UFO's

UFO's, no not flying objects, but unfinished objects, although my unfinished objects probably have more chance of flying.

Having made quite a few cards in May now that my craft stuff is more accessible and the mess can be shut away, I really want to do something else.

I have my never ending quilt still on the go, I haven't been to a class for ages and can't see me being able to go any time soon, I do wish there was an accessible week day one, but the demand is only for weekends as that's when most people are free.  My sewing machine now gets used more by Emily as she goes to a weekly sewing class.  For me to use the machine in between it means setting it up, changing the foot and thread and it just feels like to much effort to have to change it back again for Emily's class.  I also think I need a bit of a move around as the sewing table is not accessible and not near light, but not sure how I can do that, so it just stays packed up from one week to the next.

Blog posts don't get finished either started this one over a week ago, but have been feeling so worn out and dizzy I haven't managed to finish or work out what I want to say.

The sewing table is still waiting to be moved as I can't do it myself.

I got new dies for card making for my birthday, but don't have the energy to make anything with them.  I have a few ideas, but that's as far as it goes.  Will try and write another post about what I got.

I also have knitting projects on the go, some of them are several years old, but knitting is too difficult at the moment, one row wore me out.

I have lots of beads and bead kits and some techniques I haven't tried yet, but they all sit there awaiting my attention.

I thought about taking photos of everything for inspiration, but it's more likely to make me cry.

How do others get things done or get motivated when feeling ill?

Oh well one day at a time.

January makes

Made for my daughter 9th birthday using 3 different patterns from Stitching cards, home-made backing paper from Craftville.

For a friends daughter, pattern from Cardbroidery, backing paper and card from Riverbank Revels.

Made for my husband using pattern from Craftsuprint and home-made backing paper from Craftville.  it's a difficult pattern as if any of the holes are marginally out of line it shows, but pleased with finished result, sadly photo doesn't do it justice, I need to work on my photo techniques!!

When my grandma died in 2014 I got this cushion cover that she had made, it was on very flimsy fabric so didn't hold shape well with cushion pad in so I made the cover into the front and added an envelope back (below) with fabric from Hobbycraft.

 I took this picture by chance through Emily's bedroom window and am going to have a play about and try to make it into a card.

Emily has been busy too, she made a bag at her sewing class at Rivers MEET, fabric from the Rivers Meet shop.

Emily and I had a play about with her Hama Beads and I made the duck as she was having a duck themed birthday and she made the heart with an M for Mummy, awwww!

I also made an Iris folded card for a 30th birthday, but in my haste I forgot to photograph it!

I finally made a start on a top I have wanted to knit for ages, but was having issues with the pattern.  I must have tried a dozen times to get the lacy pattern right and couldn't do it, tried to adapt and use an easier lacy pattern added into this pattern instead, but that didn't work either always ended up with not enough stitches at end.  In the end I decided that as y wool is multi coloured and has sequins I really don't need pattern as well so just doing plain tunic using this pattern for size and shaping.

This how far I have got since starting it just before Christmas, I think it's going to be a long wait!

Pointless!

And I am not talking TV game shows, but everything seems so pointless.

New Year is always a tough time and I hate feeling so useless, with so many things I want to do and or achieve another year older and still in the same situation and the things I do seem so pointless, or a waste of time, energy and money.

Having my social services review telling me that many of the things I need I can't have any more or am doing wrong does not help.  Why approve the care if they are just going to unapprove it when they feel like it.  My head is all over the place and makes being able to do things even harder, I can't concentrate even to read at the moment which I usually enjoy even if I don't remember much about the book by the end.

I want to be able to do something that is worthwhile or that I can make some money from instead of it all being one expense after another just amuse myself or to find that I can't do what I fancied doing.

Inspired by Beads Direct Snowflake Bracelets, I have recently made these.

I bought the wrong sized Shamballa bead on the blue one, so it doesn't stand out as much as the others.  They look great, but what is the point as I rarely wear bracelets, not much point just in the house and doing the school run.  I would love to make some of the other colours, but again it seems a waste just to sit in the cupboard looking pretty.  Making them to sell is pretty pointless too as they would not make enough to cover costs and its easy enough for people to make their own, it doesn't require any special skill or even much time.  I don't have enough spare of any of the beads to make others either unless I bought bigger packets, but can't really do that unless I knew there was an outlet for them and it was worth my while.

I enjoy other crafts too, like the card stitching, but that is quite time consuming unless its a really simple pattern.  I had planned to make another teddy one for a friend, but its her birthday next week.  Its a nice thing to do, but a lot of work when most of them probably get thrown away after a few days.  

I want to make a frozen themed one for Emily, I don't have the confidence to make my own pattern and the images from Frozen are not simple enough to do that, but I have got a snowflake pattern so am thinking of stitching the snowflakes and them putting a cut out image on the card too.  This used to be easy with my other printer, but for some reason the current one doesn't print on card, should work on photo card though that seems to be the limit,but I don't know how to print the photos to correct size on this printer, makes me feel pretty useless we have had the printer long enough.

For Christmas I mainly got clothes, people don't really know what to buy for me as I don't 'do' anything.  They are nice enough, but will add to those I already have in the hope that I might have a chance to wear them one day.  I bought some in the sales too, again a pointless waste of money to sit in cupboard or just to wear around the house.  I am wearing my fleece lined trousers that my husband bought me, even if they do attract every speck of cat fur!!  they are nice and warm and more comfy than Jeans, don't think I have been outside with them yet though!

Mind you I wonder what happens to the things that I bought for other people.  I know many of the kids toys get put in a cupboard and rarely see the light of day.  Emily has started to play with things she already had as she gets too overwhelmed with the new stuff and its her birthday soon.  She doesn't get that much play time anyway with school and after school events and even the things she really wanted have only been touched a handful of times. It didn't help that as soon as she had opened her presents we had to leave them at home for 4 days before she could play with them.  Again my time and effort buying them seems rather pointless, but there is also so much pressure to buy kids lots of stuff even if they don't play with it, perhaps I should try the less is more principle next time, but we are all so afraid of being thought mean.  One of the things Emily did really want was an Elsa outfit and to her credit she has worn it quite a bit, but the gloves split on Christmas day as did the seem of the dress so I had to repair them, not much point in complaining as she wants it now a replacement or refund would not be suitable, but it rather disappointing as many of these things are when they don't even last out Christmas day.  I did actually feel rather more useful in being able to repair them, but not sure how long it will last.  I need to get my sewing machine out to repair the dress seem better and one of Emily's school skirts, but the effort is too much at the moment and the only place I can use it is on the dining room table, not very practical.

If I get the sewing machine out I will feel the need to get on with some of my quilt or a cushion cover I want to make for Emily with a panel that I got with her initial in Frozen font , but I know I will make a mess of them at the moment and again it seems pointless as they will serve no purpose, its so disheartening.

I am waiting for a courier to come and collect Emily's tablet, she bought herself one just after last Christmas as lots of people she knew had got ipads for Christmas.  It now has a fault with the charging port so needs repair.  Thankfully it is still in warranty, so will be repaired by manufacturer, the hard part will be waiting for it to come back, think I will be kicked off computer!

I have so many unfinished things around, knitting that I can't work out or don't have chance to do, I have very little time for actually doing anything I want to do.  Cards, sewing, cross stitch, but again it also all seems so pointless as what happens to it when it is done?

One of the questions the social services asked me was do you get chance to do the things you want to do for yourself?  Well no not really, but there is not much that can change that, I don't have the time, energy, concentration or independence required for things I want or like to do.

And that's before I even think about doing something worthwhile or rewarding or actually being useful and paying my own way in life.  I was talking to someone the other day who was rather surprised to discover that I have a Master's Degree, yes I do, that's pretty pointless too and I can't function at that level any more.  Its very depressing to be approaching 44 and still not having made use of my education or done anything to be able to support myself.

Well I guess I have a use tonight as Rob is out so I have to take Emily to kick boxing and he is out again so have to take her to a party.  I am without one of my hearing aids at the moment so at least the noise won't bother me as much, but it also means I have no idea what anyone is saying, making me look all the more stupid.  I don't know how long I will have to wait for the hearing aid to be returned or if the fault will be sorted on return, its rather frustrating and doesn't help me feel any better about myself and my abilities.

Ah well this is rather a long feel sorry for myself moan.  I really need to work on seeing the positives and being grateful for what I have and can do.  I must make use of my happy jar that I made with Emily and stop feeling so sorry for myself.

Meanwhile I try to take on board these.

Sunday positives

Feeling yuck again and was not impressed at been woken before 6am by a flying cat, I thought it was Emily who had jumped on me, but it was just Timmy wanting his breakfast!  Then of course the pain kicked in and I seem to have picked up sore throat feeling like a cold brewing.  Emily had a cold past couple of days, but it had gone today, but now she says she has sore throat and a headache and dizzy!  I never know what she has got though as she will just copy anything she has heard anyone else say, but I suspect she may have sore throat and headache as that's what I have got and there are so many colds going around.

Anyway my Sunday positives, getting out in fresh air, feeding ducks and looking for leaves and conkers.  Didn't find any conkers.  Emily insisted on shouting duck every time she threw a piece of bread in for the ducks and the ducks were swooping in and skiing on the water. The sun was shining and it was quite warm and the autumn colours are lovely.  Secondly getting a decent rest today, not managed that for a few days.  Finally snuggling up to watch Strictly with Emily without her fidgeting and talking all the way through.

Emily was playing with her playmobil this morning, the rescue helicopter and hospital set, what a fiasco though!  First the helicopter landed on the casualty, then the ambulance turned up with another patient on board who just got thrown out and then Ambulance had no crew so had to go back to hospital to fetch them and no one bothered to look at the casualty!  Then the hospital ran out of beds and people were having to lie on the floor!!  They only had one bed and a baby incubator that doubled up as an xray machine.  A baby got sent home and left in an empty house, the ambulance knocked someone over!  But then people got taken by ambulance for check ups!  The next thing the hospital was closed and a vets opened up and treated a hedgehog that had been knocked down and hurt its nose, it had to stay in for 3 months because it had a temperature, I won't tell you where she took its temperature!  Well they call it imaginative play, but it all seemed a bit realistic to me!!

Here are pictures of the Elsa flip it doll I made, its not great, but not a bad effort and Emily likes her.

Quilt class and Positives Friday and Saturday

Yesterday was my quilting class, with Rob tagging along to carry things and drive me there I arrived ready to get on with my quilt.  Unfortunately my sewing machine seems to dislike the sparkly fabric and would not sew properly through the fabric and wadding.  After many attempts and many alterations to machine setting and re-threadings etc it was decided it was not going to work.  So my options were hand quilt it, that would take me forever and be quite hard work for me or try Sarah's machine, which she will bring along to the next class.  Thankfully I had got a couple of other things to work on, so made the Olaf window picture, will post photo another time its too dark now.  Sarah had ideas for Christmas projects which I liked and I do have some Christmas fabric to use up, but Rob says I should do one thing at a time, hmmmm, we will see.

So my positives for yesterday were actually getting to the class as I was sure I wouldn't be able to with how I had been during the week.  Second is getting the Olaf made.

In the evening I got chance to ask Rob to look at the Elsa knitting pattern where I had got stuck on the sewing up as it was not clear how to do it.  Rob worked it out and I managed to finish off the doll, its a bit wonky, but Emily likes it, so that is my third positive.  Again I will post a picture another time.  Of course she now wants Anna ASAP!  And I have an Olaf pattern too, always so many ideas!  One thing at a time, never.

This morning whilst Rob waited in for a non existent collection, I took Emily to the local library to look for books about Seals, she has to do a project for school over half term.  Then she wanted to go in Morrison's for lunch.  There was nothing I could eat so I just had a drink whilst she had her kiddie meal.  It was nice to get out just the two of us and she behaved well. So that is my first positive.  Things went a bit downhill after that, but there was a lovely pink sky at sunset and I had my hair washed and dried this morning so they are my other two for today.

Positives week 2 days 4 & 5

I am feeling rather sick and shaky today, not really surprising as still fighting virus and been doing extra things, but I could be much worse.

So my positives, appreciations for Wednesday were, not having to do the school run, its Emily's day to walk with Donna, luckily they missed the rain.  It was nice for a change to have no one coming in, its unusual for me to have the house to myself all day and to be able to do things when I want to.  I had a chat with Emily when she got in from school, quite unusual as she usually just sits in front of TV.

For yesterday I was grateful to Annie for taking Emily to GFS and I actually accepted the help instead of insisting on doing it myself, I didn't accept all the help though as I insisted on picking both children up, but it was a great help to me to get one way sorted and I kept a bit of independence too by picking them up and the girls seemed to get on well.  With Emily at GFS and Rob in London I finally got my knitting started again with a different pattern. I have been trying to do it since April, just need to keep fingers crossed new pattern works as I have adapted it to fit the pattern I have.  Trying to fit this heart pattern into the tunic pattern as the tunic pattern part is too complicated.  Just discovered that the pattern link has disappeared, luckily I had it printed out, phew!

Finally I managed to get Emily's uniforms ironed, I don't usually iron as it's difficult for me.  I did manage to knock over a full cup of tea with the ironing board so it ran all down the stairs!!  The rest of the ironing is piling up, but we can manage without for a while.

Frozen

Anyone who has or knows a little girl will know that Frozen is the current must have.

We did some of these activites the other day.  The Elsa and Anna dolls are good but quite fiddly, not something a child could do alone.

Saw these great knitted Elsa and Anna and wondering if I will have time to give them a try for Christmas?!  Well there is a Christmas every year, but not sure how long the trend will last!!

So many ideas, so little time and energy :-(

Crafty Emails

Here are a few links that have appeared in my email box recently

Cute Pink cardi, a free pattern from Love Knitting.

Kids bodywarmer, another free pattern from Love Knitting

And these fantastic bracelet patterns from Sova Enterprises

Meet Vikki

What is your craft?

Sewing, knitting and making cakes

How did you get started and when?

I made my own clothes as a teenager and picked it up again a few years ago when I was given a sewing machine for Christmas. Summer dresses for the girls feature quite strongly. The cakes started when the girls began having birthday parties and it snowballed from there.

About three years ago we decided to make most of the Christmas presents as I got sick of buying plastic rubbish at great expense that no-one really wanted. It’s possible our home-made presents aren’t wanted either but everyone’s been too polite to say so! 2014 is the year of knitting. I acquired the family collection of knitting needles & equipment (to which at least 3 generations have contributed) and have started knitting small animals. Guess what everyone’s getting this Christmas?

Do you have a business name?  What is it and how did you choose it?

I’m strictly friends and family, I’m too slow to make money at it

What is your favourite part of your craft?

Choosing what to make and selecting the materials

What is your least favourite part?

Cutting out; I’m not very good at it.

Do you have a favourite thing that you make?  Do you have a picture of it?

I’m quite proud of some of the cakes I’ve made.

Do you have a website or Facebook page?  If so what is the URL?

The cakes are on Pinterest, http://gb.pinterest.com/vcolenutt/

What is your favourite craft product?

Probably fabric. I’ve just discovered the Urban Mod collection

What is your favourite craft supplier?

Ebay for cake supplies and fabric and Mrs Bobbins in Rothwell for sewing supplies

Personal Details

Name Vikki
Age 41
Location Rothwell

EE-I-EE-I-O

Had a lovely morning at Swithens Farm with Emily and some friends.  The kids loved it. They got to; go on trampoline, outdoor play equipment, bouncy castle, see the animals, buy goldfish, go in playbarn and have lunch!  It was rather too much walking and talking for me, but nice to be out in fresh air and see the children having fun.  The cafe is nice and food looked good.  Gluten free choice limited to Salad or jacket potato, but better than nothing and had choice of different teas.

Back home I was hoping for a good rest, but due to over doing it and issues with my PA it was not to be, so now I feel awful and ready for bed and its only 6.30.

Emily is learning to ride her bike without stabilisers, she is getting there, but its hard work and something that I really cannot help her with.  I went to the park with them yesterday and gave her plenty of encouragement and we have bought her a bike that is a better size, but she still prefers the smaller one at the moment.

Craft is taking a back seat.  I did spend my rest time cutting sequins off a couple of t shirts as they were looking tatty, sequins don't wash and iron well.  They look better now so can wear the t-shirts a bit longer.  Managed a few rows of knitting last night and might get a few more in whilst Emily is at swimming, if I can keep my eyes open!

My new beads arrived the other day, but so far have only taken them out of the envelope!  I could go and have a play with them I suppose its cooler than knitting, but I still need my eyes open.

Pain, pain go away........

And preferably don't come back another day!

My pain is getting very bad and even with strong painkillers does not subside much.  A lot of it is my own fault.  Doing the craft with the children at the tea time club is a killer as I stand too much, but its not possible to sit down and be of any use to them! I am also having problems hearing the children as there is a lot of noise, I struggle to hear speech at the best of times and its not really fair to the children I like doing it, but always pay for it and I don't want to let anyone down or feel that I always have to give things up :-(  I have also had the Christening this week and walked more than I should, but did not want to go in my wheelchair, would have made me look very pathetic, especially with elderly relatives managing better than me!!

I have wondered if the vitamin D I have been taking could be making the pain worse, but all the evidence seems to suggest it should make it better if anything.  Its the last tablet today so will see if it makes any difference when I don't take them.

I have lost confidence in being able to do the stripy waistcoat at the moment, I need to speak to Barbara at Rivers Meet craft shop but she is only in Tues, Weds and Thurs and I will be there tomorrow for my monthly quilting class with Sarah so of course Barbara won't be there and I can't go in on the days she is there for a few weeks, wonder if I could write her a note or is that being too cheeky?

I need to get my quilting out and finish of the block started last month, hope I can remember what I need to do, I intended to do it straight after the class, but did not get chance and now its the day before the next class, where does the time go?

Started a Shaun the Sheep knitted toy last night, it was given to me ages ago for a present and I started it and made a mistake so then lost interest.  Decided to start again and got it right so far this time, its quite fiddly as its done on very narrow needles with fluffy wool.  Emily wants to know who it is for, but then said she wants it, I don't have any other ideas, she will probably expect me to have it finished by time she gets in from school, she might have a long wait.

Well writing blogs wont get the quilt block made either so I had better get on move on.