Purl and Seam - Page 57 of 57 - handmade in Lancashire

Slowly losing my mind

February 2, 2009

There’s not a great deal going on Chez Stitches at the moment other than trying to sort out more documentation for the adoption (thoughts of moving goalposts spring to mind) and the accompanying grinding of teeth.

My head is so full of the waiting for our new panel date that I’m having trouble concentrating on much else. On the knitting front, I’ve managed a couple of beanie hats for homeless people and finished the sleeves on Mr Stitches’ French sweater, only to find I have insufficient yarn to complete the neckband. Pick an expletive and I probably used it when I figured that one out.

All is not lost – I can get another ball shipped in and it won’t matter if it’s a smidge out on colour. But really, I could do without it at the moment.

On the sewing front all has ground to a halt. I replaced a couple of zips in jeans over the weekend and roundly cursed myself for procrastinating on that task. How ridiculously easy are they to do? Idiot!

So please bear with me if not a lot happens here for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully (keep everything crossed for us here) normal service will be resumed after the 18th.

Oh, and it’s snowing. Not enough to be gorgeous and photogenic. Just enough to cause havoc on the roads.

Another month, and last minute trousers.

January 22, 2009

Well, yesterday we finally arrived at Panel. Can I just say it was like taking the worst Russian Grammar exam in the world. Having done no revision at all. Horrid.

We waited for some time for the Chair to come and collect us. There were about 14 people in the room and us. I’m a pretty confident person but even my nerves wobbled a bit. They grilled us, in a very gentle way, for about 20 minutes and then sent us off to wait. And wait. And WAIT. Oh…and then wait some more. The allocated time for a Panel review is about 50 minutes to an hour. Ours took an hour and a half.

Needless to say the result was not what we’d anticipated. Our approval has been deferred for a month. Not because they think that we would be bad parents. Not because our relationship, at almost three years is particularly new. And certainly not because of any medical issues.

Nope, it’s been deferred because we were TOO IMPRESSIVE (their words, not mine) at our Panel interview. They feel our report (which is what other social workers looking to place children will see) doesn’t reflect adequately our personal strengths and the strength of our relationship. Cue much grinding of teeth. They could have approved us yesterday, but would rather wait until the report has been rewritten, and then approve us at the next Panel meeting.

Which is in a month. On the 18th February.

We are not downhearted. Well, maybe a smidgen, but that is mostly adrenaline comedown after the buildup of the last couple of weeks.

This is truly a good thing. Whilst it means a further short delay whilst we finalise the documentation, it means that the paperwork will be the best it can possibly be when it goes out into the world. And that should mean that we have to wait less time for our children. And THAT can only be a good thing.

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Still on the subject of our adoption panel – thank you to everyone who sent us kind words and good wishes. The last few days have been a flurry of texts, emails and phone calls (and lemon cheesecake), which have without doubt kept me sane.

My friends and family, you are wonderful, and we are truly blessed.

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And last, but by no means least – the last minute trousers. Did I get them finished???????

Drumroll……………………….

Yes I did! And I’m rather pleased with them overall.

As you can see, I have no waist to speak of, a flat behind and more than my fair share of front. This all conspires to make trousers all but impossible to buy that fit well. This pattern, Vogue 8483, was the pattern I used on my Janet Moville trouser fitting course last year and I am more than delighted with the fit.

We did a flat bottom and a full abdomen alteration. We lengthened the leg and shortened the waist length. And this is what you get.

Now, you’ll note I’m not showing you the waist yoke here. That’s because it’s not perfect. I did a fly front zipper that I am pleased with, but the overall yoke is a little hinky….mainly because I sewed these up so quickly. But as I always wear a top over the yoke, this isn’t really a problem. And I can do better next time.

The odd thing was that when I put them on I couldn’t work out why they felt so different from other trousers I’ve worn in the past. Then it came to me. It’s because these fit!

The 12.10 to parenthood.

January 15, 2009

Yesterday I drank too much wine. Those of you who know me also know this is may have happened on the odd previous occasion. You’ll also know that the reason for last nights overindulgence was that I was going slowly out of my mind waiting for a date for our adoption Panel. And yesterday should have been it. Only it wasn’t. Hence the wine.

Today I feel decidedly shabby. Normally a cue to lie on the sofa drinking tea and watching shockingly bad TV.

Not today.

Today I am, despite the self inflicted shabbiness, on top of the world. No need for sofa or TV, although tea is always a good thing. The reason for this departure from the norm?

We have our Panel date. It’s next Wednesday. At 12.10. By this time next week we’ll know whether they’ve recommended us as adoptive parents.

I can’t quite decide whether I should be elated or terrified, so I’m going with both. It’s been a long year of interviews and meetings and we are now so close I can’t quite believe it’s true. But it is.

We have everything crossed they say yes. And then our already wonderful live will change for the better.

Wow! Maybe I do need that sofa after all.

Pants!

January 6, 2009

Of the expletive type, not the sewn type.

We’ve just heard that we won’t be going to Panel on the 14th January, but are provisionally booked in for the 21st.

The waiting is awful. We are feeling decidedly flat. How much worse is it going to be waiting for them to find us our family?!?!?!

Well, they do say good things come to those who wait. It will be worth it in the end.

Another year over……

December 31, 2008

…and wow what a year it’s been. We had a rocky start to the year with my road traffic accident and Pa Stitches-in-Law scaring the bejesus out of us with his heart attack. And then we sadly lost Uncle James mid year. But as we sat around the table on Christmas Day (just the six of us this year – both sets of parents and Mr Stitches and I) we still felt blessed. We have wonderful family and friends, all have our health, roofs over our heads, food on our tables and a warm bed at night. In the grand scheme of things you don’t need much more.

I’ve been thinking back (as you do at this time of year) over what we’ve achieved. Whilst I haven’t done nearly as much sewing, knitting or embroidery as I’d like to have done (and frankly, who does), we have achieved a great deal:

Renovated the whole house – just the outside and the sewing room to do over the next year (hopefully – but don’t tell Mr S!)
Completed our assessment for adoption – all paperwork is now in and we are awaiting confirmation that we shall be at Panel on the 14th Jan.
Mr S passed his Prince 2 qualification first time out and secured a great new job. Snaps for Mr S.
I passed my Italian despite my complete lack of studying.
I completed a basic pattern drafting course and now have a full set of blocks.
We set the date for the wedding (not long now. Note to self – must lose weight and decide on wedding dress!)

Not too shabby in hindsight. No wonder we were tired!

Anyhoo – despite thinking we had all we needed, Santa took a slightly different view. I think he went down the route of “well, next year it’ll all be about the children” so we had to climb over piles of gifts to sit down in the sitting room on Christmas Day.

I’m not going to bore you to tears with the whole list of goodies, (it was enormous) but everyone was too generous (thank you all) and I got lots of lovely things to support my knitting, sewing and cooking obsessions. I think the squeals gave away my delight. But without doubt my absolute favourite gift (and one that hadn’t crossed even the darkest, dustiest recesses of my mind) was from Mr Stitches (who else?)

Apparently its a bit of a family tradition that eternity rings are given before the wedding and who am I to argue. The picture really doesn’t do it justice but for the record its white gold set with aquamarines and diamonds. The aquamarines are the exact same colour as my engagement ring. He is a marvel. I’m still not over the shock and find myself using my left hand more than usual!

I am a lucky girl.

There has been little crafting going on here over Christmas, mostly knitting whilst watching movies and munching chocolates. This scenario also included Amontillado sherry and/or Bailey’s lattes!

However I have finished the back and am one pattern repeat away from finishing the front on Mr Stitches French Sweater:

I’ve finished Butterick B5125:

This is made up in 100% cotton. The print was imported from the States last year – can’t for the life of me remember where from. The plain is just a quilting cotton from Hobbycraft. Very simple to make up and has a nice retro vibe about the styling.

I’ve also finished my first jersey top and have started birthday gifts for next year – but haven’t done the pics so will revisit them next year. I’ll also start thinking about projects for the New Year and getting the new look blog up and running (it’s a work in progress at the moment).

So for now I’ll say goodnight and wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May your dreams come true. See you in 2009!

Ramblings of a fevered mind

December 8, 2008

I CANNOT get rid of this bug. It’s driving me slowly round the bend. I sound like I’ve inhaled too much helium and I feel like roadkill. And all the time there is in my head the constant litany of things that need to be done and projects I want to complete.

Frankly, not much of anything is going here on except lying around eating cake.

In the last week I have:

finished the back of Mr Stitches French holiday sweater, and cast on the front;
made a further arm and leg for the doll I’m making my great-niece for Christmas (I’d rather stupidly only cut the poor creature one arm and leg initially)
baked two batches of cupcakes for friend’s birthdays
tidied the workroom
started stitching birthday cross stitches for next year (too organised, but they do take a while to complete)
had a lovely supper with Rick and Julia (just the loveliest people – and Charlie is besotted with Julia and pined for her all day Saturday after they left)
spent 4 hours trawling the Internet trying (unsuccessfully I might add) to locate the last few Christmas presents for the difficult family member (you KNOW who you are!)
made the Christmas pudding.

All fairly mundane and innocuous and uneventful. Indeed. Except for the making of the Christmas pudding.

Now I realise that Stir up Sunday was last weekend, but I couldn’t stir myself, never mind a pudding. So this Sunday I gathered Ma and Pa Stitches-in-law in person, and Ma and Pa Stitches via webcam, and commenced the annual ritual of the Making of the Christmas Pudding.

Normally this is a charming event which heralds the beginning of the fun of the Christmas festivities. We all gather together for tea and cake. We all stir and make a wish.

This year didn’t go quite according to plan.

Firstly, the webcam software was doing weird things, taking 30 minutes or so of Mr Stitches’ genius (and some inventive cursing) to resolve. As he was busy with this I was measuring ingredients into a bowl.

And attempting to make breadcrumbs.

Attempt number one resulted in the catch on the lid of the food processor snapping sending the lid and the bread within spinning into the air and across the room. It’s amazing how much breadcrumbs look like snow when you’re laughing till the tears flow.

So out came the blender. In went more bread. On went the switch. Out came a horrible noise and a huge puff of black and pungent smoke. End of attempt number two and much more hysterical laughter.

Third time was the charm. The blender worked and lo, there were breadcrumbs that we could use. And (if you ignore the exploding packet of suet) Seasonal goodwill was restored.

I just wonder if virtual stirring counts?????

Today is no better. I’m writing this at 12.52pm and all I’ve done is some post, some emails, two loads of laundry, and put the pudding on to steam. I’m supposed to be making Christmas cards, but then they were supposed to be done yesterday.

And I’m feeling flatter than a pancake as Social Services have closed submissions for the 7th January Panel date, so the earliest we’ll get now is the 14th January, and this won’t be confirmed until the New Year. The only blessing on this is that they are focusing on getting children through the system, which can only be a good thing, and we really don’t mind waiting if it means they are safe and happy. But a date would be a good thing.

So enough of these ramblings….I’m off to think about doing something. I shall report back when I have done so. I wouldn’t be holding your breath!

Feeling blue

November 21, 2008

Yesterday the lovely Paula and I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate. Wow!!! is all I can say. Marvellous company and a superb show. I’ll photo the lovely goodies I bought (and there were many) and post about them soon.

Today I’m feeling blue. We’ve just learnt that we aren’t going to make it to Adoption Panel this side of Christmas. We’ll be able to submit the application before the Holidays but the earliest date we’ll be at Panel will be the 7th January. Boooooooo!!!!!

However, we’d much rather Social Services did the rather marvellous job that they are doing at the moment and we get a perfect placement, than rush and it all go horribly wrong.

I promise to be more chipper at the next posting, which will also be a feast of pretty things.

That Bloody Wedding

November 19, 2008

Just thought I’d sneak a quick blog entry to let you know I’m still here. Not doing much of anything except socialising at the moment – such a hard life, I know.

But it occurred to me that the countdown at the top of this blog might raise a few eyebrows.

“That Bloody Wedding” ???????? What’s wrong with the woman????????

Well, here’s the skinny. Mr Stitches proposed on Christmas Day last year. How lucky can a girl get? The wedding is the 24th October next year (expect to hear MUCH more about it over the coming months). We are very excited and very much looking forward to the day, and the marriage that will follow.

But discussions about cake, flowers, venues, blah, blah, blah, inevitably cause Pa Stitches in Law to roll an amused eye and groan “Not that Bloody Wedding again”…..obviously before making a very clear argument for sticky toffee pudding for dessert and chocolate wedding cake!

So it’s now officially know, very affectionately I hasten to add, as “That Bloody Wedding”. It is, I assure you, all good.

And so I’m disappearing into the social whirl again for a few days but will be back with something sewing related very soon. Have fun and keep warm.

The 44th President of the United States of America

November 5, 2008

How do I envy the American people this morning?

Here we are frustrated by a stagnant Government who refuses to face the people, knowing how we feel, and what the outcome will be. However, when we do get the opportunity to have our say, how few of us will actually excercise that right? And, to be fair, our choices are not exactly inspirational.

Yesterday in America was a different story.

A compelling candidate.

Voters taking to the booths in their millions, queuing for hours whatever the weather to do so.

And a landslide victory for change and hope.

What’s not to envy?

And let’s not forget the historic aspect of this election, with Martin Luther King’s Dream being realised.

So, today, I am thrilled to see that ‘change has come to America’, and pray that soon we get, and take, the opportunity to bring change to our country too.