December is nearly here Folks

Hello Everyone how are you all doing?  It has been a funny old week and a tiring one.  Sadly my loved one at home hasn't been too good and all the plans made have had to be rearranged.  Being the main carer is a responsible role and an emotionally draining one too.  The relationship you knew so well shifts and things change, not always for the best so a lot of readjustment has to take place on both sides - not easy but I still have him and love him more than ever.  I even considered leaving my blog as I didn't feel that I was doing the best I could on it.  I love blogging and the wonderful virtual friends I have made through it have all been unbelievable so I knew that it would break my heart to leave everyone behind.  I just hope you can bear with me when I don't have time to write more posts as I really don't want to give any of this up - sometimes I wish I could treble the hours in the day so I could get everything done - and done well!

Lovely Friends I have tried to keep busy and have been frantically trying to finish off some of the gifts I had promised myself I would do this year.

I managed to knit up these little lovelies for the peeps who are coming to stay next weekend - can't wait to see them all.

I am trying to get on with my banner which is so easy but really needs finishing as soon as I can.  I am trying to knit three squares at a time but have to watch that I don't get confused with the diagrams!  Could end up with a completely different message which might not be such a good idea............

 

 

I also sent off for some fabric this week from Seamstar - yes I know that I said that I wouldn't buy anymore and I have been really good but I have been pretty sad this week and this cheered me up no end. They are such lovely patterns, I just love them and will have to use them this year come what may.

 

 

You cannot see it very well but if you look below the fabric on the left hand side is flannel and is so gorgeous to touch and feel.  The one of the right is cotton and I am open to suggestions as to what I can make quickly with these, I have a few ideas in my head which, as usual, is stuffed with all manner of things.

 

I have also been trying to crack on with the bags I am making for Christmas gifts, I have stuck to my original plan of only using fabric/tea towels I already had for these and so far have kept this going.  I love this green one which doesn't use a tea towel but the fabric was a tiny bit left over from ages ago so I think this fits in with my criteria.

 

 

I just have to bead this one and sew it up properly.  As always I am struggling with the zips but Rachel from my sewing class is really helping me with this.  I don't think I will ever get them right Folks!

 

These are the other two - the pink one is two tea towels from Tesco and the other from Marks and Spencer and I  think they are both very pretty, hope you like them Folks.

 

Finally I have managed to make two cushions for us.  My husband asked me to make some after seeing the ones I had made for our gorgeous daughter-in-law.  I didn't think he was that bothered but said it would be nice to have some of our own.  They are both tea towels as well but I had to be economical with the fabric and line the backs with a different fabric.  The bird one is from Marks and you might remember me buying them a little while ago, whilst the red one is of course from Cath Kidston.   I must admit I prefer the red one myself as it reminds me of a vintage pattern.  Which one do you prefer?

 

 

The photo below shows the plain red fabric but I think it looks ok.

 

 

Finally - what I did yesterday.  My lovely Man and I had planned to go to Birmingham to see my Son (my eldest) receive his second degree.  He had worked so hard for this and I was understandably proud of his achievement.  However this last week my husband has been unwell and it would have been too much for him to go so sadly I had to go on my own.  I decided to go by train rather than drive and left around 6.45am to catch the 7.30 which got me into Birmingham for 9.30.  It was so busy with the Christmas markets starting this week.  Below is a picture of the big wheel and nearby was a skating rink - I am going again in a couple of weeks with my eldest granddaughter so will post more photographs then.

 

 

My Son's other guest had been unable to attend at the last minute due to family commitments so it was just the two of us.  What a wonderful day we had.  I was so proud of him in the Symphony Hall and very tearful when I saw him being presented.  We went out for a special meal afterwards.  My wonderful husband was so gracious about it all and paid for our meal which made it even more special to us both.  I didn't reach home until 10pm absolutely exhausted but in the best possible way.  The train journey home was a bit of a nightmare being packed and noisy with disruptions but I finally made it home safe and sound. 

 

Below is the view outside the hall near where we had our meal - it looked just like Venice with all the canals around it being lit up with lights and decorations.  There was a wonderfully Christmassy atmosphere with everyone around.  A special day. 

 

 

Well my lovely Friends I must leave you all again and get on with some preparation for work and hopefully some crafting as I have so much to do as you all have.  Your blogs have been fantastic this week and have kept me going so a huge thank you to you all.  I hope to speak with you very soon so do take care each and every one of you.  Big hugs to Everyone.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx