock!!  I say one - just in case it goes horribly wrong!!

With the car thermometer saying 27 degrees(yikes!)  I went home and even did some weeding!  Let's make the most of these lovely sunny days - my phone gives us tomorrow and Friday (with the temperature starting to drop on Friday ) before the rain returns!  So - tomorrow will hopefully see the patio finished, the table moved outside and the lawn mowed.  Who knows - maybe some more weeding!

What a day!!

Seriously - it's like being back at work.  Waking up to the alarm and then two meetings with barely time for lunch in-between!

The first meeting was a WI group meeting so, as Secretary, I spent some time organising myself before the meeting, took the minutes and then spent some time this afternoon typing up the minutes. 


After a quick turn around, it was then off to Carine's for a WI craft group meeting looking at our WI entry for the Lincolnshire show.  The theme is "all the fun of the fair" and so Wendy brought the base - a piece of wood covered with artificial grass which looks fab.







Carine has just acquired two kittens (well they're 11 months really) and the kittens have been brought up in a flat -much loved but given up when the owner realised that they were desperate to enjoy the outside area but she lived near a main road.  Today was only the second time that Carine had allowed them into her garden and they are still at that tentative stage!  However they are VERY cute!



Back home, and whilst typing up the afore said minutes, I looked up to see this.  I am hoping that it's a Cadet exercise rather than being invaded - but all very strange!

Knitting wise, I must report that I am about 5" away from finishing the back of my waistcoat and so am hopeful about finishing it.  I have just learnt that there is a new "Knit and natter" group starting tomorrow afternoon in the pub so may just pop in!!

Well?

Today the Monday Textile Group met again after their Easter break - and the project was a retreat bag.  Since I was early, I took the opportunity to run up another toiletry bag for the stash.






However Wendy had come prepared and was able to nearly finish it - whilst Carine was busy cutting and prepping.




Meanwhile Linda was busy choosing her fabrics and starting the prep.






Home, for a few minutes, and it was time to book my tickets for The Festival Of Quilts - sadly the two workshops that I wanted were fully booked but I will look again to see if anything else takes my fancy!  Then it was round to the church to see the gardener, before popping into Mum and Dad's for a catch up - and then onto Tesco's for the weekly shop.  Phew - I was glad to get to Slimming World - if only for a sit down!

So - did I achieve my goal?  After just over a year - did I get my 5 stone award?  Of course I did!!  Did you ever doubt it?  Not only that but, with a weight loss of 4lbs,  I was slimmer of the week - so that was two shiny certificates for the wall!  With two weigh in's before I go on holiday (and put some of it back on! ) I would like to reach the 5 1/2 stone award (6 in total) but that would mean losing another 5 1/2lbs.  A tough ask - but let's go for it!!

Nearly there .........

As promised, this morning the sun really did have its hat on - well, for a couple of hours at least.  After that, the mist started to roll in from the fields like a gothic victorian novel!  Truthfully we did then have patches of sunshine - but it needs to warm up a little more for me!   I had hoped, for example, to power wash the patio before taking the tables and chairs out - I think that soaking may have to wait until later on in the week when it promises to be a tad warmer!







So, what's a girl to do?  I mean, all of this tidying means that the house is in a reasonable state (just needed a hoover round) so I then sat down and made another toiletry bag for my craft fair stash.  I don't know if they will sell, but they are quick to make and will begin to fill the stall!




After a nice long long walk (still in my fleece at this point) with the dogs, I then set to making my tea towel bag.  You may recall that I fell in love with the wallpaper in a tea room that we visited whilst we were on the retreat - and bought a matching tea towel.  The design, by Emma Bridgwater, was of a kitchen dresser and in my favourite colourway of blue.  So, using plain blue from my stash for the lining, I cut the tea towel up (two long strap fronts from the sides and "in half" - well, to match the shelves anyway), backed with fusible wadding and made into a simple bag.  I kept the orange "Emma Bridgewater" label to both give credit to the designer and add a touch of "class" to this simple make.  I think that it's come out well - if I do say so.

With some waistcoat knitting, meal planning for the week ahead and church bill paying, I guess that you could say that it's another day completed.  So - why the blog title you ask?  Well, it could be because I can finally buy my Festival Of Quilts ticket tomorrow and book my workshops or it could be because a loss to 2 1/2lbs tomorrow afternoon would result in me gaining my 5 stone SW award (so it would be 5 1/2 stone altogether).  The 5 stone award was the first target that I set myself when I started - so fingers crossed that I need to set a second target.  I have been 100% on it this week so it should be in the bag - but you just never know!

Another "bitty" day!

Ah well - it happens sometimes now doesn't it?  Those days where you are just getting on with bits and bobs that need doing.  For example, I traced the new Gail Pan stitcheries, sorted the first retreat bag that I made - and then added one of the reindeer stitcheries that Wendy gave me for Christmas.  Et voila - my holiday craft bag is now complete!





With bed stripped and bedding washed, it is now time to change the duvet to a summer one.  Yes, I know, I may regret this but it is beginning to get warm at night and, I figured, I can always add a blanket!  A simple task, I know, but it does involve trudging duvets up and down stairs!

With more tidying and sorting of kitchen cupboards (don't worry Sewingbuddy - no piccies today - you're safe), a  dog walk and the rustling up of another 15 minutes toiletry bag (well, I have been stupid enough to have a craft fair stall in July so need to start building up stock), that kind of sums up the day.  However I will round it off tonight by going to the theatre for my monthly volunteering task and serving ice creams.  In other words - a simple, understated but enjoyable day.  Heck, I even had time to cut out another retreat bag for the Textile group on Monday!