Did you think I had gone AWOL?

Hello all you lovely Folks out there, I do hope you are all well and happy.  I have been really missing you all but have been absent for good reasons I promise.  Are you sitting comfortably?  Then I'll begin.............

The last week and a half have been the most exhausting I have had in work - the inspectors wanted a large proportion of the work marked and sent to them so the whole team was in a frenzy - we have all been burning the midnight oil, going in very early coming home late - not good.  Each night I dragged myself home I was thinking about you all.  Then.....

My computer gave up the ghost, or so I thought and I must admit that I went into a bit of a meltdown - what about my blog I thought?  I was pretty upset about it all at the time and think it was down to absolute exhaustion.  I think back now and wonder why I reacted so badly but it was tiredness and weariness.  My wonderful Friend Laurence fixed it in a jiffy - he is just fabulous, what would I do without him. 

Well last night I got home, the work had all been marked and sent off and we breathed a sigh of relief, the job was done.  I cooked tea and settle down to write to you all.  I must admit that I was almost falling asleep at the keys but managed to get it all written.  I was just adjusting the final photograph and wanted to move it up the screen and, don't ask me what I did, but I managed to delete the whole post!  By this time it was 10.30 in the evening and I couldn't keep my eyes open so had to leave it last night.  I was so cross with myself lovely Folks.  Today I had so much housework to do seeing as how the poor house has not had a bit of attention so I couldn't leave it another day but all day I have been itching to get on to the computer to write to you all.  So big apologies to everyone for being so remiss, I have tons of blogs to catch up with and I am really looking forward to seeing what you have all been up to.

Now when we last spoke if you can remember (it seems such a long time) I was struggling with Tilly's Coco lovely pattern.  I had bought the wrong fabric and Rachel, my sewing teacher, said that it didn't have enough stretch in it.  Now Rachel did ask me to leave the neckline until I was back in class but after I got home I stayed up and tried to finish it.  A lesson learned here Folks, I should have listened to Rachel.  As you can see below it is not the most perfect neckline but I suppose it is ok for a first attempt (sorry Tilly, not up to your standard).  

I think it is wearable and Rachel said, very kindly that it looked nice.  However, when I got home and showed my husband he didn't like it at all which has put me off a bit.  Why is it when one person says something negative I tend to believe them.  I thought it would look quite nice with a white pair of summer trousers or jeans.  What do you think?

Since I last spoke with you I have been a very lucky girl in getting some lovely gifts from special people in my life.  My wonderful friend Jo send me some beautiful gifts which I absolutely adore as she made them herself.  Jo is a wonderfully talented young lady who, hopefully, will be opening her online shop soon.  When she does I will point you her way.  Lovely Readers she makes the most fabulous things and can make anything, and I mean anything.  Hurry up and open the shop Jo as I want to buy something. 

Don't you just love this cute book she made for me with my name on - such a handy book to keep in my sewing bag for my notes and little messages to myself.  Whenever I read about new websites or blogs I always want to have a look but obviously cannot spend my whole day surfing the internet as I don't think my bosses would be too happy!  This cute book is perfect for keeping all my sewing notes safe and sound. 

But, that wasn't the end of it.  She also sent me this fantastic length of fabric which I just love and am itching to make something with but can't make up my mind.  It looks really vintage and is really beautiful to handle.  Perhaps you gorgeous people out there could give me some ideas?

And...........she also sent me this wonderful book which I was thinking of buying anyway - what a fabulous friend, thank you so much lovely Jo, you are such a gem.  The book is fabulous for me as it is really clear and talks you through every step of the way. 

I adore this little dress below (don't worry Folks I am not going to attempt it just yet!).  I would love to be able to make this one day in the distant future for my granddaughter who has just finished university this week, it would be perfect for her graduation.  One can dream............

Now then, I have been really spoilt - for Mother's Day my eldest Son had ordered this fabric for me from Cath Kidston - he was with me when I bought the tea towels in this fabric and had said how nice it was.  I said to him 'wouldn't it be nice if I could get more and make some cushions or a throw?', well the little sweetie ordered it and it was such a fabulous surprise.

He had popped this in too as he knows I love caravans - I can't stop looking at it.

And.........something he had ordered ages ago - my Tilly book which is just fabulous.  What a lucky girl I am. 

And she even signed it................

Finally, to show you that I have been doing something other than marking.  I finished this cushion for my grandson who is an avid Liverpool Football fan.  It was a small piece I had won on Ebay and I just had enough to make the cushion.  He was chuffed with it and it is sitting on his bed now.  He was pleased to see his initial on it plus a ball.

Well my Lovelies, I am not going to delete this post!  I am back on track now with tons of sewing to do, a crochet bag to finish and a new cardigan for one of my little Peeps.  How are you all doing?  I can't wait to catch up with all your news.  Thank you for being so patient with me.  Have a fabulous evening/morning depending where you are in our wonderful world.  Big hugs to you all.  Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx