I can't believe its nearly a month since I posted here. Life has been very busy. My aunt is finally out of hospital and my other aunt is recovering well from her knee replacement surgery. Both of them are back in their own houses so the pressure on my parents and myself is reduced finally. I'm very tired after it all especially as work has been so busy.
Stitching wise, my progress in July has been fairly non existent due to very little stitching time. I've finished a couple of small christmas cards and another christmas piece. Pictures to follow. The knitting bug has continued to bite. I've knitted a scarf for my sisters birthday and I've also almost finished another knitted bag for my sister.
At the moment I really need to be kicked up the backside. I've got 4 different things that needed posted off to various people and a mountain of ironing that will over take the house. However all I really want to do is sleep, surf the net and stitching or knit. Still its only 1 month till I have a fortnight off work and only 2 weeks to the UKGTG. I really can't wait, especially for the GTG. I have no stitching friends locally other than my aunt (who I am gradually enabling with lots of different stuff) and its great to talk to other people who get the stitching thing rather than think it strange.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
Holiday weekend
Its a holiday weekend in a large part of Scotland this weekend. The holiday marks the start of the traditional Glasgow Fair holiday fortnight. It dates back to when this area was mostly industrial and all the factories and ship yards closed for the annual summer holidays. Each area of Scotland had its own Fair fortnight and it coincided with local fairs and gala weeks. The factories and ship yards are mostly long gone but the holiday remains. So this weekend the airport at Glasgow has its busiest time. Today is called Fair Friday and almost always the weather is dreadfully today and it usually rains. Its not raining and it is warm today but the weather is muggy and not nice at all.
This week, the weather gods got a bit confused and the West of Scotland had temperatures of 80-90 degrees during the day. Not really typically Scottish weather especially when you are a very fair skinned Celt like me. I only have to look at the sun to get sunburn. Added to that is the fact that we don't have air conditioning like those in USA and Canada. Sleeping has been a bit tricky to say the least.
Stitching wise, I haven't done much at all this week. Mostly I've been at work or up visiting my aunt in hospital or sleeping. Added to this is the fact that we changed soap at work a while back and its not agreeing with my hands. The skin on one of my fingers has split at the knuckles and the rest of my hands feel like sandpaper. Not ideal for stitching with silks. I've got an appointment to see someone at the Occupational Health department to sort it out and I've been given some cream until then. Meanwhile I still have to wash my hands 30+ times a day at work and use masses of hand cream.
This week, the weather gods got a bit confused and the West of Scotland had temperatures of 80-90 degrees during the day. Not really typically Scottish weather especially when you are a very fair skinned Celt like me. I only have to look at the sun to get sunburn. Added to that is the fact that we don't have air conditioning like those in USA and Canada. Sleeping has been a bit tricky to say the least.
Stitching wise, I haven't done much at all this week. Mostly I've been at work or up visiting my aunt in hospital or sleeping. Added to this is the fact that we changed soap at work a while back and its not agreeing with my hands. The skin on one of my fingers has split at the knuckles and the rest of my hands feel like sandpaper. Not ideal for stitching with silks. I've got an appointment to see someone at the Occupational Health department to sort it out and I've been given some cream until then. Meanwhile I still have to wash my hands 30+ times a day at work and use masses of hand cream.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
New technology and other stuff
I don't think I've mentioned this before but I love new gadgets. I like the whole process of learning something new. So I've been having fun today learning how to use my new mobile phone. Somehow, at some point on Monday, I managed to lose my mobile phone. Luckily it was a old one which I inherited for no money from my sister so I didn't particularly lose out.
The new one has a few more bells and whistles - a camera, bluetooth and WAP. And is easier to use. I did feel a bit patronised by the sales guy. I knew exactly what I wanted and told him that. The salesman seemed surprised that I had heard of bluetooth and knew how to set up a phone. Obviously women can't know these things. The other irritating thing was that he kept going on about their land line phone services inspite of the fact I told him four times that I wasn't interested and not to tell me any more about it.
On another note, the G8 summit is really getting on my nerves. Half the police from the west of Scotland are over in the East dealing with the violent element. I had to phone the local police to have a very suspicious and intoxicated man removed from just outside the ward I work in. The Police were great when they came but they took ages because they are very shorthanded. All their leave is cancelled too. Combined with that is the fact that the Police are advising against travel at all to Edinburgh unless you have to as its bursting at the seams. The ironic thing being that the summit isn't even there, its at Gleneagles in Perthshire. My aunt was supposed to be visiting my other aunt in hospital today but she didn't make it as she has to come through Edinburgh and the traffic and transport is a bit of a nightmare right now. I really, really want things to change during this summit but the nightmare element has arrived on the scene as usual to wreck a good campaign with fanastic aims. I don't know what the violent element hope to achieve but I don't see them influencing George Bush or anyone else by those methods.
The new one has a few more bells and whistles - a camera, bluetooth and WAP. And is easier to use. I did feel a bit patronised by the sales guy. I knew exactly what I wanted and told him that. The salesman seemed surprised that I had heard of bluetooth and knew how to set up a phone. Obviously women can't know these things. The other irritating thing was that he kept going on about their land line phone services inspite of the fact I told him four times that I wasn't interested and not to tell me any more about it.
On another note, the G8 summit is really getting on my nerves. Half the police from the west of Scotland are over in the East dealing with the violent element. I had to phone the local police to have a very suspicious and intoxicated man removed from just outside the ward I work in. The Police were great when they came but they took ages because they are very shorthanded. All their leave is cancelled too. Combined with that is the fact that the Police are advising against travel at all to Edinburgh unless you have to as its bursting at the seams. The ironic thing being that the summit isn't even there, its at Gleneagles in Perthshire. My aunt was supposed to be visiting my other aunt in hospital today but she didn't make it as she has to come through Edinburgh and the traffic and transport is a bit of a nightmare right now. I really, really want things to change during this summit but the nightmare element has arrived on the scene as usual to wreck a good campaign with fanastic aims. I don't know what the violent element hope to achieve but I don't see them influencing George Bush or anyone else by those methods.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Catching up
Life has been a bit busy over the past few weeks. My parents went away on holiday 2 weeks ago and just after they left on holiday, my mum's youngest sister phoned me at work to let me know that she was in hospital with an exacerbation of her Colitis. My mum has a big family (4 brothers and 5 sisters) but quite a few of them don't stay nearby and the other one who does is nursing her husband just now. So for the past two weeks, I have either been working or at the other hospital that my aunt is in. My parents came back today and my aunt is better but facing further treatment so the stress should reduce.
Work has been ultra stressful too. I started nights on Thursday and each night was worse than the night before. I've been shouted at, sworn at and had to convince a variety of people that 2am is time when everyone should be asleep (apart from the staff obviously). I also had to deal with a trumatic emergency situation that did not turn out positively and has left all the staff shocked and upset. Still the lovely words of another patient who has said he is coming back to give us presents because of all we did and would give us all a reference, cheered us up and made it easier to carry on.
Stitching time has been sparse over the past few weeks. I'm up to date with 2 of my 3 round robins and I should get the other one sorted soon. I have some other obligation stuff to get finished also. Various wools and patterns to knit are still catching my eye and I'm thinking of knitting a blanket from the new issue of Simply knitting also
Work has been ultra stressful too. I started nights on Thursday and each night was worse than the night before. I've been shouted at, sworn at and had to convince a variety of people that 2am is time when everyone should be asleep (apart from the staff obviously). I also had to deal with a trumatic emergency situation that did not turn out positively and has left all the staff shocked and upset. Still the lovely words of another patient who has said he is coming back to give us presents because of all we did and would give us all a reference, cheered us up and made it easier to carry on.
Stitching time has been sparse over the past few weeks. I'm up to date with 2 of my 3 round robins and I should get the other one sorted soon. I have some other obligation stuff to get finished also. Various wools and patterns to knit are still catching my eye and I'm thinking of knitting a blanket from the new issue of Simply knitting also
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The knitting bug bites
Knitted bag
Posted by Hello
After all the talk about knitting on all the BBs lately, I thought I should tackle something more complicated than a scarf. I learnt to knit as a child but was very bad at it and couldn't do purl. There's a new knitting magazine thats been on sale over here (Simply knitting) and it caught my eye when the first issue was published. I finally took the plunge last week and bought some needles and yarn to make this bag and at last my brain seems to get how to knit.
Unseasonal stitching
Chatelaine Christmas
Posted by Hello
I've finished Chatelaine Christmas which isn't a really logical finish whilst the UK is going through a heat wave but at least it will be finished for this Christmas. Its been a fairly jinxed project. I started it originally on what was supposed to be 32 ct Lambswool linen but after stitching it for a few hours, I realised that it wasn't 32ct and was probably 36 ct or something. So I restarted on 32ct Belfast linen and all went well until I finished the stitching on the tree and started on the box around the Christmas ribbon. I had a moment of misreading and instead of going down 3 centimetres, I went down 3 inches and I didn't realise until the box stitching was finished. I've decided I am not changing though. The other annoyance was beading the garlands. The red mill hill beads that are suggested have central holes that are too big and let the gold beads slip inside them. Luckily I had some 7/0 red beads that were suitable so thank goodness I have a bit of a stash of beads now.
Not much happening around here apart from this afternoon when there seemed to be someone important being driven down the street. I'm guessing because I couldn't see who was in the car but the 4 police motorcycle outriders and 2 police cars accompanying the car suggested that it might be someone important.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Still on holiday
I'm still off work for my holidays. 5 days left till I go back. I was in work on Wednesday as one of the other nurses is leaving to go travelling for the next year and we had a leaving tea party for her. A couple of the staff brought in their children and I got to meet my collegues new baby for the first time as he is only 7 weeks old. He's absolutely gorgeous and his mum seems to have adapted to motherhood really well inspite of her pre birth doubts.
I've not been doing a great deal this past week. Tuesday my dad and I put up some shelves in my spare room and I spent Tuesday night arranging stuff on them. The spare room is really a spare room/stitching room and its looking pretty good. I've got a few more framed cross stitch pictures to put up and some stitching books to get from my parents house still but its nearly organised. This weekend I'm going to try and get the bathroom painted and go around patching up the bits that are needing done elsewhere in the flat.
The thing I am most looking forward to this weekend is the final episode of Doctor Who. I have really loved watching it since it came back. Christopher Ecclestone has been fabulous in the part and I will miss him in it when hes gone but David Tennant is from here in Paisley and that will be very cool. He's also a fab actor and rather attractive. Last weeks reality TV theme episode was the best especially the Trinny and Susannah bit with Captain Jack. The DVD box set is definately going on my wish list.
Stitching wise I have almost finished Chatelaine Christmas. I've made a mistake though and instead of a 3cm gap between the tree and the ribbon section, there is a 2 inch gap. I got my inches and centimetres mixed up. I'm not frogging it though as it looks okay. My fairy roses chart and the 3 dimples charts I ordered, have arrived and I've started Fairy roses on a piece of SMF dyed blue metallic lugana that I bought on ebay. I'm hoping to finish Christmas tonight or tomorrow so I'm off to stitch now.
I've not been doing a great deal this past week. Tuesday my dad and I put up some shelves in my spare room and I spent Tuesday night arranging stuff on them. The spare room is really a spare room/stitching room and its looking pretty good. I've got a few more framed cross stitch pictures to put up and some stitching books to get from my parents house still but its nearly organised. This weekend I'm going to try and get the bathroom painted and go around patching up the bits that are needing done elsewhere in the flat.
The thing I am most looking forward to this weekend is the final episode of Doctor Who. I have really loved watching it since it came back. Christopher Ecclestone has been fabulous in the part and I will miss him in it when hes gone but David Tennant is from here in Paisley and that will be very cool. He's also a fab actor and rather attractive. Last weeks reality TV theme episode was the best especially the Trinny and Susannah bit with Captain Jack. The DVD box set is definately going on my wish list.
Stitching wise I have almost finished Chatelaine Christmas. I've made a mistake though and instead of a 3cm gap between the tree and the ribbon section, there is a 2 inch gap. I got my inches and centimetres mixed up. I'm not frogging it though as it looks okay. My fairy roses chart and the 3 dimples charts I ordered, have arrived and I've started Fairy roses on a piece of SMF dyed blue metallic lugana that I bought on ebay. I'm hoping to finish Christmas tonight or tomorrow so I'm off to stitch now.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Stitching progress
Mystery 7 finished
Posted by Hello
Mystery 7 is done. I finished it earlier in the week but I've only just got around to posting a picture. I struggled stitching it for quite a while as I really lost interest after part 2. Now its finished, I'm pretty happy with it. I need to find the right bell pull hanger which might take a while.
Recently I've also been trying to do some finishing off as the pile of stitched stuff waiting to be framed or finished was getting huge. The mini mysteries have now been turned into bell pulls and hanging on some of my doors in the flat. I've also finished off a pile of Christmas ornaments, some of which had been waiting for 2 years. I had a bit of a stitching slump last month and finishing off the ornaments has really helped to get my stitching juices flowing again.
This month aim is to finish at least 2 more WIPs. As well as mystery 7, I've finished a Winnie the pooh cover kit from a magazine. Chatelaine Christmas is probably near to finishing and I have another couple of things that if I don't let myself get distracted, I might finish this month. I've got lots of stitching time because of my holidays which should mean a few more finishes. However I've ordered the new Nora Corbett/Mirabilia chart Fairy Roses and its on its way. I think I might have to start it once it gets here...
Monday, June 06, 2005
2 weeks of freedom
2 weeks without having to go to work began today. The past weekend has been pretty busy with a big party at my parents' for my dad's 60th birthday. It was a great but very long day. My sister and her DBF stayed at my house which made them my first overnight guests. It was good to see lots of relatives who I haven't seen for a while and took some lovely photographs. Later this summer, my aunt and uncle from Ontario are coming over for a visit. I haven't seen them for 10 years so it will be good catching up.
Stitching wise, I'm almost done with Mystery 7. I think I will finish tonight. Last month I did the finishing for a load of ornaments. I stll need to get some photographs of them. I also stitched and framed some of the country companions cover kits from the recent stitching magazines. I had previously searched for some cheap frames for these cover kits design without success. Finally I was in Ikea about 2 weeks ago and they have frames that are £2 for a pack of two which fit perfectly. They only sell them in dark blue and white but fortunately that suited me.
I'm away to try and finish mystery 7 now. The chatelaine WIPs are a bit out of control at present so I need to get some of them done.
Stitching wise, I'm almost done with Mystery 7. I think I will finish tonight. Last month I did the finishing for a load of ornaments. I stll need to get some photographs of them. I also stitched and framed some of the country companions cover kits from the recent stitching magazines. I had previously searched for some cheap frames for these cover kits design without success. Finally I was in Ikea about 2 weeks ago and they have frames that are £2 for a pack of two which fit perfectly. They only sell them in dark blue and white but fortunately that suited me.
I'm away to try and finish mystery 7 now. The chatelaine WIPs are a bit out of control at present so I need to get some of them done.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Still around
I've been neglecting this blog again. I tried to post about 2 weeks ago but blogger ate my post so I decided it might be an omen.
The last couple of weeks has been pretty busy. Work has been horribly busy with patients that shouldn't have been in my ward but because of bed shortages elsewhere, we have been left to deal with it...
I go back to work tomorrow for 3 shifts and then I have 2 weeks of holidays which will be sheer bliss. I plan to spend the time organising the flat amongst other things.
This weekend, there's going to be a massive party at my parents. My dad is sixty on Thursday and we are having a party for around 30-40 (or more) relatives at my parents fairly small house. It should be an interesting day as I haven't seen some of my relatives for a while.
I had a bit of image change today. I had shoulder length hair this morning when I left the house. By this afternoon, I had my hair cropped very short. Its a bit of a change but I have had my hair this sort before and I think it looks better. At least the little bit of grey hair I have doesn't look as obvious.
The last couple of weeks has been pretty busy. Work has been horribly busy with patients that shouldn't have been in my ward but because of bed shortages elsewhere, we have been left to deal with it...
I go back to work tomorrow for 3 shifts and then I have 2 weeks of holidays which will be sheer bliss. I plan to spend the time organising the flat amongst other things.
This weekend, there's going to be a massive party at my parents. My dad is sixty on Thursday and we are having a party for around 30-40 (or more) relatives at my parents fairly small house. It should be an interesting day as I haven't seen some of my relatives for a while.
I had a bit of image change today. I had shoulder length hair this morning when I left the house. By this afternoon, I had my hair cropped very short. Its a bit of a change but I have had my hair this sort before and I think it looks better. At least the little bit of grey hair I have doesn't look as obvious.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Election and voting
Its election time in the UK so a non stitching topic for me. I've decided how I'm going to vote but I took an online test that I saw on Lorna's blog
You should vote: Liberal Democrat
Who should I vote for?
Your expected outcome:
LabourYour actual outcome:
 Labour 56 | |
Conservative -60  | |
| Liberal Democrat 62 | |
| UK Independence Party -41 | |
| Green 6 |
You should vote: Liberal Democrat
The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.
Take the test at Who Should You Vote For
It wasn't quite accurate as I have decide that I'm going to vote Labour. I do agree with quite a few of the policies of the Liberal Democrats but on balance I find I agree with more Labour policies. I could never see myself voting Conservative ever unless they change pretty much every policy that they have.
Monday, April 11, 2005
March stitching progress and April aims
And so on to March.
At the start of March I had 26 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 Round robins in progress. I felt like I got quite a lot of stitching time in March. I had a week off work so that helped.
March starts were
Tom mouse butterfly chase (country companions design)
Mini mystery H tryout
ornament 3 for Ornament RR group 8
TW you were hatched
Michael Powell Venice Windows 2
March finishes were
Tom mouse butterfly chase
Mini mystery H
Mini mystery H tryout
Legends of the Spellcasters
Ornament 3 for Ornament RR
TW You were hatched
So I ended the month with 25 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 Round robins.
My aims for April are to
start and finish ornament 4 for the Ornament RR
finish Mystery 7
get organised for the UK RR I'm joining that mails out at the end of the month
finish at least one other project.
I would like to end the month with 24 or less WIPs/UFOs. My kit for Chatelaine Eqyptian garden is on its way and I know I won't be able to resist starting it when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow)
At the start of March I had 26 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 Round robins in progress. I felt like I got quite a lot of stitching time in March. I had a week off work so that helped.
March starts were
Tom mouse butterfly chase (country companions design)
Mini mystery H tryout
ornament 3 for Ornament RR group 8
TW you were hatched
Michael Powell Venice Windows 2
March finishes were
Tom mouse butterfly chase
Mini mystery H
Mini mystery H tryout
Legends of the Spellcasters
Ornament 3 for Ornament RR
TW You were hatched
So I ended the month with 25 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 Round robins.
My aims for April are to
start and finish ornament 4 for the Ornament RR
finish Mystery 7
get organised for the UK RR I'm joining that mails out at the end of the month
finish at least one other project.
I would like to end the month with 24 or less WIPs/UFOs. My kit for Chatelaine Eqyptian garden is on its way and I know I won't be able to resist starting it when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow)
2005 Stitching progress
Okay so I am a little late with this. I have a tendency to procastinate and put things off and this was supposed to be a blog entry in January. My excuse was to be that I didn't have internet access for most of January but that doesn't really excuse February or March does it ?
Anyway as of the 1st of January 2005 I had the following projects started
TW The Storyteller
TW The Ministrel
TW Paisley Corner
TW Night
Legends of the Spellcastes
Mirabilia Autumn Queen
Mirabilia Emerald Mermaid
Dimples Le Epoch Nouveau
Chatelaine Taj Mahal garden
Chatelaine Mystery 7
Chatelaine Christmas (aka Weinachten)
Country companions bag
Pinn Chinese Goddess of Mercy
JN Barnabee's quest
LK Needle Nick
Jungle babies pillowcase
Jungle babies birth sampler
Balinese Dancer
LK Love keeps us warm
Merry stitches stocking
Newton's law The future's so bright
Geisha Bride
Quilt Afghan
WB Yeats Verse
LK Official Snow guide
3 Round robins (Wee beasties, RR 25.2, Ornament Group 8)
In total that makes 25 WIPs/UFOs plus 3 RRs. The main aim this year is to get the amount of WIPs/UFOs to below 20 by the end of the year. I'd like to finish Taj Mahal garden, the Storyteller, Autumn Queen and Le Epoch Nouveau. I would also like to finish 4 mirabilias and stitch 6 country companions designs. I would also like to have more finishes than last year (I had 65 last year).
In January I started Mystery 8 and Mini mystery H. I started and finished one ornament for the ornament RR and started a second on. I also started Dimples Viceroy butterfly for Carleen's Dimples RR. So I ended the month with 27 WIPs/UFOs plus 3 RRs. Not a good start.
February was better. I started 4 things: a Dragonfly scissor fob by CJ Lucas designs, Dimples Californian ladybug (for Caroline's Dimples RR), Mill hill holly feather tree ornament and a springtime pooh cover kit. The finishing rate was better: Dimples Viceroy butterfly and Californian lady bug were both finished (completing my involvement in the Wee Beasties RR). I also finished the Dragonfly scissorfob, the holly feather tree ornament and the Ornament RR piece that I started in January. Two other WIPs bit the dust - Mirabilia Emerald mermaid and the WB yeats verse. So I ended February with 26 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 RRs.
Anyway as of the 1st of January 2005 I had the following projects started
TW The Storyteller
TW The Ministrel
TW Paisley Corner
TW Night
Legends of the Spellcastes
Mirabilia Autumn Queen
Mirabilia Emerald Mermaid
Dimples Le Epoch Nouveau
Chatelaine Taj Mahal garden
Chatelaine Mystery 7
Chatelaine Christmas (aka Weinachten)
Country companions bag
Pinn Chinese Goddess of Mercy
JN Barnabee's quest
LK Needle Nick
Jungle babies pillowcase
Jungle babies birth sampler
Balinese Dancer
LK Love keeps us warm
Merry stitches stocking
Newton's law The future's so bright
Geisha Bride
Quilt Afghan
WB Yeats Verse
LK Official Snow guide
3 Round robins (Wee beasties, RR 25.2, Ornament Group 8)
In total that makes 25 WIPs/UFOs plus 3 RRs. The main aim this year is to get the amount of WIPs/UFOs to below 20 by the end of the year. I'd like to finish Taj Mahal garden, the Storyteller, Autumn Queen and Le Epoch Nouveau. I would also like to finish 4 mirabilias and stitch 6 country companions designs. I would also like to have more finishes than last year (I had 65 last year).
In January I started Mystery 8 and Mini mystery H. I started and finished one ornament for the ornament RR and started a second on. I also started Dimples Viceroy butterfly for Carleen's Dimples RR. So I ended the month with 27 WIPs/UFOs plus 3 RRs. Not a good start.
February was better. I started 4 things: a Dragonfly scissor fob by CJ Lucas designs, Dimples Californian ladybug (for Caroline's Dimples RR), Mill hill holly feather tree ornament and a springtime pooh cover kit. The finishing rate was better: Dimples Viceroy butterfly and Californian lady bug were both finished (completing my involvement in the Wee Beasties RR). I also finished the Dragonfly scissorfob, the holly feather tree ornament and the Ornament RR piece that I started in January. Two other WIPs bit the dust - Mirabilia Emerald mermaid and the WB yeats verse. So I ended February with 26 WIPs/UFOs plus 2 RRs.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
A lazy weekend
I've been off all this weekend which has been strange. I've been working a lot of weekends lately. My boss seems to think that if you reliable, then you should work lots of weekends and holiday weekends. Boo hiss to her. Anyway I don't have to work again until Friday so woo hoo.
Last night I had my parents and one of my aunts over for a meal. It was a pretty good evening. Today I've been stitching away on Taj mahal garden and watching lots of TV.
Last night I had my parents and one of my aunts over for a meal. It was a pretty good evening. Today I've been stitching away on Taj mahal garden and watching lots of TV.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
A happy dance or two..
I finished Legends of the spellcasters finally. Oh and mini mystery H too. I did try to post this picture 4 times yesterday but for some reason the hello application that I used didn't want to work
Legends of the spellcasters
Posted by Hello
I'm finally starting to feel better although the coughing is still there and I sound like I have been smoking lots of cigarettes. Back to work Wednesday night, what deep joy.
Legends of the spellcasters
Posted by Hello
I'm finally starting to feel better although the coughing is still there and I sound like I have been smoking lots of cigarettes. Back to work Wednesday night, what deep joy.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Cough cough
The title says it all. I've spent the past few days when I should have been at work, in bed with a cold. Usually I only get one of these cold type bugs each winter but thats now two since the start of the year and both so bad that they knocked me off my feet for a day or two.
Finally though I am starting to stop coughing and I can get some stuff down around the house before I am back at work on Wednesday.
One of the things I found to cheer me up today was buying the new issue of SFX magazine and finding pictures from the Hitchhikers movie along with links to trailers. I have had my doubts about the adaptation and some of the cast but the trailers look very cool. I've even changed my computer wallpaper to a picture of Marvin. After many years of trying to persuade my dad to read the Hitchhikers books, I've persuaded him to read them and he is really enjoying them (as I thought he would).
My sister has set the date for her wedding. Much against many predictions by mum and myself, she has gone for 2nd June 2007. It happens to be my dads birthday too so that's good too. I've committed myself to making all the stationery including the invites and favours so that gives me plently time..
Finally though I am starting to stop coughing and I can get some stuff down around the house before I am back at work on Wednesday.
One of the things I found to cheer me up today was buying the new issue of SFX magazine and finding pictures from the Hitchhikers movie along with links to trailers. I have had my doubts about the adaptation and some of the cast but the trailers look very cool. I've even changed my computer wallpaper to a picture of Marvin. After many years of trying to persuade my dad to read the Hitchhikers books, I've persuaded him to read them and he is really enjoying them (as I thought he would).
My sister has set the date for her wedding. Much against many predictions by mum and myself, she has gone for 2nd June 2007. It happens to be my dads birthday too so that's good too. I've committed myself to making all the stationery including the invites and favours so that gives me plently time..
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
End of month report and plans for next month
February seems to have flown by this year. I guess because I've been really busy. I'm off work this week which I badly need as I'm so tired. This weekend sees the Biannual Creative stitches show in Glasgow so I get to go stash shopping in person rather than via the net. The LNSs near here are few and far between and don't really stock the stuff I like.
Stitching wise I did well this month. I finished 7 things and only started 3. Of the three starts, two are already done and one will be done this week.
I finished
Dimples Viceroy butterfly
Dimples Californian lady bug
Dragon fly scissor fob by CJ Lucas
An ornament RR project (I can't say what it is just in case)
Mill hill Holly feather tree ornament
Mirabilia Emerald Mermaid
A WB Yeats verse that I charted myself
I'm rather pleased with this progress. I was hoping to finish Legends of the Spellcasters but it wasn't to be.
For this coming month I would like to
Catch up with Mystery 8 ( I'm still stitching part 1)
Complete 2 of my WIPs/UFOs
Do the finishing for 2 ornaments
I would specificially like to finish Legends of the spell casters and Mini mystery H. I'm going to go bell pull hardware shopping at the weekend show as I've decided that I would like to finish the mini mysteries as individual bell pulls and hang them on the room doors in the flat.
A further thing I need to do this month is go to my parents' house and decide what framed stitching is staying with them and what is coming to me. They really apppreciate my stitching so I know it is going to be in good hands. They have already asked if they can keep two of my completed Shepherds bush samplers as they want to hang them in their bedroom. Strangely they have moved into my old bedroom already and redecorated it to make it their bedroom. Both the samplers they picked will look perfect.
Stitching wise I did well this month. I finished 7 things and only started 3. Of the three starts, two are already done and one will be done this week.
I finished
Dimples Viceroy butterfly
Dimples Californian lady bug
Dragon fly scissor fob by CJ Lucas
An ornament RR project (I can't say what it is just in case)
Mill hill Holly feather tree ornament
Mirabilia Emerald Mermaid
A WB Yeats verse that I charted myself
I'm rather pleased with this progress. I was hoping to finish Legends of the Spellcasters but it wasn't to be.
For this coming month I would like to
Catch up with Mystery 8 ( I'm still stitching part 1)
Complete 2 of my WIPs/UFOs
Do the finishing for 2 ornaments
I would specificially like to finish Legends of the spell casters and Mini mystery H. I'm going to go bell pull hardware shopping at the weekend show as I've decided that I would like to finish the mini mysteries as individual bell pulls and hang them on the room doors in the flat.
A further thing I need to do this month is go to my parents' house and decide what framed stitching is staying with them and what is coming to me. They really apppreciate my stitching so I know it is going to be in good hands. They have already asked if they can keep two of my completed Shepherds bush samplers as they want to hang them in their bedroom. Strangely they have moved into my old bedroom already and redecorated it to make it their bedroom. Both the samplers they picked will look perfect.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Very tired
I'm so tired just now. I've been doing two weeks of day shift and then 2 weeks of night shift and it gets so tiring after a while. I finished night shift Monday morning and I then have 3 further night shifts this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. After that I have a weeks holiday which will include a stitching show visit. I will be going with my mum who doesn't cross stitch but does dress making and my aunt who does cross stitch after I started her stitch during a previous show visit.
The stash room organisation has begun. I bought some drawer units during the Ikea trip and I've put all my kits, WIPs, fabric and so on in them. It was a little scary to see it all but it definately got me stitching more. I'm in a finish it mood at the moment and hopefully I should have Emerald mermaid finished this weekend and may be Legends of the spellcasters. I have a Nashville order on its way plus some silks so the postman is eagerly awaited everyday.
I had some happy family news on Monday - my sister got engaged to her boyfriend. She's asked me to be a bridesmaid when the wedding happens in a year or so. I think we are all going out for a family meal this weekend to celebrate.
To answer Faith's question Paisley is in the West of Scotland. Its about 10 miles from Glasgow near the River Clyde. Greenock is about 20 minutes down the motorway. The main claim to fame for Paisley is that it is the home of the Paisley Pattern. Where I stay in Paisley is close to the Anchor mills where they used to make Anchor threads so its an appropriate town for a stitcher. Its just a pity we don't have an LNS.
The stash room organisation has begun. I bought some drawer units during the Ikea trip and I've put all my kits, WIPs, fabric and so on in them. It was a little scary to see it all but it definately got me stitching more. I'm in a finish it mood at the moment and hopefully I should have Emerald mermaid finished this weekend and may be Legends of the spellcasters. I have a Nashville order on its way plus some silks so the postman is eagerly awaited everyday.
I had some happy family news on Monday - my sister got engaged to her boyfriend. She's asked me to be a bridesmaid when the wedding happens in a year or so. I think we are all going out for a family meal this weekend to celebrate.
To answer Faith's question Paisley is in the West of Scotland. Its about 10 miles from Glasgow near the River Clyde. Greenock is about 20 minutes down the motorway. The main claim to fame for Paisley is that it is the home of the Paisley Pattern. Where I stay in Paisley is close to the Anchor mills where they used to make Anchor threads so its an appropriate town for a stitcher. Its just a pity we don't have an LNS.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
I'm back
Well I was away slightly longer than planned.........
Basically what happened was that I moved into my new flat then the telephone company decided that they were very hopeless and I couldn't get a phone line from them for 2 months. I would have been quicker learning how to connect the cables myself.
Anyway I now have a phone line and 1mb broadband which is very lovely and fast. So hopefully I will be posting more here.
At the moment I'm trying to get organised. I'm lucky enough that I have a spare bedroom which I am planning to have a sofabed in but mostly to use as a stash/sewing room. I'm looking around for storage ideas at the moment and so tomorrow I am planning a trip to the hell that is Ikea. I feel like I have been living in furniture shops for the past two months and if I never have to assemble flat pack furniture from barely understandable instructions with holes that don't line up, it will be brilliant.
Basically what happened was that I moved into my new flat then the telephone company decided that they were very hopeless and I couldn't get a phone line from them for 2 months. I would have been quicker learning how to connect the cables myself.
Anyway I now have a phone line and 1mb broadband which is very lovely and fast. So hopefully I will be posting more here.
At the moment I'm trying to get organised. I'm lucky enough that I have a spare bedroom which I am planning to have a sofabed in but mostly to use as a stash/sewing room. I'm looking around for storage ideas at the moment and so tomorrow I am planning a trip to the hell that is Ikea. I feel like I have been living in furniture shops for the past two months and if I never have to assemble flat pack furniture from barely understandable instructions with holes that don't line up, it will be brilliant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)