A Busy Week!

Sometimes life feels a little like a roller coaster - not just in terms of the ups and downs but also in terms of how time passes.  Do you know that feeling?  When at times life seems to trot along at a slow speed and you don't need to rush or plan to fit things in?  And then other times it's like you're suddenly rocketing down hill and time just seems to fly by - not because you're having fun but because there just aren't enough minutes in the day for all the commitments you have?

Well, that's been my story this past week.  Lots of rushing fast hobbling around; mainly to lots of different physical assessments by different teams within the local hospital.  Lots of tests, manipulation, questions... and so far not a lot of answers.  It seems there is something awry with my central nervous system too but those questions don't give a lot of answers - just more tests.  But we will keep calm and carry on in the typically British fashion!!




All this means there has been very little time at home this past week and I've missed my pottering time.  Milo has been slow to recover from having two teeth out (bless him) and we are all very much ready for the half term break this week!!










I was productive though in the little time I had last week.  Not a slow pottering of time - more a sprint to a finish.  A close friend was looking to recover her conservatory chair cushions - the rattan kind - and was struggling.  I offered to have a go and after an offer of payment and some "Oh no, I couldn't possibly" and "But I can't let you if you don't let me pay" type of conversation, we settled happily on a trade of time.  My time in doing her cushions and her time in looking after the children for one afternoon one weekend in the not too distant future!!  Win: Win.  I do love it when a plan comes together.  It did lead me to think down the whole money verses trading skills economy.  I do so like the idea of trading something personal rather than coin based!

So I set about making these cushions.  They took a while but that was largely because I hadn't used my sewing machine for an age and so was re-familiarising myself with that too.  The cushions came on a treat - the spotty fabric is from Dunelm and coordinates with her dining table oil cloth so I think they will look lovely.  I'm going to tackle the back cushion covers which are slightly larger the week after half term!

It was good fun actually and made me wonder why I'd neglected my faithful sewing machine for so long in favour of the crochet hook.

It also made me question why I procrastinate so!  I have two chairs of my own which I have previously recovered - ooh, some 5 years ago and which now are crying out for another cover.  Do I get round to doing it?  Hmmm.

Well, yes by the end of November I will have made new chair covers for the two armchairs in question - and have completed my chair mission for my friend.

Time will not get away from me.  Oh no, I shall invent some manner of controlling it so I actually manage to create something tangible.  Hopefully when I do see what I have managed to create, the idea of me eluding time will feel more real!

I won't be around in cyber world for the rest of this week but take care and we'll catch up soon,
J9 x

Sew Distracted

I'm sure many readers living in the UK are enjoying the fabulous series The Great British Sewing Bee.  I'm really loving it again this year.  It's wonderfully inspiring like the Bake Off - I watch an episode and it literally makes me want to get the sewing machine out and Make instead of Bake!!  I wish I had free access to their haberdashery!

I've been doing quite a bit of sewing lately - re-establishing my love of the sewing machine - my first creative outlet.  You may remember that I decorated Little Lady's bedroom last year.  I knew that her pastel blind would need changing and chose some gorgeous teal butterfly fabric from John Lewis.  I have had the fabric around 6 months (procrastination is a weakness) but after the Sewing Bee last week I finally felt motivated to make a new blind!!  It is a basic manual roll up design backed in blackout lining.  It has a simple pole sewn into the top seam and hooks hold it in place at the window.  I think it is a simple yet pretty solution - unique and very cost effective too as it is a large window!

The photos aren't fabulous as I'm taking them into the light but it does look sweet and coordinates well with the decor.  Of course the main critic - my lovely girl, cast her eye over it - and success, she was delighted! It looks a little gathered along the pole in the photos but you can just pull this out to the sides - then it lays straight - I just didn't realise while I was taking the photos!

I've got a long list of sewing projects to complete around the home and am hoping this new motivation will help me tick some of them off!  In all honesty though I'm struggling a bit this past week with my pain levels. I've decided today to listen to my body and give in, in order to help it rest a bit.  Hopefully this flare will then calm down and my pain levels will become more manageable.  I often use craft as a way to distract my mind from the pain I'm experiencing but the last couple days I've just covered the chores and could find no energy for anything more.

A couple of readers have contacted me about the accident that I sometimes refer to, progress on my on-going pain management and how I manage my family life.  I've stayed away from discussing this too much as I'm sure you understand this is a difficult topic for me and I don't want this space to become negative and heavy.  This blog after all came into being after journal-ling Project Gratitude to help with my emotional recovery.

However, I feel that it is really important to discuss disability so that it does not remain a taboo subject or that negative misconceptions on ability continue to prevail.  I think it's important to stress at the outset that I would be talking about my own experience and situation - disabilities are wide ranging and specific to the individual so by no means am I seeking to be an expert on anything but my own impairment.

Over the coming weeks, I have decided to break the subject of my 'disability story' into three elements:

• My Accident - Injuries and their Impact
• My Physical and Mental Journey 
• A Reflection on Things I've Learnt

In so doing I will not exaggerate, will keep medical details minimal, factual and concise focusing mainly on the road to recovery rather than dwelling on things that cannot be changed.  These posts will be interspersed with my normal crafty / homey posts as I don't want to overload any readers who do not wish to read this type of post.  Please do bear with me if this does include you - I don't wish to alienate anyone but on the other hand I would have appreciated this type of post if I'd found it when I did need it.

Finally, welcome to my new followers - it is wonderful to have you here.  I hope you have a fabulous week,
J9 x

My Festive Mantel.... and Sofa!

The autumnal colours have been removed from my mantelpiece and a thoroughly festive theme now takes centre stage.  Apologies for the poor light in this photo - the grey skies in Somerset at the moment make indoors so gloomy - but you get the idea!  My favourite bit is the pompom garland (which I actually bought for a trim for a furniture makeover I've got planned!!)

 

I've enjoyed starting to play with some elements in our lounge before all the decorations go up this weekend.  I'm having a leisurely few days ahead of the school holidays slowly getting our home organised and Christmassy!  It's had a thorough dusting and some clutter has been removed...  I've washed and re-hung the curtains and cleared the decks before all the decs come out!

So my mantle is looking festive and I decided to 'Christmas up' my sofa - I do love a few comfy cushions on my couch!!  I was going to sew some cushion covers with some red fleece but when I went to purchase the pads the cost of 2 pads was the same as 2 pre-made red cushions with pads - so I opted for the pre-made red versions to save me some time!

Although not as soft and textural as fleece, I don't really mind as my plan was to always embellish them. I've raided my button stash for cute, shiny, mother of pearl buttons - goodness it's crazy how much joy I get from rooting through my stash of buttons.

After an evening of sewing, we now have a heart and a star (which is somewhat crooked but hey)...

They feel festive without being crazy!!

My sofa normally looks like this - I'm not a fan of the chocolate leather but it was my husband's choice and is very practical. However, I always cover it for extra comfort and warmth!!

After my tweaking today, it has been made all festive! I got the cream throw from the charity shop and the fleece blanket was from Dunelm (where I also got the cushions!).

The cushions were a simple make but giving lots of pleasure. Ideal for snuggling and watching Christmas films this weekend once we've put up the tree!!  I hope you are enjoying setting the scene in your home.

J9 x

Today I'm linking up with these fabulous parties!

 

A Return to Loveliness

Share your Cup Thursday
WOW us Wednesday!
 

Creativity of the Kiddie Kind

This was a weekend where we hunkered down in our home.  The winds blew madly up on our hill and the rain fell (hard) and there was little inclination to go out and get the usual 'breath of fresh air'!!

With weekends at home comes the littlies yearning for a creative outlet.  I love that they love to create.  It doesn't really matter what we do.  We're just sat around the table, chattering and creating. 

Mess gets made.

Piles of art finished, drying pieces of art are left overnight before being completed the next day. 


We made Hamma bead Christmas decorations -

And R and I made teacup candles for the first time (what a revelation as to how easy they are - these need topping up and trimming but you get the idea!!)

Lots of colouring

R did a little bit of independent sewing - her idea to develop

And some ink marbling

What could be better?

Well maybe add in some of this....

And this.....

It's amazing what you can pack into a weekend at home.  It was all at a leisurely pace too and the TV only went on on Sunday, which the kids finished with a family film like this....  oh they love a den.

 

Heaven.

J9 x

Today I'm linking up with these fab parties for the first time!!

Wow Us Wednesday

Heart & Home

Raising Homemakers
Sunny Simple Sunday

I'm also entering the Fabulous Joole's Generous Giveaway - please do take a moment to check out her wonderful blog Sew Sweet Violet!

Home made Mobility Aids?

When I was able bodied I gave little to no thought to my mobility.  It was something that I took completely for granted.  Over the past five years though, I have learned that there are little things that can make a difference.  My local Occupation Health department have been incredibly supportive in assessing me at home and getting different devices throughout the house that make tasks that bit easier.

My mum is gradually recovering from her operation and is walking a few steps at a time with the use of a frame.  When you walk with a frame all effort and focus is placed into your movement, balance and stability.  So carrying anything when you are highly dependant on the frame is impossible.  So what if you live on your own or only have people stopping in at different times of the day?

Unless.....

Mum had asked me if I could fashion something for her to put a phone and her glasses in - plus something that had a deep enough pocket to house a bag of frozen peas!!  She has to put these on her knee 4 times a day so the pocket can help her carry it to and from the freezer.  I opted for oilcloth - various offcuts I had in my stash!!

I'm travelling down to stay with her every Thursday and Friday at the moment until she's strong enough to carry on for longer periods - hence my less frequent blog posting.  When I'm down there I can help with a few jobs and be company during her recovery.  I've been going down for the last month and it has worked really well but I have to say things at home are beginning to slide a little and I'm feeling more jaded than normal!!  Half term is nigh, and I expect that after a short family visit then, we will aim to reduce our visits to a less frequent basis.

But today it's felt good to make something that seems insignificant in the scheme of things - but that aide will actually enable her to be more independant and practically improve this recovery time for her.  I'll take a photo of it on the frame to share later.

Small, simple things.  They can be the best.

J9 x