Sunday Thoughts

As you can see, life is relaxed for our cat, and judging by the face when i took this photo, his dreams are full of tasty bites.Right now he's chilling in a box, in a sulk over the amount of ham on offer, or rather not on offer.

We'd had a bit of progress in my son's eating. Today he tried ham, even though his food phobia and the sensory issues, which is part of his autism, cause no end of problems, and i admit it may not seem a big thing, but it is. Totally proud of him, and it means a new food can be added to his small list. Of course the cat expects to be fed the same foods...


To the right is the finished sampler of quilts i'd done. Using some fabric that could have made a bookmark, but i decided to use a hanger that i'd gotten free with a cross stitch magazine some years a go. I'm pleased we how they all work together, but also the fact the show some of the wonderful designs that quilting often use, a story behind each piece. I wish i could patchwork and quilt but it's beyond my skills right now, and with all the crafts i already do, there isn't that much space. The colours are cheerful and when i finally hang it on the wall, i can start the process of finishing an UFO (Un-Finished-Object.)




I started the UFO before we moved and got waylaid by life, and other projects, oh and cardmaking. It's a simple design that is full of colour and i admit it will look wonderful, when i finally finish it.
It's from Woman's Weekly Stitch & Sew magazine that i purchased in October 2012. Plenty of projects for crafters and i know that the other cross stitch designs i will certainly be completing as some point. So tonight my challenge is to get this project further as well as do some catch up on some of the programmes i have recorded. Chasing Monsters being the first to be watched, a man trying to catch fish that are beautiful but quite a challange. I also admit there is a little bit of of the will-he-get-bit-today? thought as i watch each show. So this evening we relax and just enjoy the time together.

Happy Crafting!

Small kisses

Today i stitch. My pain is so high that anything else is next to impossible. Each movement pure agony as my muscles and joints feel like they are tearing and each movement is slow and painful. Today i had to lay in bed a little longer, and yeah i hate feeling like this, i wanted to go get my son's shoes for school, and sort out a bill too. It'll have to wait til tomorrow, when i hope i can move and walk.

Some people think fibro is in the mind, and that we are making the pain out to be worse than it really is, but i can assure the pain is oh so real, and the fatigue is a living nightmare. The moment we lay down to sleep, we hope for a restful sleep, and for us to wake up cured, but that isn't fibro's way. Our sleep is far from peaceful and the pain is always with us when we move those first moments when we decide to get up. Our battle with sleep lost and we continue on with another tiring day.

So today i am looking after me . A day of chilling and quick meals. Lunch was crackers, cheese and fruit,
and dinner will be soup and crusty bread, one of those part baked baguettes thrown in as the soup warms. And today i am stitching. My little stitches working their magic in taking my mind away briefly from the dullness of the day outside. My son watches and plays, his Minecraft world taking shape as his imagination works overtime. My son likes chillout days, he understands that i go through a lot of pain sometimes, but i will always do the best i can for him. I'm thankful he is so patient, it can't be easy for him to see me moving slow due to pain.

So today, small kisses form into patterns, quilt designs but in stitches. I'm working on a small hanging, following the designs so carefully and working the kisses slowly in their various colours. I've tried patchwork and know to do real quilts is a talent i am not practiced in, and i admire those who can make such stunningly beautiful designs using fabric that has sometimes be in their homes for a longtime, awaiting the moment when it inspired something so beautiful.

So off i go, to work some more stitches and hope tomorrow the sun will shine. Tomorrow i hope the fibro will be a little kind.

Happy Crafting!

Book i am working from :- Country-Cross-Stitch-Two-Hour-Crafts

Whoosh!

Bournemouth Airshow 2015. A view from our spot, and the booms of the beach assault could be heard. We couldn't see the tank on the beach, or the Royal Marine Commandos doing their stuff, but from the speakers a great story was told by the commentator.

The weather was very hot, and with suncream on, and water bottles at the ready, we settled for the show. Around us were many more families, awaiting the show to start in the skies. The Sea Vixen opening the display with an almighty whoosh.

It's twin tail boom makes this plane so distinctive and it's roar through the sky is still a wonderful, goose-bumping causing moment, still able to do amazing speeds, even at it's ripe age, but it still has the power to make any person smile like a child, delighting at the whole experience of seeing this plane fly.


Sorry the pictures aren't closer, but with so many around, and the action so fast, i'll be honest, i was lucky to get the shots i did.

When we got home, it was quite a lot of heads, clouds, or sun-glare. Some of them, may be spot the plane but for us, these pictures are memories of a day we will never forget. A day when both my son and me had to get over both our fears of people, each of us being brave for the other.

After the Sea Vixen was the RAF Black Cats Helicopters , a stunning display which the crowd were delighted to watch. Two very skilled pilots did things with amazing "stunts" and maneuvers, some of which they use in combat.

Next were the favourites for so many, The Red Arrows . A firm favourite and they didn't disappoint. Hearing Red 1 give command before each maneuver was an added delight. It just showed how hard this talented pilots worked to get the show right.

By now we'd moved from our first spot, and were entering much more crowded places. Families and friends together, enjoying the sun and the show above. As well as the usual commentary, were the facts of how they made the smoke change colour, and which of the pilots were the new guys.

Next were the Matadors, a display team i freely admit we missed, due to making our way down to Bournemouth Pier, but sadly their display was cut short to allow the Air Ambulance entry after a small boy was injured falling out a tree. Hope he recovers soon.

Next was the Chinnock helicopter display. 12 Tonne of helicopter in angles that amazed. As you can see from the picture the crowds were a lot more, masses enjoying the weather and show. The Chinnock makes an amazing double throb in the air, it's blades cutting the air as it moved from angle to angle, and knowing these amazing craft are still very much in use for military purposes, you can see why these pilots are so skilled.

After this was the Sally B a 1940's Flying Fortress.  She is a wonderful plane , a long gone era, still much remembered. I managed to get a couple of shots, not perfect but a great memory.

After the 40's plane came the surprise, the Avro Vulcan . A surprise visit as it passed from one air display to another, Bournemouth between the two. So many people delighted to see this most beautiful plane.


Next was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight , a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Dakota  . Planes from the 40's again delighted everyone, be they young or old. The fact we had spoken earlier to the ground crew who repairs and maintains the Spitfire was an added delight.  My son even got a badge for saying the Spitfire was his second favourite, first being the Red Arrows. ( I just enjoyed the eye-candy, lol)

We had reached our limit, both heat, crowds and tiredness finally took a toll and with sadness but delighted hearts we headed for the bus stop. A long slow journey home due to the volume of traffic, all having the same idea, as well many more still trying to get the the remainder of the air show. I'd wanted to see the Eurofighter Typhoon but exhaustion took over. Luck would have it on the way home we saw the Mig 15, and then the Typhoon flew straight over our home, not once, but 3 times. I was delighted.

A day of memories and today we relax, too tired to go again, and so happy with the day we'd had.

Note: It wasn't until we got home we heard about the terrible loss of life at Shoreham Airshow. Our thoughts are with those injured and killed and their families.

Tough times

Today saw my beloved gran. At the age of 95 she is not in the best of health, but she is still a lady i owe so much to, but also wish i could see more often. Due to her age, any illness can cause her no end of problems, serious sometimes. She is losing her sight and her hearing, but also has become very frail and thin. But she still has eyes full of love, beautiful eyes that have always been a comfort to me.

But today i also found at something that tore my heart in two. My newly engaged brother, moved his girlfriend in to where he lives, with my mother. A room that was once my dad's office stripped so my brother could have more room, but i was told nothing of the girlfriend moving in. I feel like i have been slapped in the face, and stabbed through the heart. The final betrayal and one that has finally pointed out that i am not wanted in that family. My gran being the only one who cares, so today i have made the decision to never ever visit my childhood home again, and leave them to their choices. My gran will be the only person i will talk too, though my aunt and her family have done nothing, i know they will pick my mum's and brother's side, so that kind of ends that.

Yes i hurt, more than any words i can type, but with my son and my other half, i know some people still love me, and i'm no longer sure where i stand with my friends, i seemed to have been left by some of them. A breakdown forcing me off facebook, and leaving that behind. I admit i'm lonely, but can no longer cope with the stress that facebook caused or the trying to keep up with people whilst they ignore me.

So tough times are facing us, and i'm trying to keep going, even when inside i'm ready to quit, and tea, and crafting will keep me going for my son, and other half.  And my love for them will get me through this final rejection.

Morning ideas vs morning tasks

An early start and already mind is a whirl with thoughts and ideas, along with the fact i can't over-do it today. Well that's the theory!

Yesterday a soup of two punnets of small tomatoes, 1 red pepper, two onions chopped, half a tame red chilli, finely sliced and two teaspoons of chopped garlic ( you know the lazy stuff already diced and in jars ) and a few leaves of basil, torn all placed in a saucepan with some olive oil in the base. High heat first , to get it bubbling ,and then left to simmer on a low heat until the tomatoes soften enough to lose their shape. Stir from time to time, just to help the process along. Once the tomatoes have softened, take off the heat and when a little cooler, blitz with your handheld blender till rich and smooth. Taste and then season with a little sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve with crusty bread. Mmm delicious! Of course, there is enough left for today, so that's sorted out one thing on the list as done.

But still there is washing to be done, then hung on the line to dry, before sorting out the craftbits that have slightly taken root on the kitchen table. At least there is some space still to eat on, but, with the risk of getting carried away with crafting ideas whilst eating, maybe i ought to sort it out. I also need to cut some papers too, for iris folding. Not sure which design i'm going to do, but cross that bridge when i come to it.

I'd also like to figure out the way to get enough duck tape in various patterns, without breaking the piggy banks. I've found they have become so useful in turning catfood boxes into storage for the crafting stuff, and though not very strong, they are certainly helping a lot in the containing various papers, card blanks and toppers and wooden dies that have found a home here. At £3 a roll, duck tape isn't cheap, but they are so durable and the designs are wonderfully colourful and bright. Making the covering a little easier, and slightly reinforcing the boxes. It all helps and then maybe i might just manage to sort out my crafting areas.

Time to start the day, and it's tasks.

School holidays and crafting

My son broke up and finished school just a little over 3 weeks ago. His last day at this school involved an assembly to warm and melt the hearts of each parent there. The proud moment when my son's name was read out for being awarded a merit due to his progress in maths and for his continued excellent behaviour and impeccable manners. Not every boy makes sure ladies first! After a brief moment speaking to his head and i was away, out of the crowded room and heading home to tissues and sweet tea.

And now on this holiday before the big school starts some crafting has been done, some timeout watching videos and dvd's but also the odd outing into the world. One was to see Humboldt Penguins in their new home at Bournemouth Oceanarium . A refit had altered the layout but also made room for these adorable birds. Their home a mixture of cave like hideaways  and a lovely pool to swim in and look at the all the humans looking at them. A play area and cafe close by to enjoy these little birds in their element. So graceful in the water, whilst on land they waddle happily along, the odd shake of the head before returning to the cool water.

This adventure also included an art exhibit and an aviary. The budgies and lovebirds so cheerful and colourful, whilst the parrots slept high on their perches and quails running around the floors , hunting for those seeds that drop, but also trying to draw our attention to them, away from the brightly coloured birds above. The zebra finches dart around, their various cheeps and chirps sounding cheerful and bright. This avairy has been here since i can remember, a place that as a child i was taken, the joy still the same as i now show my child the beauty of these birds.

An art exhibit was close by, local artists showing and selling their wears. Beautiful pictures using various styles and techniques and materials. Some photos, some abstract and  some stunning landscapes, all were a joy to see and i admit i was tempted to far too many of them, but alas money in my purse would not have been enough for them, and through the prices may seem high to some, the prices of art materials is never cheap in the first place, but the time and talent of each artist is also must be taken into account, and trust me these pictures would have been worth every penny and pound.

So now to home, to our place of creating, where stacks of vellum await ideas and where Fun Fair by Helz Cuppleditch awaits ideas and for me to stamp the images , before raiding the water colour pencils to brighten each design. Also where gems have large cases, full of the sparkle and a rainbow of colours, which will brighten any card they are used on, and ribbon overflowing from baskets, each one a different design or thickness or pattern. Crafting in this house is visible everywhere and  a highlight of everyday is the chance to create, to 'play' at being an artist, and these summer holidays have given us chance to explore out creative minds, together.

Happy Crafting