Friday 23 August 2013

Yoo-hoo......I'm back!

Did you miss me (just a little bit)?   I missed all of you... loads.

It's been a strange old summer here.   Life has been taking so many pot shots at me this last few weeks I'm worn out from dodging bullets.   More about that later (maybe).   

I can hardly wait to show you this....


the dastardly quilt frame has a new home in the conservatory.    Perfect place for it don't you think.  Lots of light and plenty of room to wrestle with quilts.   Now all it needs is a quilt on it.......

It took all of my negotiating skills (and one or two threats of violence) before Mac finally agreed that the dining table and chairs could go to make room for the frame.    I would have preferred them to go far away to a new home where someone would love them again but Mac (the pack rat) wasn't having any of that. They are now stashed in the caravan (mobile shed).   Don't you just love a compromise.... better than murder and much less messy!

Now I've something else to show you. Something that I'm thrilled to bits with.....



my first piece of hand painted (by me) furniture.    Amazing what you can so with a can of Laura Ashley Pale Duck Egg paint and a few knobs!   I dismantled all the door furniture,  cleaned and oiled the hinges,   fitted new magnetic catches and put the whole lot back together again all by myself too.   Now I'm on the hunt for more things to paint .... my pine bed perhaps.... I'm thinking big!



Picked up a new lampshade for the standard lamp on a trip to Ikea.   Love the stitching on it and loved the price too.    Oh... and I painted the lamp stand with leftover duck egg paint too.   Waste not... want not  ;o)

Now I have a confession...... I signed up for both FNWF and FNSI this month and didn't post after either of them!   A crime worthy of being put in the stocks and pelted with rotten eggs for and one for which I am shamefaced and sorry.    No excuses.... when push came to shove.... I lost the ability to communicate.   No words would come however hard I tried to write.    Like I said.... it's been a strange old summer here.

I did work on FNWF.    Kitty was here visiting so she joined in too......

    
get a load of those blue fingernails.... they match her car!!   Honest. 

I thought starting a new project would be just the tonic I needed....


I'm hiding behind the pattern because I look as rough as a Badgers behind (being polite here).   Now... because my fingers were still misbehaving  I decided to prep the applique using the  Apliquick tools I bought at the Quilt Festival last year..... 


I cut out shapes in lightweight fusible Vilene (medium weight is recommended but... you know me).   Yes... that is a glass of Chardonnay sitting next to me.   I make no apology for being tipsy in charge of  an iron when I fused the shapes onto the back of the fabric.   Luck was on my side and I didn't mess up.   Next I took up my tools (they look like metal chopsticks don't they) and with a little bit of fabric glue on the seam allowance I started shaping.



The tool in my left hand is a little heavier than the right and has a forked end to help hold and steady the applique shape.  The right hand tool has both a point and a shaped wedge  to smooth over the seam.  It's amazingly easy!   Makes small pieces so much easier to handle... especially if you are feeling all fingers and thumbs.     

I managed to prep this block while Kitty stitched


Flushed with success I prepped this one too.....


So....why didn't I post about it?     Hummmmm......

Followed through with the same project on FNSI  when I prepped these......


those of you who are observant will no doubt notice that my fountain block is facing the wrong way!  Oh well... I never claimed to be perfect! :o)  Now I have four mini blocks waiting till I can stitch again.

So why didn't I post about these either?   Hummmmm........

I give in.  I'll tell you.  I might be about to indulge in a bit of a whinge so I'll apologise now just in case.  

I've been depressed!  There... now you know.     Hurting all over and feeling constantly exhausted will to that to a gal.     

After a lot of blood tests and visits to 2 doctors so far I've been referred to a third  GP... to check for ME.   That's the chronic fatigue ME not the me...me!    Are you with me?   Reckon I'm the surgery's 'hot potato' right now.    So far they've diagnosed Diabetes and a dodgy thyroid!  Do I win a goldfish?   Nah... just more tests!   Luckily my blood sugars are normal I just failed the glucose tolerance test.  Seemingly it's genetic..... Dr said I should have taken more care when selecting my parents!   I really must speak to my mum about the milkman!   Dodgy thyroid could be caused by an infection and might clear up on it's own.... fingers crossed.   See what I mean about dodging bullets!     

But......I'm writing again..... yippee...... things are looking up!  

I can see a lot of blog visiting happening soon ..... something else I've been unable to do recently.  Boy does it feel good to be getting back to normal (!).   

OK..... I'm going to shut up now before I bore you all to bits.    It's time for a glass of wine and an hour of mindless TV before I turn in for the night.    

Hope you've all been having a great summer.....  

See ya soon 
Hugs
Josie

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

great to have you back my friend,take care.xx

marina said...

welcome bake Josie, you have been missed! love your renovating and how wonderful to say that you are 'retiring to the conservatory to quilt' wish I had a conservatory!
Your applique is just so amazing and I think that look behind the patterns is a little sheepish lol can't say I have seen a badgers behind before.
sounds like you are keeping the local gp busy hope they will name a consulting room after you.
glad you are back x

Helen said...

Great to have you back I love all your renovations. All the applique blocks look wonderful great work. Nice to know you are being well looked after. Look forward to seeing those blocks finished :-))))

Noela said...

Good to have you back. Love what you have done with your cupboard. You are very clever. Sometimes other things just get in the way, don't they but fortunately everyone is still there when we get back. Hope your health inproves soon. Hugs......

Darlene said...

Well, there you are! I've missed you. :-)

To dodge the bullets life shoots at you, you need bracelets like Wonder Woman wears. LOL

Brenda said...

Love the paint job! And the lamp shade. I have wanted to shop at an Ikea but have not been to one yet. There is one around 2 1/2 hours away and another at least another hour further. I need to take a road trip because I would love one of those lampshades. Hope your health continues to improve!

Raewyn said...

YES!!! I missed you!! Nice to see you round again :-) So pleased you are feeling well enough to blog and hope that it is a good sign of things to come (life in general, not necessarily blogging!) Love the new AD project you've been prepping, it is a beauty. Those tools look kinda scary but very helpful!! And your paintwork is fabulous, well done on that front too. Looking forward to seeing a conservatory-ily quilted quilt...looks like an ideal spot. Take care :-)

barb's creations said...

Glad to see you back, take care of yourself as you've been missed while away. Love the painted furniture and that lamp shade is gorgeous I can see a trip to IKEA in my very near future :) Barb.

Susan said...

Good to have you back. In My Garden will be an excellent tonic....hope it's all sorted out soon.

Chookyblue...... said...

kick the big "d" in the butt and get into life............love the restorations and sewing.......hope your other health issues are sorted too...........

Deb R said...

Love your restoration project and your In my Garden blocks...your inspiring me to pull mine out and start them, tis a gorgeous quilt!

Unknown said...

Good to see you're back. Love the conservatory and the dresser looks great.

Jeanette said...

Glad you are back Josie. Take care of yourself. Hugs,xx

Larissa said...

Great to have you back Josie!!! Sounds like you've had quite a busy time of it! Loving your prepped blocks!!! They'll be great!!! Look after yourself luv!!! xx

Anthea said...

Hi Josie! I'm with the others - I missed you too, and was wondering if your health was not too good. Well I hope that you will be able to get some definitive answers very soon, and get yourself back on an even keel again - although that Chardonnay won't help you stay straight!!
I was very interested to read about your applique tools - i have purchased those ones too, but have not got them out for a play yet. I have never done that type of applique, so I am happy to read that you find them good to use. I have 'applique paper' which I bought here in Aus, so all I need to do now is get on and give it a go.
Josie, take care and know that we are all wanting a swift return to good health for you. xo

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Welcome back, I've missed you. You have been vary busy indeed. I love the makeover and the waste not want not approach to the paint :o) I have that BOM stuck in the back of the deepest cupboard I have. By memory I've done block 1 and gave up. Must go look for those tools you are using. Stay safe and I hope you have a speedy recovery and totally avoid all the bullets :o) hugs xx

Kindred Quilts said...

Yes girl! You have been missed! So good to find you blogging again!
The quilt frame looks extremely happy in its new home... a conservatory no less! Nice work on the dresser. Now on to bigger projects, eh?
Interesting applique tools... they look very handy. And your applique looks wonderful!
Hang in there with all the tests. Sadly, you must submit a lot of blood for them to rule out possible culprits to your ails. I'm assuming they ruled out RA? Similar symptoms to what you described.
We won't give up on you Josie! Stay in touch via blogland, okay?

Anita said...

You've been busy all over the place girl!! Love your hand painted furniture, excellent!!
Cheers, Anita.

FloS said...

Glad to read you again !!
Your new blocks are very cute !! I think about these tools you use...seem very useful !!
Florence

Wendy said...

I have definitely missed you and had been thinking of you and wondering if all was ok :) Your conservatory looks beautiful and I love your painted furniture. Love your framed quilted square too, and the lamp, and your new needleturn project. Oh poor you with ME, I hope your health improves real soon!! Hugs Wendy xx

Alice said...

Welcome back--you have been missed. Sorry you are feeling blue and having health issues, but you sure are up beat about it. You still can make me giggle. Love your bright cheery house with all the big windows. Lots of light to be creative and brighten your spirits! Good wishes your way!

ria vogelzang said...

Hi Josie, so great you found me! ;)
And I love seeing you use the Apliquick tools as well!
I think they are great!!
Just whish I had them when I made my "In my Garden"....
That's such a great pattern!!
Now it's being beautiful on my livingroom-wall; and I just love it!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Love from the Netherlands, ria.

Rose Marie said...

You did a wonderful paint job on your cupboard! Once you're hooked, oh dear ....

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Nicky said...

So good to have you back!! I have definitely missed you, and I'm sorry to hear you've been continuing to have a rough time of it. Your painting is beautiful, as is all your nex applique blocks, enjoy stitching them when the time is right. Do take care, Nicky xx

Grethe said...

Great to read, you have been busy, that`s nice, the cupboard looks well painted, good idea for me as well. Love the IKEA lamp, Hope you will feel better and better day by day. Many nice days ahead with crisp and fresh air:-)