Sunday 15 December 2013

How many sleeps to Christmas?

Hello Everyone, how are you all doing?  I have missed you all and am glad to be back.  Each year around this time I move into a state of complete denial with regards Christmas.  I try to kid myself that it is really only October and wonder why everyone is in such a manic state.  I only bought my main Christmas cards today and have tons to write out now - why do I repeat this peculiar routine every year??  Who knows and the worst part of it all is that I never learn. However last year I made a promise that I would really try hard to be more organised this 2013 - has it worked?  Well, since starting to sew this year I must admit that I am more ahead with my home made gifts although not as much as all the lovely bloggers who I follow - I am amazed at the wonderful things they have created.  Pop over to my favourites and see for yourself, you will be seriously impressed. 
 
I hope you are all well and happy.  Life kicks us around all the time and last week at work we had some serious kicks.  A dear and lovely colleague died very suddenly last week - she was the most sweetest of people and was going to reduce her hours to make time to spend with her forthcoming little grandchild.  It hit everyone very hard and really makes you think about what is important in life.  Then the next day we had news that another colleague's husband has very little time to live after only being diagnosed two weeks ago.  What can I say - thankfully for all of us, it was all hands on deck so we have been working to capacity to make sure all the gaps are covered by us.  It is a job we have all done willingly and without complaint.  People are so important to us all just like you all are to me dearest Bloggers.  It is wonderful that I feel comfortable to share such news with you all as I know in my heart you will understand and empathise with my feelings and those of my lovely colleagues.
In terms of preparation for Christmas I have been trying to keep going although I am way behind with everything but no matter.  My sewing class has been such a life saver, a place where I could escape to and really concentrate my mind on something other than work.  Do you like these diaries with their covers?  I managed to get these done with scraps from the box in my class.  I am not sure who they are going to but I wanted to make a little selection of gifts which I could give out at work to my lovely colleagues.  Mr Fox is my favourite - what is yours?


I loved this fabric with the toadstools on - I would love more of this fabric and it was so cute and adorable.


The diaries are just £1 ones from the local store but with the covers they look so much more.  In the past I have bought diaries and paid at least £7 - £9 per diary so this was a big saving.  Hoping the recipients will like them. 


You might remember that I have been making some bags for my friends and I have tried to keep up to date with these although they take time with the beads and applique techniques. However I do love making these and hope they will be appreciated.  I know that I have said this to you before but giving homemade gifts can be a gamble but I think that attitudes are now changing for the better and people now seem to value the time spent on making something individual. What do you all think lovely Friends?  This is the back section of two of the bags.

 

This is the front.


 
 
 
 
As you can see I still have more to do - three in fact but am wondering if I will run out of time?  I hope not.
 


I have been busy with my cowls and am now resorting to knitting two at a time.  The grey one is for my friend Sarah in work and the other for my lovely granddaughter who loves the one I made for her.  The grey one is ready to come off the needles now for making up and the black one is nearly there thank goodness.  The good thing about this knitting is that I can take it on the train with me and can happily knit away without looking at a pattern all the time.  I just have to be careful not to stab the person sitting next to me with the needles!

I have wanted to have a go at a headwarmer for ages and had got some fleece to line scarves.  At sewing class Rachel said that she had an easy pattern I could follow so away we went.  I was amazed at how quickly it all came together and was so pleased with the result.  Rachel has a model head which she uses to show off her headbands which she makes so suggested that I put the headwarmer on this to show my eldest granddaughter.  What do you think?

 
 
My granddaughter loved it and immediately asked for a black one and a cream one - luckily I have enough fleece for these and one of my little peeps also wants a pink one - I can see some head warmer fests coming up in our house.  I know they are such easy projects Lovelies but to me I still find it amazing that I could make something which someone else would want - it is wonderful.
Finally I have managed to crochet up a little scarf for one of my lovely peeps which I need to line in some fleece to make it extra specially soft for her little neck.  I obviously have to make another for the other little peep so have the yarn ready to go on this one.  Fortunately these are not Christmas gifts so the pressure is not as bad on me.  I loved doing this and having crochet on the go again.
 
 
But the worst bit for me...........having to sew in the ends!
 
 

I met up with my lovely eldest Son on Saturday in Birmingham - we did a bit of retail therapy but really wanted to spend the day together and catch up with all the news.  We had a lovely meal around by the canals and it was such a good way to escape from the holiday madness. 

I did pop into a few shops whilst waiting for him to arrive and found this little tea towel - yes lovely People my obsession continues - maybe this coming year I will go into therapy to help me overcome this affliction.  I did love these, have a look and see what you all think.

 
I think they are really cute and look at the prices!
 
 
 
I thought they were a bargain but have not decided what to do with them yet - any ideas or suggestions most gratefully received Lovlies.
 
Well my lovely Friends it has been a difficult week, a sad one and I am so glad to be writing to you all again as it gives me such strength to know you are all out there.  I have kept up with your lovely blogs and been inspired by you all.  It is going to be another very busy week but we will get through it and hopefully I will make headway on my homemade.  I do send you lots of big hugs and kisses and thank you for all being such good company.  Please leave a comment if you are able to as I do love to hear from you all.  Please keep safe, be happy and contented with our wonderful world wherever you are.  I hope to be back very soon and writing again.  See you all soon, all my love to you all as always.  Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

12 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your coworker, it does make you realize how precious life is. My goodness you have been so busy!!! I wish I could be so motivated and organized. Everything you have made Is really lovely and inspiring. The diaries are a great idea! I love the idea if a granny scarf with fleece on the back. I'm not sure I'd sew in the ends if I was lining the back of the scarf as you won't really see them, will you? Again, you have found the most amazing tea towels!!! I am jealous of your tea towel finds. :o). Wishing you a wonderful week. Take care, Louise

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  2. My dear Dorothy, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear workmate - life deals sad blows at times and around this time of year such losses are even harder to bear!
    Your makes are all so gorgeous and I am so overwhelmed at all the crafty goodies you've managed to complete, and so beautifully. I love the fox and the hedgehog covers and all your gorgeous bags and headbands - your family and friends will be so happy yo receive such wonderful gifts - and again you have found some fantastic tea towels, I LOVE them all, everything! You are amazing my friend!!! And there's your snazzy crochet work too - WOW! You'll be ready for a rest come Christmas! Take good care of yourself lovely lady, much love and warm hugs, Joy xoxo

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  3. Some great items there. Every year I ask for a diary....I'm easy to please....and every year I have to buy my own in January. So yours make perfect gifts. As for the tea towels, they are the perfect size to use as the wall-hanging storage for odds and ends such as scissors and other craft items. I would sew on some little pockets and loops to keep everything handy....if I had a crafts room.

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  4. So sorry for your loss. It's always harder around Christmas time x

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  5. Eek, how busy you have been. Everything looks lovely. New Tea towels from Primarni, how comes my store has not had these ones, naughty Primark. I shall try and come up with an idea for you.
    So sorry to hear your sad news, always worse at this time of year.
    Did you watch The Christmas Sewing Bee. I loved it.
    Hugs x

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  6. We are all here for you Dorothy. Keep helping and supporting your friends but look after yourself too. You have made some wonderful things - I can't believe how hard you work to satisfy work and pleasure for yourself. You are amazing. Jo x

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  7. Dorothy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your colleague. You have been working so very hard at work and in your crafts too it seems. You have made some lovely things! Love the head warmer and the bags, just gorgeous. I agree those tea towels are a bargain and very pretty too.
    Marianne x

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  8. Sending big hugs your way. You really have been going through the wars lately. So pleased to see that it hasn't stopped your crafting. Such lovely things you have made, really loving the headbands and little flower on top - might need to steal the pattern!!
    Here's hoping you have a lovely Christmas and happy new year.
    xxxx

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  9. Hi Dorothy, you have made some lovely things for some very lucky people. Sorry that you have not such a good week, I hope that things get better for you. I realise I have been replying to your blog posts and so have been talking to myself! Nothing unusual there! I have received your wonderful gift and will blog about it when you receive mine. Posted first class today. Jille x

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  10. I am so sorry to hear the sad news of your work colleagues, Dorothy, it must have been a very hard week for you all. Your makes are all lovely, you have been really busy and I am sure everyone will appreciate these special gifts. Sending you warm wishes for this festive week.
    Helen x

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  11. Hello lovely Dorothy. I have just read the sad news after sending you an email, so apologies if I didn't mention it in there. I am so sorry to hear the news of your work colleagues, this must have come as a shock to you all. It is at times like this that you realise that life can be taken away from any of us in a flash and we need to make sure we spend time on the things that really matter. My thoughts go out to you all and to their families. Please pass on my best wishes. On a more positive note, you have been so busy. You always amaze me, really, I don't know how you do it. You have made so many gorgeous things. I love the bags, I love the gorgeous ear warmer, I love the diaries, in fact I think I need you to give me a lesson in that!! All the knitting, the list just goes on and on. You really are amazing!! I am pleased to see you are crocheting and yes those dreaded ends are a pain, I have a mountain waiting to be weaved in, yuck! I do hope that you find some time during these busy few days just to sit and enjoy a cuppa and relax. I am sending you much love and I am sure those teatowels, which are fab by btw will be put to very good use!. xoxo

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  12. Dear Dorothy,
    I'm so sorry to hear of the tragic events at your office. When my friend and then my mother in love died suddenly last week, it really shook me up. We truly don't know how much time we have. We must invest it in loving God and loving others and in doing the things that bring us and others joy.

    No matter how long, it seems life's too short.

    May God comfort you, help you through this time, and bless your friends' families, in Jesus' Name.

    Don't worry about finishing everything. Most love gifts for "I love you" days any time of year!

    Blessings,
    Laura

    P.S. Amy likes the book cover with the mushroom and the bag with the yellow flower. I agree.

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