ooops I hadn't thought about that!!

Haha, just about to put the fabric on the frame, looked at it and thought oops 27 count, better try my stitching glasses ! I've tried them and may have to get some stronger ones for this project, we will see how we go.

I have also discovered that I can't iron out the creases in the fabric, looks like I will have to wash it gently first..... whose idea was this anyway????

I've also unearthed what I thought was a roll of cloth which has turned out to be several yards of what looks like 27 count fabric! I vaguely remember someone asking if I wanted some years ago but I think I now have a lifetime supply!!

Since I'm spending quite a bit of time on the computer or tablet, I find that I'm starting to look back at more traditional embroidery again. Its been years since I'm done any (more than 10 years since completing my C&Gs) so I'm collecting ideas on my Pintrest site for future reference.

Today, blackwork has caught my eye, I used to do this before C&G and I've loving some of the work that's out there. This is a very small sample from my C&G History of Embroidery file.

I think thats about it for today, speak soon xx

setting a routine

Hi, Its been a quiet day today but all the threads are sorted  and I just need to enlarge the chart, attach the fabric to the frame and find the centre of the fabric to guide me. I have treated myself to some erasable highlighters (who ever dreamt that one up?) to track my progress.

Please excuse the quality of the photos, I had to use my tablet as the batteries are flat in my camera.

Once that was done. I got to thinking about the next few weeks. At the moment I am due to be off work for another 4 1/2 weeks, possibly more and after three weeks away I'm beginning to realise that I need some sort of routine or plan to the day. Just minor tasks that can be accomplished without too much strenuous effort.

I've been having a wander around the Internet looking for a day planner where I can record food, jobs, mood and notes for the doctor if necessary on my progress or lack of it.

and I came upon this on Team Confetti site which I think will do the trick, I can simply change the headers if I need to and I like the drinks bit to track water intake. I will see how I get on with this and will also set my alarm for getting up at a regular time.

In the meantime, its soup for lunch then off out to return a bag of unused/out of date medicine to the chemist after having cleared out the medicine cabinet.

I hope you all had a good weekend, speak soon xx

Random 2015 pic,

My good mate Pete popped round round near the end of the year with a prezzie for me, my first Russian spindle. It had since been joined by another one that came all the way from Russia with a lucky coin, I have some silk ready to spin once I'm up and running again:-)

more magazines!!

Cold, frosty and clear this morning, makes a change from the mild weather that we have been having. The forecast is for it to get colder, more rain and maybe snow next week which I will only believe when I see it!

Last year I passed several boxes of magazines to the local charity shop, mainly Embroidery and Patchwork and Quilting ones so I was surprised when I found these in one of the cupboards. Unless there is anything really exciting in them they will be heading off to the charity shop as well.

Todays task is to start on sorting out the embroidery threads, a little light housework if I'm able and a late visit to Morrisons as there is not much food in the house and I've not been able to get out to shop!

Back to 2015

the ceiling of the entrance to the arcade on Weston Super Mare Pier.

goodbye fibre

I thought I had packed away all my knitting and spinning fibres yesterday, the room looks better, just need to clear the surfaces and dust down but sitting here I have just spotted a ball of wool hiding under the computer shelf!

sneaky!!

Anyway back to what I was saying, the room looks better and Ian has chosen the cross stitch picture of the castle for me to do. I've just had a look at the instructions and the chart and I think it will take me several days to sort the threads out!! really nee to do it in daylight. I may enlarge parts of the chart to make it easier on the eye.

I also need to find a frame to work it on, I have several but its more than 20 years since I have done anything like this they are hidden away somewhere....possible the back of the wardrobe.

The reason for wanting a long term project like this is that when I saw my consultant on Tuesday he told me not to go back to work for the time being and we will reassess where we are in a few weeks time once I've had some more tests. This should help keep my brain working :-)

I've also decided this this is a great opportunity to try and eat healthier so I've been looking up soup recipes etc It will be nice to have the chance to cook more rather than the hurried quick meal after work, hopefully it will also save some money as well.

My spindles and knitting needles are looking quite forlorn now, other are in there containers on the shelves but downstairs the winter flowers are adding a spot of brightness to the kitchen

in spite of the winter rain.

all change

Well it looks like I'm going to be very quiet on the spinning,weaving and knitting front after today's meeting with my consultant. Since we don't know what is causing the problem, he wants me to lock away all fibres used for spinning , knitting,weaving for the time being in case they are causing it. It doubtful that they are as I've been spinning etc for six years or so but we need to look at anything that could be the culprit.
It looks like I may be getting the paints out and I'm sure I have a cross stitch kit somewhere that needs doing

I must have bought these kits about 20 years ago!!! 27 count fabric and ridiculous number of shaded cottons, no wonder I never started them :-)

the clearout continues

It seems that I'm not the only one starting to clear out in the house, this pile of Bike magazines is waiting to go down to the recycle bins. All freebie patches, stickers and books have been kept back for future use.

Yes , the need to minimise our belongings has struck both of us, I even gave away one of my many sewing machines before Christmas !! there is still an awful long way to go though.

I'm still prepping the lamb fleece, the longest locks are around 2 inch, most about 1 1/2 inch. There are lots of really short cuts at around 1/2 inch or less . I will just try my best and see how much I end up with.

Today I'm sharing a photo from 2009, this is currently my screen saver to help me through the winter days.

 taken in Orkney

getting a little better everyday

Hi, I'm still recovering ( if thats the right word) from my cough which may be caused by a patially collapsed trachea as well as the asthma. At the moment I'm off work for a few more days until I've seen the consultant again.
This means that I will be doing a little gentle house work then a little gentle craft work whilst taking in the view from my workroom window.

Last night I had a quick play with the bag of Bond lambs fleece that I found during the great fleece hunt. It is so, so soft!!

looks like I will be busy prepping this one!

Back to 2015

Nottingham decided to have their first Canal Festival......interesting move as I can remember going to one at the same place 20 plus years ago !!

Anyway, the sun shone although it was pretty cold, the boats were colourful and the morris dancers turned up!

 

642

I posted about the 642 things to draw book a few days ago, my drawing skills are really rusty to I'm hoping that regulary dipping into this may improve things over the months. At the moment everything looks like a cartoon or colouring book entry!!

a little more knitting

Hi,

I've been trying to knit up some of my handspun into hats :-)

Why Hats? well simply because I can remember the pattern easily haha. knit 4 inch of this, 5 inch of that. then shape the top!!!! I hope to get back to spining in public so I need something to show what can be made with even the thicker bumpy yarn plus if anyone wants to buy one I won't refuse!! three of these are from fleece I've prepped myself, one is from a merino blended colour tops (spun maybe 5 years ago) and the green one from the scrap bag!!

Back to 2015

a couple of feathered friends.

chit chat, spinning, photos....

Progress so far, I need to spin another skein but I hate spinning black merino so it's taking some time. Maybe I just need to settle down and watch a good film whilst I'm doing it.

Making the list of fleece that I have lurking prompted me to have a quick look on ebay to see whats is around even though it really is the wrong time of year but I know I need to deal with what I already have.

I still fancy getting a RH loom at some point although I'm not sure if I really have room for one or if I can justify the price, maybe if one comes up 2nd hand locally.

It is some time since I have been out spinning or doing any craft in public so I have earmarked that as must do for this year ( once I am feeling better) although this may be just the new year itch talking....we will see what happens.

Looking back to 2015 again, we visited the Poppies : Wave installation at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in September.

more fleecy finds and another look back to 2015

Hi, once again I've been taking bags of fleece out of the cupboard, two more have gone straight in the bin so todays score so far is :- pillow slip full of Norfolk horn, pillow slip full of  organic merino tops and shetland ? both ready to dye ( john arbons beautiful fibres) bought at wonderwool maybe 3 years ago. 1/2 pillow case polworth (different fleece to that previously found) 1/2 pillow wiltshire horn, 1 pillow blue texel, 1 bag bond lamb black and one bag bond lamb white!!   oohh and 1/2 pillow Shetland.

I know I have two fleeces in the outhouse somewhere that need washing!!

But I have just spotted a 64 litre tub that may just have fibres in it..........

Welcome to 2016, the year of the spinning wheel!!!!!

Back to 2015, we took a few days out in September to visit friends who live in Somerset and to go to the Dismaland Exhibition at West Super Mare but our visit was cut short due to high winds causing damage to some of the exhibits.