Purl and Seam

Making progress

June 6, 2009

Once again that wretched lurgy caught up with me and had me relegated to the sofa watching CBeebies (not my choice but great for keeping Little Stitch entertained when Mummy has her nose stuck in a box of tissues).

I’m slowly coming out the other side of it (although Mr S and Little S have now decided to follow my example and become all snuffly). So today I finally made some progress on sorting out the sewing room. So much so that next week I’ll probably be actually able to start making something. Crikey. I found a pair of black twill trousers already cut out and a dress that I’d made, hated and unpicked. I suspect these will be the starting point.

In other news, after the best part of 5 months of wrangling with the Open University about transferring my French course to next year (they weren’t up for it – I was insistent) they have finally agreed to let me do so. I am thrilled. It means I’ll be able to finish my degree with them without wasting almost £1000.

It’s a good feeling when good business sense and a willingness to support a keen student win out over “policy”.

Pieces of Eight

May 31, 2009

Picture courtesy of Google Images

Wow! Black Purl wasn’t kidding when she said this was a toughie. And also my first meme.

The rules are:

Mention the name of the person who tagged you.

Do the lists of 8.

Tag 8 bloggers of your choice.

Let them know that they have been tagged!

So here we go with my Pieces of Eight….

8 things I’m looking forward to:

Marrying Mr S. Sigh…he’s so dreamy!
Little Stitches first steps. She’s working on it.
Adding another Stitch to the family. Come on Social Services…sort it out.
Getting the signed adoption orders for the Little Stitches.
Digging out the back garden, relaying the patio and putting a lawn down. Well, actually I’m really looking forward to Mr S doing it. Did I mention he’s dreamy?
Ripping out the sewing room, insulating the roof, relining it and fitting lots, and lots, and lots and LOTS of storage.
Woolfest and Harrogate…squeeeeeeee
Getting a new camera and learning to use it. (Might have to wait a wee while for this one.)

8 things I did yesterday:

Bought Little Stitch her first pair of “real” shoes. Soooooo cute!
Spoke with Ma Stitches.
Spent the GDP of a small country at Huntley’s butchers. And their wine shop! Oops.
Knitted….I’m making tops for Little Stitch.
Contemplated ordering a new fridge freeze.
Walked in the park.
Barbecued.
Kept out of the sun…I’ve got the first (and hopefully last) sunburn of the year.

8 things I wish I could do:

Play the piano – well.
Sew better than I do. I’d love my sewing to be immaculate rather than just ok.
Speak reasonably fluent French
Speak reasonably fluent Russian.
Run. I’m so terribly unfit. It’s embarrassing.
Have patience. Now!
Make patisserie. See 6. It would help.
Draw. Not like a demented spider on crack.

8 shows I watch:

Grey’s Anatomy.
House.
ER – Why is it over? Why? Why????
Lie to Me.
CSI – obviously Vegas is the best but I can just about cope with New York. Miami is another thing altogether.
Desperate Housewives – when I grow up I want to be Bree.
Project Runway – Project Catwalk is pants but can we please have the Canadian and Australian versions. Please. Is anyone at Sky listening to me?
Come Dine With Me. Mueller yoghurt isn’t an ingredient, people.

So, that’s me done. Now it’s time to pass the baton. I know the rules say 8 other bloggers but I’m just going with these 5 lovely ladies:

Hungry Zombie Couture

A new normality

May 28, 2009

The last few weeks have passed in a blur of tears of both joy and sadness. However, slowly but surely a new normality is settling in Chez Stitches. 039

Little Stitch is slowly meeting all her new friends and family. She is totally winning them over. They are spoiling her rotten. She loves it! Thank you all for your lovely, generous gifts.

I am so tired. I find myself falling asleep in front of the TV. I wake in the middle of the night because I’ve dreamt I heard a cry. I’ve lost 4 1/2lbs in weight despite not giving up one single thing. I’m having the most fun.

My washing machine is on pretty much constantly and I’ve discovered that patterned clothing is my friend and pockets are essential.

I’ve learnt that my little girl loves pasta and curry, flirts with waiters, has one hell of a temper and the cutest giggle in the world. She thinks bath-time is simply the most fun, and is trying her damnedest to walk.

As we find our way in this brave new world its time for me to pick up the stitches again, so to speak. So we’ve moved the sewing table and added a playpen to the workroom. Now all I have to do is sort everything out so I can actually work up there. At the moment it looks like this: 056 Eeeek! It’s enough to give a girl hives. Must stop typing. Must start cleaning!

Goodbye

May 19, 2009

Christmas 2007

Yesterday was my father’s funeral.

As Summer is so newly home we couldn’t go – it would have just been too much for her.

As it was, it was all a bit too much for me.

We made a short trip to buy yarn for a hat for Summer as a distractionary tactic. It didn’t work. It was just the saddest day.

Pa Stitches often drove me to distraction (isn’t that in the job description for parents), but all I can remember now are the good times.

I’m remembering the Christmases, birthdays and outings we spent together as a family.

The day he snuck off with Mr S to buy my engagement ring.

The trips we took with him when we were kids (including the one with the flying frying pan…a story for another time).

The stories he told…over and over and over and over again!

How good he was at Trivial Pursuits. Especially the travel and literature questions. Ma is the history demon!

How we could be anywhere, including a ferry in the middle of the sea between England and France, and still bump into someone he knew.

A million little ways to remember him.

I miss him.

Our last night

May 12, 2009

I’m sat here with a glass of wine close to hand and a chicken roasting in the oven. Mr S is watching the Gadget Show and the house is quiet.

At 9.30am tomorrow morning that changes for ever.

That’s when our little girl comes home for good.

And what a girl she is.

Girl power! Daddy's girl There are no words for the joy she has brought to our lives.

And her timing was perfect. As is she.

Can’t wait for tomorrow………..

Today

May 6, 2009

Today I held my baby girl in my arms for the first time.

She is beautiful.

Today my father passed away.

I am elated and bereft.

I’ll be away for a while.

Losing the will

May 5, 2009

Still no signature.

We’re losing the will.

The only consolation is that it’s not just us. Every decision taken at the Panel we went to hasn’t been ratified. Thankfully our social worker team is pulling out all the stops to make it happen. We have a meeting tomorrow to put all plans in place so that as soon as the paperwork is ratified we can go straight to bridging.

It will be worth it.

Incandescent

May 1, 2009

Because some horrid, petty little bureaucrat feels that it’s more important to get out of work on time on a Friday, rather than spend an extra 10 minutes formalising the paperwork, our meeting with Summer is postponed.

10 minutes.

That’s all it would have taken.

But no, the pub (or whatever) is more important.

Well, Mr Jobsworth, I really hope that your weekend is everything you deserve.

PS – the incandescent of the title refers to me. It’s how I feel.

PPS – we’ll know more on Tuesday.

Black tulips

April 30, 2009

Secondly….the finished kitchen blind:

0112 The pattern match was a pain in the behind on this one, but I think it’s worth it. I absolutely love this fabric and it makes such a difference to the room. The light is softer and the room feels warmer. And I’m glad it’s something a little different from the usual check that I put in kitchens. There will be a matching curtain for the patio doors but that can wait a while. I’m busy with a blind for the baby room. (Words I never thought I’d hear myself say!)

Petits pois

April 30, 2009

Ok…first up of the finished projects, thanks to a morning on the sofa with jasmine tea and back to back episodes of Lipstick Jungle season 1.

0102 This little pea coat, for Baby Jacob, is taken from the Debbie Bliss spring/summer 2009 magazine and is knitted in Debbie Bliss cotton DK, colour 13020. It’s an absolute breeze to knit and beyond cute.

Sometimes it’s a delight to knit something small and quick and this fits the bill perfectly.

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