A very nice wall hanging

I'm still sewing. I have nowhere to put my Christmas tree mat, my tables are full of crafting stuff, so I thought it might look good hanging on the wall. And it does. It looks really nice. 

I stitched a channel on the back, used the hem of an old sheet I had been cutting up.

The thick wire going through it was a spoke from an old patio umbrella. It sticks out about an inch at each end and with a piece of cord tied on to it, it's perfect for hanging. The wire can be pulled out and it can be used flat on a table if preferred. Good eh!

Raining all day today so it's carry on sewing. Oscar has just come back in, filled his face, now on his chair cleaning his face. Mayze has gone back to bed, and Heidi is on the kitchen windowsill. All is well.  ilona

Have a read of this.

I'm a bit busy with sewing at the moment, getting ready for the Christmas Fair on Saturday. One of our Crafty Ladies brought in a cutting from her village newsletter yesterday, there is a full page write up about a talk I gave in the summer. Seems like it was ages ago, as it starts with, 'In the midst of a heatwave'. As I look out of the window we have frost on the ground and are into winter. 

It's a very well written report, almost 100% accurate, apart from it says I walked 'seventy miles', with Jo Brand. Oooops, mistake, I walked the first seven and a half miles with her, then walked the same distance back to my car. 

I have photographed the page so I hope you can read it. Zoomed in a bit for the second two pictures. If you click on a picture it will come bigger.

Back to the grindstone, erm, sewing machine. I must say that using a superduper version of my machine at the workshop on Sunday has made me think about upgrading. Maybe time for a pressie from me to me.    ilona

Learning something new.

I've had a smashing day with the ladies of Jaylaurs Sewing Studio in Brigg. We made Christmas table centres. There was a choice of two designs, I chose the trees. Here we are having a break for lunch. 

 Six hours later and time to go home. Everyone pleased with what they have achieved.

Some of the ladies had time to turn under the hem and machine it down. The rest of us are going to finish them off at home. I shall hand stitch my hem tomorrow at Crafty Club, so there won't be any machine stitching on the front around the border.

The plan was to do some free motion stitching around the swirly bits, but as I need more practice at that I decided not to risk making a mess of it. I just machined the straight edges of the trees. Everything is stuck down anyway so It won't come adrift.

This is the leaflet I picked up at the shop a few weeks ago. I shall be looking out for some more workshops in 2019. It was good fun, the teacher was very clear with her instructions and everyone was friendly. I enjoyed it.

This is Jaylaurs Facebook page. 
ilona

Walking Group check in. The last hurdle.

It's that time again, where Walking Group members check in with their mileage. Time flies, only one month left till the end of the year. Howz ya all doin? I am at 907 miles, had hoped to be a a bit further on, but I have done 100 in a month before so there is still a chance I will make the 1000. No slacking now, head down, boots on, just walk.

To recap who checked in last month. 18 peoples are still walking.

Joy Central Vic Australia1 November 2018 at 08:56

74 miles this month. Total so far 818 miles and I may just make it!! Yippee :)

Jacquie1 November 2018 at 10:51

Love your photos Ilona.

Hi to everybody in the walking group. I had a busy month so only managed 72.5 miles. My total for the year so far is 847.5 so I'm still a little ahead of target. Good luck everybody with the final two months of the challenge. Even if you are not going to make the 1000 miles it's still worth getting out there and investing in your physical and mental well being.
Jacquie x

Gillian1 November 2018 at 11:14

Low total of miles; sad month for me, trying to get back on feet after having to put my cat to sleep after 16 years together; me & my other 2 cats are missing him. Have only just started up walking again last week so total for the month is 22.8 miles. Total yr-t-date is 212.6 miles. Thx!

Jeanneke1 November 2018 at 12:34

Hello Ilona,

After three months of little to no walking due to heel pain I managed to walk 46 kilometers in October by just a few four or five times a week.
Total so far is 729, so I don't think I can make it to 1000 this year, but I am so happy I am on the walking move again.
Cycling km. for October 120. Now the weather becomes really autumnally cold, wet and windy here in Dokkum in The Netherlands I don't think cycling will stay a regular activity. Walking is nicer and easier for me in this 'bad weather' season :>)
Cheers to all fellow walkers,

hazel1 November 2018 at 12:55

Hi everyone
My total to date is 901 miles.

Patricia in Canada1 November 2018 at 12:56

Hello from Canada, Patricia here. Walked 64 miles during October, total for the year 675 miles. Walked in the rain yesterday with brolly and wellies, not cold as it was 13 C. More rain expected today. (So glad it is not that white stuff, it will be here soon I am sure). Finally the leaves are starting to change colour and fall, it seems to be so much later this year, the reason could be all of the sun we had recently. Also been on a diet of sorts, cutting out a lot of carbs, and eating more veg, happy to report I have lost 10 lbs over the past three months, slow and steady wins the race. Walking has also had a hand in this loss too. I was not a lot over weight, but felt pudgy, it is so hard to get rid of those extra pounds as you get older. Talking about getting older, the middle of this month I will be 77 years old, (how did I get that old), thankful that I can do all the walking with no issues.  Patricia

kateonthecoast1 November 2018 at 14:48

Well done everyone and lovely pictures Ilona. I’ve only managed 31 and am falling by the wayside a bit. I was away for a week and since then got caught up with other interests and commitments. I need to motivate myself. Weather here continues mostly clear and sunny though has been very cold. I hate the clocks going back and the dark days, I have episodes of depression during the winter which I’m sure are related to the lack of light. All the more reason to get outside then!!

yorkshire lass1 November 2018 at 16:48

76.5 miles for October and that brings my total so far to 759.5 the point 5's add up, they're too good to waste. I love this time of year for walking.

Ray Nicholson1 November 2018 at 20:47

Hi Ilona and the walking group,hope you are all well. Miles for October is 89 bringing my total to 893.

Beachcomber1 November 2018 at 20:59 

I love getting out walking nearly every day but am finding that I can't do a morning's heavy gardening and then walk in the afternoon.
My total so far this year is 985. I was hoping to reach 1200 as we aimed for that last year and failed to reach it. Realistically I don't think we'll make it this year either.

Jenette1 November 2018 at 22:18

Hi Ilona 75.6 for me this month. Only on about 800 so touch and go whether I make the 1000

Kath K1 November 2018 at 22:29

111 miles this month 824 in total should manage the 1000 now if everything goes to plan
Everyone's doing really well on the home straight now sure we'll all do our best to reach the target we set ourselves good luck allxx

Carole Cooper1 November 2018 at 23:02

Hi Ilona. 76 miles for me this month. Total 806 so far. I’m feeling much fitter than I did at the beginning of the year and even though some days it feels like an effort to go, I always feel much better once I have been.

Rentintin2 November 2018 at 14:35

Only 74 miles this month bringing my total to 1119 miles. However, 20 of those miles were from a lovely weekend spent in Stockholm. Even with the cooler weather, what a fantastic walker friendly city. All the best and keep up the great work!. Cheers

Hilde in Germany3 November 2018 at 05:27

Late as usual, with 79 miles this month, bringing me up to 897.

Lisa3 November 2018 at 05:36

Hi everybody, I managed 161 miles this month which gives me a total of 1018 miles. The weather is supposed to be warming up here as it’s late spring but it’s been wet and windy. Lisa W. Tasmania, Australia.

Nicki4 November 2018 at 21:31

Hi done 77 this month and 814 in total. 

Hilogene Oltman5 November 2018 at 01:04

Slow month walking this month in Phoenix, but still going to the gym and being active. Total of 34 miles in October, brings year to date total to 567. Thanks again for keeping us going Ilona! Your walks are much more scenic than mine, but you also go a lot further ;)

Thank you everyone, now we have the last push. Don't forget, you are doing this for you, not for me. You look after your own body and I will look after mine. That's all I ask. ilona

Freebies found in a skip

I haven't found a decent skip for ages, most of them have been filled with builders rubble and garden rubbish. Yesterday I found these. Two baskets with lids and fabric liners. I'll clean them up, wash the liners, and make new ones if they don't come clean enough. 

These will come in useful, two sets of chrome hooks that hang over the top of a door. Need a bit of a polish up.

Don't forget it's check in day tomorrow for the International Walking Group members.  ilona

Hippy patchwork bag made with scraps

I started this patchwork a few weeks ago, and now at last it has become a bag. It is lined, hand and machine stitched, and has long handles to hook over the shoulder.

 I made the two sides separately and joined them together with blanket stitch.

Some of the pictures were taken with flash, as the light was fading.
Av a butchers at the video for more details.



ilona

That didn't take long.

With such crappy weather outside, I think a cats instincts are to find somewhere warm, comfortable and dry to snuggle up and snooze. And so he has chosen, the best chair.  

The wind is howling outside, but we are all just fine.  ilona

Shades of grey

It's been a few weeks since I last went to the Scrapstore, and as I like to take something with me to give them, I paid a visit to the vinyl man to see if he had any scraps in his bin. I struck lucky, there was quite a lot, large pieces as well, and several bright colours. I went to the wood man next door but he didn't have anything of interest. Never mind, it's pot luck when asking for scrap donations. The ladies at the Scrapstore were dead chuffed with the vinyl. 

Angela came with me and we found some really nice fabric. Like me she has several projects on the go. My fabric looks a bit dull on the photo, mostly shades of grey, but some of it has a beautiful sheen to it. There will be some posh looking shopping bags coming off the production line. 

This one is shiny, with blue and purple hues in it.

They had big bags of coloured cord on offer and were decanting it into smaller bags for £3 each. I chose these colours. It would make great boot laces, ha ha.

When we got back Angela quickly rustled up a late lunch for us. Egg,chips, and beans, just the job. We had a rummage, and a laugh, a fun afternoon.

Raining now so no walking tonight.  ilona

Hello Oscar

It's looking like there might be another addition to my furry family. Micky on the table is not moving in, he lives two doors down and is always hanging around. He is a naughty boy though, as soon as my back is turned he dashes straight in and buries his head in whatever food bowl he can find. 

Other cat has been a regular visitor for the past few months. Sometimes sleeping in the cat sun house down the bottom of the garden. Sometimes sleeping on the cushion under the table. He wanders around, visiting another house round the corner, scrounging food wherever he can. His owner has been to look for him, and hasn't been able to find him. We have had a conversation, and she has agreed with me that it would be unfair to force him to go back home. He has been away for many months now. He is mainly an outdoor cat and does not like to be trapped.

So, if he wants to stay here he can. He is 8.5 years old, comes in for food, and hopefully in time he will want to stay indoors a bit more often. I don't feel at this stage that I should should shut him in, but I look out for him and let him in when I see him. I am calling him Oscar. Mayze and Heidi don't seem too fazed by this new addition.   ilona

Not a lot happening

Please excuse my absence from blogging, there hasn't been anything to talk about. Mundane stuff is not interesting, don't want to write boring stuff just for the sake of it. Off to Crafty Club now. Catch up later.   ilona

Dinner in a pan, 15 minutes.

Jumping for joy, my lovely Ford Focus passed the MOT test, no advisories, all is good. This is the fifth Ford car I have had now, two Cortina's, one Escort, and two Focus, and they have all been good, I'm definitely a Ford girl. 

It was a thrown together sort of meal tonight. A chopped up Quorn fillet, an onion, in a pan with a splash of olive oil. Whole grain mustard, vegetable granules, and half a packet of frozen cooked rice with vegetables. When nearly done, add an egg, mix it in. Serve on a bed of watercress with cucumber. It was bloomin lovely. 

It's been a miserable day outside, dull, cold, drizzly, damp, cloudy, and horrible. Only did my two mile walk. Helping my friend deliver some newsletters tomorrow, let's hope it's a bit better.  ilona

Spending a bit of money on my hobby

I went to see my favourite dentist yesterday for my annual checkup. Pleased to report that no work needs to be done, all ok. Jim is a nice young man, he remembered me from last time, quick chat, more patients waiting. Cost £21.60.

After that I had a mooch round Brigg, did some shopping at Tesco, and called in to see a friend who works in a sewing shop. I found some nice embroidery silks in a bargain box and chose five for £2. There was a poster up about forthcoming workshops and one caught my eye, so I booked it. Make a Christmas table centre, raw edge applique, patchwork, and free motion quilting. £48 for six hours, includes all materials, and a festive buffet lunch, with 25% off any fabric purchased on the day. Something to do on a miserable winters day. I like the social aspect of it as well, chatting with like minded people.

Looking at the programme there might be some other workshops that I might be interested in. The 2019 list will be out soon. I quite fancy free machine embroidery as I have not been that successful when I have tried it.

In an hour or so my car is booked in for it's MOT test. I am now using a local garage, as they seem fair. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'll have a bite to eat before I go.

I asked a friend for guitar lessons, he wasn't too keen, quickly showed me two cords, so it's yoootoob tutorials for me. I can see it's going to take a while, with my brain slowing down due to old age, ha ha.   ilona 

Being polite has it's downsides.

Oh dear, I have eaten too much. I was presented with a massive cooked dinner on Sunday, someone had gone to a lot of trouble to lay on the feast, five of us sat round a table and scoffed. I am very appreciative of the kindness of others, so I had to be kind back and eat almost the whole plateful. It's rude not to eat what is put in front of you, and I hate wasting food, so I soldiered on. I did my best, didn't want to leave half of it, even though I was bursting at the seams. I had to stop short of clearing the whole lot, some cabbage and peas were left on the edge of the plate.

I do have big platefuls of food sometimes at home, but it is always vegetables or salad. If I can't manage all of it I put it in the fridge to be added to lunch the next day. The feeling of fullness never lasts long, because salad and veg passes through the body quite quickly. It's not a good idea to eat tons of heavy food which will linger a while longer. The stomach stretches to compensate for over indulgence, then you get the feeling that there is a blockage as some of it gets stuck half way down. Not good.

I was still full when I got to the hotel, the Holiday Inn, by the way, very nice hotel, so I was able to collapse on the bed and watch tele. I was still full the next morning when I went down for breakfast. I rationed myself to a bowl of cornflakes, and beans and scrambled egg on a slice of bread. I could have gone the whole hog and ordered a full veggie breakfast, but the though of it made me feel sick. I had to eat something though, not good to binge eat and later starve yourself.

I rang my Auntie to see if she was in for a visit. The first thing she said was, I haven't got anything vegetarian in. People always thing vegetarians have a completely different diet than everyone else. I never expect people to prepare special food for me, I will eat what they eat, except for the meat, fish, and gravy. I said, Auntie, I don't need to eat, I am still stuffed from last night, and I have just had breakfast. She is so kind. So I had a cup of coffee with her and a catch up natter.

Next onto sisters in the afternoon. Starting to feel like I ought to eat something so she made me a cheese sandwich, that was just right, will keep me going till I get home. I drove past Tesco, couldn't be bothered to call in, the thought of buying more food, yuk, can't face it. At 7pm I had a small bowl of soup.

This morning I had porridge with a few frozen fruits. I hope to get my stomach back to normal today, smaller portions to give it chance to shrink back to it's normal size. So sorry stomach, I have abused you, because I was too polite to leave food that someone had prepared specially for me.

Eating is seen as a social activity, go out for a meal with friends, getting a take away with friends, going to someone's house for a party. There's going to be a lot of this going on between now and Christmas. There's going to be a lot of stretched stomachs, over indulgence, and eating too much. I might get an invite to one more family do, it will be nice to see them, but I'm going to have to limit myself about what goes into my mouth. Feeling bloated and sick isn't my idea of enjoyment.

How will you cope, will you be partying, will you be stuffing your face, just because it's all laid out on a table?   ilona

Helloooooo ;o)

I am back and the computer is cranked up. I've had a couple of days away visiting family. Didn't take the computer, and didn't take any photo's, so nowt to show. I treated myself to an overnight at a hotel, very nice, relax in front of the tele, flicking around the channels with the remote. Watched some crap, I won't be following the jungle thingy, soooo booooring. The dancing thingy, booooring. Saw Cheryl strutting her stuff, not impressed. Watched breakfast tele this morning, that Morgan bloke hogs the conversation, keeps butting in. Too much Brexit, fed up of that now, just get on with it.

Done my three miles tonight, got caught in rain but was able to shelter so I didn't get too wet. So what's happening this week. Check up at the dentist on Wednesday, and car MOT on Thursday. Deliver stuff to the charity shop what Auntie gave me, she doesn't have a car to take them herself, and learn to play the guitar. What !!! Yes, I have a guitar. It was Uncle's, now I have it. Something to play with. Catch you later.  ilona

Computer says no.

Dr Rangan Chattergee says we should have one day off per week away from screens. I'm willing to give that a try. This screen is about to shut down, and I am going to engage with the real world.  Catch up later.  ilona