A confession to make.

I have lost my mojo these last few weeks - no crafting done at all.

I think I am just not in an inspired state of mind. Am hoping that HRT will help my state of well being as following blood tests last week and a lot of mulling I decided that I cannot go along in the state I am in and am giving it a go. 

Anyway over the weekend I had a look in my completed project box and was actually shocked at how many items I have stitched but not made into anything. There were loads! Mainly cards really. So I took a deep breath and dived in! I will post other photos over the next few posts but here are a couple to start.....

 It does make me happy to finally complete projects so why I don't do it at the time is beyond me!

In family news H turned 18 on the 16th April. It's hard to believe that he is turning into a young man. While being his mum can sometimes be a little testing I am so so proud of all he has and is achieving in life. 

H also had an interview at his first choice uni last week. He already had a conditional offer which was amazing but yesterday he was offered an unconditional place. What an achievement and relief! 

Today I am thankful for:

Feeling a little better than yesterday (urgh bugs)

Harry getting unconditional offer

The sun making an appearance. 

Chasing my tail

Oh that's how it has felt today after a week away from work it feels like I was never away.  Didn't start off well when the car didn't start this morning and then as soon as I walked into work various issues from last week were brought up before I even had a cup of tea!

Anyway I got home this evening to a cup of tea and help to prepare dinner. The boys were chatty about their day and everything else forgotten!

Needless to say I haven't touched anything craft wise tonight - too tired - but here is some stitching from a few months ago. 

 Today I was thankful for:

A lift home from a friend after being on my feet all day

Getting home to a hug and a cup of tea

My car (hopefully) being fixed

My new little friend.

I love my sewing machine and while I really am no seamstress I am quite impressed with myself today.

Our kitchen has just been redecorated and the shelves have looked a little bare since I took down the Xmas bunting in January so today I got over my fear again and had another go. Ok so my stitching is quite clearly not the straightest but I really like it. 

I really like the fact that I am slowly but surely introducing a little bit of girlyness into what is a very male dominated household ;-) 

Everyone is back to work and school tomorrow after the Easter hols - I really don't want to go back to work that's for sure. Plus this week hasn't exactly been restful with all of the jobs completed around the house but I feel very satisfied with what's been done. 

Next weekend will be very busy as its Harry's 18th (yes that's right!) birthday on the Saturday so we have an exciting day planned and on Sunday a get together with the grandparents. 

For now an evening of cross stitching is planned I think after an amazing roast dinner but Steve - smells wonderful!

Today I am thankful for:

Overcoming my sewing machine fear

Completing Harry's Uni finance forms

Have tea cooked for me! 

Ok so it's been a while.......

since I last posted but life has seemed to have taken over with no real time for myself or crafting. this I know is a real shame as while I know I am not wildly talented I enjoy what I make and it really is a therapy and a much needed one at that.

So family wise my boys are growing so much - Harry is 18 a week today and hopefully will be off to uni in September to study History. He still performs with local drama groups which he loves but he also volunteers with a couple of local youth groups. The last two years have seen him blossom into a fantastic young man who overcomes various obstacles each day but does it in his own quirky way.
George is 13 and still rugby loving but also obsessed with anything to do with motor cars. He makes me laugh everyday with the things he says and does but has a very sensitive side which softens my heart so much.
Steve and I are plodding along as usual dealing with whatever comes our way and bringing up our boys together in hopefully a way which will make them well rounded individuals.

Crafting wise up until October I didn't really do anything. Work has been hectic and I have taken on more hours than I originally intended but the money comes in handy I suppose.

However apart from some Xmas cards I have not paper crafted at all but instead went back to cross stitching and made this little item which is a Lizzie Kate design (I love Lizzie Kate!) It really does say all I believe in about marriage and while Steve and I are far from perfect we do love each other very much!

 




Then for my birthday I asked for a sewing machine - think I was inspired by Sewing Bee! Steve obliged and here is my beautiful little red friend.

Now I haven't sewn on a machine since school (long long time ago) but after a little frustration I managed to thread it (can you see what I mean here?). I then realised that I had no fabric or any idea what to make (see completely numpty) but after a trip to my local craft store I chose some Xmassy fabric and produce the bunting in the picture.
I will be honest and say its not perfect but |I made it and I am actually quite proud of it. Plan for this week is to try and produce another one which is non xmas and will go with the new colour scheme in the kitchen - watch this space.

Onto cross stitching again and at the moment I am stitching a kit given to me by my ma and pa for my birthday last year. Alice in Wonderland is my absolute favourite (new film coming out this year I think - Through the Looking Glass!!!!) so this is perfect and only one colour so a dream to stitch.

 

So that's all for today folks but will leave you with three things I am thankful for today - I have seen this on a couple of blogs and love it

• Managing to sort out google account and blogger after George had taken over my account!
• Clean and tidy study/craft area - its taken me all week!
• Selling no longer used crafting items on ebay

 

 

Yesterday................

this young man left secondary education. 

He is now a young adult who is now encountering grown up life and working towards his goals and living his dreams. 

We have had some highs and lows with H. Lots of fun times and some frustrating times. But one thing never changes and that is his ability to amaze me. He deals with life in his own way, which may seem odd to some but to me he is amazing! 

Follow you dreams Harry - always! X

Long time no see.......

Yes it's been a while hasn't it? 

Too long.

Life has been:

Crazy

Stressful

Rewarding

Worrying

Wonderful

But back to stressful ......again!

It's Saturday though and I am enjoying a cuppa in bed while connecting with my long neglected blog. 

Updates:

Harry has finally had a diagnosis of Aspergers. While this is a relief and means life at school can be a little easier with measures in place I do feel a little sad. He, however, is blooming! He has friends!!!! They are a fab group of young adults and H finally feels as though he belongs. 

GCSE season is now starting with mocks a week away and official timetables handed out. Countdown to the last exam on 13th has commenced! 

He has picked which A levels he wants to do so fingers crossed it all pans out!!!!

George is George. Obsessed with cars, science and rugby (of course). He still would rather be at home than school but I catch glimpses every now and then of a young man and not my baby. 

Steve is wonderful (as always). He truly is my rock. Picks me up when feeling down and generally makes life a little easier for me when needed. X x

Dad retired in October which is fantastic as work was draining him completely. Mum (touchwood) is doing well. She is avoiding hospital at the mo which is brill. 

And me? How am I doing? Hmmmmmmmmm. I wish I knew. I am going into hospital in a couple of weeks time to have a cyst and hopefully just 1 ovary removed. We are not entirely sure if there us anything nasty is going on. Visually on a scan it's a normal cyst but on a blood test the cancer markers are saying something a little different. 

So I am in limbo but thinking positive. I have a great surgeon, a wonderful family, some amazing friends and work are being fantastic. 

Anyway have I crafted? Ummm no not a thing. But today I have decided that firstly I am going to sort out the study/creative area and tidy it up in a huge way. I cannot create anything in that place. Plus Harry studies in there and it's not a calm, peaceful haven suited for that either.

I did realise that I hadn't shown this from Harry's birthday last year and so as I have nothing to show you from recent work this will have to do! 

It's summer time!

The boys have finally broken up for summer and the weather is beautiful! 

It's been a busy time here with end of school activities, productions and mum getting over her hip but we have a few weeks of holidays and taking things at a slightly slower pace even though I am working for most of the hols. 

Harry had a German assessment and got an A which was wonderful. He was also commended for his work in history, geography and surprisingly pe which made us very proud. Harry works so hard to achieve his results and I know from a social aspect he doesn't find school easy but he does it amazingly well. 

George has done brilliantly in his SATS exams and we received an end of year report to be proud of. He gives of his best all of the time and at his end of year presentation he was awarded class citizen!

I am so proud of them both for overcoming and still coping with various issues while achieving so much. I really do love those boys x x x

I have finally managed to sort out a crafting area for hubs and I. It looks brill and it means we can keep our messes/creations in one area!!!!!!

Couple of weeks down the line ...........

So I have been working at Katz for a couple of weeks now and it's going well.
I don't regret my decision to leave the shop as it was long over due.

Any way Mum is back in hospital - this time with a broken hip. A complete replacement was required and she also had a build up of toxins to deal with. So all in all its been a little hectic here.

I have not crafted at all but with the promise of nice weather this weekend that could all change
:-)

Below is a love heart card from a while ago - hope you like x x x

Feeling like a newbie :-(

So my second day and i just felt like I was asking stupid questions all day. Then I made a daft mistake which meant things got delayed so all in all I felt silly.
Still I know not what to do on Thurs that's for sure!

No crafting done today but below is a cupcake birthday card which I made a couple of weeks ago. Stitched again with perforated paper and took no time at all to make x x

New Girl

Yes I started my new job for real today and early signs are that I am going to like it. My only reservations are during holiday time but we will see what happens.

Anyway yesterday I organised what cards I will need for the next couple of months and obviously as Fathers Day is coming up the weekend I realised I needed to create. I didn't have time to stitch anything but came up with the design below using scraps of patterned paper.
I do really like them and may actually use this design a little more.

Routine!

Well Thursday was my last shift at the shoe shop and for some reason I am not as overjoyed as I thought I would be.
Now don't get me wrong I have soooo made the right decision but I am left with this sense of sadness at leaving a place where I have worked for 7 years.

Anyhoo tomorrow is my first day at Katz and I am looking forward to it. I need a change of scene, plus more regular hours and no weekend working and this so fits in!!
So this weekend I have been getting everything in the house straight so that I can get into a routine ASAP. I don't start work till 9.30 so I can get a few bits done before I go.

So Clare what crafting have you done recently? Well not much to be fair, which is not a good thing. However, I did stitch a 60th birthday card for my dad (which I forgot to take a pic of - doh!!!!) and I have been messing around with a couple of simple designs for quick cards. The first one is the new home card pictured below
It is stitched using perforated paper and some remnants of thread and hey presto!!!!!!!

Catch up!

So Clare whats been going on since you last posted on your blog?
Well...........

• Harry almost definitely has Aspergers. Not a great surprise but we have our foot in the door with CAMHS and so things, hopefully, will start moving.

• Mum has been in hospital twice :-( Its been very very scary for us and her but she is home now and continues to improve.

• Oliver rehearsals are continuing and going well. Oh and Harry has another show lined up for afterwards so busy busy!

• George was awarded Clubman for the u11 rugby team - so proud!

• I have a new job! So excited and pleased. I start in June and it will mean no more Saturdays or working till 5pm! 

So its been a busy and emotional time for us all but things are good at the mo.

I haven't been stitching alot but here is one of the cards I made for Harry's 15th (yes 15) birthday last month.

Back again!

It's been a busy day with Avon delivery to sort and also going to work this afternoon. There was also a little stress concerning H who had a bad day at school yesterday but that has been dealt with and he is alot happier tonight.
G has had a concert this evening at school which Steve went to watch and it was fab apparently.
No creating today as simply not enough time but here is a creation completed recently.

Creating and making!

It's been almost a month since my last post - how did that happen? Bonkers!
Things are ticking away at Feary Manor. Harry is in the middle of exam week and also rehearsing well for Oliver! George is better and preparing for Sats. Hubs is hubs and I am making stuff again!

Am making cards for April birthdays at the mo in a bid to be more organised and in the evening I sit and stitch.
Below is my mums card for Mother's Day - I like it!

Back again!

Urgh I did have flu and it was horrid. I had no energy all weekend and just felt bleurgh. Infact I still feel a little under the weather but loads better than last week.

This week has been a little stressful hence no posts. I think if I had posted it would've been full of my moans about mum's health, my health, living in a house with three boys and just generally feeling unhappy with life in general. So here I am having pondered life etc for the last few days - weighing up good and bad - and now deciding that I am the only person who can change things for myself and that the things I can't change? Well they need to be dealt with head on or let someone else deal with them.
Out of all of this pondering I have realised that I really don't spend enough time on me. I run around so so much (as most Mums do) juggling with work, home, children, school and family that I have lost sight of what I need to retain my sanity or what little remains.
Now don't get me wrong I am not feeling feeling sorry for myself and I love my boys so so much, however lately I am feeling the need to be recognised as someone more than just a mum and wife.
I also need to be creating more. I am so happy when left to just play and make things and sadly I have not been sat in my little room playing as much as I would like to.

So things have got to change and they will/are.
I am loosing weight - hurrah!
I will find a new job this year
Scrapbooking supplies will be used
My mum will get on the transplant list
My boys will realise that I am a person and not a maid
Harry will finally get the official Aspergers diagnosis and some help
I will be forty and fabulous!

Urgh feeling unwell

Have had one of those weeks this week and typically it's been while the boys have been on half term.
For about 2 weeks now I have been fighting something off but Sunday it hit big time :-(
I managed to get to work in monday and tuesday to do my morning shifts but in Tuesday afternoon I went straight to bed.
I was supposed to be going to see my mum and dad yesterday but again I felt too unwell to go. Infact I was nodding off now and again.
Today I do feel better but I have no energy at all. It certainly wasn't flu as I have had that before and I didn't feel that bad but urgh I feel like I have lead boots on.

Anyway I have done no stitching at all so far this weeky but am planning to do some this afternoon infront of the tv - bliss!

As its valentines day I thought it would be nice to show you the card I made for hubs - stitched obviously!!!! Xxxx

Headache.

Poor George is still suffering with his head. Yesterday he managed an hour at school and this morning I took him to the docs as he was still suffering from dizziness.
After a very thorough check we were told he needs rest and time. Mind you he has started to feel much better tonight so fingers crossed.

Am stitching an Easter card from The World of Cross Stitch at the mo and hoping to get it finished in the next few days.
I actually had an order from a friend today for one of the sausage dog cards. I was really chuffed and need to get it sorted for Mothers Day. The big question is how much to charge?

Pic below is the other Mothers Day design I finished at the weekend. It's a really bright pattern so will really cheer up a Mother's Day. X

So sorry!

It's been a few days since I last posted so thought I should pull my finger out and get sorted.
George has been off school today with concussion. He had a little bump at rugby training yesterday but woke up feeling dreadful this morning so 8am this morning we were sat in a&e.
We didn't have a long wait and were seen by 2 nurses and a doctor fairly quickly. Infact we were back home by about 9.30!

Harry is doing ok at school etc. rehearsals for Oliver are going well and he is enjoying being back in the swing of performing and rehearsing. Am feeling frustrated at getting referrals sorted for his Aspergers diagnosis and for something else of a more personal nature. I am going to wait until Friday and then will start chasing etc.

Steve is really enjoying his mosaic work and over the weekend he worked on a mirror. It looks amazing and will look even better once its grouted. As soon as it is I will post a pic.
He is looking at maybe selling some of his pieces and I honestly think they are good enough!

And me? Well I haven't done loads if stitching as I have been quite busy but I did finish two pieces over the weekend for Mother's Day - one of which is shown below.
Some fab news and which I still can't believe is that my mum and dad are buying a new iPad for me for my birthday. I am so excited!!!!!!

So proud!

We have spent most of the day with Harry at auditions for Oliver.
He originally went for the part of Dodger as sensibly he understands his voice has changed dramatically over the past 6 months.
Out of 7 boys he made it to the final 2 and although he didn't get the part he wanted he has been given the part of dodgers mate Charley.
To say we are proud is an understatement. I really am so so so so pleased for him - he really is a star! X

Lovely!

Am now chilling in my pjs after a day at work and its bliss.
I came home to a cup of tea and the smell of a lovely curry cooking - what more really does a girl need or want?
Well my outstanding threads for one. They still haven't turned up so am not really impressed again.

Anyway my boys are ensconced in their bedrooms. One is going to sleep and the other is chilling before his audition tomorrow.

And me? Well I was going to pick up my stitching but am actually thinking an early night is in order as I am tired. Not really on for a Saturday night is it?

The design below is a dmc mini kit I finished before christmas. I like it - simple but effective
X