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.

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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. 

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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

100 YEARS

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A day in my life.

I haven't given up blogging but have just been busy. I couldn't give up, I hate it when I read someone's last post to say that they won't be writing anymore. I am so selfish to think, how dare they when I have faithfully followed them for years and now I won't find out if they achieve that wish, or saved that money, or got that dream home?
 I know you can't always write something every day. Do you want to know, what housework I 've done today? (actually none, we have a cleaner) or what we had for our evening meal, it was a SW recipe of Hunter's Chicken and was rather delicious, (DH made it) and this morning we had our Spanish Class. Hola! I've  read the 'i' newspaper, cover to cover and also finished my 88th book for this year, ' The Death of Mrs Westaway' by Ruth Ware, a really good read! And I have made a Christmas Pud, started it yesterday and is now in the slow cooker, and one waiting to go in. 
So a full day, in fact DH and I have said what a busy week we've had, something on every day, next week I have my appointment at the London Royal Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore, it will be at the newly built hospital. I think I will be signed off ,as it's 12 months since that last operation. I still have pain and certainly haven't got100% use of my arm. ( I made that Christmas pud, left handed)
I am making stuff for friends for Christmas so can't show, but these wools and bits are what I am using. 

I don't think you'll guess what it is I am making; here is a clue it can be hung on a tree and will have something with it that can be eaten?? ( Have you any idea?) Have you started your Christmas makes?

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A perfect fit

On wintery evenings, with the curtains draw, what can be cosier than knitting? I am still knitting my cardi ( the undone jumper) but I needed a quick knit. And here it is, a pair of fingerless gloves. Two evenings and they were done. The wool is left over from some socks and nearly matches!
What do you like to do on a winter's evening?

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What am I like???

I have struggled to sew this for #2 GS and I hate it.

SO...

I am ripping the whole lot out and making a simple chevron design.

I have found a super you tube and so off I go with my seam ripper, if I can find it!! 

I seem to be spending an awful lot of time re-doing stuff but if I don't like it before it is finished, I know I will never like it.
Am I mad?? Are you like this, and have to put things completely right and as you like it, even if it means undoing days of work?

Jumper/cardigan progress...its coming along nicely.

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