Monthly Archives: September 2013

What A Few Weeks!

It has felt like a wacky rollercoaster around our home for the last few weeks.  Every time you get to the top you fall rapidly down the other side!

Youngest finally got rid of all the spots and itchy skin a week after breaking out and we think it was definitely a virus as he was left with a cold!  He is feeling so much better now but really tired in the evenings.  The first day back at school he came home white!!!  However he is slowly getting back to normal and managed to swim at the Matlock Open on Saturday and got two PB’s and two medals so he was really pleased.  He also went training yesterday one hour at the 50m pool and one hour at normal training!  That was my fault as I got the timing wrong and he should have had two hours at the 50m pool!  Never mind he enjoyed the two different sessions!!!  At the end of his illness and when he was getting better, I started calling him Spotty McDougall! Now that’s a great name for a children’s book, don’t you think?  When I have a spare five minutes I will get around to doing something!!!!!

Eldest went to see Girlfriend at the weekend who is all now moved in to her Uni accommodation and spent last week at Fresher’s Week, partying and getting registered!  She now has Fresher’s flu which they all seem to have come down with!  At first she thought it was a myth but no!!!! So at the moment she has no voice, which is not good for a Language Student!!!!!  She is enjoying it though.

Eldest has decided that as his results were not good, he is going to spend this year doing two more courses and hoping to get better grades to be able to go to Uni next year.  We have said great and that he must work at them and we will see what happens.  Watch this space!  He is happy with the decision so that is the main thing!

DH and I managed to get the two bathrooms in our house painted two weekends ago and this weekend we spent the time in the garden.  The weather has been great over the last few weeks, a real Indian Summer, so all the plants are still growing and looking healthy, including the trees.  Of course that has meant that the grass has still been growing like mad and DH thought he had finished mowing for the season but no such luck, although I think it is great!!  He is away this week at an exhibition for three days and staying over so it will be quiet around here.

Youngest is pleased as he gets tomorrow off.  The staff at the Senior School are striking for a day about pay, pensions and conditions so school is closed to Lower and Upper pupils but still open for the Sixth Form!  I think I will take him to the cinema for his day off.  We are extremely lucky that we work for ourselves, so I am able to do this but I feel sorry for all those parents who work for companies having to arrange extra childcare!

 

Because it has been so frantic over the last two weeks, I have fallen behind with jobs and the washing and ironing is multiplying so today, after work, will be a sort out!

Treacle is busy as always and she will be off to her hairdressers soon for a wash, cut and blow dry! In fact she costs more than me to get her hair done!!! But it is worth it afterwards as she looks soooo much better.  She really is wooly at the moment.

 

Whilst Youngest was ill I did a little catch up on some of my favourite programmes and have to say I love Dance Moms!  DH never believes me when I say how bad it can be when you get women together, either working or socially.  Then throw in their children as well!!!!!!!!!  I know they play up to the camera and it is all done for viewing figures, but its great!!!  Also Masterchef Australia is back and am enjoying it although they have moved the show from Sydney to Melbourne now and I think it will take a little getting used to. Nothing stays the same!

I was reminded of that fact the other day when I was back in Nottingham and I drove past my old childhood home and my Grandparents old home! My old home had had a huge extension on the side completely changing the look of the place (not well done either [sniff]) and there was a huge extension going on the side of my Grandparents old house!  I know things can’t stay the same forever but I am not very good with change and of course these houses no longer look like how I remember them.  I think with all the changes that have been going on at home this year it really has made me think about changes, not good for me.  So I am going to be like Scarlet O’Hara at the end of Gone with the Wind “after all, tomorrow is another day”.

I have, now don’t be amazed, been quilting!!!!  But I can’t show you yet as the person it is for reads my blog, so it will be a little while before I can show you, sorry!

Must get on, even Treacle is demanding her place needs clearing of laundry!!!!

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I hope you all have a marvelous Monday, got to get back into the swing of posting and reading all the blogs I follow too. See you tomorrow

Susie x

Save

Pinned It!

Well Pin It has been completed and Kristen and her team of Bloggers have done a fantastic job.  Unfortunately I completely lost the plot with the ladies hosting as our Youngest has been poorly over the last few days.  It culminated in us being at the Children’s Hospital at 7.00am this morning as he had gotten worse over night!  

He has had an allergic reaction to something, we don’t know what, and after last night it has begun to affect his eyes, as well as the rash which is all over. Unfortunately the Doctor is not able to say what has caused this, so we have some tablets and we are now home and have to keep an eye on him.  If he does not get better or if it gets worse again, we are back at the hospital!  So, as you can imagine, he is feeling very sorry for himself and I have been very fraught!!!!

As today is the 18th I am to get Mr Random Number Generator to draw a number for my Giveaway from the Pin It Hop. 

He chose Number 1 which is Sharon at Dexter Days who said :

“Seasonal pincushions..what a great idea! I love that perfect slice of cake!! Thanks for sharing them all!”

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Congratulations Sharon and I hope you enjoy the fabric.  I have sent her an email and will get the fabric posted off to her by the end of the week. 

I would like to thank everyone who left lovely comments and became Followers of my Blog.  Welcome to you all.  I will get round to responding to the last few who left me lovely messages, in between running up and downstairs to check on Youngest.  I will also try and visit everyone else who hosted to see the wonderful pincushions.  I love Blog Hops and think this one has been one of the best, so thanks to Madame Samm and Kristen for all their hard work.

Got to go for now.

Susie x

Pin It Day Three!

September 12

Cherrys Prairie Primitives

In Stitches& Seams

Sew And Sow Farm

Domestic Deficit Disorder

A Geeky Crafty Life

Moosestash Quilting

Englating

Quilter in Motion

In The Boondocks

Hill Valley Quilter

Kaydie

Callender’s Creations   

Kreatywnie By Editha

Sew New To Sewing

Pieced Brain

Sheila’s Quilt World

Today is Day Three of the Pin It Blog Hop and the above ladies are hosting today.  Hop along and see what they have been up to.

I have errands to run today and got some more business work to finish and then it is swimming tonight for the Boys!  Tomorrow I have house jobs to do and then Saturday we are off to our good friends Kevin and Tricia’s s youngest son’s wedding!  Fingers crossed for good weather and hopefully I will have a few pictures for you next week. 

Have a Thrilling Thursday and Hop to It!

Susie x

Pin It Day Two!

September 11

Vroomans Quilts

More Stars In Comanche

Dancing Through Threads

Jackie’s Art Quilts

What About Rheema?

Stekje

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Just Let Me Quilt

Patchouli Moon Studio

Bea Quilter

Quilting Lines

I Piece 2 Mary

Quiltingbydawn

Nati’s Little Things

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Krislovesfabric

Bquiltin

Welcome to Day Two of the Pin It Blog Hop and the ladies above are today hosting, so hop along and see what they have been up to.

I would also like to say a big Thank You to everyone who stopped by and left lovely comments and became followers here or by email or on Bloglovin!  I am still working my way through all the comments but please know that I have read them all and will reply to everyone.  Family life intruded last night and I got caught up in Homework and after school activities!

I am also behind on visiting the other ladies who hosted yesterday and now today, but again I will get round everyone.  I did see the ones picked out by Madame Samm and they looked amazing.  I need to get caught up on business work and I will then be hopping.

DH and I also spent most of yesterday trying to fix my tumble dryer.  We had given up on it and I had ordered a new one when DH managed to repair mine!!!!!  So money saved and washing dried.  Which was a good job as it was cold and raining yesterday!

Anyway Treacle doesn’t mind that I have hijacked Wednesday Wag day as she is fast asleep in her basket.  It is again cold and rainy today and so she has decided to hibernate!

See you all hopping!

Susie x

Pin It Here!

Hello and welcome to my Day on the Pin It Blog Hop, pinned by Madame Samm and organised by our wonderful Cheerleader Kristen at Meadowbrook Blog.

The recorded origins of pincushions date back to the Middle Ages of Europe.  They became known by many names: pimpilowes, pimpilos, pimplos, pimploes, pin-pillows, pin-poppets. By the 16th century, these were supplanted by references to “pyn pillows

A selection of antique pin cushions

The most popular design was a tomato with a strawberry attached and was most likely introduced during the Victorian Era. According to folklore, placing a tomato on the mantle of a new home guaranteed prosperity and repelled evil spirits. If tomatoes were out of season, families improvised by using a round ball of red fabric filled with sand or sawdust. The good luck symbol also served a practical purpose; a place to store pins.

Pin Cushions today come in all shapes and sizes and designs.  I love them and have several, especially ones the Boys have found on their travels.  For this Blog Hop I decided, as we have just gone into Autumn, to make four pin cushions, one for each season.  So here are my cushions

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My Spring Daisy Pin Cushion

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My Summer Flower Pin Cushion

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My Autumn Horror Pin Cushion

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My Winter Christmas Pin Cushion

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The Four of Them Together!

I had great fun making them and have found out a great deal about my new machine (yes there were a few wrong turns!!!!!) but I think they turned out really well.

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This is one of my pin cushions that the Boys bought for me.  The best piece of cake ever, no calories!!!!!!

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This is one that DH bought for me a long time ago and I love its simplicity!

So I hope you have enjoyed my cushions. Now onto the Giveaway

Giveaway

To Win all you have to do, if you don’t already, is please follow my blog and let me know you stopped by.  That’s It.  I will get Mr Random Number Generator to draw a name on September 18th after the Hop has ended.  I will ship Internationally and please make sure you are not a no-reply blogger.  If you are not sure, leave me your email address in your comment.

What you can Win is this :

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Three pieces of Christmas fabric and a set of fabric Christmas labels all tied up with a Christmas ribbon.  Also

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This sweet little penguin fat quarter!

Thank you for stopping by on my day on the Hop and don’t forget to hop along and see all these lovely ladies who are also hosting today :

Meadowbrook

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Sunshine Quilting

The Distracted Domestic

Gingini

Karinka

De Handwerktuin

How ART You?

Den syende himmel

Stitching & Stuff

Susie’s World at Quilt Creations      (You Are Here!)

Grammie Q’s

Selina Quilts

Pig Tales and Quilts

Robin’s Fabric Nest

Gr8dame’s Place

A Huge Thank You To Kristen and Madam Samm and I hope you have a Terrific Tuesday and watch those fingers with the Pins!!!!

Susie x

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Treacle says thanks for Hopping with us!

Pin It Is Almost Here!

The Pin It Blog Hop is almost here, in fact the prickly fun begins tomorrow and I am hosting on my Blog on the First Day!!!!!

So Hop back tomorrow to see what I have been up to with my new machine and also hop along to these wonderful ladies who are also hosting tomorrow.   I will be having a Giveaway too so don’t be late!

Don’t forget to Pin That Date!

Susie x

September 10

Meadowbrook

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Sunshine Quilting

The Distracted Domestic

Gingini

Karinka

De Handwerktuin

How ART You?

Den syende himmel

Stitching & Stuff

Susie’s World at Quilt Creations

Grammie Q’s

Selina Quilts

Pig Tales and Quilts

Robin’s Fabric Nest

Gr8dame’s Place

Pin It Blog Hop!

I mentioned earlier this week about this wonderful Blog Hop which begins next week on September 10th.  The Cheerleader for this Hop is Kristen over at Meadowbrook (http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.co.uk/) who has done a great job of organising us all.  Here is the Schedule :

September 10

Meadowbrook

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Sunshine Quilting

The Distracted Domestic

Gingini

Karinka

De Handwerktuin

How ART You?

Den syende himmel

Stitching & Stuff

Susie’s World at Quilt Creations

Grammie Q’s

Selina Quilts

Pig Tales and Quilts

Robin’s Fabric Nest

Gr8dame’s Place

September 11

Vroomans Quilts

More Stars In Comanche

Dancing Through Threads

Jackie’s Art Quilts

What About Rheema?

Stekje

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Just Let Me Quilt

Patchouli Moon Studio

Bea Quilter

Quilting Lines

I Piece 2 Mary

Quiltingbydawn

Nati’s Little Things

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Krislovesfabric

Bquiltin

September 12

Cherrys Prairie Primitives

In Stitches& Seams

Sew And Sow Farm

Domestic Deficit Disorder

A Geeky Crafty Life

Moosestash Quilting

Englating

Quilter in Motion

In The Boondocks

Hill Valley Quilter

Kaydie

Callender’s Creations   

Kreatywnie By Editha

Sew New To Sewing

Pieced Brain

Sheila’s Quilt World

September 13

Quilting In South Carolina

Negligent Style

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Sew Many Yarns

News From Bear Hollow

Around The Homestead

Living with Purpose

Buzzing and Bumbling

Colorpoint Quilter

Scraps of Life

Daisy Days

Stitchduchess

Life @ RuffHaven

AnnieOak Designs

Grandmama’s Stories

Suebee’s World

Handmade by Mama

September 16

De Zondagssteek

Ravelley

The Tilted Quilt

A Stitch In Time

Asimplelife Quilts

Jane’s Quilting

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Dancing Moon

 Bloom Where I Am Planted

Busy Bee Free

Marpie’s Sewing Projects

The Stitchin’ Post

Sew Much 2 Luv

Rose Creations

Lixie Makes It

Sunshine Reflections

Needled Mom

Sew Incredibly Crazy

September 17

Life in the Scrapatch

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Amy Made That…by eamylove

Michelle’s Romantic Tangle

Quiltscapes

Kwilty Pleasures

Words and Stitches

Val’s Quilting Studio

Les Quilts

Sew Peace to Peace

Bumbleberry Stitches

Susie’s Sunroom

Quilts From My Crayon Box

Quarter Incher

I Like to QuiltBlog

Just Quilt It

Sew We Quilt

As you can see there are lots and lots of ladies who are busy creating lots of wonderful pincushions for you to see.  The fun begins on September 10th and I am hosting on that day, so pop along and see what I have been up to.  There will also be a Giveaway too.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday

Susie x

The Wednesday Wag

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I am staying out of the way today as Mom is a whirling dervish! She is busy getting the house cleaned, washing and ironing done and everything ready for Youngest to go back to school tomorrow.  

I hate this time of year as I am so used to The Boys being off that I hate it when they go back to school, they are so much fun!

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Today is warm and sunny and I have been out playing in the garden today, as it has been too warm for a walk.  I have inspected the garden thoroughly and made sure that the pesky squirrel is not hiding and I did almost catch a magpie last night but it was too quick and hopped onto the fence and flew off!

Mom and Dad are having a date night on Friday which means I will be home with The Boys, which will mean lots of sweet treats, but don’t tell Mom!!!!!

I hope the warm weather lasts a little longer as I love the door being open to the garden all day and I can wander in and out.  As it starts to get cold Mom keeps the door shut so I am hoping it is going to be the Indian Summer they have predicted.

I hope you are all enjoying the sunny weather. 

Woof, Treacle

Animal Paw Print

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The Machines Are Revolting!

 

Do you remember the good old days when you had a coffee machine which had a jug and a filter?  You used to put the coffee in, fill it up with water and then the wonderful smell of coffee infused the kitchen?  Well we decided to buy this machine for Eldest and he has been busy playing with it and for him it makes a great drink.

For me it has a mind of its own and decides to either not dispense the right amount of water or the coffee tastes yuck!!!!!!

My phone decided to have a moment yesterday and wouldn’t send any texts or messages!

My car started beeping at me when I started the engine with a message about the tyre pressure system!

My Accounts package which I had managed to get sorted two weeks ago has gone on the fritz again!

So on this basis I am not going to touch my new machine today!

Eldest came home this morning from filming, buzzing again.  There was only sixteen of them last night filming so the odds are going up that we will seem him when it is finished!  We were joking that if we get to go to the premier with all our friends and family, when we see him on the screen we will all be jumping saying “look, look it’s Alexander!!!!!”

Can you tell how proud of him we are ?

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Susie x