GinnyKnit

Christmas is done and dusted , all packed away for another year. It was different as we shuttled Mum back and forth because our house is just too cold for an 89 year old who is used to central heating.  Im sat here eating ys Lebuchken and very comfortable. John took to his bed after we had a sumptuous meal of fish and chips - a rare treat. Im quietly planning the New Year but may well be asleep when the fuss starts. I think this year its not a matter of resolutions about keeping fit ( almost impossible as I can barely walk) dieting ( which I do all the time - except Christmas) or planning big trips - see lack of moveability. So Im planning to help others this year and do my bit for using our resources wisely.  My main plans for tomorrow are getting Michael through the day as he has teeth removed under anaesthetic on Thursday. Also I need to find my pack of craft card so I can perfect my little houses using my £3 die that retails normally at £36!

Trying to get a classic Christmas pic from these two just got lots of giggling and funny faces but that's fine we are real people not something out of a magazine.  Making decorations and pictures from what I have already has been my mission again this year and so far I have spent very little. Must test drive the mints dipped in chocolate soon, I have to make sure they are good enough to give lol.

Picked up this beautiful silk bouquet today for £2 in a charity shop. Its absolutely exquisite and must have been quite expensive originally. Its also one of my favourite charity shops DEBRA and I love to support them.  The cross stitch is finished though a bad pic. Its off to Folksy this week ( with a better photo) and am hoping it goes fast.

View from the front of the hotel earlier, pretty lights but not too many. View from our room earlier just the side of the hill and a bit of sky but it could be worse. Nearly finished my vintage pottery cross stitch, just the fine black detail too add. Santa is finished and I have a pile of frames ready for all my Christmas stuff which will be on sale very soon. The gold star he is holding is thread from a half used cross stitch kit I bought otherwise that single piece of gold would have cost about £10 as I would have had to buy a small pack. I did actually buy the exact threads for the pottery picture otherwise all my other things have used rescued threads, fabric and frames. I have cross stitched charts that fit with what I have in my stash. This little angel is going to be stitched on a piece of vintage embroidery fabric I rescued from a charity shop along with many others unstitched pre-printed and unloved. Theres lots of fabric attached to these pre-printed pieces and th

Finally got the 2 tablecloths tacked ready to quilt then ran out of white thread!!! I made the wreath base then couldn't think how to dress it quickly....then I saw a photo of a knitted snowman on Fb and remembered I had a nice little one looking for a home. I have done a bit of popping here and there today to sort various things out such as parcel posting and picking something up for DD. Hubster suggested we visit Sue Ryder near Jenni's as we are looking  for a little desk for Michael, didn't find a desk but picked up a rather beautiful pair of Laura Ashley lined curtains for Jennis bedroom £4. Also Hubby spotted a glass vase full of resin shells and fish for £2 which will finish off a mixed media piece I have been working on. Very good day all in all.

Suddenly its November! Been stitching away for a couple of weeks but everything is waiting for something to finish it. Finally picked up frames for the cross stitches and it was cheaper to buy new from The Range with perfect mount than try and get them from charity shops. The main problem now is I cant go out very often and wandering is definitely a thing of the past due to my arthritis. I had been looking for something to pad the patchwork  with and didn't (obviously)   want to buy proper wadding as its only a tablecloth. Last week at church in the charity shop was a brand new flannelette sheet £1! Its a double so will work for a couple of other projects too. The bobbin of thread is extra strong thread which I picked up in a job lot of sewing things many years ago and I needed to tie pompoms for a wreath - perfect. Im still plodding away at selling things and heard a lovely kerching from my phone last night so heading for the Post Office Monday. Now Im going to

Finally an event close to home, on a day when I get get out and about!!! Hubby and I nipped over to the wonderful old swimming baths in Longsight to a vintage fair. I didn't actually take pics of the fair as I was mesmerised by the building. John swam here in competitions as a lad but I had never been in. The fair was lovely, not too warm and lots to see. Some people dressed up for the occasion and looked wonderful which made me feel a little dowdy.  I bought this beautiful pair as the colour was so unusual. I collect little jugs. I spoke to a stall holder to see if she would buy a job lot of my collectables as part of my ongoing clearance but she had too much stuff to start with so plan B I think - Gumtree is looking best.

I have been on doctors orders to rest lately so did a wee bit of cross stitch (and gardening and a bus trip) Im sorry but I cant just sit. I picked up these 2 rusty saws at Emmaus charity shop in Mossley a few months ago. I plan to gold leaf the handle and varnish the blade then stick paper letters on saying Grandads shed. I just need some good outdoor varnish then it can go, obviously, on the shed. I hate starting a project when I don't have all the bits and bobs. This will have to wait till I can get about a bit more - damned arthritis.

This is how many sachets of milk it took to turn my coffee  MURKY BROWN. Its a shame they do burgers so well yet cant make a decent coffee. There is barely a teaspoon of milk in the sachets and single use plastics are a big problem. Its long been a pet hate of mine along with the sugar sachets that hold half a teaspoon of sugar. I have also been wondering just how much damage is being caused by transporting the massive amount of coffee you are all drinking in Costa etc. I think we all need to ask for the used grounds to put in our compost heaps/bins then at least they are doing some good and not going in landfill.

Patchwork time, loving these tiny hexagons. Also demolished a brand new pair of curtains (£3 charity shop) to make bunting for Beths birthday party - pics to follow.  

Packed Bethany and her wellies up and headed off to find a new farm. Its quite a new venture but is shaping up to be a great place if a little difficult to access down a steep slope. Luckily there was disabled parking down a rather hairy driveway.   Little madam thoroughly enjoyed it and is amazed by everything. However the biggest pigs ever had me in awe too. Then it was off to her favourite (inexpensive) café for brunch then back to ours. She is off to school on Thursday so we will have to go on such adventures alone to gather intelligence ready for the school hols. 

Meet Roxy. We rescued her from a nasty house for Jenni and the children but she wasn't happy there probably due to her past. So when we lost Banjo boy Madam moved in. She now owns the entire house and is a very happy girl. She rushes in at 11.30 at night and mithers me until I go to bed. Sometimes she joins me other times she just finds a ridiculous place to sleep down stairs - ie on the fabric I had just cut out or behind the tv!

This year has been very busy for us all. We managed a couple of nights in Seaham in the North East in March and it was lovely. I overdid it somewhat and my arthritis paid me back when we got home. I don't believe in regret so didn't even consider not doing it again.  Biggest news after Gareths success in passing his driving test Jenni quickly followed him. Gareth was mobile in weeks but it took Jen a wee bit longer and is now zipping around all over the place - this is a great relief for us as John was a bit weary. I am still desperately trying to sell everything I own to buy a caravan and its slow going but I heard my phone 'Kerrching' today so that's another bit in the pot. I will not be defeated! Big surprise the other day when I bumped into my oldest and dearest friend. Not all her news was good though both her boys getting married was great to hear. I just hope she gets some relief from stress soon as she looked weary. Hope fully we will get toge