A glorious sufficiency !!!!

Oh what a brilliant Christmas. I got loads of stash , beautiful Kelmscott bitties that I've admired but couldn't justify buying for myself , silk threads to stitch with beautiful linens to stitch on , beads , and glittery pretties. I spent this afternoon in bed with four beautiful men - lol !!!!! My present from DH and DD was a wonderful pillow that I can plug my cd player or ipod or mp3 into and the Il Divo CD - The Promise - yummy ! I got a Thontons chocolate monkey and a bottle of Jim bean from my boss and some lovely bath things from DS ( indulgent bath with a book this morning )
On Monday Ellie and me are going to stay in Bath till Wednesday - Monday night we're going to the theatre to see The Nutcracker. I don't go back to work till the 5th so I've still got loads of time to indulge my passions.

Jazzy is in doggy heaven cuddled up to his teddy having had so much attention . Ellie has loved all her presentsn even though none of them where really expensive. Jamie is at rosies till Saturday

merry Christmas everyone

Well it's officially Christmas day here.
The works party at the weekend was brilliant - a dutch theme from Frieseland. The hotel was good as ever (the Pudding Club)
We started with champagne and Dutch canapes then we had a liquer called beerinenburg which you had to drink in one then eat a raw herring from a bed of salt and onions. A dutch brass band then arrived and marched throughthe room leading us to dinner . There were 6 tables (one for the children) On the tables where Dutch hats and chicken hats in Orange - forgot to say this was a black tie affair (company tradition) but when we arrived in our rooms there was an envelope with an orange bow tie for the men and a small orange bow pin for the ladies and girls. On the tables where orange feather boas and the children had some orange hair spray. After each meal course the men had to move on to the next table. The food was wonderful - Dutch themed but endining in traditional puddings - chocolate , jam roly poly and spotted dick with loads of custard. At midnight (didn't make it) was apple cakes and coffee.

The brass band played througout and when we'd eaten got everyone doing a conga through the hotel . everyone was encouraged to join in and the band had people playing the instruments . Ellie played the cymbals. We (dave , Ellie and I ) left for bed at 12 as I had to bath and shower Ellie before bed to get the orange out of her hair . Both Ellie and Dave where out like a light but I sat and had a hot chocolate and read for a bit - boring I know . The party went on till 5.30am with the band singing carols in Dutch outside at one point. We woke and had breakfast at 9 then Dave and Ellie went for a guided walk with others in the group. The band played and paraded through the hotel one last time before going to catch their ferry. We left the hotel at midday after pea and ham soup and winter Pimms and mince pies.
On Monday I went in to work for our team Christmas dinner which was at a local hotel - very nice.
Now everyone's in bed but me - Jamie's going to Rosies tomorrow so it's just Dave , me and Ellie.
And to all a good night !!!!

Last day at work

Well it's here at last - my secret santa is wrapped ready to go in this morning.
I posted my stitched card (no picture as I couldn't find the camera) and my secret santa for stitch and stash. I've got my ornament for the sampler guild to post todayand my secret sister card and that's me done - I can get down to my model stitching and stitching for pleasure .
Hairdresser and bloods tomorrow and party Friday chill out Sunday and team lunch Monday .
If I'm honest , I look forward to just bumming around and catching up on sleep . It'll be nice not to have to get up for work
Must try to get the printer up and working while I'm off and want to have a bakeathon with Ellie as well

Just not feeling Chrismassy !!!!

Just not 'in the mood ' despite playing Christmas music and wearing reindeer antlers !!!!
Tried Ellie's dress on her - phew ! it fits - I know , bit last minute but hey , that's me.
Last week wasn't particularly brilliant. I did get all the cards out in the post apart from the usual stragglers and I decorated both work Christmas trees and they look beautiful even though I say so myself - Upstairs is gold and green downstairs silver and purple . The smell of pine is gorgeous when I go into work in the morning.
Sewing wise , I finished my stitched card (goes in the post today ) I didn't take a picture so I'll have to ask my partner to do one for me.
Just finishing up ornament and it will go in post tomorrow as will secret santa package.
Set to with boss at end of week - usual thing , his talking down to me and me being accused of not doing my job - I have email proof to show otherwise but frustration makes me feel theres no point . Feel very low at moment , may be weather or tabs or just me don't know. Dr tomorrow , bloods on Friday . Hairdresser friday for a new curlier me . Party Saturday night.

Christmas - bah humbug !!!!

Well , spent all day at work yesterday with the directors Christmas card lists - what a nightmare , I've still got two to do which I hope to finish today then it's up to them to sign them so I can get them in the post.
The Christmas trees have arrived at work and as usual they've done us proud. My boss suggested that we find two voluntary elfs to deck them as I was busy - we'll see !!
I got Rosy's (Jamies girlfriend) present - hope she likes it. New boots and basque arrived today - Ellie's boots not arrived yet. Icy cold out . Town was busy pasty shop had sold out on plain pasty's at first lunch so I had a 'xmas pasty' - chicken and ham with stuffing.
still not done card as I didn't like the design - must crack on as it need sto be in the post this week as does gift and ornament . Then I can relax with my model stitching

This week dragged

It was freezing all week but we didn't get any snow - a little bit of sleet was all.
Got a tiny bit of stitching done . Watched the end of 'I'm a celebrity' seems to have gone quicker this year . I thought Martina might have won but not surprised that Joe did
Dave's work's dinner was on Friday at the Bolingbroke arms and the top I bought didn't feel comfortable so thank goodness for my trusty Monsoon stash and black trousers !!!!
The meal was lovely. Salmon roulade with french toast for starters, steak Wellington for main course and banoffi chocolate trifle with chocolate sauce for sweet . I didn't manage to finish everything though and left some of each .There where the usual speeches and secret santa and caught up with some old friends (the emphasis being on old!!!!) as we knew some of them from years back when both Dave and I where in the RAF and WRAF respectively. Pull up a sandbag and I'll tell you more , lol !!!! No maybe another time. Busy week ahead at work , trying to get everything done before we finish.

a bit of progress

As predicted , a cold weekend - not a crisp sparkly cold but a damp cold to your bones time.Apart from a bit of sleet yesterday morning we've had drizzle and mist - not nice at all . Ellie and I spent most of yesterday snuggled in bed - her reading and me sewing.
I finished my ornament , just needs the cutting and finishing doing. So cracking on with card now hopefully won't take long.
Got some modelstitching done (the polstitches one - didn't want to put it aside as I love the brightness as opposed to the whites and dulls of the ornament and card - funny how stitching on different things can effect the mood.
Ellie's going to her friends on Friday after scholl to knit squares for blankets. Dave's work do is Friday night - trousers and top I think.

Brrrrrrrr!!!! Cold but snug.

Well it's truly freezing here today. Weather Pixie says 2C at the moment but I suspect it feels chillier outside.
Boss came back to work yesterday - I wasn't best pleased as with my immune system being down ,and him coughing up gunge , chances of him infecting me are pretty high. Our übermeister suggested he should wear a mask to protect me and wasn't altogether joking !!!
Work was steady but quiet . Dave picked me up and it was freezing fog on the way home. Forgot to say that we stopped off at the Beefeater for tea Wednesday night after work which was nice.
Got my secret santa present for work - need a couple more things for it but have to get them nearer the time so won't wrap it yet.
Bit closer to finishing ornament but will need to frog as noticed a glaring counting error .
Got package from Polstitches today for modelstitching and have made a start - the colours are really bright on this piece (ordinary DMC) such a tonic in this dull weather.
I was going to go to Bath Christmas Market with madam today but the weather is so horrible it's not worth it - maybe next weekend.

Sigh of relief

Well I ended up not going to work Monday and Tuesday as I was still suffering from the 'screamers'!!! (I got half way up the road Monday and had to turn back) To say I feel drained is a bit of an understatement - it's a good job we have two toilets !!!!
Anyway , I went back to work yesterday to find the boss and half the other staff had also been suffering and boss was still off having left work Monday lunchtime so I was quite busy all day.
Team Christmas lunch is on the 22nd so I will come into work (I'm on leave) for that - its at a local hotel.
I got a message last night that my oriental mailart had been received so here are the pictures.



I'm so pleased they arrived safely and she liked them also it means that I don't need to stitch a replacement - phew. Ornament stitch is going slowly - not keen on the part I'm stitching at the moment , probaly because I'm having to rely on magnifier too much.
Got shoes and shrug for Ellie yesterday for works Christmas party - now need shrug or similar for me and walking boots for Ellie !!!!
Dave's do is a week Friday - trousers and top I think.

Spoke too soon !!

Started the higher dose of immunosuppressants , the antibiotics and lower dose of steroids this morning and body reacted with a veangeance - nose bleeds , diarrhoea and nausea. Needless to say I stayed off work . Slept most of the day (between toilet visits) Hope this wears off quickly.
I want to crack on with the stitching over the weekend and at least get my ornament finished.

Yesterday (there's a song there somewhere !!!)

Well hospital went well yesterday - Immunosuppressant dose has been raised but I'm to start reducing steroids slowly again. Unfortunately she's not happy with finger so I've got more antibiotics and a nagging to see my GP next week !! I'll probably discuss BP then as well.
In the post I got loads of beautiful Madeira silks (ebay win and stay at home parcel) also my chart of Oweenee which I will make a start on after Christmas.
Didn't do any stitching yesterday but have the makings of my stitched card .
Tonight they switch the lights on in Chippenham so Dave and Ellie (she has writing workshop after school ) will come in and park at work and we'll have a wander round - forecast to be freezing !!!

Photo added to Profile

I've actually put a photo on my blog. This was 6 years ago when Ellie was 2 the picture was taken at Bourton on the water.
Bristol Eye Hospital today so will feel like a pincushion when they've finished !!! Can't hang around shopping as I have to pick up Ellie from Val's (childminder)
Startied knitting a scarf in some really wacky wool last night - don't know if I have enough and possible will not be able to get more so hope I can finish it.
Found out venue for works Christmas Do - it's the same as last year - The Pudding Club
http://www.puddingclub.com/index.lasso . I have my dress - It's a black tie affair as always so my dress is long . I just want to get a shrug or a lacy overtop . Ellie has her dress and again will need a shrug , also shoes - her feet grow so quickly these days.There will be a walk the next day for those that want to but I wont do it this year - get out of breathe too quickly with the new tablets and my lagging would spoil it for others.

Decidedly colder

This morning there's a realnip in the air and it's forecast to be colder this weekend - good for cuddling up and stitching !!!

I'm going to slip a few pictures in now - quality is not very good but I'll alter that later.

First the goldwork class I did back in March

Next a mailart I received from Lillian for an oriental themed swap

I'll maybe get to write some more later

Quick catch up

Okay , very quick catch up.
I wanted to put pictures in today but haven't quite made it.Maybe later. Cracked on with ornament and it's looking hopeful that I'll finish soon - may do some in work at lunch time.
Set up Dave's new toy (notebook) but having problems with wirless on my broadband - need to download another driver , may do that tonight. May have hospital appt this week - not heard from Annie.
Weather grotty at moment so not really going out lunchtimes - but spending time on internet is a waste so must make the effort to stitch.
Plan on getting to Bath this year for the Christmas Market - all hotels (at reasonable price) fully booked so will go up and back by train on the day.

Very Sad

Well , looks like nobody wants a 'pay it forward 'from me so I will probably just do some 'RAK' 's for people who take my fancy.
Never mind - I have plenty of projects to do anyway

Running past myself

Well , where did last week go ?
After being ill Monday and Tuesday with the dreaded flu , I went back to work Wednesday feeling last than brilliant to a lecture from boss about how I should take some leave for R&R - the last thing I need , to come back like last year and find out that someone has taken over my job reorganising my desk (personal space ) while I'm away!!!
Thursday was marginally better.
Friday was hospital - quick in and out - eye in flare up but not surprised as the flu will have affected my immune system.
Saturday I started my ornament swap for the sampler guild swap, then didn't like it so have started another !!!. Thursday posted out oriental mailart, ornament for Diane and stay at home swap.
Need to crack on with piece for March retreat and also need to do a Christmas card for Jaynes Attic swap.
Leave booked for Christmas. We find out next week where we're going for Christmas party.
Dave might not go if Jamie can't look after the dog - he'll just drop us off and pick us up in the morning.

Catch up

Okay , Friday lunchtime went out for a girlie lunch with workmates. It was the 30th birthday of one of them. We went to Pizza Hut . Food was good but slow service and mixed up bill spoilt it.


Friday night went to the Bell for dinner . It was decorated inside and out (graveyard in the beer garden) for halloween and they had a halloween childrens tape with stories and music playing. There where prizes for the childrens costumes and Ellie went as a witches cat - didn't get a picture unfortunately !!!) Dave and I shared mixed olive's and hot crusty bread as starters , I then had seared venison with new potatos and green beans and finished with chocolate and blood orange mousse.


Saturday night I started with a temperature then all night went hot and cold and kept on blacking out , bad diarrhoea followed and I spent Sunday sleeping and dashing to the toilet. Needless to say I didn't go into work Monday .


Managed to finish a bit of stitching though

This is the first square for the The Sampler Guild challenge . It's a raised diagonal band. I used an Ozark floche which was a limited edition - I ran out near the end so had to substitute a Limited edition Vikki Clayton silk and a Caron Watercolours to get the right shades . It's not perfect but it works.

I have a couple more pieces but as they're gifts , they have to stay secret for the time being.

I entered a PIF on Aimetu's blog and I am one of the lucky people to be drawn as a member of her PIF.
*** This is how it works ***
If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days from the draw date of 15 November, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will then ask my daughter to draw 3 names out of a hat on Saturday 15 November(GMT). If you are one of the chosen three then in return, please post the same offer on your blog.
This is a simple and a lovely way of spreading joy in the stitching world. I hope that you will join in and possibly become one of my PIF members!
This PIF is open for everyone!

Good days and bad days

Well , last week ended up as a write off !!!! On Thursday I went to Bristol Eye Hospital for my bloods and eye checks (I started the new immunosuppressant two weeks back) . When the Dr asked if I'd had any side effect I showed her my swollen fingers. I was immediately whisked off to casualty at the BRI where they cut off my rings - I had to have entonox and left teeth marks on the grip - tears where streaming down my face and the air was totally 'blue' !!!!!
Went back to the eye clinic where they put me on antibiotics. Friday was a haze of pain killers and sleep . I now need to contact my insurers to see what they say.
On a nice note , I got some lovely silks in a grab bag from Polstitches (dragon floss) and yesterday I found out I had won one of Aimetu's pieces for PIF (more on next post)

Where did the weekend go ?

Ah well back to work yesterday - boss back so no skiving (wish I had ?!!!!). Had my flu jab yesterday afternoon so came home had tea and went to bed early as I felt a bit bushed. Got soaked coming home from work.
I've just been on an antique needlework tools site and couldn't resist a small needlework set and a carved wooden needlecase - waiting to hear the damage !!!
Also watching a needlework box on ebay - 6 days to go and 5 bids already.
Got a grab bag of threads from Polstitches at the weekend - mixture of nice threads but I'd wanted silks so the sweetie that she is , she's sending me a replacement , can't wait. Almost finished my mailart , my fingers are getting better . Should have it in the post this week . Need to get some threads in the post also to replace the ones I'm getting from the 'stay at home parcel' - madeira threads.
Have to try to get out at lunchtime if it's not too bad to pick up my train tickets for Bristol (hospital) Thursday , today.

Busy week

Well what a week at work - busier than I expected . I had to get the late bus every night but managed to get the normal bus yesterday as Jamie had to get to work and Dave didn't finish till 7 .
Sorry I missed John B's leaving do at Pizza Express - by all accounts it was a good night and Maddy was there , oh well never mind.
Fingers are still swollen but have managed to almost finish my envelope - it's just very slow and painful.
Ellie had a disco on Wednesday at school and 'world market' for the harvest festival which she only told me about the day before so I got her a pack of sharon fruits to take in.
Got a box of crisps to sample today and some pretty threads from Polstitches (not just Dragonthreads , a mixture from other company's.
Longing to start my Tournicoton 'Chose Favorite' but must finish obligations first plus I need a translation. Using Vikki Clayton silks as per pattern.

Swollen fingers

fingers on right hand really swollen and sore today which is a bummer as I need to finish my mailart and can't grip a needle . Have sent swap mum a note though.
Have won a hamper through the Delia Smith website so looking forward to receiving that.
Ellie has a disco tomorrow night so I will have to pick her up - Jamie's dropping her off so will have to sort her clothes tonight.

Lovely Day

The weather yesterday was really good - misty in the morning but boiling once the mist had burnt off , however I didn't see much of it!!! Ellie and I went to Alexander palace for the Stitch and Knit show . I won tickets from a needlework magazine. We travelled to Wood green and caught the complementary coach - very civilized !!
There was so much to see it was great. Didn't buy much but thoroughly enjoyed it . Got some silk dupion, some evenweave and some goldwork threads.Subscribed to a knitting magazine and got a free bag . Ellie got a goodie bag of stitching things and I bought her a paddington bear from the station. On the way home (Dave met us at Slough) we got fish and chips and mushy peas for tea. Fingers are really sore today and hip is playing up but eyes seem better.
Not looking forward to the 'wrath of Annie' for taking my tablets early today but never mind.

Busy day yesterday - quiet today

Well , yesterday was so busy at work . Some dork snapped the flush off completely in the mens toilet and the plumber can't get in till Monday so I had to open the empty suite so that they could use those. One of the interviewees brought their presentation as a Mac powerpoint and of course didn't think to convert it beforehand . The directors suggested that we use his apple laptop but of course we didn't have a projector lead with an apple Mac fitting.He ended up with them all huddled round his laptop - not ideal !!!!
Dave picked me up from work and we went to The Bell at Broad Hinton
http://www.thebellbroadhinton.co.uk/index.htm
For starters Dave and I shared TheMarinated olives and crusty bread , Ellie had chunky home made chips and a home made burger with salad which came at the same time as our starters. Dave had Whole tail breaded scampi served with fries and salad and I had Lamb noisettes served on chive mash, thyme roasted carrots and rosemary and mint jus. After this I had Eton Mess and coffee , Ellie had ice cream and Dave just had coffee . It was really nice and we booked for the halloween night - have to try to dress Ellie up in a costume for the night.
Stayed up late playing games on the computer and watching telly so slept in this morning - Ellie got into bed with me and sat reading . When I woke I managed to get loads of stitching done but I need to do some more to finish my mailart .
I received my oriental mailart from Lillian Kok of The Netherlands - it was full of goodies and I will upload some photos later. Very prettily stitched with blackwork and gold on red finished with a black tassel.
I'm watching 'Lost in Austen' ,which I taped ,at the moment so ideal for stitching to . Dave's gone to watch hockey and Ellie's writing a story.
Looking forward to going to London tomorrow although not looking forward to the journey

Turn that frown upside down !!!

So yesterday ended up being a mixture.
The tablets left me feeling nauseous all day but hopefully that will wear off. Picked up Annie's (nurse) message telling me not to start them till after she'd spoken to Dr on Monday - too late , they're started !!!
Boss wasn't so hyper and I got quite a bit done - he's away now for a week , hurray !!!
Looking forward to Alexander Palace on Sunday - see what stash I can get.
I can print out my magazines today so I'll have some inspiration for the weekend - still busyish at work as they've got interviews today.
My finger is swollen and sore this morning , I'll be glad when / if that wears off.
Need to really crack on with sewing tomorrow and try to stay off this evil machine , loads to do if I'm out most of Sunday.

What will today bring ?

The weather was really good yesterday.
Spooky mists hanging over the fields as I walked to the bus stop and quite chilly really - even wore my 'dish-dash' !!! But glorious sun at lunch time when I went out for my sandwich and paper . Picked up a copy of 'Little Women' for Ellie , I think she'll like it.
This morning I started my new tablets as hadn't heard from nurse , worried about the long list of side effects but we'll see.
Had a set to about sharp knives being left point up in the dishwasher at work - One person is being really obnoxious and has treated me like dirt when it suits them since I started with the company - my boss backed me up on this though

Finding the time

Where do the days go ?
It's been such a busy year and halloween is almost upon us.
I still need to finish my ornament and my mailart but so many other things get in the way not least this computer !!!! I really must try to be more strong willed but after a days work I'm usually too tired to pick up a needle. My boss goes away for a week on Friday - not a minute too soon - he's driving me crazy and I fear I will commit murder before the week is out.
The weather is really autumnal now , rainy and cold yesterday and cold this morning. We didn't really have much of a summer.
I received the lovely silks from Vikki Clayton yesterday for my 'Chose Favorite' http://www.violarium.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_83&products_id=1540 just waiting for the pattern translation now although if I'm honest , I could probably get by pretty much without it ,my French although rusty is not too bad.
Also got some lovely chocolate from Hotel Chocolate ,it's meant to be for Halloween but after a bad day at work I felt I needed to sample it to make sure it was okay!!!
Ellie won't be going to her dance class tomorrow as punishment - apparently she's been put in the naughty book for lying with another girl and wasting class time , not sure of any more details as that was all DH was told by the teacher and Ellie refuses to elaborate saying she 'can't remember'
Still not got my next Bristol hospital appointment and not started the new tablets - no real change in the eye or the other health side effects , can't wait to reduce the preds, the heaviness and breathlessness is really getting me down I feel years older .

Wow is it really that long ?

I've not written for a couple of years .
I've been working in my job now since July 2006. Had a few health setbacks , Uveitis has meant I'm on steroids and immunosuppressants with the subsequent side effects.
It hasn't stopped my needlework but has slowed me down somewhat.
Dave is still umpiring hockey and Jamie is still working in the Officers Mess. Ellie started dance class after school last Wednesday and seems to be enjoying it.
We went to the Wessex Stitchers needlework guild exhibition in Salisbury last week . It gave me some good ideas - there were a couple of really good stumpwork pieces which is what I want to try to get into . I also picked up a couple of pieces of fabric for quilting / ornament backs.
Ideally I'd love a dedicated sewing room but it's not going to happen in the near future unless we win on the lottery !!!!
Will load latest needlework pictures later.
Stitching a mailart and an ornament at the moment also have a couple of stitchalong pieces on the go but need to be in the mood and have been a bit too 'strungup' and tired lately to settle.