Where does the time go??

It feels like I've been on a roller coaster for the last few weeks, the work load in the day job is huge and with the poor weather the state of our house is becoming very stressful!! But, I'm not complaining, I have two weeks off....Yay!! so to get organised now so as not to waste my time off.

And I have been doing a bit of stitchery, this is a lovely pattern by Barbara Parrish at http://www.redwork.info/. I feel another cushion cover coming on!

It's nearly holiday time.......

It has been a very long week this week. I am so looking forward to our annual trip to north Cornwall. Only two more work days to go and then a day or two at home to get sorted and travel down in the early hours of Saturday morning. It's tradition to be at the Little Diner when it opens at 6.00 am for breakfast!

I should have been doing some housework today but, you know how it is.... I got distracted! I decided that these little embroideries I did would make cute little pillows....what d'ya think?

Busy stitching........

Today was the first 'non-day' in a while. That is nothing planned and nothing that had to be done by yesterday! We did have a lovely day yesterday in London, I visited the museum of childhood in Bethnal Green and Alice went to Oxford Street with friends (I owe my friend Cathi for letting me off the hook). I haven't been since it was all revamped so I wanted to see what they had done with the collection and I wasn't disappointed though I suspect they have less Antique dolls on display than they had before but a lovely exhibition all the same. And...I can't believe I forgot my camera so you will have to wait until I figure out how to download photos from my phone! http://www.vam.ac.uk/
So... I've been getting on with a bit of stitchery! I made a bag out of the little embroidery I did a week or so ago as if we haven't got enough bags in this house!! you decide which is the front and which is the back!

My, it has been a very long week! Last weekend I ran (yes ran!) the 5k Race for Life. I was very pleased with myself as running is definately not my thing. But, it was very important for me to do this this year in memory of my dear friend who was the same age as I am now when she passed away. I'm still collecting sponsorship money for cancer research and that is better than I had hoped for too. My legs are still a little stiff a week later though!

I have been taking advantage of the lighter evenings and getting on with some sewing at long last. I finished the old battered up baby pram and it looks all fresh and new now,

Whilst the camera was out Barnaby decided he wanted a serious picture taken, his handsome self!

And why give up when you are on a roll....I've wanted to stitch this design for ages, finally did it and now I have all sorts of ideas of incorporating it into a wall hanging for my studio............

More Crazy quilting.....

I said I felt an addiction coming on! Well, I made a start on a second project idea, it is good to be able to pick up a piece of work and work in short little bursts particularly at the moment as it is half term and therefore Mum is on entertainment duty! I've found myself looking at different fabrics and threads and wondering what combination of stitches would look good. I really am enjoying this, trouble is I still have so many other things to be getting on with!

First layout, thinking pinks, white and all things pastel...

Including ribbon rose and lace trim

Embroidered flowers, plenty to work on here.....

Never ending, will show you the finished piece when I get there!

A new craze.........

I had a quiet day today. Despite the fact that there is an Izannah doll needing to be finished, several Bru costumes to be done, class plans to be made not to mention the shopping and the housework (which is getting a bit desperate!)and a few Halloween gifts to be finished I spent today trying out some crazy quilting! Its something I've always wanted to have a go at so as it was my day off today I sat in my workshop and had a go........









At least I have a Christmas decoration made!


And I did get my Izzy doll put together, she has at least got some drawers and and a petticoat until I get a dress and bonnet made for her.

Getting into the swing......

One of the things I have always wanted to do was explore the world of the vintage cloth dolls. This is my first attempt at an Izannah walker type doll, not a lot to show just yet but its a start, next on my list is a Columbian style doll. The doll is sewn and a layer of gesso painted on where the paper clay will go to sculpt the face....my next challenge! no time today but will get to it soon I hope.






I also managed to finish another piece from the Peter Rabbit story in Cross stitch which I have been doing for ever! Just the last one to do now. Hopefully I'll get that all set up tonight so I can work on it when I have those odd moments! (what odd moments!)

Nearly there.......

It's been a bit of a day again, with visits to the doctor and juggling things at work. But..nothing serious and I am getting on with the class worksheets. Baby dolls are back on the agenda and strangely a lot of people want to make the Kaiser baby. I love him to bits but he is also one of those dolls that some people can't bear to look at!

First firing is underway for the small Bru and some other bits and pieces. Still a lot of painting to do and with interupted days its going to be a long job.

Sewing classes nearly ready to go, still need to make up more samples but i can sort of do that as I go along, just a few weeks ahead of the students.

Susie's Sewing Circle

Had another request today to restart the sewing circle. I still have several project outlines although the samples are a little tired and very well handled!

Another thing to put on the list and organise! its nice to know I'm still in demand at least. Found a lovely set of Kewpie patterns today for embroidering. Thats another thing on 'the things I want to do now' list!