Halloween Trick Or Treat Blog Hop.....

WOW!! Its Halloween already!
Well sssshhhh it almost is!  I am just putting my post out a little early, as I am watching the clock until the witching hour!  Its something I like to do on Halloween, I know odd right?!

So I as I watch the clock I have something to share with you all....

The wonderful Jo from Serendipitous Stitching organized a Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop.... and YES!! I wanted to join in!!

If you want to join in on the fun and excitement all you have to do is follow the links and note down all the letters and maybe symbols of each person you hop to... 

My letter.....

No its not Boo!! Its the fist letter of this wonderful Freebie stitch I recently did.  Its called "Boo" from The Stitcherhood.  

So the letter from me for the Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop is....

B

Note it and then I send you on your way to another wonderful blog to collect more!

Onward to... HERE

I have been stitching so 'treats' for some of you lovely people out there... hope you like what comes if you do receive something :)

I love taking part in things like this Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop as it means I can go look at blogs!  So many talented people out there... I just need more time to be able to visit you all! hah ah 

Its....

How very brilliant! 

Hope you all have a lovely time what ever you are doing :)

Overload....

Hello, firstly where is this month going?  I really think that this year is passing much quicker than before... 

And... HELLO to my new followers :)  I am happy you have joined in on the merriment and feel free to leave a comment when you like :)

Monday I did not put a post up as I was feeling really really worn out.  I had an appointment with a neurologist and had to do some tests... visual tests and memory tests and well I think it was too much.  When I got home I just could not stay awake!  

I have to go back next Monday for more tests and then hopefully they may have a reason to what is going on with me?  I hope so... 

Tuesday I have been stitching all day... I cannot show you what as its a gift!  Oooh my and I just realized I forgot to take a photo!  Hmmm maybe when the person gets it they will post a photo?

Ooh yes but I do have something to show you all!!  I have been experimenting with dyeing again, as its so much fun!  I found an amazing herbal tea, I love to drink it.  I love the colour it turns the water in my cup so I thought OK try dying with it!

Ha ha so that is what I did! 

Yes Twinings Strawberry and Mango tea makes this wonderful colour!  I love it!  

Oh yes something arrived in the post too!  The packet from Shirley, my Round Robin partner :)  I could not wait to see what she stitched for me.

WOW!!!!

Its all so pretty, ...

Look!... sheep!!!

Close up...

And WOW!!
Look at this wonderful fabric... its sheep!!! 
I can hardly believe it, I love it!!
And silk threads, a new thing for me to try :)

Thank You, Thank You Shirley, I love it all!!! :)  Taking part in the Round Robin has been a lot of fun... only a few more people left, I will be sad when it ends.

I cannot really show you anything I am stitching or working on at the moment as they are gifts and must be kept secret until they have been received... you will see them soon :)

I hope your all ok and happy stitching and smiling?

xx

I am so very lucky....

To have such lovely blogging friends....

I want to say a HUGE Thank You to Jo from Serendipitous Stitching Blog

I cannot believe what you sent me... Thank You, really Thank You.  I love all the wonderful colours of aida you sent me.... I cannot wait to experiment.  The aida banding is brilliant too, I think that is great to make my own style of decorated ribbon to go around presents.. and the Christmas cake!  Although I dont actually like Christmas cake... that is fine I can just look at my lovely stitching around it! ha ha   The card you wrote the note in too Jo is wonderful, very pretty. 

I am thrilled with what came today, actually made my day so Thank You again Jo :) xx

Guess you all want to know what I have been up to then?  I have been stitching away on a wonderful chart that was designed for me!  Yes me!! And its named after me too!! Eeeekkk!!! How wonderful is that!! And... yes there is more!!! I was asked to be the first to stitch it!! Eeeek!!!

Ok... I should explain a little.. my nick name is Dora, not sure some of you know?  Others will from Facebook as I am known as Dora on there!  Well The Lovely Gale from Stitchers Anon Blog did the most wonder-fullest thing.... she made a chart, a Christmas cute one with a lovely saying and is available as a freebie stitch available on Stitchers Anon Facebook page. Oooh yes and the chart (freebie) is also available on Stitchers Anon Blog too :)

When Gale said she was thinking about things and designed this fun chart with me in mind I was blown away!  And then the icing on the cake was me to stitch it and it to be known as Dora's Elf.... well!! Oh my!! I feel happy and stitching it gave me a lot of pleasure :)

So do you want to see it??

Dora's Elf... Designed by Gale at Stitchers Anon.

I dont usually show the back of my work but thought I would as I am quite proud I kept it neat and tidy :)

When Gale approached me she very kindly offered to get me the threads I did not have to do this design.. so Thank You very much for your wonderful generosity and kindness you 100% made me smile :) x

Would you all like to know how I got on at the college?

OH!! MY!!

I love it!! I want to go!!

I spoke with the course tutor and she is really nice.  They only have small classes of 15 so I am thrilled at that, but do on occasion mix with the other groups doing fashion and media.  Sorry no photo's as I was too busy looking about! ha aha 
As a (more) mature student the rules are slightly different and I do not have to follow the qualification required to apply for the course.  But saying that the tutor seemed impressed that I had been studying myself, you know with the Open University.  This she said proves I am academically capable as with the OU I wrote 4000 - 6000 word essays!  

I explained I was worried about what to show them at the interview if I got one as I am not from a course and have no port folio.  So I told her that I was putting my own port folio together and it would show what I have taught myself, ie, new skills I have learnt and showing things I have made too.  She thought this a wonderful idea and a really clever one too!  I asked if she could give me any tips what to put inside it... she said some drawings so they could see my style and what I like to draw.  And some collages.. experimenting with fabrics and to take an object and see how far I can develop it into something... interesting right?!  

So yes my brain since going to the open day has been in over drive!  I am so excited I just cannot really express it in words.  So now my priority is before Christmas to get my application into UCAS for the course and then hopefully start of next year wait for an interview... eeek!  And naturally keep filling my port folio too.

So many wonderful things floating around my head! :)

Being Saturday evening now... what shall I do? hmmm start a wonderful new project...YES! ha ha  I just literally thought of something I MUST do!  Get back to you soon about it! heee hee

Hope your all well and enjoying the weekend and stitching or creating?  

Smiles, Happy smiles to you ALL :)

xx

Hello!!

I am sorry I have not been around for the past few days but I have been taking it easy..

I have a few things to share with you all, one really exciting thing!!

OK... well like I say I am sorry for not being around but I have been trying to relax, not actually doing a very good job at it as I have still been needed to do and go places.

Han is still off college, its been over a week now due to the pain in her back.  On a more positive note for Han, today I took her to the physiotherapist and has some gentle exercises to do.  I hope they help her in the long run... she is to go back in 2 weeks.  Next week is half term and Han's tutor has emailed her some work to do at home, Han is thrilled!! 

So that is Han!  You will all be pleased to know that my dad is doing fine, after his re-admission to the cardiac ward and a re-jiggle with his medication he is on the mend now :)  And yes at home again...fingers crossed he gets stronger every day.  My mum is fine too, she has a little stiffness in her neck but other than that is ok too :)

Me... well yes my anemia is really bad right now and I am trying to help myself by taking my Spatone Apple iron supplements but they only do so much.  I have had more blood tests at the doctors, and yes they are monitoring me.. my last blood result was 4.. the doctor says that between 11 and 12 would be good but ideally would like to see around 20!  And I have a count of 4!! Eeeek!!

I have been trying to stitch.. yes I have done some!  In between hospital and A&E visits!  Hopefull a lot more stitching will be done now as everyone is on the mend!  

I know my round robin stitch has now been received so I can now show you it ...  

Its a design called "The Earth Laughs in Flowers" a Heartstring Samplery design by Beth Twist.

I stitched it on 25 count Lugano white evenweave... and yes it took me ages!  Saying that though I really enjoyed it.  And I am pleased to say my Round Robin partner loved it too :)  Naturally I sent some 'happy' bits too inside the package with this stitch.

Oooh yes something else to tell you all about... I am REALLY excited about...

Tomorrow is open day at the college for the B A (Hons) Textile course I want to start next September.  I am going to have a look around and see what I need to show them and what to expect at the interview if I get one!  Funnily enough one of the degree tutors is Han's tutor!  Yes I have already met her and she knows me! ha ah ha On Wednesday when its Han's day off she teaches on the degree course!   I will take some photo's and share with you my visit :)

OK.. back to the stitching!!

Smiles to you all .... and Thank You all so much for your thoughts and support :)

xx

Oooh I love stitching....

Hello lovely friends...

Thank you for all your kindness you have shown with all your well wishes for my family. 

Its 2.15 am here! ha I know bad right!?  Well I was popping around some blogs and came across a lovely design I just HAD to stitch!!  Oooh yes.... I appologise now for not popping in on everyone, I will get around to you all soon I hope :)

Oooh yes this design...

Its called "Just A Little Autumn" designed by Sandra Dering from San-Man Originals.

I saw it on Mii's blog, a lovely Autumn design, Thank You for posting the link to it :)

I started it yesterday evening and I am happy to say its finished!  I had to change some of the colours as I did not have them.. I think it looks ok.  I stitched it on 14 count aida, cream I think...well its not white!

Here it is...

Not sure how I am going to finish it yet..

Talking of finishing, I have a little box with completed stitched designs I have done.. will post them all tomorrow.  I guess I should do something with them!?  You are all so very talented out there so no doubt you will have some amazing suggestions for me?!  Oooh yes and Frances I will probably make some into ornaments for my little tree I plan to start soon :) 

Ok so its almost 2.30 am and I am thinking I should really go to bed..

Smiles and happy stitching to you all :)

xx

Relax... I dont think that is a word I know?!

Well what a few days I have had!

First of all I would just like to say Thank You ever so much for your kind wishes and support during this rather tough time I am having right now.

I really cannot believe what has been happening lately with my family...

A little up date...

Dad.... well he is now back on the cardiac care unit and they have said basically the stent they put in recently to clear the blockage has not worked and his condition is back to where he was when he was admitted over a week ago now.  Again we will not find out what they intend on doing with him until Monday... unfortunately weekends in our local hospital is very slow and nothing gets done!  But he is in the best place and although he does not want to be there he understands he has to stay there!

Mum.... She has now recovered from her cold symptoms and now I have to keep an eye on her as she has a heart condition too and stress is really not good for her.  So I am worried about her, especially if dad has to have some surgery as I know she will worry.  Her back is bearable at the moment, but she does have a wheelchair to use if it gets worse.  My mum is very independent and keeps telling me I dont have to run her about... erm!! What!! Of course I am going to run her about... to take some stress off her!  Its no bother to me to take her to the shops and hospital... I told her I am going anyway and invited her!  That did the trick!

Han... OMG!! What can I say... Han is having a real tough time right now.  She was taking pain medication, an increased dose.  She stopped taking them all Thursday evening as they seemed to make her physically sick.  So now she is on no pain relief ... only using a hot water bottle.  Han's back is still causing her a lot of pain and she is really not coping very well at all with it.  Today I told her to stay in bed.  Yes after we got back at 5 am this morning form A&E!  We called the 111 health concern line for advice and their ambulance technician told us to go to A&E.  However the doctor there really was not concerned at all... Han literally was white as a ghost, with still feeling sick and she said her arms were feeling heavy and as if they were not hers.. her grip  and function was not working properly either.  The doctor excluded the 'major' things and basically said not to worry and go home and try to relax and heal.  So that is what we did... I think with all the stress and pain Han is under her dyspraxia condition may be presenting itself more?  Its the only thing I can think of.  Monday I am contacting her doctor and insisting on an appointment so that they can asses her and try to get her pain under control.  I dont like to see Han in pain, its tough to see and I just feel so helpless.. wish I could take the pain away.

Jon... Actually Jon is just the same!  He is being a darling honestly, with all I am going through he has never once complained or said he has wanted something. With the daily pain Jon is in and the difficulties he faces I think I am so lucky to have a husband like him.

Me... Well where do I start?  I am worn out and seriously need some energy and hours in the day from somewhere.  I spent all day Friday in the hospital with my dad, home at 11 pm and back to the hospital with Han at 1 am ... back home  at 5 am and to bed.. back up today (saturday) and collected my mum to go visit my dad in hospital.  When coming our of the hospital today I had a wave of sickness come over me and was erm... sick everywhere :(  No idea what caused it?  Back and now trying to 'chill' at home, still feeling rather sick... not sure what is causing it but I will mention it to the doctor.  Han is trying to take it easy in bed and J0n is taking it easy too.  I am gong to try to get an appointment at my doctors tomorrow to see about those iron injections, I can but ask!  I know I have to look after myself but its hard when there is just me to do all the running about...

So that is the up date!

As far as stitching goes, hopefully the next post I do will have some photo's of a new project I am doing!?  Lol if nothing else happens! 

OK hope your all OK and happily stitching away?  

Goodness yes...

Congratulations to Kim form Wisdom with Needle and Thread...

Just like to welcome baby Ronin into the world :)

Wonderful news!

Smiles :)

FNSI Update and....... I seriously could not make this up.....

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-In... I would of loved to of stayed in all day and evening to stitch something awesome.. in fact I had planned to start a new amazing project..that will have to wait.

Although I did manage something.. yes I did stitch something today.... 

I will show you it, you will probably think is that all?!  Hmmm I will tell you about my day today then you will realize why!  And OMG! I seriously could not make this up!!

Here is my stitching today...

The smallest ever Christmas tree!!  I did not want to do something complicated... it kept me busy!

So do you want to hear about my day?  OMG!! I tell you this family is jinxed or maybe its just me... 

OK... well you know how my dad has just come out of hospital Tuesday evening.... 

Today we have spent most of the day and evening in A&E ! Got home at 11 pm. Thankfully now though he is in AMU (Acute Medical Unit) being watched and assessed.  

OH my!! Well dads breathing just got worse rather quickly... he could not even take a few steps without gasping for air.  His doctor sent him to A&E and that is pretty much were we stayed all day waiting for a bed int he hospital.  

At this point they are not sure what has gone wrong, or if it is something new?  But thankfully he is in the right place to get treatment.  

As I say at the top... I really could not make this up!  I really hope they do not release my dad this time until he is well.  Also my mum has now got over her cold so will be able to visit him... 

Yes so that is me on 'taxi' duty.... will have to take my mum up the hospital tomorrow.  But in the mean time I am watching Han... she is still in a lot of pain with her back and not taking her medication as it made her really ill last night.  Jon is being a darling.... he is limited to what he can do what with his spinal injury.  What a family we are!!

I think I need more energy and time!  Anyone got any spare please send it my way! 

And now...breathe and relax! 


Oh yes I dont think I showed you my finished Strawberry design....

Yes I loved stitching this.. finished in the early hours of this morning :)

I have a little box of finished designs I have done recently.. this has joined them as I have no idea how to finish it yet.  It will come to me I am sure!?

I hope you liked my little Christmas tree... like I say kept me busy... yes whilst in A&E!!   

Thank you all for popping in.... 

I am trying to stay happy and smiley :)

Dare I say.. I wonder what is in store for me next?  Surely I have had my share of stress?

Smiles to you all :) xx

OH MY!!!

Well I knew there was a reason for not taking my shoes off.... going back to A&E now (1. am) with Han as she has a heavy feeling and numbness in her arms and hands.... she tells me she keeps dropping things and has to think about holding things... this is not good...

Let you know later how we get on ..

Never a dull moment here!

Hello friends..

Oh my!  Let me tell you about my day!! Goodness!!

Well just about to take Han to college this morning around 10 am and she rushed back into the house as she forgot something.  She went around to the back door and in through the kitchen...

I was waiting in the car thinking she would not be long... the next thing I knew Jon was shouting really loudly gesturing me to come into the house.  I came in and found Han on the kitchen floor in a heap and Jon had called an ambulance.  OMG!!  She was in agony... slipped and landed on her back.

Not sure if you all know but Han has a chronic back problem, since the age of around 7/8 she complained of sore hips and painful hips moving and missed a lot of activities at school due to it.  It was not until last December when we finally got to see a skeletal person to find out what was going on as the pain was getting worse.  Apparently the doctors thought it was her hips and to our shock it was actually her back that was failing her.  She has a degenerative condition in the lower part of her spine... the way they explained it was .. she is 19 and has the spine of a 90 year old.  And its just going to get worse.

So knowing all this I was thinking oh no what could she of done?  The ambulance came, got her off the floor with an amazing piece of equipment and made sure she took all of her medication.. yes she is on some strong stuff!!  They were happy nothing major was wrong and left.  Ok we thought.. take the meds and rest... let it heal.

Han is currently studying at college and well the course she is doing is a lot more physically demanding and she is having a real hard time.  But she really did not know her limits before starting this course so it was a trial and see kind of thing.

Well I took Han up the college as she was fretting over missing the course, and we really needed to speak to the Learner Support Disability team.  Luckily the lady we needed to talk to was in!  Han and I sat and chatted to her for over and hour explaining what difficulties she was having in the lesson and using all the various bits of sewing equipment.  And walking around college... you know normal things!  I was at one point quite shocked at what the lady said... that Han may have to come off the course if its not suitable.  

I hope I do not have a battle on my hands with this.  See when Han applied this year to the college they were and are aware of her back problem as she took paper work in.  Han really wants to do this course its just that she is not coping with the physical aspects of the course.  Han was really upset being told that... I have left it with the lady to look into as she needs to talk to Han's tutor and find out what needs to be done by the student for the end grade... and if there is anything the college can do.  Unfortunately as its a level 3 grade Han does not qualify for a Disable Student Allowance, this would of been amazing to have.  So we hope there is funding to help Han stay on the course?  Han does feel she is being treated unfairly as there is nothing in the whole textile department to aid disabled students.  We shall see what happens.  We left and hope she will be in touch Monday.

Then OH!! Got in the car.. Han could not even lift her leg up.. she tells me the pain is a different pain, a real hurting pain and the meds have done nothing.  I drive to the doctors surgery to get some advice as Han was crying in agony in the car at this point.  There were no doctors in the surgery at all!  The receptionist phoned a doctor that was out on call for advice.. we were told to go to A&E.... so that is where we went!

Sorry this is so long :(

In A&E.. oh yes have a photo!

Han in sitting in a wheelchair in A&E in pain..... luckily they did not make us wait long.

Basically they have said that they did not want to x-ray or scan her unless they really wanted to as she has had her fair share of radiation for a while... and would only do it if really necessary.  We were basically told by a really lovely lady that Han#s body needed a bit of time to try to recover.. take the medications on time, regular and come Monday if she is still in the amount of pain .. the hurting pain ... then we are to go back to A&E for further investigations.  We were both reassured and thought OK... we will give it time to heal.  And then went home!

OMG!! What a day!

Poor Han is now does up to the eye balls with pain relief, and well still in pain.  I hope she manages to get some sleep tonight?  One good thing I guess.. she does not have to get up early! ha ah She is looking forward to a lie in!

Well I planned for a lovely relaxing day stitching!  I went to the post office and posted Shirley's Round Robin Stitch... I was in a little shock at the price of the postage/shipping.  Its going to New Zealand and well anythign outside UK I always get tracking as I was caught out once and something went missing.. so now I track everything!  Ho hum!! Price to pay should of been expected.. just a little shock.  Never mind.  Any way I really hope Shirley likes what I made :)  I will post a photo once she has received it... they tell me no more than 5 working days...so Thursday or latest Friday next week!?  We shall see...

I started a new project..

Its one I have been meaning to do for some time now...

Here is how it started...

The cute design is called Sweet Strawberry from Cosmic Hand Made.  I think it rather cute.

Here is where I am now....

I hope to do some more tonight.. and was planning for this Friday (tomorrow) Friday Night Sew-In to maybe start a new project... ha ha we shall see!

I love joining in on this... it still amazes me that everyone is stitching or making something the same time as me!  

If you would like to join in on the fun you can visit Wendy HERE and sign up :)

And then the best part is afterwards when everyone has posted what they got up too.... you can visit them all as Wendy has their links on her page :)  I love visiting others and weeing what they get up too :)

Hmmmm well I am sorry this post is full of writing.... Never a dull moment here!

Makes me think... what ever next!

Happy Stitching to you all..

Smiles :)

xxx

Happy happy happy oh yes and happy...

Hello friends...

I am happy today, I made my biscornu!!  Yes I did!!

I have to say it has not been very easy... I chose an easy well what looked easy design to do for my first one just so I could understand how it all fits together.

The design was awful for me, looks simple but it took me forever to get it right.  I miss counted, stitched on the wrong lines and unpicked it loads of times.

Here is how it all started off..

I then cut it out.. even this I thought I messed up but after a little panic realized it was fine.

Stitching it together started off kind of ok.. finding the middle and believing I found the middle to start at was tricky as I kept doubting myself.

I started to stitch and could not decide which way round the stitches went!  I unpicked again, a few times.  After a while I got into the swing of it... the corners were a little tough as I had to twist my hand and tuck in the fabric and stitch it!!  But some hoe I managed :)

And look...

I am really thrilled.. over the moon as I has stressed over this for ages thinking I could not make it.  

Now I have made it I dont understand its purpose?  Jon says its like a pin cushion.. so do people make lots of these all different ones just like pin cushions?  

Oooh yes my amazing sheep has a name now...

This one...

I was looking at it and then the name popped in my head... Thank You everyone or all your happy name suggestions, I loved all of them :)

The name of my sheep is.....

BAA

But of course it would be!  Seriously it just sounds and feels right... :)

Ok off to do some stitching!

Smiles to you all :)

xx