Yes, oh my! I've done it again ..... been away for simply ages with nothing of the past year or so, written in here at all!
But, some of you will have noticed me lurking around your blogs as I skim past, making the odd comment as I flit by.
It has been quite a year though ... We moved house. Twice. The first time because we knew the place we were at as housekeeper and gardener was being sold, though initially we didn't know why. It was because the owner, a very kind and lovely man, had cancer and was dying. Which he did a couple of month after we moved, but he had been determined to come up to Scotland for his last stay. He brought with him an air of peacefulness, of ending and saying goodbye. It was a wonderful last visit, and we are so grateful to the nurse he brought with him; who looked after him so well and with great care.
We moved to what we thought was going to be another wonderful place, with what we thought were lovely people. Who turned out to be horrors! Unbelievable how some people think they can treat others in their employ. So, off we went again.
This time to our own property, which we had kept and rented out for several years, despite the odd time we were tempted to sell it and spend the money wisely on holidays and having fun, phew! We had thought to rent out this house, but sell it and buy something nicer, and in the country, when we retired. However, when we needed it this house looked absolutely wonderful and perfect for us!
And, we have actually settled in here quite nicely. Anyway, we now live much nearer to town, and for the first time in over ten years, we have a shop at the end of the road! Because it is not stone, it is quick and cheap to heat, and fuel costs for travelling into Dundee or Perth are cut almost in half as we are now closer = result.
What are we doing for work? Well, I still Practice teach social work students, and have taken on some contracted work for another local authority. Mr T wanted me to 'go and get a job' but, to be honest, I really don't fancy going to work in an office - I have an aversion to being in the same room with the same people every day, with all the office politics and egos, etc. So, I am quite happy that I can contribute to the household expenses in the way I want to, again phew! Mr T has been for several interviews, and was able to land himself a little part-time driving job, and has some lovely customers whose gardens he is starting to keep in order.
I am still continuing with my City & Guilds, and this year have really found my feet, and feel like I know what I am doing, at last. This year, at Level 3 Creative Textiles and Embroidery, my subject needed to be about something I really love. I do love lots of things, but Tea is one of my favourite things, isn't it? So, 'Tea' it is. My overall theme is 'Journey' with specific interest in tea. Therefore, the journey of where tea comes from, how it got here, the social history of the tea clippers, the women who pick the leaves, and through to our beloved cuppa and the teabags we use today. And, I am enjoying it so much! I have even made paper out of used, dried teabags - next is paper using cotton and silks, representing the place I am concentrating on, India.
I have, of course, been knitting up a storm, lots of gloves, mitts, hats and woolies for the grandchildren. Once I get photos uploaded, I'll put them on here.
So, life is starting to have its own rhythm, quite different to how we lived at the estate, and it is quite comfortable. This is the next adventure, and I promise not to leave it so long 'til I write again.
Karen x
Friday, 1 March 2013
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
A New Year Catch Up blah
Hello!
Well, as everyone else is doing a new year catch up, I thought I should have a go, too.
Starting at the end, Mr T and I have been right poorly! I started in on Boxing Day with a vicious bout of the novo virus, to the point that the family felt they couldn't go off and visit brother and sister-in-law, and leave me alone. Dah! Then, Mr T succumbed to it in part; then we have both been down with colds.
But, we are very excited by the prospect of this year - due to stuff I can't write about here, yet. But, I will spill the beans and tell all, as soon as I can. Promise.
In the meantime, I started back at college for the 2nd part of my City & Guilds in september, and my theme this year began as 'Golden Wedding Veils'. However, as some of you may know, what you start out with changes over the time and process of working on the project and it has already changed to 'A women's life as a wife'. More to come on that, and when I've caught up with myself, I'll gen you up.
I am struggling with posting photos up at the moment as, in about October, I got myself an Apple MacBook Pro! I love it, and it's super powers, but am still not au fait with how to work the blimmin' thing! We have a book on it, and one of my Chrissy pressies is a course in March on 'Photoshop for the Mac' which I am really looking forwards to.
In March and October I did a course in screen printing which, though I enjoyed it, I found it physically demanding on my back. To the point I had to miss a couple of my days at college as I was in so much pain. However, I have now joined the print studio, which will mean I can pace myself as to when and how long I can be there. Ideas of what to print, especially on fabric keep running around in my head, so I shall get started very soon.
Our boss didn't come up to visit this year, due to a serious illness. This meant we had more free time and a bit less earnings but, he is hoping to come up again in the Spring. It doesn't look as likely as he is hoping, but we'll see. We hope he can come, as we like him very much. He won't recover from this illness, but he is a very determined person, and we look forward to seeing him again, if he can make it.
Meanwhile, our daughter took a course as a nail technician. I hadn't realised quite how popular gel nails, manicures and pedicures are and she is doing really well. I had mine done and am so pleased with them. Now, I wonder why I haven't had them done before, they are so pretty, and strong. They were first done when I was mid screen printing course, and they stood up to all the paint and chemicals that involves, too.
I don't think I have made much this year, though I did a craft stall in August. I seriously under-estimated the amount of products I needed for a stall, but did sell one of my paintings! I was bowled over at that and vow to produce some more. I do continue to knit, though and made a knitted vest for my grandson, as well as a colour work cardigan for one of my grand-daughters. I am slowly coming around to knitting toys and tree ornaments - currently thee is a teddy bear, with clothes on the needles for one grand-daughter who will be five this year, and is well into dressing and undressing dolls. One of her wishes at Christmas time was for some clothes for her Barbie and Ken - so they are now fully furnished with trousers, jumpers and hats!
Some of the blogs I have been reading have said about a word, or mantra, people are using this year and I have decided mine will be the following;
Health - I need to be and feel more healthy; lose the weight, ensure proper eating for balance and optimum health
Organisation - I work at several places and became very disorganised, so that I was late or missing various things, including outings and friends; this year menus will be written, appointments made and kept
Family and Friends - These are very important to me, and I neglect them. This year this will not be happening. Also, I have a propensity for 'sticking with it' and that includes, at times, being with people or in places that I don't need to be. So, from now, I will nurture the ones who are important, and I will junk the rest.
My best wishes to you, for 2012
Karen x
Well, as everyone else is doing a new year catch up, I thought I should have a go, too.
Starting at the end, Mr T and I have been right poorly! I started in on Boxing Day with a vicious bout of the novo virus, to the point that the family felt they couldn't go off and visit brother and sister-in-law, and leave me alone. Dah! Then, Mr T succumbed to it in part; then we have both been down with colds.
But, we are very excited by the prospect of this year - due to stuff I can't write about here, yet. But, I will spill the beans and tell all, as soon as I can. Promise.
In the meantime, I started back at college for the 2nd part of my City & Guilds in september, and my theme this year began as 'Golden Wedding Veils'. However, as some of you may know, what you start out with changes over the time and process of working on the project and it has already changed to 'A women's life as a wife'. More to come on that, and when I've caught up with myself, I'll gen you up.
I am struggling with posting photos up at the moment as, in about October, I got myself an Apple MacBook Pro! I love it, and it's super powers, but am still not au fait with how to work the blimmin' thing! We have a book on it, and one of my Chrissy pressies is a course in March on 'Photoshop for the Mac' which I am really looking forwards to.
In March and October I did a course in screen printing which, though I enjoyed it, I found it physically demanding on my back. To the point I had to miss a couple of my days at college as I was in so much pain. However, I have now joined the print studio, which will mean I can pace myself as to when and how long I can be there. Ideas of what to print, especially on fabric keep running around in my head, so I shall get started very soon.
Our boss didn't come up to visit this year, due to a serious illness. This meant we had more free time and a bit less earnings but, he is hoping to come up again in the Spring. It doesn't look as likely as he is hoping, but we'll see. We hope he can come, as we like him very much. He won't recover from this illness, but he is a very determined person, and we look forward to seeing him again, if he can make it.
Meanwhile, our daughter took a course as a nail technician. I hadn't realised quite how popular gel nails, manicures and pedicures are and she is doing really well. I had mine done and am so pleased with them. Now, I wonder why I haven't had them done before, they are so pretty, and strong. They were first done when I was mid screen printing course, and they stood up to all the paint and chemicals that involves, too.
I don't think I have made much this year, though I did a craft stall in August. I seriously under-estimated the amount of products I needed for a stall, but did sell one of my paintings! I was bowled over at that and vow to produce some more. I do continue to knit, though and made a knitted vest for my grandson, as well as a colour work cardigan for one of my grand-daughters. I am slowly coming around to knitting toys and tree ornaments - currently thee is a teddy bear, with clothes on the needles for one grand-daughter who will be five this year, and is well into dressing and undressing dolls. One of her wishes at Christmas time was for some clothes for her Barbie and Ken - so they are now fully furnished with trousers, jumpers and hats!
Some of the blogs I have been reading have said about a word, or mantra, people are using this year and I have decided mine will be the following;
Health - I need to be and feel more healthy; lose the weight, ensure proper eating for balance and optimum health
Organisation - I work at several places and became very disorganised, so that I was late or missing various things, including outings and friends; this year menus will be written, appointments made and kept
Family and Friends - These are very important to me, and I neglect them. This year this will not be happening. Also, I have a propensity for 'sticking with it' and that includes, at times, being with people or in places that I don't need to be. So, from now, I will nurture the ones who are important, and I will junk the rest.
My best wishes to you, for 2012
Karen x
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Busy
Well, sorry for being away quite so long - I don't think I've had such a long gap between posts before, and wonder if anyone will still be looking in, even!
I have had a busy time of it lately, though, and will try to relate it all here! In May I had my first 'blogger' meet, when I met up with Suzanne, from Fieldy (she writes about it in that link) and had a lovely time with our knitting, drinking coffe and chatting, in IKEA in Glasgow. We swapped pressies, and I came away with the most gorgeous 100% wool, in various shades that I hope to use once I've perfected my colour work, bless you, Suzanne.
Also, we have barely been home, these last few months, it seems as we had a wedding darn sarf in Cambridgeshire of our very great pal, G to Mark. Married in church G is not the sylph-like tall woman of the usual bride pictures, but she is very pretty and I found tears in my eyes as she walked down the aisle with her proud father, and looking so elegant and stunning, and they are such a happy and 'in love' couple. Also, it was a strange phenomenon to be in the company of so many 'fat' women! I know it might seem a strange thing to say, some might think me unkind, but I really felt so comfortable to be 'average' instead of the 'largest' person there. Though, of course, G and I made our usual statement of 'This time next year, I'll be thinn....' to each other.
In June we went trolling darn to Milton Keynes to a family BBQ, which was great fun and so lovely to see all our family, on my side, anyway - though by this time I have fallen out of love with Travvvelllodge (comfy beds, not!) Just back from there, I turned straight around and went to Durham to see my bessy mate, and had such a lovely, relaxed time HERE We talked and ate, slept and repeated same for three whole days = bliss. Walking around the grounds we saw two herds of deer in the deer park, the gorgeous flower gardens and, in a valley, a summer house - simply gorgeous!
So lovely to just sit around and catch up, without any distractions of work etc and simply a 'must' again next year.
Just last week we made the journey back down to Hertfordshire this time, for my cousin's wedding H to another Mark. A different experience this time as everything took place in the Country Manor House where the reception was, also. I don't know which I prefer as I am not a religious person (my faith is in people, and their inner goodness - but that is discussion for another day, perhaps?) but Church is part of our culture. However, a civil service can be made so personal, can't it? But, this was a small wedding, with great focus on H and her sister's small children as they were very much part of the party. It was lovely to meet them, as well as other cousin's babies, who are the next generation in line.
Our wedding anniversary was in June, and I was married in a Register Office in a cream and brown dress a la 1970s that I had bought in a sale! This was 36 years ago now, and I don't regret any of my wedding, especially as it was just very close family and a couple of friends, and a Wedgwood blue wedding cake with a tea round at Mr T's dad's house, then a meal at a Chinese Restaurant in the evening with our best friends. These friends had given us a bottle of champagne to have on our own, which fizzed all over our bed! So, we slept in champagne, then my nan came around in the morning to collect my bouquet to take to my aunty's grave for me - and, as we only had one rented room, sat on the bed with Mr T still in it, undressed as it were, so he had to stay put for the duration of the visit! Happy, happy days, and thank goodness, though we do bicker and argue we still love each other, deeply. Thank goodness.
That is enough of the catching up for today. See you soon, I hope.
I have had a busy time of it lately, though, and will try to relate it all here! In May I had my first 'blogger' meet, when I met up with Suzanne, from Fieldy (she writes about it in that link) and had a lovely time with our knitting, drinking coffe and chatting, in IKEA in Glasgow. We swapped pressies, and I came away with the most gorgeous 100% wool, in various shades that I hope to use once I've perfected my colour work, bless you, Suzanne.
Also, we have barely been home, these last few months, it seems as we had a wedding darn sarf in Cambridgeshire of our very great pal, G to Mark. Married in church G is not the sylph-like tall woman of the usual bride pictures, but she is very pretty and I found tears in my eyes as she walked down the aisle with her proud father, and looking so elegant and stunning, and they are such a happy and 'in love' couple. Also, it was a strange phenomenon to be in the company of so many 'fat' women! I know it might seem a strange thing to say, some might think me unkind, but I really felt so comfortable to be 'average' instead of the 'largest' person there. Though, of course, G and I made our usual statement of 'This time next year, I'll be thinn....' to each other.
In June we went trolling darn to Milton Keynes to a family BBQ, which was great fun and so lovely to see all our family, on my side, anyway - though by this time I have fallen out of love with Travvvelllodge (comfy beds, not!) Just back from there, I turned straight around and went to Durham to see my bessy mate, and had such a lovely, relaxed time HERE We talked and ate, slept and repeated same for three whole days = bliss. Walking around the grounds we saw two herds of deer in the deer park, the gorgeous flower gardens and, in a valley, a summer house - simply gorgeous!
So lovely to just sit around and catch up, without any distractions of work etc and simply a 'must' again next year.
Just last week we made the journey back down to Hertfordshire this time, for my cousin's wedding H to another Mark. A different experience this time as everything took place in the Country Manor House where the reception was, also. I don't know which I prefer as I am not a religious person (my faith is in people, and their inner goodness - but that is discussion for another day, perhaps?) but Church is part of our culture. However, a civil service can be made so personal, can't it? But, this was a small wedding, with great focus on H and her sister's small children as they were very much part of the party. It was lovely to meet them, as well as other cousin's babies, who are the next generation in line.
Our wedding anniversary was in June, and I was married in a Register Office in a cream and brown dress a la 1970s that I had bought in a sale! This was 36 years ago now, and I don't regret any of my wedding, especially as it was just very close family and a couple of friends, and a Wedgwood blue wedding cake with a tea round at Mr T's dad's house, then a meal at a Chinese Restaurant in the evening with our best friends. These friends had given us a bottle of champagne to have on our own, which fizzed all over our bed! So, we slept in champagne, then my nan came around in the morning to collect my bouquet to take to my aunty's grave for me - and, as we only had one rented room, sat on the bed with Mr T still in it, undressed as it were, so he had to stay put for the duration of the visit! Happy, happy days, and thank goodness, though we do bicker and argue we still love each other, deeply. Thank goodness.
That is enough of the catching up for today. See you soon, I hope.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Ta Da!
At last, it's finished. And entered. And in the exhibition. At last, it's Ta Da!
My project, for the City and Guilds Creative Textiles and Embroidery course I'm on, is a pair of cushions. The design is based upon Knitting, but I didn't want to include actual knitting in it. Then, my granddaughter, who is very clever and loves photography, took a picture of some tractor tyre tracks in the snow, and voila! The design started to take shape.
I painted some patterns onto paper, using bamboo skewers and ink, then built up my fabric, so that I could embroider the design. Choosing to just use a running stitch kept the design as the focus and, as my tutor suggested, the stitches found their own direction. Every, and each, stitch was placed in just the space, direction and size I chose; sometimes making a copy of the pattern, and at others being a representation. One panel represents a cable pattern that was on my jumper, and the other is of a design from a jumper I knitted one of my granddaughters at Christmas - two rows of stocking stitch, two of garter and another of stocking stitch.
The 'V' shape became very important, and I wanted to use that for the 'framing' in the mitred edgings to the panels. Then, the fabric I used for the edging has lines within the weave that I used to 'point' to the panel.
Ooh, I am really pleased with the process of making these pieces, and with the result I've produced.
My project, for the City and Guilds Creative Textiles and Embroidery course I'm on, is a pair of cushions. The design is based upon Knitting, but I didn't want to include actual knitting in it. Then, my granddaughter, who is very clever and loves photography, took a picture of some tractor tyre tracks in the snow, and voila! The design started to take shape.
I painted some patterns onto paper, using bamboo skewers and ink, then built up my fabric, so that I could embroider the design. Choosing to just use a running stitch kept the design as the focus and, as my tutor suggested, the stitches found their own direction. Every, and each, stitch was placed in just the space, direction and size I chose; sometimes making a copy of the pattern, and at others being a representation. One panel represents a cable pattern that was on my jumper, and the other is of a design from a jumper I knitted one of my granddaughters at Christmas - two rows of stocking stitch, two of garter and another of stocking stitch.
The 'V' shape became very important, and I wanted to use that for the 'framing' in the mitred edgings to the panels. Then, the fabric I used for the edging has lines within the weave that I used to 'point' to the panel.
Ooh, I am really pleased with the process of making these pieces, and with the result I've produced.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Boing!
Well, what a turn up?!
As you may remember, from my previous posts, Mr T had recently taken up the sport of archery. Something he did at school, some oh.... a few years ago now, and was interested in doing again, now we are semi-retired.
Well, the local club he joined had an 'Open Day' on Easter Sunday, so that anyone could come along and have a play, including family members. We arrived, en masse, loaded down with picnic paraphernalia, children and, minus dog on a lovely sunny day, to do so.
Little did we know that another three of us would be hooked, as it were! Mr and Mrs Daughter both tried and fell in love with it, and so did I. Seriously.
It was such fun, but I likened it to golf. However much you try, only one hit in many, for me at least, made its target! Mr and Mrs D had much more luck, and now we are frantically begging and borrowing kit, to match our sizes and (ahem) abilities = strength of pull, so that we can get to practicing some more.
Who knew?
ps the 'Boing' of the title is the sound my arrows made as they hit trees - all three in one of the tries I had!
As you may remember, from my previous posts, Mr T had recently taken up the sport of archery. Something he did at school, some oh.... a few years ago now, and was interested in doing again, now we are semi-retired.
Well, the local club he joined had an 'Open Day' on Easter Sunday, so that anyone could come along and have a play, including family members. We arrived, en masse, loaded down with picnic paraphernalia, children and, minus dog on a lovely sunny day, to do so.
Little did we know that another three of us would be hooked, as it were! Mr and Mrs Daughter both tried and fell in love with it, and so did I. Seriously.
It was such fun, but I likened it to golf. However much you try, only one hit in many, for me at least, made its target! Mr and Mrs D had much more luck, and now we are frantically begging and borrowing kit, to match our sizes and (ahem) abilities = strength of pull, so that we can get to practicing some more.
Who knew?
ps the 'Boing' of the title is the sound my arrows made as they hit trees - all three in one of the tries I had!
Saturday, 2 April 2011
let there be light
Ta da!
They are arrows in the target, you'll have to forgive my awful photo. But, NBG and her family also put on a lovely 'children's tea party' for him, with egg sandwiches, sausage rolls and crisps, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The reason for this themed cake is that Mr T is returning to archery as a hobby - something he enjoyed greatly when at school. I don't thinnk he/we will be taking up his other school sport of cannoeing just yet - though watch this space!
Aren't Mr P and I a clever team? I have the idea, go shopping and Mr T puts it together - under strict supervision, of course!
I could 'do-it-myself' but I like to keep Mr T busy, especially as he's had a birthday this week. I can't believe we are getting So Old, but I suppose it's better than the alternative, eh?
For Mr T's birthday, our grand-daughter, NBG and her step-dad made the most WonderFul Cake for him, thus
They are arrows in the target, you'll have to forgive my awful photo. But, NBG and her family also put on a lovely 'children's tea party' for him, with egg sandwiches, sausage rolls and crisps, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The reason for this themed cake is that Mr T is returning to archery as a hobby - something he enjoyed greatly when at school. I don't thinnk he/we will be taking up his other school sport of cannoeing just yet - though watch this space!
Monday, 28 March 2011
Wet Felting
With the Forfar Embroiders Guild, I attended a wet felting workshop on Saturday. This was run by a local, talented textile artist, Tessa Mendez of feltunique and what a great day we had. My wet felt is the header picture above, after I had embellished it, using a photo we took while on our cruise holiday last year.
On Saturday there were eight of us in all, and each of us made very different pieces - one woman's picture was of a rock and it was very life-like, others did scenes of trees, fields and another's was of underwater coral.
Sunset over the Med October 2010
On Saturday there were eight of us in all, and each of us made very different pieces - one woman's picture was of a rock and it was very life-like, others did scenes of trees, fields and another's was of underwater coral.
~~~ O ~~~
In other news, the cushion covers I am making for my college project are finally coming together. I have decorated the fabric and am ready to sew my design onto them. This would be difficult without transferring the design onto the fabric; and have wanted a light box for some time. Even asked Mr T and my son in law for their help.
Soooo, today I went into Homebase, where I got fantastic help from a young man there (who is a student architect, so knew what I was on about) who sorted me out with a short fluorescent light unit, and a sheet of perspex. Then, I have found a drawer, and will drill a hole in the side of it, add a diffuser to the perspex, bang in some nails (or screws, probably) to attach it to the top of the drawer, et voila! Costing less than £30, it has saved me at least £50 and I will have it for some time to come. Now, those of you who say I could use a window for this, don't know the lack of access and light my windows have!
~~~ O ~~~
This is another busy week for me, one of my students needs a report, three others are due a group supervision, foster panel reports are to be read and Mr T has a birthday on Wednesday. Phew! I remembered in time to organise a present, and we are having a 'children's tea party' for him, complete with balloons, jelly and cake. What laughs, what fun! xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)