I'm still here...

Well, we moved house and have more or less settled. Today I finally got the all important letter - I've been approved as a Registered Childminder. Yay me!! And so starts a new chapter of my life I guess... the adventure of being self employed! As for stitching...well let's just say it hasn't been my top priority lately. I've done small bits on Baby Boy Sunshine Line but mainly because I realised it was the intended baby's first birthday last month and I'm no where near finishing it!

I caught up with my e-mails and signed up for a Lizzie Kate exchange on my cross stitch group so I'm hoping that will kick me back into action. Meanwhile, here's the last picture I took of United in Love.

The couching with the perle cotton is turning out real nice even if it is rather fiddly to do. I'm very pleased with the way it is turning out so far. I think maybe it will be laid aside for now until I finish my exchange and Baby Boy Sunshine Line though.

February TUSAL

So I couldn't find a jar and decided on this little glass instead. It's not entirely accurate though because I did have more ORTs that didn't make it into the glass.

This is my most recent WIP. It's a Tom Mouse cover kit I've had for years unfinished. I haven't a lot left to do on it now.

Cute but not for keeps so watch this space for the finished item cos I'll be giving it away :)

Elsewhere, our house looks like a bomb has hit it...

 

...electrical appliance graveyard :( ...

...cleaning up the kitchen...

The good news is the insurance company has settled our claim in cash so we're just waiting for the cheque. I sense a shopping spree coming on! :D Also, my parents put an offer on a house and it was accepted so as soon as they complete on the house, we get to move in. Hopefully this time it will be new house, new start, no more problems (with landlords at least)!

A little progress on everything!

I've actually managed to get more stitching done than I expected but not enough to warrant pics since I've been switching between projects. I also kitted up a magazine chart into a kit for a dear friend. I must put it on my To Do list because I love it too! I found some stash I fancied today on someone else's blog. These are called Lavender Tumbles and I found them on the Cross Stitch Guild website. Can't decide which colour I like best.

  

Then while I was searching for said Lavender Tumbles on Sewandso it came up with this kit which is also quite pretty. It's Lavender and Snow Pearls Biscornu kit and I think it was Polstitches. Bit out of my price range though at £13.50!

I also really like the Embroideress but 1) the whole kit is way out of my price range and 2) I don't think I'm quite that skilled with a needle yet!!

Maybe one day....

As for the house, the kitchen ceiling is finished but we don't know what is happening with the floor. The landlord hasn't spoken to us and we've banned his father from coming to the house because the last time he just walked in and proper laid into the gas man who was fixing the boiler and then had a go at me on the way out. I'm not putting up with that! I'm surprised the gas man came back to finish fixing the boiler. We've started cleaning up the mess now but the insurance isn't going very quick.

Anyway the good news is we may be moving out so watch this space for less stitching and more packing :((  Poor us our married life has seen us through 4 addresses now. My packing record is the whole house in 5 weeks! And we said we wouldn't move again until we bought a house...damn useless landlords!!

A little bit of stitching

In between everything that's happened lately I managed to get a little stitching in. I stitched a bit on my Summer Sampler before I ran out of a few colours and since I wasn't at home to refill I started back on Baby Boy Sunshine Line. I finished off the beading and backstitch on the boat and the giraffe. I can't see me getting much stitching in for a while anyway but I want to try and get this project finished.

While we were spending the holidays with Craig's parents (a once in a blue moon opportunity) some pipes burst and our kitchen ceiling collapsed, flooding the kitchen and playroom. What made it worse was because we were painting the livingroom we had been living downstairs and moved everything to that room. So we had to cut our holiday short and come home. Well, my parents home since we had no electrics, heating, kitchen....

We've moved back to our own house now but don't have the use of the kitchen or basement room. We have a makeshift kitchen on the livingroom windowsill and are going to my parents for food and laundry. The insurance claim for our contents is progressing well at least but the landlord is a bit slower on his part. The kitchen ceiling is nearly finished but the downstairs floor needs replacing.  I've got so much to clean and wash including the kitchen from floor to ceiling.

I am worried about the whole thing since the landlord's father has done most of the fixing work and I don't trust the man as far as I could throw him. I'm not sure what is going to happen with the floor. I am also awaiting the all important phone call from the CSSIW for my inspection since I am in the process of registering as a childminder. At the moment there is no way I am ready for that!

Some work in progress at last!

I decided last week since I'd caught up on some housework and had almost finished my registration form that I would have a bit of me time catching up on some tv and doing some cross stitch. Well I got quite a bit done on Feathers & Friends. I was very good because it was between that and my Summer Sampler but I did that cos I know my mother is nagging about when it's gonna be done. Fair play though she had it sitting in the box not even started for many, many more years than what I've had it to stitch!! Anyways I don't have pics today but I will get onto it soon. Thing is I did so much over the weekend now I'm rushing to finish my form for Thursday!

Nearly another year gone!

I can't believe how quick this year has gone. This time last year Seren had only just started sleeping through and was still a helpless baby. Now she is walking, throwing tantrums and being a general madam lol! I'm close to finishing the dreaded Flower Fairy and I can't wait. I'd like to think I can move onto something nice for myself but that won't happen. I have a long list of projects that really need doing first.

I need to sit down and work out my stitchy goals for 2010. So far they include completing my collection of Anchor threads and finding a decent framer. I don't like the one I've been using and she's expensive. I went to see about getting a birth sampler framed and I wanted it in a white box frame. She wanted to spray paint a wooden frame white! I want it to look professional not DIY - that's why I like to pay to have it framed professionally. Honestly - spray paint!

At least a new Hobbycraft has opened in Cardiff and I can buy supplies there. I'm afraid my nearest LNS is too far away and it is cheaper for me to use a ONS. It's a terrible shame but even though we now have a car, I can't justify the petrol to get there for just one or two threads.

Anyways I will end this post with a pic of the Flower Fairy (though it's not the most recent at all).

Slowly does it

I've been getting some stitching done but my Flower Fairy is taking time. I finished my birth sampler for my friend's baby Rosie but need to get it framed now. I'm back in work too so I've been doing a little bit of an old UFO on the train. We're finally getting a new laptop at the end of the month so hopefully then my mobile software will work and I'll be able to upload all my lovely pics! Can't wait!!!

I'm back...

Having a baby certainly does change your life LOL! I didn't realise how long it had been since I last updated my blogs. Well, I have managed to do quite a bit of stitching despite everything.

From my last post I did a bit more on the Baby Boy Sunshine Line but that's been sidelined for now. That's complicated so I won't go there. I've completed half of the Flower Fairy and I'm trying to really get into it but I've been sidelined by a few other projects. I finished Secrets and had it framed along with Daisy Chains so now they can go up in Seren's new bedroom.

I've also finished and framed a birth sampler for my friend's daughter Niamh. I've just finished a name plate for my friend's 3 year old son Finley. He loves dinosaurs so I stitched up his name in a dinosaur alphabet. It's quite cute. I've done a bit of stitching on some old UFO's too.

At the moment I really need to finish the Flower Fairy. I also have some other projects lined up. My friend is due in 2 weeks and I've already got a birth sampler planned for her baby Rosie. I want to do name plates for Finley's 2 sisters. I also need to do another birth sampler for my cousin's new baby Francesca. Think I'm going to do Brooke's Books 'Got an Angel in my Pocket'. And my friend's sister has just found out she's pregnant too so that'll be another birth sampler later in the year. I like to do them and it's always nice to find different ones for everybody.

That's about it. Unfortunately I don't have pics. Well, I do but they're on my mobile phone and I can't get them on my PC cos the software I need to do it won't run on my computer. I never thought I'd have a mobile that was actually better than my computer!

Happy stitching all! :)

Welcome to the world!

Introducing our new daughter Seren Lyn. Born 25th August 08. Weight 5lb 9oz.

Stitching away the hours

I don't think I've ever spent so much time stitching as I have the last couple of weeks. I finally got real bored of the Flower Fairy this week and decided to do a small bookmark for a change. It was a cover kit on a x stitch mag I bought many years ago. I was pretty much a novice back then and didn't realise I was supposed to stitch over two threads and messed it all up. It's a lovely peacock and I finished it in 2 days - pretty quick for me - though it was pretty straightforward. I just need to make it up now. I also finally picked up Daisy Chains and finished the back stitch and french knots. I'll get that off to my fave framer as soon as he's back from the USA. I also started another Humphrey's Corner for the baby's room called Secrets. Actually I only meant to sort out the threads and prepare the kit to start stitching on and decided I may as well do a few stitches in the centre just to start it. Which is what also happened with my Baby Boy Sunshine Line which I am now stitching for my new nephew Kyle. I've made a good start on that one but it stitches up so easy. I'll have to add some pics tomorrow. My camera is in my hospital bag as I'm due today and so could go into labour at any time. Hopefully sooner rather than later...

Counting down the days

I finally have internet so I can keep up a bit more now. Well, I'll try anyhow. Can't imagine I'll be spending a huge amount of time on here once the baby is born. We're counting down the days now 'til 18th August when baby's due. We finally have everything ready. She has so much stuff it's unreal! She's been spoilt rotten by us and everyone really. Both sets of grandparents have bought big items for us and lots more besides. I haven't been as bad as what I thought I would be. After a while the novelty of being able to buy cute baby stuff wore off lol! I'm a bit more selective and practical now when I have the urge to buy stuff. I've just started my maternity leave and I'm enjoying it so far. I've been able to rest up a bit and I've had jobs to do each day to keep me going. I have a list of things I want to get done before baby arrives so I'm working towards them bit by bit. Anyway thought I'd share some pics of the nursery so far and me!

I hate my WIP!

I've been doing loads of stitching this week on my Flower Fairy. I started my maternity leave and in between doing other things I've been stitching like mad to try and get as much done of this before baby arrives. It's not for me but a friend wants it as a pressie for his wife. I absolutely hate it though. It's the most bitty thing ever. I have to change colours every 5 seconds and never feel like I'm getting anywhere with it. I've started taking pics of it each day just so I can see where I'm actually making progress on it. Anyway here it is:

I got my Lottie & Lulu Dolly framed while I was away by my old framer. He does such a wonderful job and he's quick. I saw him by chance on the Saturday and he had it back to me on Tues evening. Forgot to take a pic though. I only have some backstitch to finish on Daisy Chains and then I'm gonna get that framed the same way and put them in the baby's room.

I also spent a small fortune in my old LNS while I was in Wardle. Unfortunately the situation has become such that Kathy and Michelle are having to shut up shop and today will be their last day trading. It's such a shame! Soon there will be no LNS left anywhere especially not any good and decent ones. It's no wonder we're all having to use ONS for our supplies.

I'm also going to be updating my 'Stash to go' blog over the next few days so if you want some goodies get and have a look at that.

It's been a while...

Well I was hoping to keep my blog updated a little more frequently than this but I still have no internet at home :( The cost of basic utilities and groceries has just rocketed and we just can't afford it. Anyway, I'm now 26 weeks gone and finally have a bump to show! We've found out it's a little girl (not 100% of course) and are naming her Seren Lyn. All the sickness and nausea and exhaustion finally wore off after about 3 1/2 months. Now my main problem is pain in my lower back and hip joints. We've been buying a little something every week for a while now and finally think we have just about everything and a little bit more. My mum-in-law is buying us a pram with all the bits and my mum is buying us nappies as we've decided to use cotton reusable ones. (The modern version not the old terry nappies.) People keep saying make the most of the peace and just the two of us but neither of us can wait 'til she's born. We're both counting down the weeks already lol! Apart from that life has been pretty boring really.

On the stitching side of life... I finally finished my Baby Girl Sunshine Line this week. It's my first 'proper' finish of the year. The only other things I've done having been a small card for a friend and putting together my poppy coasters. Now I just have to get it to the framers. I've also 99% finished a little project for another friend. I just need to add 4 beads and make it up into a small cushion. I'm on a bit of a roll at the moment because I've been feeling better and also because Craig has been nagging me to finish the Sunshine Line project for ages! Next project is a Flower Fairy that I've started. I absolutely hate it but it's for someone else and they're paying me so I shall perservere! One of these days I will manage to get some pics on here too...

Welcome to 2008

I can't believe how long it's been since I last updated! Well, the last few months in short. We finally settled into our new house but we're still having problems with the heating and some other little bits. My dad recovered from his operations but still has complications and has to go back in in another 2 weeks for another op. He's back on the transplant list again now though so maybe another kidney will turn up soon. Apart from that life has been pretty much the same old, same old.

I guess the most important news is I found out last week that I'm pregnant! Of course we're thrilled after having tried for so long. I had my first antenatal appointment yesterday. I'll be 11 weeks along on Monday and I'm due on August 6th. I've been feeling quite nauseous and tired and have problems with certain smells but am otherwise ok. I can't wait 'til I start showing lol!

On the stitching side of life...  I finally got my last SS gift back from the framers and sent that off before Christmas. No pics today as I'm at my mum in laws but hopefully I'll get round to it soon. I've been doing quite a bit of stitching lately. I've been feeling quite nauseaous and tired so when I get home from work I've just been crashing out in my stitching chair. I'm currently working on Lavender & Lace 'The Wedding' (still...) and Sunshine Line Baby Girl when I'm not up to the fineness of L&L. I also did a bit of work on Mirabilia 'Mother's Arms' this week. I'm working on a card this week though as I'm away visiting family. Oh and I also finished and finally made up my set of poppy coasters for my friend. The original coasters I had for them were useless cos the backs kept coming out so I ordered some different ones last week and they were much better. I think that's about it really. Hopefully I'll get some pics up next time I update. Happy stitching for 2008 everyone!

Rollercoaster ride.

Well after all the good news there was bound to be some bad to follow.

We spent the first weekend at our new house with no electricity because the meter needed resetting and then we had to cook with a camping stove because we had an electric cooker and the house only took gas. We had to buy a new cooker on credit and it arrived Friday. It's so nice to have proper meals again! We also have problems with the heating and lots of other little things that the landlord needs to sort out. Other than that I'm slowly getting on with the unpacking. I've taken 3 days holidays to try and get on top of things a bit more. I'll get there eventually.

Also most importantly, the day after my dad had his new kidney he had it taken back out because it wasn't working. Needless to say he wasn't best pleased. He's recovering now and is doing ok but he's still very tired and having to make regular trips to and from the hospital.

Though I do have some good news of a kind. One of my best mates from school recently made his debut in the West End playing a part in Les Miserables. He's a fantastic singer and I wouldn't be at all suprised to see him in a lead role in the near future. His name is Gareth Nash so watch this space!

Dad's new kidney

My dad has been on the transplant list for 2 years and 3 months and finally yesterday he got the all important call. They operated on him last night/early hours this morning and he now has a new kidney. The doctors have said there's a 50/50 chance it'll be successful at the moment as there were a few complications but my dad's ok. I've just been to see him and he's very drowsy but his usual self. He asked me if I wanted to swap places with him. Sure I said - anything to get off work LOL! Just wanted to share my good news. :)

I have a home! YAY!!

We finally managed to sort out all the references we needed and have an appointment to sign the lease and hand over the keys on Thursday. I can't tell you how glad I am to have my own house again. Housework, unpacking and everything included. Unfortunately it's a little bad timing as I'm at a convention in Cardiff Fri-Sun, which means Craig will have the pleasure of moving everything himself with my dad and Barry up the road who has a van. Hopefully all will go well though. Maybe now we can finally get ourselves settled.

Things are looking a little up.

On Craig's second day in his new job he managed to get himself a lift to work every day off his boss. As for the house well, things haven't gone quite as smoothly. The estate agents sent off for references about 2 weeks ago but we're still waiting for them to receive one more back. Not helped by the fact they sent some of them off wrong and Royal Mail went on strike last week. Despite that we have an appointment booked for next Thursday to sign all the paperwork off and then we'll officially have our own new home. Yay!! Can't wait!

All we have to do then is move our stuff from not only my gran's garage but what we have at my parent's house, my parents-in-law's house and my dad's friend's house. We managed to buy a cheap 3 piece suite from a place that recycles unwanted furniture. It cost us £56. I haven't seen it yet as Craig picked it but apparently it's a blue floral pattern. Not so sure about that. Anyway when they delivered it they couldn't get it in my parent's house so it's at my dad's friend's house. We also acquired a wardrobe through another friend of my dad's. It's one of those canvas covered slat ones like we had before which'll do for now.

I did get some real bad news this week that I was really gutted about but I don't want to talk about that. Otherwise things are looking up a little. Back to hoping and praying for one more reference to arrive at the estate agents.

Happy days!

Good news today - DH got a job! He's gonna be working in a food and drink manufacturing company. He'll be doing weekly rotating shifts (6am-2pm or 2pm-10pm) and gets 2 litres of free fruit juice every week which is definately good because I love apple juice! Though we haven't quite worked out how he's getting there yet as it's about 15 mins away in car and neither of us drive.

As for me, I'm just glad the weekend is upon us. It's been a hard slog at work this week, it's really dragged and I've done something to my shoulder joint so it's been quite painful. I learnt something interesting today actually. On enquiring at the Post Office whether I could send certain goods to the USA, I found out it's prohibited to send cotton seeds oh, and radioactive viruses LOL! I'm sure the clerk said anything derived from cotton also but I must be hearing things because that would mean I couldn't send any cross stitch stuff to the USA.

My biggest discovery today though was a pottery shop in the indoor market in Cardiff city centre. Sounds boring but there's a story behind it. An old friend of mine has this cup and saucer in her house and it's really pretty and I love it. A few years back I found a plate of this exact pattern in a charity shop and noted the maker so I could look it up. I eventually found out it was a pattern called Rosebud once manufactured by Royal Duchess. (Quite a small company compared to the likes of Royal Worcester and Royal Doulton.) I looked high and low for somewhere that sold this china and didn't find anywhere. I wanted to get it as a wedding present. Anyway it don't take no genius to work out what I found in this pottery shop...the exact china! Only problem I have now is that my mum and dad bought us an entire fancy dinner set just last December for special occasions. So I have to convince DH that we really do need 2 dinner sets because the one I love is just too pretty not to have!!! :) Look SO pretty......

Still homeless

Well as you can tell I'm still homeless. The house we applied for fell through. The landlord pulled it off the market and rented it to someone he knew instead. We were totally gutted. So back on the house hunt again. We applied for another house yesterday. Craig is going to view it tomorrow while I'm at work but we've peeked in through the windows and it looks really nice from what we can see. It's not where I would choose to live but it's getting to the point where I really don't care anymore as long as I get a house! One where I can do whatever I please in, at whatever ridiculous time I want to do it.

Still no sign of a job for DH, though he has an interview on Friday. I've been doing lots of over time at work so I leave at half 7am and get home 7pm. :( And the social decided that we are only entitled to £1.12 a week in the way of support. Great stuff! Obviously the government thinks we can live on my rubbish wage quite comfortably. Guess I can't grumble really - at least I have a roof over my head and I'm being fed every day.

That's my grumble for today over with, now I'm getting off the PC cos my mum really needs it.