Tuesday 16 July 2013

Phew!!

Honestly..... I didn't mean to be away so long.  Didn't  mean to loose track of all things bloggy and certainly didn't mean to get so far behind with reading what you've all been doing.   So... where have I been and what have I been up to.   Hummmm......would you believe me if I told you I'd been abducted by aliens?

No?

Not even if I showed you a photo of one....


OK... I give in.   It's a pic of Chris modelling her latest innovation.....  Kanzashi flower sleep masks for more attractive Nana Naps!  Somehow I don't think they're going to catch on.

To be fair.... Chris deserves a medal.  She's the first one of us to crack those dastardly Kanzashi flower makers from Clover.  You wouldn't believe the trouble I had trying to make one.....


I read the instructions.....


Licky Lou came to offer some moral support.... I was getting frustrated because my hands hurt so much it was hard to fiddle with the template


She thought kissing me better was the way to go!   It worked!   I love her to bits!  Sorry I can't show you the flower(!) I made... it went straight into the bin.

As I said.... Chris has making them down to a fine art....


Sally and I are going to pick her brains.... assuming we can find them!

I did manage a little applique.....  


my stash of baskets is growing..... ever so slowly but steadily.   I found some more lovely background fabrics .....


so I'm all set to keep plugging away.

Took time out to play with some little half inch hexies.....


don't know what they're going to be yet but they are so addictive.  I can see a lot more of them in my future.  Did I mention I have some quarter inch hexies papers!    I'm wondering if anyone ever tried them and didn't end up in rehab.

What else.   Sally brought her latest 'flimsy' over to show and tell....


Isn't it gorgeous!   Both she and I cut the pieces for this one while we were away on retreat.   Mine is still a WIP... well I never!    The pattern is Seville by Cluck Cluck Sew  and the fabric is 'Etchings' from Moda.   One day I'll show you mine.... just don't hold your breath.

Tina visited and showed off the progress on her hexie quilt..... she is behind there holding it... unless it is really levitating....


Remember she's sewing this with 'invisible' thread!    Personally I think the fact that she works in an operating theatre and guddles about in peoples innards beside the surgeon gives her an edge.  She knows all there is to know about suturing tricky stuff together.

What else?

One of my greatest wishes came true......



Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits has for sale patterns (and they are downloadable) to make her fabulous... wait for it... Little Cotton Rabbits.  If you've never visited her blog get on over there right now.... her bunnies and other knitted stuffies are totally gorgeous.   There's a pic of  the most gorgeous little bunny dresses you ever saw pegged on a line.   Takes 'cute' to a whole new level!  I've got my fingers crossed for an elephant pattern in the future.   

That's about it for crafty stuff.   Not a lot of progress for such a long break.

Outdoors things are progressing.....


yesterday I unearthed the caravans hard standing from under both grass and weed.  Honestly... it's been buried so long I forgot it was there!  Took me all day to dig it out.... don't tell my mum... I'm not supposed to be doing anything.  

Remember I told you she didn't like the caravan because it was 'green' (covered in algae)... well


I cleaned the front half... can you tell the difference (ha)  The rest will have to wait until my buttocks unclench. Honestly.... of all the muscles to stiffen up from overworking it had to be my  Gluteus Maximus and very maximus they are indeed.  (note to self:   must diet.... again).

This arrived today.....


it's a huge bag of Bark Mulch.  Something tells me it's not going to go very far in this garden.  Still.. I'm ever hopeful that it (along with some ground membrane) is going to go a long way towards stopping the annual invasion of the field next door into my flower bed.   Maintenance Man is coming tomorrow (along with his 13 year old son who shall be named  Mini Maintenance Man)  to spread the stuff as far as it will go.

What else?

Our staircase is now sporting this contraption......


It's a stairlift to transport Mac between floors.   He wanted one with go faster stripes... I wanted one with an ejector seat aligned with the landing window!   OK.... don't get your knickers in a twist... I'm only joking.  Besides... I'd be the one who had to climb the ladder to retrieve him from the conservatory roof! :o))  I love him really.

Do you see that dark shadow at the top of the stairs?   First time I saw it I nearly flipped.   I thought I'd caught an 'orb' in the photo.... good grief... the house is haunted!!     Further investigations revealed a blob of melted chocolate on my camera lens.    I obviously watch too many 'Most Haunted' programmes.

What else?

Last week I caved in and went to see the Dr who took no less than 12 phials of blood for testing.  I'm not holding out much hope for a diagnosis.   Mr T (Chris's husband) suggested it might be  Brucellosis  but as I'm not an old cow and haven't aborted a calf recently I think he's barking up the wrong tree.  Still... that's a farmer for you and I do appreciate the concern.

Ok... I'm finally running out of steam.  When I started writing I didn't have much to say... funny that.  I'd better go and find something to nibble before I head on up to bed..   I missed dinner tonight and don't want to wake up with the midnight munchies at 3am!

Hope you are all having fun and doing stuff that makes you happy.   I'll be very happy once I manage to catch up with all your bloggy goings on....

See ya soon
Hugs
Josie





22 comments:

Kaye R said...

Hi Josie,
I have been away from my blog way to long, when I hop on and see who has been blogging, and I see Dilly Dimple, for some reason I start to get the giggles....... Memories of your past blogs flash between the ears and I giggle a little more. Your stories conjure up the best Looney Tunes skits as I picture what you are writing. Thanks a heap I needed a giggle this morning as I pictured your beloved Mac soaring freely into the roof of the greenhouse in animated style...... May I suggest you colour his chair lift read as it goes faster or of cour you could pretty it up with those new clover flowers ........with baited breath I will wait for your next post. Best wishes from across the waters.........

sunny said...

What an enjoyable post! Let's see, I love your kitty, love your little baskets, love your hexie fabrics. I've made a few half inchers, but they're sure hard to hold onto! Take is easy, and get all healed up from your aches and pains. Gardening gives me a huge pain in the posterior, too, and I have a huge posterior!

Jeanette said...

As always so enjoy reading your posts. As for the hexies i've made up quite a few 1/4" ones & i'm still sane. Just haven't figured out what to do with them yet. Maybe applique them to small squares to make a mini quilt. :). Hugs,xx

Anonymous said...

good to hear from you Josie and as always great post,good laughs,have a lovely day my friend.xx

Fiona said...

As always a good read... don't stay away too long ... I need the giggle therapy!
Hugz

Susan said...

Always funny to hear what you've been up too. Quarter inch hexies?.......I've thought about it but haven't quite lost enough of my mind yet. Your little hexies look scrumptious. That little bunny is adorable but beyond my knitting abilities, so I hope I get to see you make one. Look after yourself.

Shirley said...

Good morning Josie. Alwaya a pleasure to see a new post from you no matter how long inbetween. Sounds like a lot of activity normal or paranormal going on in your house. Perhaps we could start a rehab centre for hexie addicts! Love the little cotton rabbit.

Wendy said...

It can be a struggle sometimes keeping up with blogging and blog reading! I always love your posts though and your basket quilt is looking beautiful. I saw the bunny patterns for sale too, very gorgeous! Hope the tests results are helpful, take care. xx

Helen said...

Lovely to catch up with your very enjoyable post. Love your hexies and background fabrics, and especially reading everything that has been happening in your life :-)))

Raewyn said...

Lovely to read what you have been up to but I am a bit concerned about 12 phials of blood.. hope they left some for you and also that they show something other than brucellosis. Well done on your adventures in the garden, I took a good hard look at mine the other day and decided that if I am ever going to catch up on it in spring, I need to start on it NOW!! Good to see you have found some sewing time. Your little baskets are looking great. Little rabbits are too cute!! Yes, I have made the small hexies and I am still around to tell the tale - very quick to sew!!! The clover flowers look great and sound like a real challenge!!

Kindred Quilts said...

You're back... yeah! Missed your funny musings about everyday occurances! Such pretties you have been making... sweet baskets, and those hexies! They look pretty just sitting in the bowl! Chocolate on the camera lens? My kind of photographer! I really hope that the gallons of blood you gave for testing comes back with some answers, so the docs can help you get on the mend! But isn't that what chocolate is for???

Wendy said...

Glad to see you post again, but I do know how it is not to be able to post regularly...as usual your post has me laughing and I really needed a good laugh...at least you are getting some crafting done while you have been away...

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

I love seeing your posts pop up in my reader :) I smile before I even start reading :) Just tell mum that the caravan is a new one :) hugs

Anthea said...

Lots of news from you Josie! Well I bought some of those Kanzashi makers recently - I hope I don't have as many problems as you did!! x

marina said...

so glad that you managed to visit blog world again. looks like you have been very busy with your alien abductors. Always a hoot catching up with your antics.
I;m with you and the staircase transporter lol You are a little wicked. Maybe you could paint it red for Mac so that it will be a sports model?
Oh no not a chocolate coated ghost making an appearance at your house?
whooooooooo
hope all your blood tests are ok and that your gladiator butt gets back to normal too. the pain was worth it as your caravan looks as good as new.

Joy McD said...

I think half inch hexies would land me in the loony bin... I prefer mine to be nice and big!Love all your projects... xxx

Alice said...

I love your blog!! Joy just sent me here and I got a big giggle. I too have obsessive compulsive unpicking disorder which I blame for not getting anything finished as fast as the rest of the world. Your baskets are gorgeous!!!

Nicky said...

So good to catch up on all your news Josie. I really hope all is well with your blood tests. And again you've given me a good giggle, love your posts...

FloS said...

Once again you put a big smile on my face !!
I will believe you about aliens and haunted house... I have already had some mysterious missing times....:)
Anyway your baskets are great and your hexies are so cute !!
I had the pleasure to look at Scotland on the other side of the sea when I was in Northern Ireland!! I hope it will be my next trip !
Florence

Anonymous said...

You could have been abducted by aliens, I would believe you. I love your new little shades. You have the cutest moral support. I love all the pictures. Thank you for sharing.


Split-Site PhD by Linda Laboy

Wendyb said...

bahahahahahahahahaha....can't stop laughing to comment!!!!bhahahahahahahahahaha.........I'm going to wet my pants! chocolate aliens.....ejector seats......and yes, I did notice the mould-less front of the caravan! As for the quilting you've been up to.....just PERFECT!!!!! and those flowers are a disaster!!! ROFPMP!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo big sugary hugs :o)

Marilyn said...

Well, I am just catching up on some blog reading so I am way behind too. I had a chuckle even before reading - you have such a wonderfully entertaining way of writing - it cheers us all up I think.
Take care, especially when you head off to the garden. xx