Hello out there

Please don't give up on me for my lack of posting, I promise I will post in the next few days, I'm having a few blogger type problems which I can't seem to solve :0). I've changed to the new blogger in the hope of it being mostly problem free. I can't add photos when using my iPad which is so annoying! Will see you soon Peg xx

Well worth a visit

Surfing blogs last night I came across a beautiful case designed by the talented ohiomom on her blog I think it's great,I have the larger kindle and will be making one but enlarging it. Why not pop over and have a look you won't be disappointed. I had a lovely time reading through her blog, I particularly like her background with the beautiful autumnal colouring.

sew much with me: Kindle Fire case, finally :)


I've had a chilled day today with the dogs, Mr B rang he's enjoying his holiday and doing the same just chilling out. He faced timed me last night and gave me a grand tour of the house they're staying in it's beautiful!!

Don't forget to pop over.

Peg x

Look what the postman brought me today!

I just had to come back on and post what the lovely postman has delivered today. The Learn to quilt book I bought from Amazon the other day along with one on Machine quilting but that didn't arrive yet.

This one Mr B very kindly bought for me from a book seller who comes to his school

This is from an ebay seller, bought it yesterday and it was here this afternoon!!

And finally this little gadget, my eyes aren't what they used to be and my fingers are swollen a lot so I have difficulty threading the needles, again bought on ebay yesterday, delivered today what more could you ask.


I'm going to eat and then I'm going to have a read and a play :o)

Peg x

It's official, I am cold!!

I'm the one who usually has the doors or window open, Mr B is the one hugging the radiator. However, despite the sun streaming into the conservatory it is flipping cold here. Now I know -6 isn't cold to some of our over the seas fellow bloggers but it is for jolly old England LOL.

Despite the sun blazing which makes for a beautiful day the roads, pathways and generally under foot is treacherous. I will not be stepping over the threshold today. I had really bad falls in the snow the past 2 yrs and as Mr B is off on his jollies climbing there's no one to pick me up.

We had 8" of snow forecast, that hasn't materialised, yet. Mr B set off around 6.30am with some of his climbing friends for their annual Glen Coe reunion. I text him about 8am to say I was up and hoped his journey wasn't to risky, he rang me about 30mins later to say all was fine it was a bit over cast but not to bad. 10 mins later I get another call to say they'd broken down on the motorway, M62 which is notorious for accidents and bad driving! They had rung the AA and were waiting on the hard shoulder, not a good thing in this weather. Worrying time followed, thankfully about 40 mins later he called to say the AA chap had fixed it, a new coil installed and they were off on their merry way again. His climbing holidays are getting less frequent now he's getting older, I know he will not take any risks and if he's not happy to climb whilst away he'll just enjoy the company of around 15 of his climbing/walking friends. One takes his lovely partner Ross who is one very brave lady, I would not want to share a cottage with 13-15 men for a week LOL.

It's good news on the caravan front, the veranda was completed a couple of weeks ago but when we went down to have a look it was in the wrong place! The workmanship of it was faultless, we're very pleased but would like to be able to access it without knocking a wall down.

As you can see in the first photo, it's great but not accessible so we asked them to move it 3.5ft to the right so we a) could get to it and b) because clipping the door on to the veranda would give us more space.

Here in the second it's been moved the requested length to the right and we're happy with it. It means I am not risking falling down steep steps and the doglets get to sit outside with us without escaping into the grounds. Very happy, the site opens again March 15th my daughter, her two boys, one of Sams friends, me plus 4 doglets will be going down to enjoy a break.

On the creative front I don't have any progress shots of my stitching but I do have a photo of something I created oven wise, this is our new baby

And here are some of the first things I baked with it, the cheese biscuits cooling at the side of the range were made by Mr B.

I'm going to give up now because I'm having problems with the spacing and it's driving me crazy! I'm off to stroll through a few more blogs then get on with the quilt I'm cutting out.

Enjoy your weekend

Peg x

A relaxing day

We've had a relaxing day today it's been a very busy week, I've not been to well still but needed to bath & clip my dogs, the thought of doing them all was I have to be honest looking like a huge chore I could do without. However my daughter came to the rescue and helped, I took the dogs to her house she bathed and we trimmed and groomed together including her 2 Lhasa girls as well. It's taken all week but they're all looking great and smelling sweet. This little man joined our family late last year, he came as Dudley but we call him Dooglebug. He's not 2 until next year and is a great little chap who gets on really well with all our others and follows his big brother Nemo around. This photo is him at Christmas watching his favourite buddy, grandson James look for a dvd to watch!

The stitching photo is of my progress of the second stitching of Angel of Spring. I'm stitching it for my framing lady but it's been on hold for quite some time due to not being able to stitch with all the dust and muck we've had around. I'm hoping to make some real headway with it soon.

I love visiting other blogs to see what other stitching are focusing on at the moment. Oh boy there are some wonderful projects being stitched.
I have quite a few projects in the pipeline that I want to get finished this year. There are 4 quilts need backing and finishing, xstitch projects need finishing and I have new curtains to make for the caravan and the summer house. Well it's getting late and I suppose I ought to try and get some sleep.

Enjoy what is left of your weekend

hugs Peg x

How bitterness destroys

In the past few years I have met some wonderful people through blogging. I've shared their ups & downs. Loaned a shoulder when they needed to lean and have had the same support given back to me 10 fold and I thank you all for that.

How sad it is when someone seeks to destroy the happiness of others, well this is for one such person, may you find enough peace to get on with your own life, bitterness never built anything it destroys with a passion. May this person find peace in their life, your lies can't hurt me because the truth always outs in the end.

Getting back to normality, things on the dog rescue front are as busy as ever, we like all other rescues world wide are expecting our numbers to increase over the few weeks as puppies are bought for Christmas and the older dogs pushed out. More foster dogs have come through my home since I last posted. Each one has been a joy to have here,all have found loving homes. One in particular, Alfred, a blind, abused and elderly Shiddie boy has moved on but to a permanent foster home. He stole all our hearts with his wonderful character, everyone who meets him falls in love with him. Kelly his permanent foster Mum runs her own business designing and making designer knitted dog coats. She, her family and her dogs have taken Alfred into their hearts and he is thriving, his hair has now grown back and he's doing well. Kelly's children, dogs, cats and chickens all accepted him as if he'd always been there, thank you Kelly.

Don't you think his coat is great another beautiful one made by Kelly. Apart from a fantastic foster home the vet Kelly uses specialises in eye disease. He most probably will have to have his eye removed at a later date but his life will be as comfortable as it is possible to make it.

On the renovation front things are progressing gradually, now Neil has taken flexi retirement he has more time to do the things needing doing. The garden was a big job, the summer house is still waiting for curtains, my fault! but we've enjoyed many happy hours in it this summer. I'm just sorry there's no heating down there or I'd be sat in there lol.

The other summer house which Neil turned into a dog room was being used as storage but is being emptied gradually. We're waiting for the chaps to come back to build the steps up to the conservatory, it's decorated, floor down and the chap is coming to measure for blinds. It's so light and airy, brilliant place to sit for my first cuppa of the day.

I have a new 4 legged baby, no not a furry one it's my new Dhlongi range cooker, I love it!! The kitchen is finished I'm so pleased with the workmenship, the builders were great and even made me a cupboard where the designer had placed a block off. They said it was wasted storage space so turned it into a cupboard, lovely men they were ;o).

I got up this morning to the smell of baking, Neil had got up early so was baking cheese biscuits mmm. I have been able to get back to baking my own bread which I enjoy. Son in law Andrew helped Neil lay the kitchen and conservatory floor.

Decorating the living room is next, we both love creams and browns so it will have muted colours on the wall. My stitched samplers line most walls but I found a beautiful shabby chic mirror for over the small fire we have so that will be hung later. The bedrooms have been decorated, mine is finished but the front room is still waiting for the curtain rail to be put up and the laminate floor laid.

The next big job is the bathroom, thankfully you can get a b/room suite under £500 from Wickes, B&Q and Homebase so it'll just be having it installed and the tiling. Downstairs cloakroom needs painting so not a big job. We're trying to get it all sorted because we want to be able to go off to our bolt hole at the coast and not worry about jobs needing doing at home.

We have always wanted a holiday home, we couldn't afford a bricks and mortar one so decided to look at static caravans. We didn't want to travel far so opted for the Lincolnshire coast, we found a lovely site which has owner only vans on it, there's a wine bar but nothing else. The grounds are immaculate and the whole site is kept clean and tidy. It has a beautiful fishing lake for those who like fishing, this is situated just behind our van.

We love it, it only takes a couple of hours to get there, the dogs love having the run of the beach although I think we'll have to find a dog friendly one in the summer. We spent quite a bit of time there in the few weeks from buying it to the season finishing November 13th. We're having a balcony built just outside the door so the dogs can sit outside without taking themselves for a walk ;o). There's also a large patio for us to put seating and a bbq on in the summer.

It's so nice to have somewhere to go to get away, we're really looking forward to spending time down there this year. The other beauty of it is our 'kids' and grandchildren will be able to enjoy it too.

I've managed to catch up on some of my favourite blogs there are so many talented ladies out there in blogger land. Margaret is one of these viewing her blog is always a pleasure she does the most amazing projects, so beautiful. Please take a moment to visit her blog you won't be disappointed I promise you.

Take care and I hope 2012 is good to you all

Hugs Peg xx

Bear with me

Please bear with me and I'll explain the presence of this little girl soon. I've been really busy over the past few weeks overseeing the changes we've made to house & garden. Dh, daughter and grandson have worked so hard putting our accumalative ideas into place. I'm not being lazy just can't do the things I used to anymore.

In the garden area we now have the longed for summer house, all the area is paved leading to less high maintenance. Our small storage shed had a repair and repaint. We bought another summer house which now houses my grooming table so I'm able to clip the dogs making less after clip work than it was. I've had to refuse the offer from friends to clip their dogs too I do mine when I can so am not under pressure. The dog room also houses their food etc. Dh also filled another of my dreams, I've always wanted a garden swing, we saw one when out shopping before the garden was finished so he bought it for me. Aren't I a lucky girl, well old bird :o)

I have always wanted a conservatory and have waited just over 30 yrs for one, finally we have one. Because we are limited on space it isn't massive but I love it. The workmen were great and a pleasure to have around, the quality of their work was excellent. Dh just has to paint the two small areas of wall which were plastered, now we've agreed on the colour, and lay whichever flooring we decide to choose. We're not going with ceramic tiles due to it being to cold in the winter. I want to be able to use it all year round. It will either be laminate/wood or a good quality cushion floor.

My bedroom has had a makeover and I absolutely LOVE it, my daughter has worked really hard, the blind and curtains were put up yesterday so photos can be taken soon. The front bedroom just needs the blind and curtains putting up, carpet laid then this too is finished. On the 10th of August Dh and SIL are off back to Spain with his brother for a 10 day break, BIL lives out there. Whilst the men are gone the stairs, landing and hall, the living room and downstairs loo will all be repainted. The dining room recently had it's makeover, the kitchen will be done later this yr. My new large stove is sitting patiently in the garage ready to be installed, this is the beauty of having a Dh who loves to cook, he too fell in love with the idea of a large stove ;o). At the moment he's undecided whether to have a complete new kitchen or just replace the stove, which will mean I lose 2 cupboards, have new worktops and paint the cupboard doors. The bathroom will be done later also.

Dh is taking flexi retirement at the end of the summer so he wants to get everything done before then. It will mean he works Mon/Tues/Wed for 6am-9.30am then 3pm-6pm on those days and is off Thurs/Fri/Sat & Sunday. He's wanting to be able to relax in the garden or take off walking somewhere for the day or when he and friends go climbing for the weekend he can leave Thurs instead of Friday teatime. He can then do all this without feeling guilty that there's work to be done at home.

I'm not worried he'll be under my feet all the time bored out of his brain, he has a lot of hobbies, especially photography. Unfortunately he doesn't drive so I'll have to be his driver but he's happy to be dropped off for the day.

I have a lot of sewing to get done but certainly have enough fabric in my stash to choose from. There are at least 4 patchwork quilts need backing andfinishing off. I still have to complete the Angel of Spring xstitch for my framing lady. I haven't been able to xstitch for a few weeks my hands have been to swollen but I'll get to it as and when I can she isn't in a hurry. I have a lot of samplers I've stitched which are sat waiting for the hall to be completed so they can be put up too.

It's been a hectic few weeks but oh so worth it, I've sourced all additions through some of my favourite stores Ikea, B&Q, Wickes, Dunhelm, Wilkinsons and through ebay, freecycle, flea markets & carboot sales. Oooh I've loved it LOL.

Enjoy your day

hugs Peg x

My apologies again

For not keeping my blog up to date, life hasn't been to kind to me for the past few weeks so everything has been on hold but I'm fighting my way out of the cobwebs. I hope to post and put up some photos in the next few days.

I have been visiting some new blogs you know there are some great blogs out there. I've also visited a few of my favourites and not been disappointed. I have been slimming down the demands on my time so I hope to have more time for me and the things I love doing.

The picture at the top is of our new addition to our family, Millie Moppet is an 18mths old Shih Tzu girl. Like my others I absolutely adore her even though she keeps us and the others on our toes LOL.

Will chat to you later, take care and have a great weekend.

hugs Peg xx

An update

The photo above is of my babies all snuggle up on the rug, I love each and every one of them.

Firstly I'm sure you'll all be happy to hear Beethoven wasn't long in his second foster home. A couple who lived not to far away from his foster home fell in love with him, he's now enjoying his retirement home down south as an only dog.

There have been several dogs who've stayed with us since, mainly Shih Tzus, Harry a gorgeous boy who is now living with his new Mum & Dad in Nottingham and the beautiful Buster who worked his way into dh's heart. He had a super character, not a bad bone in him, his temperament was superb, his new Mum is totally besotted by him and who can blame her. He's now living in the Midlands.

During the early part of this month I had two little visitors for 6 days, their foster Mum went away on a long weekend art course so they came to stay. They are the most gorgeous little Maltese girls I've ever seen, we loved having them, they fit in really well loved having cuddles, loved going walks. I had two furry hotties beside me whenever I sat down lol.

They're going in for a dental next week and will then be ready for rehoming. They need to go together being dependent on each other. I consider myself so very lucky to have these little characters come into my life and home, I love each and everyone of them. It's a bitter sweet feeling when they leave, sadness at their leaving but happy they have a new loving family to care for them.

We had a few problems in the rescue during late January and have lost several staff members, it meant a lot of hard work for those of us who remained. Not a lot of sleep was had for several weeks but we're now climbing back up and the rescue is going from strength to strength.

There has been some progress on the work front, we had the promise of warm weather over Easter so dh decided to get the garden into order before starting in the house. He's worked so very hard putting in 12hrs a day alongside my daughter and grandsons. The dogs did try helping but their help wasn't appreciated LOL. My daughters little Lhasa girl Cassie came each day with her so joined the pack.

Between them they've completely cleared the garden, uprooted and relaid pavers down the side of the garage. I now have a path from the bottom of the steps from the kitchen to the garage, it was decking but when it rains the decking gets slippy and I've fallen so many times so now my path is none slippy. The small shed at the bottom of the garden has been cleared of all it's rain damaged contents and is now sporting a new roof, new floor, 2 coats of new paint and a new lock. She is now very happy after her makeover and promises to keep everything dry in future.

The fencing has had 2 coats of seagrass coloured paint, I've always been a wood stain girl but fancied something entirely different and I'm really happy with the results. Sam and I painted my bench and I'm looking forward to going through my fabric stash and sewing new cushions for it. Can I have a drum roll please, the summer house is now erected, yeeeeeaaaahhhhh. It is complete, painted in seagrass, locks on and all that needs doing is the painting inside, I'm so happy with it. However it is not in the place we first intended it to be, dh decided to put it near the house so I could use it as a grooming room for the dogs! This will help to get all my grooming tools and equipment out of the house, my new hydrolic grooming table is paid for and on it's way. An electrician is coming to install the electric when we're ready and I am hoping to talk dh into plumbing my dog bath in as well but it's no great problem if he can't. I can now sell my small g/table, I had to downsize so it would fit in my kitchen when in use but now I'll have more room. We have ordered another summerhouse to go at the bottom of the garden as originally planned and the builder called tonight to measure up for the new paved area which is going to make life so much easier for me.

I will post some photos when all the work is completed, I do have some I've taken so far but need to upload them to my laptop.

My stitching is on hold again at the moment I can't get near it, I'm hoping to have the boxes moved asap and get back into my sewing room again.

Until next time, take care and take time for you :o)

hugs Peg x

My Apologies

My apologies to everyone who visits my blog and takes the time to leave kind comments. The past year has been so hectic with the rescue, it has been both heartbreaking seeing all the dogs come into rescue and rewarding seeing the same dogs leave and go to their new, loving homes.

We recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary and in that time we have had just over 800 dogs go through our 'doors'. I have one here at the moment a 12yr old Shih Tzu boy called Beethoven, that's his photo at the top of the page, he's moving to another foster on Sunday who has less dogs. He's used to being with only one other dog, here he's sharing with 7 others.

Sadly Paddington lost his fight in the summer of last year against the debilitating results of several strokes. We hung on clinging to the hope he'd get better but sadly the time came to say goodbye all to quickly. We still miss him, we miss watching him clean his teddies and tell the others off for taking them or having them in their beds without his permission.

I've stuck to my promise to dh and haven't adopted another Shiddie or Lhasa girl although some really beautiful natured little ones have come and gone.

My stitching time took a nose dive and it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I decided to make time to stitch. I missed it so much and the priority at the moment is L&L's Angel of Spring which I'm stitching for the lady who frames my stitching. I'm missing my samplers but need to get this stitched as soon as I can. I have so many samplers I want to stitch, I was going through some of my charts the other day and was flabbergasted at the amount of charts I have :0)

We have so many jobs planned for the house this year, my new large cooker, splash back & hood is still in it's boxes in the garage. Our summer house is still awaiting the time to put it together, we need a new bathroom plus new windows & doors. The back garden needs remodeling too. Where all the time will come from to do the projects I've no idea but get done they must.

Well I'm beat and I have to get up early tomorrow so will say buy for now and thank you for reading.

Take care

Peg x

A Bit Late With My Tusal......

I'm a little late adding a photo of my TUSAL but here she is, I've been really good, I went to my stitch club yesterday and even saved my orts to bring home and put in the jar :) It's only since I have been TUSALING that I've realised just how many orts we have, I used to pop them in the bin.

I've stitched some more on my Celtic Noel and have also started Celtic Spring on Sugar Maples Gilded Summers' End. It's a beautiful glittery fabric with motled colouring my dh chose it from several I'd laid out in a floss toss, a brilliant choice. I've set myself the task of stitching all 6 C ladies but all are with different conversions to the originals. I have to add here I am NOT talented enough to do the conversions they are from another source, legal I have to add. I thought I would stitch on each one until I get to the same stage as CN then move to the next one. I know this way it will take a while to complete them all but it'll be worth it. I've already earmarked the wall leading up the stairs for their home when completed.

I'm off to the local town soon, a friend at stitch club has found a brilliant framer who's rates are reasonable so am going to take a couple of samplers to price the framing on them. My other framer does a wonderful job but it's costing me over £100 per framing and as I'm now legally a pensioner I can't really afford to have all the others framed at this price. Some I can frame myself but if the piece is not standard frame size I need a framer.

I've just watched the news and heard of the impending volcano cloud which is due to hit us soon hopefully it won't affect to many people's health. Most airports have cancelled flights for the day as it's in our airspace, unfortunately this affects some peoples holidays they've been looking forward to.

Take care

hugs Peg xx

A Couple More Finishes & A New Start

Gosh been awhile again I see, life has been busy and my health took a nose dive but things are slowing down a little now. Health wise I'm still having problems with my knee and back causing major mobility problems but enabling me to stitch more.

On the stitching front I decided I wanted to stitch the Celtic Noel again. I stitched her & Celtic Autumn in 2005 but my friend fell in love with them so I'm doing them for myself this time. I'm using a different conversion to the originals for both of them. I finished Hester's Needle's Heavens Gate sampler & Prairie Schoolers Winter sampler, I need to frame them now, when that will be is anyones guess! I have stitched more on CN she now has the wreath in her hands. I was so excited yesterday I received Celtic Summer & Celtic Spring conversion packs so will be stitching them all.

I've enjoyed catching up a little on other peoples blogs, don't you just love visiting, I have so many people who's homes I can pop into and sit, it doesn't matter they're half way around the world they're only a click away on here and there's always a warm welcome. It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful talents that abound in these blogs we have some extremely talented ladies amongst us.

I'm off to make a cup of tea, visit a few online friends then get back to my celtic lady. Enjoy your day.

Take care
hugs Peg xx

A Few More Photos

A few days ago I saw this beautiful finish on Sallys blog if you scroll down you'll see the georgous finish AND as you make your way down you'll see her treasures she's been stitching on since this finish. I'm sure I saw smoking needles over Yorkshire last night LOL. Sally offered the chart and remaining supplies for sale and I couldn't resist it. I hope I have as lovely finish

as she has.

I bought a few quilting books from Amazon and 1 from ebay they arrived the other day and I forgot to post pics.

Below is an update of my Prairie Schooler Winter sampler, I'm really enjoying stitching this and hope to finish it this week. I'm having a tv evening so will be stitching on it whilst chilling.

On the left side of my blog you will see a new button, TUSAL, this is a fun project of placing all your orts and little bits that usually end up on the floor around us when stitching in a jar or vessel of any kind as long as it's see through. It's amazing how much you have in a short time, the participants post photos every month of their jars. Should you wish to join in the fun please click on the button and it'll take you through to the sign up page. Go on you know you want to. :o)

I've managed to get an appointment with my dr for next Monday to see if I can see another consultant surgeon for a second opinion. The pain is reducing slightly if I'm careful and don't over do it so hopefully I can begin to benefit from the op.

Take care

hugs

A Few Photos

Here's the photo of my Victorian Sampler after coffee dyeing it, I'm pleased with the results which is even more lovely in the 'flesh' so to speak. I'm hoping to get it framed in the next few weeks.

Photo no 2 is of the Style Quaker designed by Jardin Prive this stitched up pretty quickly and was a delight to stitch.

The 3rd photo is of my current stitch, Winter sampler by The Prairie Schooler. I stitched Autumn leaves in 2006 photo 4, maybe I'll stitch the summer & spring one too to make the set. I like stitching PS designs the colours are always so bold but warm.

On the knee front things aren't going so well,

I've been experiencing a lot of pain and difficulty walking. Not like last time at all, I saw the consultant surgeon on Monday he showed me the xrays and told me he wasn't pleased with the results because the joint wasn't straight! Not straight, it's at a blooming angle.

Also he'd had to shave away a lot from underneath the kneecap and insert a prosthesis under it which will cause pain for quite some time and may never go away. He seemed very blazai about it what worries me is will it affect my walking in the future. I'm going to see my own dr next week and ask to go to someone for a second opinion.

The rescue is going to be busy this weekend we have 6 cavelier dogs coming in from a breeder who is to ill to look after them plus a little Pom girl. This is on top of the dogs that have already come in this week. I can't foster any at the moment I've been finding it a bit hard coping with my own. I love them to bits and wouldn't be without them but sometimes they need a long walk, I can't and dh is not able to with work commitments.

I'm off to read a few lovely blogs and then stitch on my PS for a while, dh has just left to meet his climbing friends for a drink, glad I'm not going out it's really cold out there!

take care

hugs Peg xx

What was I thinking !!

After finishing the Victorian sampler I came upstairs to kit up Nathalie's Style Quaker sampler, this is a small one so should be a quick finish. I had to move things to get to the cupboards for the supplies so was not most impressed with myself. Because of this I decided it's time I had a sort out, oh my gosh what was I thinking. I honestly didn't think I had so much, I think I have stitching stash to last a few lifetimes. The quilting supplies aren't less either, I think I have enough fabric to make at least 40 quilts if not more. Apart from the cupboards there is fabric in about 10 large plastic tub containers. I have to do a bit then have a rest do a bit etc etc.

Another thing in looking for supplies for the sampler I have found loads of samplers I've stitched, some I have forgotten about, all needing framing. I realised I have not posted pics of these so it may be pic overload in my next post. I also found samplers framed already which I had forgotten about. I'm going carefully now as I'm wondering if I may find a lost bank manager in here somewhere ;o) I love my hand-dyed fabric, evenweave & linen so will be keeping them but I have found loads of aida and I just don't use it. Also I have some threads, Madeira and some which came with kits I am not going to use. Does anyone know of a charity that sends stitching goods abroad who could benefit from this stash? A few years ago I sent some out to Romania to a village where people had requested stash for the ladies who had nothing but I've lost the address. Either that or a charity here in the UK who could benefit from it. My email is ladylovestostitch@gmail.com please feel free to email me if you know of anyone.

Changing the subject completely, I don't think Paddington is going to make his 11th birthday, he kept me up last night with his barking. My neighbours aren't here in the daytime but they all work so I don't like the dogs being noisy so I spent most of the night up and downstairs. Today because I'm busy doing something he's constantly barking. He isn't indicating what he wants just barking in one room after another. I'm letting him bark he can't disturb anyone in the daytime, I know he's not ill just annoying me............................................I love him to bits but am thinking of sending him on a road trip with his little pole and red scarf with his dinner in it ;o)

I must get on sorting my room out I can't see my cutting table at the moment it's covered with stash from the cupboards and now I've got to put it all back. I'm going to have my blog fix first though and drop in on a couple or so blogs and catch up.

Have a good day, I hope your weather is better than ours, we have thick fog and it's very cold. Neil rang this morning to say they have blizzards where they are so no climbing today! I will post a pic of the sampler coffee'd in my next post.

hugs Peg xx

I'm Happy Dancing!!

I finished my Victorian Sampler last night after having to undo the right side border and re stitch it!! I found I'd put one to many stitches in the right hand corner arrrgghh, there are a couple more mistakes in it but I'm leaving it. Now it is finished and because I am immobile at the moment it only took a month to stitch. This is a pre coffee dyeing pic it's been soaked in the coffee and it drying at the moment but when it's dry and pressed I'll post a pic. That's another one to add to the many which haven't yet been framed! I found a few new blogs to read last night and really enjoyed my visits. On one I saw the Quaker Lady designed by Nathalie I fell in love with this a while ago when I was stitching two other Quaker samplers. I went onto Nathalie's blog and oh boy that was fatal..........her charts are available either by pdf download or actual paper pattern. To save on costs I opted for the pdf which I prefer anyway as I always do a working copy and never mark the original. I bought several of her charts, 8 actually then I went back to purchase 2 more which I love. So much for NOT buying any new stash for a while, but then I thought about all the stash I have and realised I really must have enough charts to use it all up. Well that's my thoughts on it anyway ;O)

I found this strange dog in my home, I woke up from a nap to find my legs numb and this growing on them. I was quite dazed at the time and honestly thought I was hallucinating. But on coming around properly realised it was little Nulie Noos in her favourite place ;0) She and Poppy has taken to laying here since they came home. I think the thinking behind it is I can't go anywhere without them knowing now.

I've got one very sad little boy on my hands, Nemo along with Poppy is dh's constant shadow when he's at home. Since he went on his climbing trip Nemos been laying on his bed, I managed to coax him downstairs this morning but he sat looking at the front door for a while then mooched off back onto his Dads bed. I've never had this before, it's always been me the dogs pine for if I'm not at home so am a bit at a loss as to what to do with him bless him.

Take care

Hugs Peg xx

I think we're finally turning the corner!

Well I think things are finally improving, I didn't sleep at all on Tuesday night because of the pain despite the medication. I was shattered yesterday. It wasn't until around 11pm I realised my knee hadn't been to painful and I could cope with it. In bed I managed to get comfy and suffered no pain all night and today walking has been a lot easier. I really feel I'm turning the corner and it can only be good from here on. I'm glad it has because Neil is reluctant to go on his climbing trip if I can't cope. And it means only 2 more injections..yeahhhhhh.





On the stitching front I'm on cloud 9 I have almost finished my Victorian sampler I just have the bottom band and the bottom border to complete. I've been reading through a few blogs and WOW there is some seriously gorgeous stitching out there ladies, I love looking at peoples finishes you inspire me so thank you for sharing.
I hit on a new blog, new to me anyway, this evening, this is Tanya's blog, why not pop in and say hello it's a really lovely chatty blog, down to earth, a very enjoyable read.

On the quilting front I can't do any until my sewing room is cleared, there is waaaay to much stuff in there. I have a lot of new recycled fabric to choose from and I won 3 unfinished quilt tops on ebay, this is one of them, gorgeous isn't it? I'm really looking forward to finishing it.

Well I want to get back to my stitching to finish this sampler, I'll post a pic of it when finished.

Take care

hugs Peg xx

Brrrrr it's back !

I looked out of my window late last night and we were having a snow shower, they had forecast it but I don't usually go by what they say because they're usually wrong. The slight covering was still on the ground this morning and dangerously slippy so no going through either the back or front door for me.
By lunchtime it was all gone thanks to a slight peep out of the clouds by Mr Sun, I was so tired I fell asleep this afternoon and was rudely awoken by the phone. People always apologise for disturbing me if I've dropped to sleep but as we, nor they have a video phone they have no idea what I'm doing the other end of the country so can't be blamed.
Whilst chatting sleepily to my friend I glanced through the window and said 'oh we've got one of those rainy snow showers again'. That was at 3.45pm now we have a good covering of snow much to some of the dogs delight but not mine.

The temperature has dropped considerably and hubby has just walked in looking like a snowman so I guess it's still coming down. Hubby is thrilled, it means good snow conditions in Scotland for their climbing holiday.

Back to stitching, thank you so much for your kind comments, I managed to get quite a good amount stitched on my sampler last night finishing the small alphabet & numbers bands. I'll be doing some more on it later. I sometimes wish I did more smaller projects then I'd have finishes to show you more often.

I had some sad news today, Dionne, who has kindly had my girls on holiday whilst I'm off my feet, had to take Douglas, a fabulously snuggle monster Westie she has been long term fostering for us to the vets yesterday. His health wasn't good when he came in to us last summer and it's deteriorated this past week. Sadly despite being on a drip all night plus other medication he has now gone to the bridge. Dionne and family called him the Brigadier due to his character and his pottering around. He was totally deaf and had not to great eyesight but he fit into D's family, both human and furry straight away and was very much loved. We also lost Sammy the Bedlington on Monday evening, he came into rescue last April, his owner had to return to work and was leaving him in the garage all day which didn't help his health. Jean another of our fabulous foster Mums took him into her home as a long term foster, he was tested and was positive for Cushings disease. The vet only gave him a couple or so months so Jean said she'd make sure his remaining months were full of tlc. Because of her care he lived a lot longer than we thought he would and was as happy as could be. He loved his life with Jean, Gyppy, Lucy & Archie the cat and his food, especially sausages ;O). The world is a sadder place without these two old boys but they have touched so many hearts over the months they'll never be forgotten. Both Jean & Dionne are special ladies and my heart goes out to them both.

You know there are so many wonderful, interesting blogs out there and I've enjoyed reading some of them so much. I love to see their homes, their work and read about their lives and could spend all day everyday reading them and still not read them all. Thank you ladies for sharing with us.

Take care

hugs Peg xx

How stupid can I get?

Well as you know I've been using my post op immobility time to catch up on my stitching which I'm enjoying immensely. Unfortunately I have made a huge boo boo and I'm going to drive people mad and go against all my usual principles because I've decided I am NOT going to correct it!

My op was a success so I'm told but I am having some problems with it at the moment so they have put me back on the strong painkillers so I am going to blame them for the fog in my brain!

It wasn't until I got to the band under the alphabet and the stitching didn't finish right that I realised I'd make a mistake. I sat back looking at it trying to see what I'd done wrong then it hit me I had started the alphabet in the wrong place. It should be 5 rows down I started it 11 rows down from the border. Please don't ask why as I say I'm blaming the meds :o) In times gone by I would have removed the border restitching it but it would mean moving the top border down and undoing the two side borders and re stitching them. I am not going to do it, I know there is sufficient fabric to complete the sampler. If this winds anyone up I am truly sorry and will happily share my meds with you so you can chill out LOL.

I am at a loss as to why I'm still having so many problems with my knee, both Neil & I think there is at least one stitch left in which won't be helping and the pain is sometimes unbearable with the swelling not going down yet which makes it feel like a large band of steal around my knee. Please don't let me put anyone off having this done I do feel some of the problems may be due to my other health problems. I know I wasn't getting as much pain as this last time. When all this is over though I know I will benefit from having it done and it is worth all I go through.

I'm hoping things improve soon though because Neil is due to go on a climbing holiday on the 13th Feb so I need to be able to look after myself because I don't want him not to go he needs the break. So fingers crossed all will be well soon.

I'm still missing my other 2 girls Mia & Georgi girl who are having a whale of a time with Dionne and her family. We need to get them back up country but no one can make the whole journey so it means doing it in legs. I can't wait to see them again, I think Neil is worried they will forget us but I don't think so.

Well I'm off to read a few more blogs and then do some more stitching on my sampler, I hope I haven't damaged you to much with my mistakes ;o)

Take care

hugs Peg xx

Things are improving

It's almost a fortnight since I had my knee replacement surgery and things are slowly improving. Because of there being a mass shortage of beds the hospital allowed me and the lady in the next bed to come home early. Unfortunately a sickness virus going around the hospital causing wards to be closed down and the bad icy weather bringing trauma patients in daily caused them to discharge those who had back up at home. Barb (my fellow escapee) were thrilled to hear the news, we had been sadly lacking in sleep not even averaging an hr per night due to a very vocal elderly patient in the bed opposite. The nursing staff were run off the feet daily and no break in the night time either.

Everything went well I did have a scare when I met the Anaesthetist he told me because of my health, my reaction to the GA and there being no spare bed in the ICU ward I would have to have an epidural, my heart sank to the floor. I couldn't be awake during the op I knew I couldn't cope with it. He promised me he would give me a sedative so I wouldn't be to aware. I am much relieved to say he was right I didn't I only remember hearing one strike of the hammer which hits the joint home that was it. I was in a lot of pain but wasn't suffering in my usual way after a GA which was a great relief.

I did have one pleasant surprise, because the lady who's bed I was going in couldn't go home I was put in the private wing for 2 days. Very posh and I must say quiet however they moved me up to the original ward and although I missed the peace & quiet of my own room I had the socialisation with the other 4 ladies in my bay.

I had my op on Wednesday 13th Jan and came home on Monday 18th Jan. The district nurse has been coming in to see me and made her last visit today to take out my stitches and take another blood test. Do you like my new fashionable stockings? :o) I need to wear these for the next 5 weeks to help to prevent DVT. Because I came home early and the Tinzaperin injections are continued until a month after surgery Neil has bravely stepped in to administer them to save me having to do it. Sticking a needle in my own stomach every day is not my idea of fun! The stitching is neat but he evidently went offline a little on the knee cap :o)

The strong pain meds finish today so I'll be going back to my normal ones hoping they will help with the pain. The stiffness will ease with time, I'm doing my exercises and walking to get the leg moving properly. Driving is on hold until at least 6 wks post op so I get to be at home merrily stitching away.......yeeeaahhh.

The sampler I was stitching 'Heavens Gate' wasn't suitable to take into hospital with me due to me needing a stitching lamp to see the threads. I started a new sampler instead on 28ct evenweave, it's by Anchor and just called A Victorian sampler.

This is my progress so far, I am thinking of tea or coffee dying it when it's finished to age it a little.

My other good news is two of my girls have come home, I've really missed them, they are both a bit clingy at the moment I don't think they trust me going out of their sight just now. Angela has looked after them really well as I knew she would, they both came home freshly groomed and looking gorgeous. Angela thinned out Nulies coat for me and it's hanging beautifully now. They both had little diamante butterfly clips in their hair to finish off the look...... gorgeous!!! Thank you Angela for being such a good friend.

I now have to prise my other two girls Mia & Georgi girl from the hands of my other friend Dionne, she has enjoyed their company so much she's reluctant to hand them back. I think they're coming back sometime in the next two weeks. It gives me longer to get more steady on my feet.

Well I'm off to do more stitching before the phone rings and stops me.

Take care

Hugs

Peg xx