Done nothing for the last couple of weeks

The reason for my inactivity is I've been quite ill in bed for over a week.  New meds for diabetes really messed me up and after several hospital/GP visits I'm finally on the med (minus the new meds).  The medication (new to me but one in general use) severely irritated the whole of my digestive system that it was thought I'd developed Crohnes disease (just what I wanted before Xmas!!).  Hopefully I should feel much better before we go to Ireland on Wednesday.  The only place I thought I was going was the hospital!!!
As a consequence I've done very little sewing but will make an effort once we get back from Ireland.  Been all over the world but never been to Ireland so really looking forward going.

Buster isn't keen on the Christmas tree, the twinkling lights keep waking him up but tomorrow I hope to feel fit enough to bake him a batch of biscuits to cheer him up.   I bought a special bone shaped cutter just for him.  Off to bed now to do some further recuperating and to be nearer the smallest room!!!

Last Journal Page finished

The December Journal Page for the Contemporary Quilt Group 2010 challenge is now complete.  Following the 'diary' theme of the other journal pages this one reflects the heavy snow we've had here in the North East.  I took this picture on the first day of the snow when we took Buster for his walk in the woods.  By the following day the snow was so deep it was impossible to get there.  Using Photoshop I cropped the photo and printed it onto fabric then threadpainted it in black and a sparkly white thread from Maderia one of the FS (diamond) threads.  When I'd finished it didn't quite catch the sparkle the frost had created on the snow so I painted it with a bit of glitter glue.  It doesn't show up in the photo.  I think I may have put a bit too much on but its too late now to alter.  Just got labels to put on all the quilts and I'm looking forward to next years challenge.



Bling card, lots of glitter on this one.  I thought I'd withdrawn from this swap as there were a lot of people in it, far too many for me to contemplating making cards for.  However, two turned up on my doorstep.  I am quite happy to swap with two ladies so this is my Bling swap.



I've been following one of the on-line projects from the Bernina site specifically written for my 830.  Its a fairly easy project but I've not used the endless function before so enjoyed making it.  The top is one of the designs on the machine, copied and flipped, the ribbon is multiple buttonholes made using the embroidery machine and the bottom a single motif multipied using the endless funtion.



Finally I've finished block six of Kate North's 'Stay at Home Round Robin"  We had to make two blocks for the lefthand side, one 3"x 9" and the other 4" x 3"  My quilt is at the moment not quite true to size and I think I may have to trim it before too long.

The vast majority of snow has now gone and its safe to walk the streets again.  Only problem is more is forecast for tomorrow.  If we get snowed in again then I might even get more sewing done.



Look what the snow has done to my garden swing



The first day's snow has landed.




After two weeks of snow which froze my poor garden swing canopy surrended to the inevitable.  Lots of gutters and drain pipes have also come down.  We've been lucky in that respect but had some rather dangerous looking icicles hanging from the our gutters.



My first attempt at making snap bags using bits of metal tape from one of those carpenters retracting rules.  Keith was very good he gave up one of his many metal tapes without too much arm twisting.  My friend Ann sent me the pattern and although I can't actually share that with you I could if any one is interested show you how the metal tape acts as a snap fastener.

I admit that the cold weather has made me want to hibernate but once I found a warm spot to sew in I made this lap quilt.  I wanted one to throw ovr the settee that I could whip off and wrap myself up in when the NE wind whistled round the doors.

This is a close up of the quilt pattern.  Pretty easy stuff but its a while since I made anything larger than a placemat so I was quite pleased with it.  I cut out the squares and circles using my Go cutter and found it really easy to use.   I'm hoping for more dies for christmas, so do you hear me Santa I've been a good girl?

The back of the quilt is fleece and I had several bits left over, enough for this small cushion and perhaps a larger one.  I used left over strips from the quilt border to match with the quilt.   Now all I have to do is keep the dog off it.



It's been really cold over the past few weeks and taking Buster for his walks has been a real effort.   He loves to run but the only places you can let him off the lead are all about a mile away from home.   So its quite an effort getting to the start of the walk.  Buster didn't mind in the least, he loves the snow, thinks its good to eat but is puzzled by the yellow bits, he has to inspect every one!!.  

Yesterday we took a walk across the fields, big mistake, I was knee deep in snow, over the top of my wellies and Buster leapt about like a demented rabbit. The snow was so deep it came half way up his back and he kept getting lost in snowdrifts. Back home I was cold, wet and short of breath, he fell asleep immediately and snored the rest of the morning away.   We've had several days without post and I felt sorry for the postman yesterday when he did get through as his bag looked very heavy.  We've now had two days where the temperature has been above freezing  but this has made walking treacherous. Today Buster's walk was cut short, very short as I came a cropper within five minutes of stepping over the doorstep.  Not hurt, apart from my pride, I just got a wet bottom and a warm lick from Buster.