So that was a small crafty 2018

 Socks for #2 GS.. A ripple throw to use some of my stash.

 Two pram blankets donated to my local charity shop, another effort to use up some of my stash.

 I really enjoyed knitting these so will make some more.

 A scarf/ shawl for myself I love this pattern.

 Fingerless gloves knitted from left over sock wool.

 I made 6 of these for our patio chairs, I 'd had the fabric for yonks!

9 Little Ferrero Rocher Christmas tree fairies for friends.

 And last but not least an elf for a little girl, who it seems loves him and takes him to bed!

And that was all the craft things I did in 2018, I will make a better effort in 2019; but I did read 100 books!!

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all and hope you will all achieve your dreams what ever they may be.

XX

Blogland friends are amazing

I have received these amazing woven teacloths from Joanne Noragon.

Cup on the bus

They are beautiful and although I would think they'd work well as cloths, to me they are much too nice to use in such a way.

So I shall have them on an open shelf for all to see.

Thank you Joanne, a most unexpected gift. I feel honoured to have received such a wonderful woven cloth and I love the golden yellow colour.

Thank you again.

XX

Now it's over!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas time, we did with DH daughters here with their partners and 10 month old GS. 

And on Christmas day my #1DS too, so a house full.

But now it's all over we have the house to ourselves and the peace is lovely.

My lovely DH gave me the Attic24 Sweet Pea pack, yippee I 'll be starting her CAL beginning of January.

And my SD gave me this clock which goes outside, can't wait to see it up 

I feel spoilt for getting all the things I really love

Plus Books....Michelle Obama's book, plus 'How to Quilt as You Go.' The ' Ripple Patterns', book, I 've read this through umpteen times already! I want to make them all.  Nigella Lawsons 'Simply Nigella' and Kate Morton's 'The Clockmaker's Daughter' And some honey hand creams, and diary for all those dates we'd forget if I didn't have them written down. 
A truly lovely time although exhausting at times, we've both collapsed today and been happy to do nothing. 
How was your Christmas?

XX

Today is my birthday

I can't believe I 'm the age I am, except my knees are creaky and I go up and down stairs one at a time! When did that happen???
So has your age overtaken you?

Chrisxx

Elf

This is an Alan Dart pattern knitted for some one I  know, whose  daughter said she wanted an elf.
It was a very fiddly knit and caused me some 'air clearing' moments!
But she loved it.


Back to my cardi knitting, much easier!

Chrisxx

Christmas is coming.

Not a good photo but here is our stairs with the cross stitch ornaments  I did a few years ago. There are 12 I did one a month.

Quite difficult trying to get up the garlands as I can't lift my arm, but Dh managed to tie the bows with me instructing him.

XX

From bits to .....a Christmas tree ornament.

Do you remember this?  Well it all turned out to these.

Each skirt holds a Ferrero Rocher They were quite fiddly to knit but very enjoyable. No good asking me for the pattern because apart from the head which was a Christmas pudding pattern found on line, I did the rest by 'guess'!! 

I saw something like this a while ago and looked online but couldn't find any.

If you could look closely you'd see the little over dresses are all slightly different, where I forgot what I had done on a previous one. 

This one is hanging on a garden tree because we haven't put up our own Christmas tree yet.

Hope Mr Postie doesn't squash them too much!

Have you made any Christmas pressies?

XX

For Ever and Ever!!

Like a lot of quilters I have a lot of fabric.. some scraps from quilts I‘ve made and fabric I ‘ve bought and never used. I thought this would be the ideal pattern to use up my stash.  It is called ‘Long Time Gone,’ by Jen Kingswell I intend to do it at the sewing class I’ve joined and start it in the new year. Have you any long Term plans for 2019?

XX

It's not cancer!

Thank you everyone that left a comment and those of you who emailed, it's lovely to read those messages.. and since then...

….I have got myself together, and after all my blog is called 

'Always Smiling.' I don't think I have ever let myself get so down. I honestly believe that it's up to yourself as to how you feel. So I have started to do the damn arm exercises (excuse the swear word) because they cause such pain and then I can't move my arm for a few days. I have had said to me,  by someone I thought loved me, that I should be grateful ......after all it's not cancer! That was so hurtful I was devastated. Surprisingly we don't speak any more!

The problem with pain is... it doesn't show! She has never seen me struggling to pull up my knicks, that's why I only wear skirts I couldn't cope with slacks. I am trying to use my right arm, but to be really honest between you blog friends and not anyone else,  it doesn't come naturally and I hardly use it at all.. except of course knitting and crocheting but the surgeon said that wasn't using it properly,  as I am only using my hand. But I 'm still smiling... just!!
What would you do if someone you loved and thought loved you, said something so hurtful, it took your breath away?  I couldn't speak and choked back tears and hung up the phone. 

XX

Not good news!

​Yesterday I went for my twelve month  post op check up at The Royal London Orthopaedic Hospital, and the result was I probably won't ever drive again.. I can keep up with the physio to free my shoulder some more, but I won't be able to lift my arm up.  I cried when he said, but the truth is, it probably won't get any better. He has suggested to take pain killers through the day so I will have it easier to do the exercises,  I 've said I don't want any further appointments can't see the point of them.

Yes, not news I wanted, but it's not just being not able to drive, it's all the other things I can no longer do. I am inhibited cooking because my arm won't reach forward and I certainly can't lift stuff in and our of the oven.. gardening is limited, you can't really dig one handed, washing and dressing isn't easy, even getting in and out of bed is painful, so I am looking at a duff painful arm and the future looks bleak to me. I hate the loss of my independence. Although I could walk to the library its just 3/4 mile but it takes me a while with my walking stick for balance so, I am getting a mobility scooter in the new year, at least then I am not so dependent on DH, which I hate. There is also the possibility of an automatic car and a steering system for only one arm. We have the money and can't take it with us so might as well spend it.

Unless you have this, no one knows how my life has changed since breaking my arm now 3 years and 9 months ago! 

No need to say I have felt very down and weepy all day. 

XX