Hi everyone,

I’m sitting at home poorly, wrapped in a blanket keeping warm.  I have a heavy cold and keep being sick.  Lack of sleep due to coughing and lack of appetite = migraine attack so I am trying to be kind to myself.  Not sure I can stave it off – but it has given me the chance to do more sewing than is normal during a working day.  I now have my second finish of the year – the Christmas Dachshund.  There are two pictures – one not backstitched and the other backstitched – it certainly makes a difference to the overall image.

No backstitch …….

Backstitched

What do you think?

I’ve called him Chestnut.

Bye for now.

 

Hi everyone,

It’s Hetty not Daisy, as my human mummy is poorly, I keep indicating I want to come and love her and give her cuddles to make her feel better – but as she is very caring – she will not let me near her.  Apparently parrots can catch human colds so she is keeping her distance.

Despite the fact that it is “0” degrees outside, I have just taken a bath in the nice clean cage – mummy not pleased.  I only like bathing in my water bowl which is supposed to be for drinking.  Lots of parrots do this!!  My dearly beloved departed brother Ruffles the cockatiel used to like being sprayed so it was like rain drops.  He would stretch out his wings and turn his head to get as wet as possible.

Mummy is curled up in her chair reading a book (when I am not typing this), trying to reach another one of her goals.  A selection of books below:

Well that’s all for now, keep warm and safe

Love

Hetty and Daisy

 

Hi everybody,

I purchased some blank sewing boards which you make into banners/bunting in my Christmas Stash and have several ideas for them, but not settled on any particular one as yet.

1.  Blackwork letters
2. Tatty Teddy designs
3. Animals
4. Floral Alphabet
5. Goldwork (not tried this yet) Letters
6. Christmas designs

Or I could do a combination of above, we will just have to wait and see.

That is all for now

Toodle Pip

 

Hi everyone!

Well, braving a new beginning I decided to buy some Christmas stock which I shall start stitching soon (I know Christmas has only just passed but it is never too early to start stitching for the year ahead).  Some are small projects which I can stitch at work, others are larger and different to things I have stitched before.

I have also purchased some projects that require beading as well as cross stitching – some Christmas tree hanging ornaments and something non Christmassy – a star sign for my husband and myself.  So that should be intriguing!!

I don’t know where I intend to find all the time for this – but heyho!  If I do then I shall be someway to completing one of my goals.

Bye for now

Susan

 

Hi everybody,

Below is the update on the Christmas Dachshund that I have been stitching, he is beginning to look really cute and yes I have named him. (Secretly wish he was real).

This is how he looked on the 21st December 2018,

and this is how he looks now.

There is still some way to go as I haven’t done any backstitching yet and the scarf needs fringing.  What a handsome chappie he is going to be.

Susan

 

Well I have been busy stitching over Christmas when I wasn’t working and have progressed with both the Christmas Dachshund and Lady Greensleeves.

Sorry about dark picture.

Also I have my first finish, it’s only small but it is a finish.  A Barn Owl coaster,

Cute isn’t it!  Little friends coaster kit  –  details are designed and produced by Heritage Crafts, and you can also get a penguin, a puffin and a little duckling.  I may just get them all.

Happy sewing in 2019 everyone.

Susan

 

Hetty here

Well things have got off to a really good start – one week in and one toy destroyed already – see below:

Before ….  2nd item from top Bark ‘n’ Beak

After ……….

What a shredding machine I am. he! he!

My human mummy must be pleased with my efforts as she has just treated me to 3 walnuts which I love.

Love

Hetty

peck peck

19 goals for 2019

Hello everybody and a Happy New Year to you all!

It feels like 2018 went by so fast.  I’m sure it didn’t – maybe I was enjoying life so much that I didn’t notice the minutes, months disappearing for the year.  Maybe I was busy and time flies by when you are busy, does it not?

This New Year is going to be different – I will take note of more things, however small or large.  Well I have decided to give myself some goals for 2019.  This is not something I normally do – so no pressure there – but I feel inspired to proceed with this idea and see how much I actually achieve this year.

1. Read 19 books – I like reading – in fact I am a bookworm. There are other things to be called in life but I am happy with “bookworm”.
2. 19 Sewing projects – this might be achievable or it might not. I am not going to be too hard on myself if this goal isn’t reached.
3. Learn something new – Maybe learn Latin (not because it can be useful but for fun)Maybe learn to crochet – Maybe take up Archaeology again – Maybe learn photography. I like taking pictures. – Maybe learn to draw and paint better.          One or all of these might be taken up.  Stay tuned …..
4. To not spend too much money on clothes. I am quite bad at this (I may fail gasp!!!!!)
5. To eat more vegetables – I am fairly good at this already so one of the easy goals I think.
6. To write to my penpals more regularly.
7. To create something and sell it for charity. To give something back.
8. To watch 19 DVD’s or Movies.
9. To finish my first novel – I have written a novel but it needs improving.
10. To write poetry – a small book of 19 poems about everything.
11. To laugh more!
12. To play my saxophone and trumpet more
13. To try and learn the Ukelele – I struggle with the strumming (i.e musical instrument in No. 12 normally play the melody note for note – not so with strumming.)
14. To learn Pilates and deep breathing techniques.

Goals will also be desires

1. Visit National Trust houses or English Heritage Sites
2. Visit the V & A museum, National history museum, etc
3. Visit an art gallery
4. Go on a long walk (depends on health)
5. Go to local craft fairs more.

I feel stressed already – it was hard to think of 19 different things.

I promise myself not to beat myself up about my failings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whose that on Mummy?  This is my spot ……. ahh cuddles and kisses – I’m still her favourite bird!  I did hear rumours about a Dachshund but nothing came to fruition apart from this jumper and another red one.  Mummy doesn’t seem too upset, well I can cheer her up if she is.

I received quite a few gifts – see below

From this ……. to this

(I still support the local pet store by buying a few toys etc., but also make toys and renewing the ones that Hetty has shredded.  Walnuts are Hetty’s favourites.)

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful time!

New Year here we come ……

Hetty

peck peck

 

What we wore for Christmas Jumper day.  My husband doesn’t normally dress up, but his effort was rewarded with a big smile and kiss.

Hetty also stole kisses from mummy Santa Claus

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and I will see you next year 2019!

Susan x