A small finish

At the beginning of the week I knew it was going to be impossible to get my Autumn garden sampler finished this month so started this in a bid to get a finish each month:



I got this from Amanda in one of the stitchers exchanges and it was a really quick and fun stitch. I have decided that all the little finishes I have can be used on cards so I can combine both my hobbies in one.

An apology

Just a quick note to say I am still around but haven't blogged much this week as I have felt really depressed. It is the time of year I know as this is significant for many reasons and none of them good. I was even tempted to pull out of the OU course yesterday as I was so down but I am determined that its going to be good for me so will press on. I do really want to do it anyway and to give up at this point would be so foolish just because I am down and having a crisis of confidence.
But its a good thing I didn't pull out as all my OU stuff arrived and boy did it arrive with a vengance. I got home from dialysis to find 2 parcels and 4 letters and my tutor had also phoned. He phoned me back and he seems great-really laid back and understanding but also very enthusiastic too. There is so much stuff to absorb but I have registered online at the forum and there is one meeting in Bristol on Saturday which is optional but recommended. At the moment I am fighting a cold virus so that combined with nerves means I may not make it but I am going to try and get there if I can as that would also help to boost my confidence.
Anyway not alot more is happening at the moment but just wanted to check in with you all and say hello.

MVIII center done

Well I have finished the optional center for MVIII so now have 6 days to finish my Autumn garden and one more rotation piece. I am including 2 photos of MVIII this time. The first shows the overall look of the piece and the second is a close up of the stitched center:





I am really suprised at how long that middle bit took as it is only small, but the speciality stitches and the backstitching in treasure braid and gold overlaying took ages.

Its been quite some 24 hours

And I am exhasuted. At lunchtime yesterday I got a text from a lady whos daughter aged 17 who is a member of the group I left had been called in for a possible kidney transplant. Well last night it went ahead and today it is going quite well and so far so good. I then had a late night for various reasons, mainly catching up on emails and message boards so had a rather late night for me.
Then I was up early today and off into town, forgetting that an international clown festival was taking place. I missed most of the clowns but there were a few strange sights in the high street of people who obviously were part of it or had really gone to town with getting into the spirit of it. In town I did some banking bought 4 items from an impromtu half price Next sale-3 tops and a denaim skirt and also got a couple of papercraft magazines.
This afternoon I tried the new technique I saw at the show on Thursday and whilst I will say it didn't turn out great for a first effort it wasn't that bad either. At this point I decided to have a move around of my stitching and papercraft stash and decide whether I wanted to trade or sell anything else. That turned into a mammoth feat and one I was soon regretting but am glad I persevered as I can shut my wardrobe door again.
Which brings us to now, when I have sat down with a nice cup of tea, a chocolate biscuit and a few sweets to read the message boards and to blog.

MVIII Part 9 done

I did manage to finish this tonight and here is a picture:



I managed to cut off the two snowflakes at the top but it gives a general idea, and once I have done the stitched center I will upload another picture.

Back from the show!!

It was a good one this year and I thoroughly enjoyed it.:-) Even though my foot is still broken my mobility is much better now than it was at the Shepton Mallett show in April, so thats a really good positive improvement for my general health.
The only downside to the show is that they didn't have so many needlework stands. This show has also been overtaken by card making, papercrafting and scrapbooking stuff as well as other arts and crafts. Luckily I am really into card making so found lots of things to drool over and really enjoyed browsing the craft items with mum.
I ended up not spending a huge amount although I could have gone mad. In the end I got some stitckers and embellishments for card making and a kit of a new technique. I can't remember the name of it now. Basically it allows you to stamp over a previously inked surface and it gives it sort of a relief look. There are other things to do with it but thats the start of the technique. That particular stand was absolutely breathtaking as it had the most wonderful array of hand made cards and tags to inspire you. It also had the most wonderful range of stamps and as part of this kit you got a choice of any stamp within a certain price range. I fell in love with one that was £5 more but the lady on the stand was saying you could have any and pay the extra, so that was the decider for me. This stamp is of a regal woman's head and shoulders and when I looked closer in the car it had the signs of the zodiac round her head in medallions.
I did fall in love with two cross stitch kits but decided to put them on a wish list in my head for the moment. They were both cat ones. The first being one of a cat and fairy by Janlynn which I have always liked. When I saw it up close the cat was sparkly as if he had been sprinkled with fairy dust which was really sweet and not something I had noticed before. I nearly bought this at a show before but it had sold out, but I don't regret it as I can buy it online at some point if I run out of stuff to stitch. The other cat design was a new one I had seen online by Lesley Ann Ivory. It is of a tabby cat in an Art Deco border. The cat is very realistic and the border was lovely too.
I also loved looking at the Michael Powell cross stitch stuff and could have succumbed there as well. I loved Secret garden I and all the Hand made houses as well as the chalet in the snow and many others lol.
Its been a really lovely day, with good weather and great company but its likely to be the last show this season. I know I won't be able to make Ally Pally as that will be too much on my foot. I am debating meeting some friends at Harrogate at the end of November but will have to look into finances and see what my foot is like in a few weeks before I make a decision.
Now I am officially pooped but do want to try and finish MVIII part 9 tonight if I can as I am 'that' close to it.:-)

Lovely stitchy day

Today I have had a real me day. I started off with a lie in and then once sorted I finished my round on The Castle and after lunch and some surfing I stitched on the Autumn garden until tea. After that I did a little on MVIII. I just have half a gate and two snowflakes to do then I am onto the centre ornament.
So my goals for September are to finish Autumn garden, both parts of MVIII and at a push my last rotation piece. Then we are into October when everything changes as my course starts and will have to have a whole different timetable to my life.
On Thursday I am hoping to go to a local cross stitch/creative crafts show in Exeter. That is about an hour from me and for awhile I wasn't sure I would get there because of my foot. Well on that front I only use the crutches when I have done lots of walking and I am even spending time pottering in the house in my old trainers which less than a month ago I couldn't put on because it was too uncomfortable. So although the progress is slow it is sure and while I can still see improvement I will be relatively happy.
One other stupid thing I need to mention is the use of the words 'old trainers'. After much searching I found some lovely new ones and happened to be wearing them when I broke my foot. Mum said to me she wasn't sure I would ever wear them again and I must admit this is likely as I had only worn them once or twice before this happened-is that stupid or what?

Started something new

I had a good sort through my stitching stash yesterday and happened on Victoria Samplers Autumn Garden. I also checked the thread agains a small piece of Silkweaver Parkland which worked so I started this afternoon.
I must be getting old as I sat in my room with the sun streaming through the window and listening to radio 2. I felt so relaxed and I am going to try and do this every afternoon for a little while. This design I am hoping will be my September finish and I think thats quite doable as some of the bands look as if they will go quickly. Of course now I am back into liking band samplers and already I am eying the winter garden version-esp as it has a snowman in it.
Yesterday I also sorted out my winter/Christmas stitching and every year I do this and most years I don't even stitch half of what I plan to. Two years ago was the first and last time I ever stitched everything I planned for Christmas but all other stitching went out the window and I don't reall want to do that again.

Procrastination over

Well I been and gone and did it. I have filled in my registration form and application for financial support with the OU and it looks like come October I will be a student again.
Now I have done it I am actually quite excited and looking forward to the challenge of it. I think emotionally I will cope as I will now have a focus rather than my brain trying to be in turmoil over something I cannot change.
Its a new chapter in my life and I intend to embrace it fully.

Meme

Saw this on Lorna's blog and had to do it. You highlight those you have done then add something on the end:

I am bisexual.
I am homosexual.
I've run away from home.
I listen to political music.
I collect comic books.
I shut others out when I'm sad.
I open up to others easily.
I am keeping a secret from the world.
I watch the news.
I own over 5 rap CDs.
I own an ipod.
I own something from Hot Topic.
I love Disney movies.
I am a sucker for hair/eyes.
I don't kill bugs.
I curse regularly.
I have "x"s in my screen name.
I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
I love Spam.
I bake well.
I would wear pajamas to school.
I own something from Abercrombie.
I have a job.
I love Martha Stewart.
I am in love with someone.
I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
I am self conscious.
I like to laugh.
I smoke a pack a day.
I loved Go Ask Alice.
I have cough drops when I'm not sick.
I can't swallow pills.
I have many scars. Goes with the territory of any kidney patient
I've been out of this country.
I believe in ghosts.
I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
I am really ticklish.
I love chocolate.
I bite my nails.
I am comfortable with being me.
I play computer games/video games when I'm bored.
Gotten lost in the city.
Saw a shooting star.
I have had two serious surgical procedures. And the rest lol.
Gone out in public in my pajamas.
I have kissed a stranger.
Hugged a stranger.
Been in a fist fight with the same sex.
Been arrested.
Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose.
Pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
Made out in an elevator.
Sworn at my parents.
Kicked a guy where it hurts.
Been skydiving.
Been bungee jumping.
Broken a bone. Yep and don't I know it.
Played spin the bottle.
Gotten stitches.
Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
Bitten someone.
Been to Niagara Falls.
Gotten the chicken pox.
Crashed into a car.
Been to Asia.
Ridden in a taxi.
Shoplifted.
Been fired.
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. Just a few times lol.
Stole something from my job.
Gone on a blind date.
Had a crush on a teacher/coach.
Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Been to Europe.
Slept with a co-worker. Live here lol.
Been married.
Gotten divorced.
Saw someone dying. A couple of times. Never been present at a death but seen a few near it.
Been to Canada.
Been on a plane.
Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Thrown up in a bar.
Eaten Sushi.
Been snowboarding.
Been skiing.
Been ice skating.
Met someone in person from the internet. Many, many people and they are all great.
Been to a car show.
Going to or have gone to college.
Done hard drugs.
Taken painkillers.
Met a celebrity. Kind of-was on Blue Peter when I was 8 for their annual appeal-that year was dialysis so met Simon Groome.
I like playing practical jokes.
Been in a hot air balloon.
Had a totally selfish me day.

Procrastination time

I received my registration form from the OU today and found out that I can do it this October but I am having some second thoughts. I am still not always coping too well with what life has been throwing me and I am slightly concerned that this maybe a leap too far. On the other hand it could be the tonic I need and really get my brain focused on the future rather on that which has gone. The money is not a huge concern but it is of course a factor as it will be just over £500 to study this course alone. Maybe I am having an attack of the colly wobbles or its just that I never think straight on a dialysis day. I think I am always going to be nervous doing it and its a case of either now or never I think at the moment.
I am also procrastinating over fabric choices and one of these is for Chatelaines Japanese Garden, though ironically if I do the OU course I won't probably stitch this just yet anyway lol. Two birds with one stone come to mind here lol. Anyway my choices come down to two, both Silkweaver fabrics, one a mottled Exspressions and one a more solid Lugana. I have a few threads and a small cut of the Lugana so did a floss toss and it was great and I am sure it will work. The other is more a gut instinct as I haven't got the fabric or seen it in real life and still am not sure whether I would choose linen or evenweave. How much simpler but not so interesting life was when you only had white or cream to stitch on.
Not alot is happening elsewhere but it is my brothers birthday tomorrow which reminds me I promised mum several hours ago to send him an e card. Oooops.

Half way through MVIII

I finished the second gate way last night so am now half way through part 9. So seeing as I ahd the first week of September not stitching I am doing well and have every confidence I will keep up this month.
I started my next rotation piece which was Teresa Wentzlers The Castle this morning and am really pleased as to how this rotation is working. It is my 3rd time through now and I am not bored or fed up with it in the least so will carry on as although I am not finishing anything good progress is being made on 5 designs.

Christmas stash

My two kits from Ebay came today and they are both really cute. Going to try and work out which fabric to put them on in a bit. I fancy using a hand dyed for both of these.
I have been trying to work out which fabric to use for Chatelaines Japanese Garden and thought I had it narrowed down but have since found several more and one of which quite excited me.
Other than that life is much the same as its always been but I am actively looking at things to do to mark my 30th.:-)

Not much to report

Everything is fairly quiet so will give a brief stitching update and leave it there. MVIII is coming along slowly but surely and I have now started the second gate-they actually go quite quickly so should get this part and hopefully the centre done this month. Tomorrow I will finish up this rotation round on Santa of the forest and I am loving it and hope it will be done by Christmas 2006-but watch this space.

Memories

Today has got me realising that memories can be both good and bad. This morning my uncle and aunt came over and we sat talking about the years gone by and looking at old photos. I really enjoyed this and it made me appreciate the good stuff in life.
This afternoon now they have left has got me thinking about something that happened recently which has stirred some nasty memories back up and combined with the op and the cold has laid me very low this week. I am coming back up both physically and mentally which is a god thing as I have to go and get my brothers birthday present asap. I have a week, but we are not sure if we are visiting as yet next weekend so may have to factor in postage time.
Talking of postage I have just ordered two cute Christmas kits off ebay. The Newton's Law one which I mentioned a few days ago and the Humphrey's Corner one. I am pretty sure the Humphrey one was a free design given in a magazine last year but I don't have it anywhere so have plumped for the full kit from the same seller as Newton.
I have stitched a bit on MVIII today and am 1/4 through this part and plan to stitch some more on it later.
My OU stuff didn't come in time, so I can't join now until February so its a winter of stitching by the fire for me. Although this is appealing I was looking forward to having my brain stretched a bit. Oh well maybe I should look at getting a new hobby or something instead or failing that just buy some more Chatelaines with the extra cash.:-)

Nice stash order

Yesterday I put in a nice order for stash from Stitching Bits N Bobs. I got all the threads needed for my Lizzie Kate Meow Flippit, some more threads for future Chatelaine projects as they were 25% off and some little charts.
Today I haven't done a whole lot as I feel pretty rough. I seem to be shattered from the op, have a cold coming on and the last week in many ways has been rather stressful so am coming down from all that too. I was supposed to go to the dentist to have the gum boil checked and the whole lot deep cleaned but have postponed to Tuesday in the hopes I will feel much better then.
Tonight I am going to try for an earlish one and see if I can start to feel better tomorrow.

Back again

It won't be a long post today as I am shattered but wanted to just say I am back and fine. Yesterday I ended up having a general anaesthetic in theatre then was later moved to the X-ray department to have the dye part of the test. When I actually got there I was booked in for two places lol but eventually after many phone calls and decision making they found the best route to suit me because in several ways I was not likely to act in a normal way for this test. They got me sorted eventually and it all kicked off around 1:30pm and everything had been done by about 4:00pm and I was allowed home at 7:00pm so not bad going all in all. I saw alot of the hospital as I started off in main reception, moved to the day theatre reception, then the day theatre ward, the theatre itself was next, then into recovery, back to the ward, down to X-ray and finally back to a Urology ward. Poor mum who stayed as it wasn't worth driving home was getting quite confused but managed to catch up with me at each place eventually lol. She wasn't allowed to theatre or X-ray obviously but somehow managed to get to the right ward at the right time to meet me.
I have just about managed to add my September calender as well today but am already looking into Christmas decorating lol.
Anyway really tired now so will start blogging again properly tomorrow.

Well its all changed again

Today we had the horrible thought that if this test was being done under a local anaesthetic that could point to an epidural so decided to ring up and check and no its being done under heavy sedation. I really wish they would make up their minds about it but this time tomorrow it will all be over one way or another. This means I maybe won't get to post tomorrow but it really depends how groggy I am.
I am also so tired from the weekend that I stumbled through the afternoon and then fell asleep for an hour before dinner and still feel shattered tonight so its going to be an early one. I am in two minds as I have been advised not to eat and drink from midnight and I could really do with an early night but also could possibly benefit from a late snack-think the early night is going to win this time though.
Not much else to report, spent the morning sorting out paperwork for my admission tomorrow which turned into a complex procedure as one of my drugs was changed 2 weeks ago but no one told me and no one knows why. As luck would have it my consultant is down at the unit tomorrow so can advise what is going on as according to the computer it also wasn't sanctioned by him.
I am feeling a bit flat after the time I spent on things leading up to the fun day and now its all over things have gone fairly quiet and I am sure it will hit me once I am not so tired. Also my OU stuff hasn't arrived and its not looking like I can get it back in time to start in October now as the deadline is only a few days away. I really have no one to blame but myself for procrastinating over it so long but I thought registering online guaranteed a place whereas you have to then receive the pack and arrange the finances by the cut off date to get a place. Oh well I can always use the next few months to really get into my stitching and start with the OU in February and try and catch up and not take a break between courses if I do miss this deadline.
I do sometimes wonder if I am up to it anyway as it doesn't take alot to pull me down at the moment and what occurred with the group I left still weighs extremely heavily on my mind. I really think apart from one or two none of them have any idea how ill I became with the stress of it. Part of that is that they do not realise how close me and Sara were and I think they believe I should be healed by now. But if the truth is told the kind of friendship I had with Sara is the kind most people crave but rarely get. This is the sort that even though you have known each other a short time it could have been a lifetime as you have shared so much and talked about anything and everything and you just think so alike and that although we are very different people its like meeting a kindred spirit. I know I have one other friend who comes near to this who I have known longer but there was something extra special about this friendship which makes it even harder to lose.
Anyway before I start to cry and get maudlin again I am going to go now and get a drink and prepare for what tomorrow might hold.

Back

I am back home now but utterly knackered. It was more than worthwhile and we made lots of money and had an absolute ball. I met up with lots of people I haven't met for ages and really had a very good time.
As for my cards they were not a complete damp squid. I sold about 20+ to friends and strangers but unfortunately we run out of tables so they had to be crammed in on other peoples stalls so didn't get the hard sell I hoped they would. But I am more than pleased that people seemed very impressed with the ones they did see and the people saying it weren't friends of mine lol.
It has also helped to heal some wounds about the group I left as some of the people involved were there but I realise I have a way to go yet and what the future holds I will wait and see.
As for the appointment on Tuesday I received an ammended letter but that says it will be done under a local anasthetic but I was expecting a general one. Think I need to just turn up and see what will happen and go from there lol.

Looks like the hospital is sorted

Well finally got the dialysis Sister to try and find out what was going on today and I am going in on Tuesday for the same test under anaesthetic. Although I am a bit confused at the moment as she spoke to someone who was going to ring her back, couldn't get hold of the unit so rang my home instead. My mum rang the Sister to tell her the plan but what the Sister told me is not what mum was told. DOH!! I think its possible they may have been more forthcoming with her in that first phone call so at the moment I am probably having an anaesthetic but theres a possibility I won't need one according to the Sister lol. I still wouldn't be suprised if the whole lot was cancelled once I arrived on Tuesday but I will turn up and see what happens.
My stitching is coming along great and I have a quarter of a gate done on MVIII Part 9 and its really pretty so can't wait to see the full effect. I also got some stash today:My fabric from Silkweavers for Chatelaine's Medieval Town Mandala which seems a bit darker so I am keeping my fingers crossed it will be ok. I also got some Gloriana's and Waterlillies towards the next two Mandala Gardens with Lizzie Kate's Snippets-woof and Meow, so all in all a good stash day.
I may not get a chance to post again now until at least Sunday and depending on tiredness levels after tomorrow it could be Monday so I hope everyone has a great weekend whatever they're doing and will catch you all soon.

On the countdown now

Saturday is nearly upon us and with that in mind I spent the morning at the site of the fun day being shown round and generally helping with some preparations. Its a really lovely place and I am proud to have managed to help out as much as I was able to considering how low I got just a month or so ago. Not only have I made 64 cards-want to get that figure to 70 but not sure I will manage that, I managed to secure a couple of decent prizes for the raffle by emailing various companies and made some signs for the day.
Onto other stuff:Stitching wise I completed 2 out of 3 goals last month-finished Part 8 of MVIII and a small design. But I failed on finishing parts 1 and 2 of Midi I but always thought that was a bit ambitious and have got a fair amount done so shouldn't, fingers crossed, be slugging away on this for years. The new parts for both mysteries are now out and I got ridiculously excited to see we are stitching gates for part 9 of MVIII. Last years mystery was gazebos and although I still love the design I particularly like the designs with wrought iron gates in them so that was a bonus this time. We also got the stitched centrepiece which is absolutely beautiful so I can't wait to get cracking.
I rang the hospital again about my appointment next week and it does seem like some kind of mistake has been made so I am again waiting to hear back on whether it will be on Tuesday as I probably do need a bed after all. I think under these circumstances I would rather be asleep as I don't want pain and I think this test with my anatomy the way it is, it's very likely to hurt.:-( So I am waiting again to see what is happening but I would put good money on it being postponed until a later date-watch this space.