Celebrate!

It's been nearly two weeks since I came off on holiday for Easter. Where has the time gone? I haven't really done much; I've just lazed around, crafted a bit, went out for lunch a few times with my mum or Paul.  Oh! And I also celebrated my birthday on Good Friday. We (Paul and I) thought my gifts should be practical this year; bits for the garden and as I'm in the process of re-organising my craft room, some pieces for that too. Paul bought me one of the cool frogs in a half tree yoga pose. I've had my eye on one of these for a long time, the one in the photo is the biggest one. I think there's two other poses in the range.  Paul also found some cool wicker baskets to go on my new shelves; they are a good size, sturdy and deep, so I think they will be great for storing fabric or wool. I also received a quirky little gift, a Tina Belcher keyring (Bob's Burgers) and some tasty Lindt Orange Chocolates; I've been craving another box of these since Christmas time (I think it really shows willpower that I've held out until April). Lol!

New subscription came this month in the form of a medium sewing box kit by Sew Hayley Jane . The theme for this month was France. I have to say I'm very impressed by the goodies; it includes: 2.5 metres of dressmaking fabric a floral georgette,  4 fat quarters and a selection of haberdashery items and sewing gifts. I also received new sewing machine needles size 70/100, 4 covered buttons, 1 metre of spaghetti cord by Frou Frou, a matching reel of Gutermann thread and two lollipops. Not quite sure what I'm going to make with the georgette, I may leave the box until my summer holidays (only 10 weeks away, not that I'm counting down or anything). That way I'm not rushing into things and I've got plenty of time to find a pattern. The fat quarters, I may use one for a crochet hook case and save the others for another project.

All in all it's been a good month. I've finally caught up with my Scheepjes Hygge Cal shawls,  after crushing my fingers in my garden door and I've made a respectable start on my little garden too.

Until next time, take care and be good to yourself.

xoxoxo

Trying to Heal

 

The past couple of weeks has been very hard for Paul and I. We seem to cope okay when we are busy with work but as soon as we have some spare time such as days off, Chievo's passing hits us all over again, so we are trying to talk about our feelings and having a cry if we need to, just generally being there for each other. We are both still trying to find our new routines, as anyone who owns dogs will know they are a big part of the family and their needs come before yours at times. So when Paul is on shifts I'm busying myself with baking, sewing and housework; although I do hate the latter with a passion, but needs must.

On the crafting front I have been very busy, I had a clear out or rather a reorganisation of my craft area (I never throw anything away-I'm a hoarder) where I found some kits; cat and squirrel kit (to be precise) pictured, that I bought quite a long time ago. The cat embroidery was purchased from Nancy Nicholson's website. I originally started this piece on a whim, I needed something to occupy my heart, mind and hands, and this kit brought the peace I needed; the more I progressed with it, the harder it became to put it down. Now, originally I had no intention of giving this piece away, I wanted to be selfish and keep it for myself but then I thought my mum would appreciate this piece more than me, so, I gifted it to her for Mother's Day. The other piece with the squirrel, is crewel embroidery work (I nicknamed it cruel embroidery because it made my hands ache so much) it's staying with me, but it's still waiting for a frame as I'm not sure what colour the surround should be, sigh!

Finally, I celebrated my birthday right in the middle of Easter, it was a very mixed day one minute I was excited (I love my birthday and feel like a little kid) and on the other it was tinged with sadness as I wanted the one person with me that I couldn't have; my dog. However, Paul made sure that he was included by signing my card and gift labels from Paul and Chievs which made me smile. The icing on the cake though was the t-shirt with a picture of a dog on it. It took me a bit of courage to ask Paul if it was Chievs, and to my delight it was my little boy on the front wearing 3d glasses. To top it off the t-shirt had Ridgeback written on the back in orange letters; cause you see I always called Chievs my 'little orange.'

Famous People I have Something In Common With!

Amanda Holden,  Corey Feldman,  Dani Behr,  David Tennant,  Mark Wahlberg,  Michael C Hall, Penny Lancaster,  Scott Maslen,  Tess Daly,  Tom Ward and Winona Ryder.

All these poor sods and I have something in common! We all turn or have turned the big 4-0 this year.  Mines is but a month away today and to say I'm crapping myself is an understatement. Why? Well birthdays as you get older, don't retain their ability to dazzle like they do when you are young!  I don’t feel that old. People tell me I don’t look that old.  But there isn't the same spark of excitement that I felt when I turned 5, 13 or 21,  I wonder hopefully I won't feel any pain when I move into my 40's. As my mum said to me today, you're still my little girl and I replied  "Do you know something mum?  I still feel 5" and then there's my other half who constantly tells me to grow up.
why…?  Also at the tender age of  13,  I thought anyone older than 30 was passed it. Funny how my outlook has changed for that statement.  I didn't feel any different when I moved from my 20's into my 30's, so

Somehow I don't think I ever will! 

Squirrel xx