My week in pictures

I have tried really hard this week to take a picture of one thing every day - sometimes a couple of things, sometimes just a 'selfie', but a picture nonetheless.

Its been a busy, HOT, one. I took an official stand this week, I drew a line in the sand (ok, there was no sand) but I did say 'enough is enough'. And whilst I can't share the details with you, and I may never be able to, I can say that I stood up for myself and whatever comes next, I did the right thing. Cryptic I know, but as I always say.. this is my blog.. about me! (If you know me personally, feel free to ask me next time I see you!)

Anyway.

Monday:
Look at the amazing tissues that Vikki treat me too. I do love a good skull!

Tuesday:
Zebra bunting for Elle's birthday! When I was recuperating, I knitted Lucy an 'Ugly cow horse' (what it lacked in beauty, it made up for in love!) anyway, at the time Elle jokingly challenged me to make her a zebra.. Zebra bunting much Elle?!

Wednesday:
I had lunch with Lucy today - they have now gone on holiday. Happy holiday Lucy!!
Bebe needed a super hero costume for school.. After a bit of faffing we hit upon the idea of mask.. Cue some cardboard, attached to some sunglasses.. and lots of glitter! As modelled by Niamh, mid photo bomb!

Thursday:
We took the toddlers to a local ruined Abby for a run around.

Friday:
Work!

Saturday:
Paul and Adam, with their charity hats on, came to the store and cycled on their turbo's for 6 hours to raise awareness for Neuroblastomo!!  Total combined mileage was 180.5!! And they raised over £150. They brought balloons, t shirts and an elephant costume.. Great!

Saturday night:
And in the evening, I went for a meal and cocktails to celebrate Elle's birthday, and non-hen night.

I always seem to wear this dress on a night out (like I go on many!!) but as Beyonce has Sacha Fierce, so I too have... Well, I'm not sure what her name is, but she deffo likes a tight leopard print dress and heels!

In league with Elle's hubby, Vikki and I set up a game of Mr and Mrs and obviously I needed my game show glasses and Bebe's barbie microphone..

 Cocktails...

 A selfie with Elle's sister, Sandy

 More cocktails..

Elle herself! HI ELLE! Loving your zebra corsage!

Sunday:
Ending on a bit of a high.. We had a fab family day today, and spent most of it swimming at Pauls gym. I went to the gym on my own late this afternoon and after my usual round of bike/cross trainer I hopped on the treadmill.. Its been a few weeks since I last tried and decided against running.. This Thursday sees me at 4 months post spinal fusion.. And today I ran. Ok, what I mean is I ran 1 min, walked 1 min, then ran 2mins, walked 1, ran 3 mins, walked 1 min.. and then continuously ran for 4 mins. That's 10 mins in total.. BLOODY AMAZING!! IN YOUR FACE SPINAL FUSION!!! I feel like this is something I can start building on maybe. It felt 'achievable' for the first time - rather than feeling like I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I'm not sure I'm making sense. But anyway. My fitness is good, my back felt solid, like I could train it to run again and 4 mins on the treadmill didn't kill me. Win!

I'm ending the week with another Selfie.

Personally I'm in a good place right now and I can't ask for more than that.
Thanks for reading xxx

Sew sew sew

Lucy and I have a number of sewing projects on the go at the moment, we have teamed up because she loves the start of the process, the designing and the fabric cutting, and I love the sewing and seeing the project become a finished 'thing'.

Vikki's daughter Olivia, Livvi to her friends, turns 1 on the 4th July and its a bit of a poignant birthday for me, never mind for Vikki, or Livvi or their family! I've known Vikki since Barney (her son) and Niamh (same age) were babies, but for whatever reason it was the arrival of Livvi that sealed our friendship and I realised just how amazing she is and how much I enjoy spending time with her.

Anyway. I wanted to give Livvi something that I had invested a lot of time in, something that she could keep and something that was personal. Cue a blanket. Lucy helped me with kickstarting the project and then it just kind of grew and grew into this squishy bundle of rectangular warmth. Whilst it was time consuming - I handstitched the quote and binding - it was relatively simple. It is ridiculously imperfect, some of the mistakes in it are glaring, but I think it turned out ok and I am THRILLED with it.

Cut your squares, sew them together, then using bondaweb cut out your 'picture' and iron it into place.

Then you just need to applique around the images.

Vikki got a commemorative tatoo for Livvi, back in March (see here - Elle and Vikki had a tatoo sesh and Elle blogged about it.) and she chose a quote 'And though she be but little, she is fierce' with a little mouse. So it was a no brainer to incorporate the quote and mouse theme into the blanket.

I pin everything to within an inch of its life - and I use giant safety pins for the actual quilting.

Once you get onto the hand stitching part, you can take the sewing anywhere with you - even swimming whilst you wait for the biglets to have their lessons!

 

Happy birthday Olivia Georgina Ann Cross!

Sew!

I was so excited to be well enough to make a set of bunting this week. A 26 flag, 4 metre alphabet set to be precise. I didn't know how the sewing would go when I started it, because I couldn't use the foot pedal on my machine pre-surgery. I was also aware that 26 flags was no mean feat.. when I wasn't sure if I would be able to stitch them.

But stitch them I did! I was so delighted with the end result that it was hard to part with, but the best gifts to give are the gifts that you want to keep for yourself! And to celebrate here are a plethora of pictures - from upcycling an old pair of trousers, to them being hung by the recipient.

And the recipient was Mia. Elle's daughter turned 1 this week and we were very happy to go to her birthday party.

I'm sorry I only got one, very blurry shot of you Mia! Be assured you looked beautiful though x x

My girls wore their matching Christmas party dresses. Matchy matchy, so this season!

Niamh's friend Bethan, looking super cool in shades.

Niamh in said shades, also rocking the look.

And last but by no means least, a very grainy self portrait taken by Lochie.

More Christmas craft

I wanted to share one more specific piece I made this Christmas, and show you two amazing handmade things I was given. A difficult post, because to mention certain gifts and not others is to show preference, but its not about that really. I was spoilt this Christmas and I have many new and amazing things that I shall use and treasure, but these two particular things have inspired further craft in me, so I thought I'd share them from a craft perspective.

Firstly, I made my sister a cushion. For Leif really, but he is too little to appreciate it, so I gave it to Emily. I was up ridiculously late, early morning even, the day before Christmas Eve finishing this and at the time I wondered if the effort was worth it - had I done enough? Emily's fabulous reaction confirmed I had and I am very pleased to say she loved it. Phew!

Then there are these!! These beauties!! These were made by Vikki and formed part of a larger gift that made me cry. She thoughtfully crocheted these for me - tankard warmers! I adore them and I swear my tea stays hotter for longer! HOW CLEVER IS SHE!!

Then there was this lovely skull person from Emma. That too formed part of a larger sewing gift, but I mention the purse specifically because the skull is just so perfect in its 'sugar skull' style and it inspired me to make a little card wallet to slip inside it this evening. Only took me an hour, using an inside out technique I learnt with the Owl Bags. I had perfect fabric already in my stash - ideal!

A thank you to Paul as well, who baked me fine cookies - a first, and hopefully not the last.

I have some pics of the kidlets craft to share, and loads of lovely photos from Christmas actual, that I will share with you over the next few days - even the one of me sleeping on the sofa in a Grappa induced snooze! Who took that I wonder? Mama? Papa? Emoose???

I hope you had a great holiday, and that you were able to both spoil and be spoilt by those you love x x