Samuel’s taggy blanket

Samuel is obsessed with anything that he can snuggle in bed – he is a teddy bear fan and at nursery has his own brushed cotton pillowcase to cuddle. He usually sleeps with a label stuck in his mouth as well. I think he is the natural candidate for a taggy blanket. I made one for Eloise when she was born but she was totally disinterested in it. After looking at the prices of ‘proper’ taggies (and having a slight heart attack) I decided to have another go at making one.

I got the fleece at the Festival of Quilts on Friday and then got all the ribbons at Hobbycraft. Eloise had fun picking out all the colours with me. So far less than £6 and half and hours work this is what I have created

I’m feeling pleased with it. I was planning on giving it to him as a Christmas present but Steven has been all negative saying he won’t be into that kind of thing by the time we get to Christmas. Oh well!

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Festival of Quilts 2010

On Friday I went to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC and parted with quite a bit of money! We go for the shopping rather than the quilts. Got lots of bits and pieces to keep myself occupied.

I’m planning on redecorating our bedroom and want to do a couple of pictures for the wall. I want to try out a new technique I learnt using bondaweb and embellishing with hand embroidery. So here are the things for that

I also got some silk rods – I’ve seen a project in Stitch magazine that I fancied trying. Not sure what I’m going to do exactly yet. It’s a make-it-up-as-I-go along project.

Then we saw Amy Butler. At the moment I have a small jealousy-type hatred of dear Amy. Her fabric is gorgeous, her wool range has the most fantastic colours and her patterns are lovely. Too perfect for my liking. Anyway, she was lovely (increasing the jealousy more). The fabric was calling to me so I had to buy a handbag pattern and some fabric. I’ve been buying the other bits and pieces that are needed for it. I’m refusing to mentally keep track on how much this bag will ultimately cost. I don’t care – it will just look gorgeous.

This last photo has no concrete plans as yet. It was just very pretty fabric that I liked so I’ve bought it with the intention of making myself a top.

As well as that lot I’ve got Christmas presents to make. Samuel is getting a taggy blanket – I refuse to pay the money that they charge in the shops! That should be done by the end of the week. A few other bits and pieces as well that I’m planning on tackling sooner rather than later to give myself plenty of time!

Sunday afternoon in the park

Sunday Stealing

1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago? Definitely!

2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn’t have? Nope – I’m very boring like that

3. Can you sleep in total darkness? Yes – easily.

4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who got away, what do you say? Your loss, not mine.

5. What do you think about the weather this summer? Overall pretty good, despite the last few weeks. Not too hot, not too cold.

6. How many people do you trust with everything? One – myself!

7. What was the last thing you drank? A glass of rose. Thinking about the rest of the bottle in the fridge as well.

8. Is there anyone you want to come see you? No.

9. Name one thing you love about winter? Nothing. I’m a miserable seasonal depressive type.

10. Have you ever dated a Goth? No.

11. What are you looking forward to tomorrow? My short clinic. Usually its an all dayer but only got 4 patients to see tomorrow. Late start and early finish. Will get a proper lunch break 🙂

12. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having? Just the usual Sunday evening busyness. Feel like I have so much to do.

13. What’s the longest that you have committed to one person and one person only? 10 years

14. What’s the first thing you did when you opened your eyes today? Tried to persuade Eloise she didn’t need paracetamol and her temperature taking (professional hypochondriac)

15. Has anyone ever told you they never want to ever lose you? No

16. Is there anybody that you wish you could fix your relationship with? No

17. Could you go out in public, looking like you do now? I’m in my pyjamas so nope

18. Do you think things will change in the next 3 months? How? Not sure. Lots going on at work and I’m not sure if the changes are going to be positive or negative. Could go either way. Not going to be nice whichever way it goes.

19. Do you believe that you never know what you got until you lose it? Yes

20. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to? Does Steven count?!

When the Lights Go Out

Easy! Knitting or sewing depending on how much light there is. I think I could manage to knit in the dark if need be.

Book sharing Monday

I know I’m a day late! In an attempt to get into the blogging habit I’m looking for simple regular things to get into. As a starter I found Book Sharing Monday Eloise loves her books – she would happily sit and read most of the day if we let her!

Mum bought her a great selection of new books and we’re gradually working our way through them each evening. Last night we had ‘Baby Brains’

A baby is very intelligent – he goes to school, mends the car and becomes a doctor. Eventually he is asked to go on a space mission with NASA. At the crucial point in space he suddenly realises he misses his mummy and has to be hurriedly returned home. A simple story but very funny – and I’m happy to discover there’s more in the series. Another thing to add to the Christmas list!

Seriously guilty of blog neglect

I’m ashamed its been over a month since I posted. I’m meant to be trying a post at least weekly and yet again failing miserably.

My excuses are that life has been very hectic – both at home and at work and I’ve been struggling to keep going and get enough sleep at the same time. Even now I’m struggling to think of something informative to write! I will resort to bullet points – apologies for being boring.

I’m busy with my new evening class – textile calico workbook. I’m learning some great new techniques that can be used for loads of different things. It’s also got me interested in hand embroidery – something I’ve never really tried before but I’m loving. I’ve added photos of my favourite piece so far. Not sure whether to keep going with it or to stop adding!

And my photos below just don’t do it justice so I’ve been looking at the adult education brochure for next term. I’m very torn between cake decorating and photography. I need to make a decision soon. Both are practical skills I feel I need at this moment in time!

Eloise and Samuel have both had really good nursery reports in the last couple of weeks. They’re both doing really well. Eloise is ahead in her writing and recent problems with crying when I drop her off in the morning appear to have resolved. Samuel is also doing well and we’ve discussed looking ahead to getting him a statement in the future as his heart condition progresses. It was good as nursery are really supportive in this and it seems they will help us when it’s needed.

Thats it for now. I will muster up more energy tomorrow and write some more.