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.

Long time no blog again !!!

Yes , I know I was going to be better at posting but life got the better of me !!
Lots to tell though , 20 February I handed in my notice at the Mess and I left on the 3rd March. Two potential jobs lined up subject to clearance .
Did lots last week on my first free week .
Jamie will be 18 next month and we have got him a car and he's started his driving lessons . He's now working two evenings as well as the weekend in the mess.
Dave is well settled in his job in the flight sim and we've been going out more .
Ellie is now six and has been to quite a few parties . Last Thursday she went on a school trip to the Bristol science museum and the Imax - their topic this term in school is space.
Yesterday I went into Bath and visited the museum of costume in the Assembly Rooms , it was really interesting - some lovely work on the costumes and also an exhibition about Rudolph Nureyev.
Have been buying some new clothes / shoes ready for my (potential) new jobs.
Have done some needlework but also got kinda sidetracked.
Started an OU course about computing systems.
Jasper has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia so has to be careful of diet - too much weight will cause him problems.
I'm now into silks in a big way - using DMC less and less as I love the 'handle' and texture of silks .
thats all for now !!!

I've been a bad girl !!!!!

Okay so it's been ages since I last blogged again . I've been working on salad bar prep since the beginning of June and have enjoyed it but have now had to admit defeat - I really can't fit in all the necessary prep and serve and do breakfast prep and sandwiches in 6 hours a day !!!! Also I don't get any breaks and it's knackering me so I finish September 2nd then I have a two week break (unpaid) and start as an accommodation cleaner again.
Ellie goes back to school on the 1st and Jamie back to college on the 8th .
Dave seems settled in his new job and we have a new puppy !!!!!
Jasper is a black Labrador born 15 May . We went on holiday on 28th to Mundesley and when we came back , picked him up from Sally on the 8th . He's due his second jab at the end of this week when we''ll be able to take him out for walks.
As far as stitching goes , I'm getting nowhere fast - doing bits out of different pieces depending how the mood takes me . I'm still finishing a mailart piece for a birthday in July then I've got another birthday and an Autumn one to do .
Wips at the moment are Shakespeare , Just Nan's Noah's Ark and I've been getting together the fixings for 'Mary Queen of Scots '(Charland) and Sulgrave Sampler .

long time no Blog !!!!!!

Well , where to start ? So much has happened . I'm doing salad bar prep and sandwich serving in the Officers Mess now instead of cleaning . Still working 9 till 3 but no lunch break.
Dave start's his civvy job in the flight sim. on the 1st July (he's in Louisiana at the moment on his swansong - should be back Sunday ) Jamie's sitting exam's next week . He starts work in the plate wash at the Officer's Mess on Saturday 11 till 7 and is working at the Sgt's Mess Summer Ball next Friday .
Ellie is just being Ellie as usual and we're getting a puppy in August - his name's Jasper (or Jazzy) and he's a pure black Lab.
Haven't really been able to settle to any one piece of stitching and a piece I'm doing for a swap is overdue .
The weather is very hot at the moment - has been for the past week although it's forecast to rain from this evening

Nearly the end of the month

Again , I've taken ages to write , I used to write a diary regularly many years ago and was never this tardy !!!
Well , have now finished the modelstitch for Pol which will be in the post tomorrow and I'll put up a picture as soon as it's published . Emailed Pam and she hasn't even sent out the piece I returned to be finished yet so a bit miffed as I could have stitched more and kept my reputation a bit more intact as a model stitcher if I'd known the deadline wasn't so imminent - oh well live and learn !
Got a beautiful envelope in the Mailart exchange from Malaysia and it had gone through all the normal stamping and franking - will post a photo later .
Got my first Birthday card from Stitch and stash today - two lovely threads Six Strand Sweets - Spun Sugar and Dragon Floss - Fire and Ice .
Ellie had an Easter service last Wednesday at Church (Dave actually went to it !!!!!) and she had some words to say - we had to drum into her not to say every one else's words as well.
I have to make her a hat for the school Easter bonnet parade on Thursday - got all the bits but it's putting it together - last years looked so good and quite professional in some cases !!!
Ellies been so tired the past two nights that I've had to fight to get her to have some tea and milk before bed .
Was off sick with IBS on Monday , in work today , leave tomorrow (last day of leave year ) work Thursday and off Friday till next Tuesday.
Dave had an interview for flight sim job Friday - is away at hockey so phoned him - he didn't get it . Ah well , first interview in umpty ump years !!!!
He actually finishes in September so a bit of leeway.
Jamie will have to look after Ellie during the Easter break - I can see the start of several arguments !!!!

March already !!!

It's been ages since I last posted as it seems to have been really busy in the last month .
The saddest thing was that a Hercules went down in Iraq killing a 10 man crew , two who I knew personally . The whole village was in mourning as well as the camp and amidst the visits of The Queen , Princess Ann and Geoff Hoon and various forces dignitaries , we where very busy. There are still flowers outside the main gate .
In the last couple of weeks the weather has turned very cold and we've even had some snow although it's not settled here but other parts of the UK have had lots.
It was our wedding anniversary on the third ( 19 years !!!) and Dave bought me an ipod shuffle - really clear and easy to use.
Mother's Day today and I got card's from Jamie and Ellie and some lavender aromatherapy candles.
Had to send the piece of model stitching that I was doing for one designer unfinished as I knew I wouldn't hit the deadline.
Am doing another one though for another designer and it's coming along nicely .
Started my computer course again but have hit a hiccup as I ran out of printer ink - will sort that tomorrow .
Dave is in Cyprus till Thursday (flew out yesterday) doing Hockey.
His trip to New York was cancelled so he was in a bit of a mood before he went .
I'm on leave till Wednesday as we have to take our leave before the end of the month or lose it.
Phew ! think that's everything for now .
Oh , nearly forgot , I finished my mailart for Nancy and she's had it now so I can post pictures

Mailart Nancy front 

Mailart Nancy open 

Mailart Nancy back 

Fridge magnet for Nancy