Show and tell on Monday

Well as you may imagine my time has been limited over the last week so some of the stuff that I hoped to do just didn't get done.  They say there is going to be a lot more snow and that the sub zero temperatures will also be here for a while.  Hibernation time!  I HATE the cold so barely leave the house unless I have to.  The up side of that is more sewing time!

Despite lack of time I did manage a few items. A felt brooch, a wall hanging, an iPad / tablet case, a child's tote bag and two mobile phone cases to be precise.  All small projects, easily worked on.  

In addition to those I made some bunting for Jackson  for the baby shower which didn't happen.  Hopefully we can use it next weekend.  Here it is in the making. Do not look at the messy floor.

Here it is finished. I couldn't hang it on the wall so Simon held it out.

This is the brooch that I made. A flower one.  I sold 6 more of my heart shaped ones this week but on Ebay not from my new Etsy shop Fabrilushus. 

This is the iPad case in a green skull and cross bones fabric!

The first mobile (cell) case is a smaller one and fits my own mobile (cell) comfortably.  Why on earth do Merikans call them cells?  Mobile seems a much more sensible name because that is what they are, mobile!

The second cell (mobile) case is larger and fits an iPhone.  Cell case doesn't sound right.

This is the second little girls tote bag that I have done.  Pretty in pink with a bow decoration.  My Dad asked me tonight  "what is a tote bag"?  I actually don't know!  Well I do, but I can't really explain why it is different to another bag.  Nor do I know why they are called totes.  I do know what the verb tote means so I can kind of work it out.  Must look this up. What makes a bag a tote rather than a handbag or shopping bag, or even a plain old shoulder bag?  Answers on a postcard please.

Finally I made another "English Springtime" wall hanging like the one that I made for Kathy.  I really like this one.

They are all for sale in my Fabrilushus shop where 10% of all sales is going to go to the doggie Rescue.    If nothing actually ever sells then I will put them all on a craft stall at the dog show in the summer and hope to sell them there.  All profits then will be for the dogs.   I love those dogs.  Wish I could bring them all home.

That is it for this week.  I am currently working on a little embroidered card for Jackson.   I want to make more bags, brooches and cases this week.  Maybe another wall hanging too.

Update on our boy

Thank you for all the kind messages and comments of support.  It has been a worrying few days.  However I am really pleased to be able to tell you that both Mummy and baby are doing well.  Oh and Daddy too!

Verity was actually discharged from the hospital late yesterday and so she has had her first night at home without her little one. She coped well.  It must have been very hard to leave him behind.  I think it will be easier once she establishes her daily routine of visiting.

Little Jackson is now 5 days old and doing really well. He is still 3lbs but hopefully that will begin to increase slowly.  The amount of milk he is given has increased slowly from just 1ml up to 5.2ml's today.  He has that every hour and it is Mummy's milk so it is good stuff.

They have now turned off his blue lights and they have also stopped 1 of his antibiotics.  He continues with the CPAP. Yesterday they were both able to have their very first cuddle with him.  A really magical moment for them all and one that I am sure they will remember always.

We had hoped to go to visit today, in fact Coralie had organised a baby shower for her.  This is not something that ordinary girls do over this side of the pond.  I think it is still very much a Merikan thing but Coralie thought it would help Verity as she is missing out on so much.  Sadly it didn't happen due to the weather. IE. SNOW!  

The forecast was for heavy snow across us and the south east right across Cambridge starting at 11am.  In fact the snow didn't start here until about 5.30pm but it was snowing in Cambridge pretty much all day.  It was the right decision not to go as the roads are pretty treacherous when it is snowing.  We were all very disappointed though and just hoping that the beautiful cakes made by friends of Coralie will last until next week.

I have balloons and bunting and they will be fine.  We hope to rearrange it for next weekend.  Simon and I are hoping to visit tomorrow as it is his day off but in reality I think it is unlikely.  We have now had about 4 inches of snow and it is still going.  The weather forecast is showing snow until around midday tomorrow.  If we can't go then I shall try and go on the train on Tuesday assuming that they are running because a lot aren't right now.

I bet my Merikan and Canadian friends roll around laughing at how our little old country gets it's knickers in a twist over a bit of snow.  The telling point is that we talk in inches and they talk in feet!  They accept that it is winter and there will be snow we are constantly surprised by it and consequently caught out.  To be fair we don't get the same quantity over here and until recent years my little corner often didn't see any.  They say this is how it is set to be so I guess we should start getting used to it.  Funny, I though the world was warming up!

I will post more photos as we get them.

The birth of Baby Jackson

Well  you may have noticed that I haven't been around for the last week.  Some of you know why.  Actually if you have read my previous blog post then you will all know why!  Yes we have a new little grandson.  A teeny, tiny, unbelievable small grandson.   It has been a very worrying week. 

It began last Friday with a phone call from Coralie telling me that Verity's waters had broken and that she was on her way into Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge.  I was out of my mind with worry.  This was way too early she was only 30 weeks.   We soon had word that she would need to be transferred elsewhere as there was no NICU (Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit) cot available at Addenbrookes, the unit was closed because it was full.  At that point they were thinking that she would be moved to Norwich, some 100 or so miles away.  

Luckily they spoke to Coralie who was actually working that night and she knew there was cot on her own unit in Peterborough so eventually an ambulance transfer was arranged and Verity arrived at Peterborough City Hospital at 3.30am.  When she arrived Coralie was free having delivered twins a few hours before so she was able to take over her sisters care which was wonderful for all.  It also meant that Coralie was updating me on the situation right through the night. 

They  were not initially sure sure if labour had started or not.  She was given drugs to stop labour plus the steroids  to mature the babies lungs.  They also gave her a massive dose of antibiotics because of the risk of infection. 

At that point Coralie told us that if labour didn't start it would probably be in the next 48 hours.  However providing labour didn't begin the protocol would be antibiotics until it does and visits to the hospital every 2 days for blood tests in the hope that they could get to 37 weeks. 

Saturday was pretty much the same and we went to visit her in the afternoon.  Both her and Steve were very calm although they must have been so worried.   On Sunday she was having some cramps but only every now and then.  There was still no sign of labour beginning and we were beginning to think  she was safe and would hang on.    Coralie must be a good midwife because she told us that it would be very soon.  She kept saying that even when a different consultant discharged Verity on Monday afternoon.   At that point the consultant was hoping to be able to get her to 34 weeks.

It wasn't to be.  Labour began around 3am and she went back into Addenbrookes where fortunately she was allowed to stay as they now had the necessary NICU cot available.   Baby had gone from lying transverse to being breech (bum down for those that don't know) and he was sort of wedged in her pelvis so they decided to prep her for theatre.

The poor girl had such a traumatic time.  It took 3 attempts to get an epidural in and by the time they had they suddenly realised that not only was she fully dilated but he was half way out! So long story short, she had someone pushing him back up the way he had come and someone else pulling him from the other side!  This resulted in a baby black and blue with bruising and a very, very nasty incision for Verity. 

But we must be grateful that they are both OK.  Little Jackson is a strong little man.  He came out breathing on his own and was very quickly moved to NICU which Coralie told us was good news as they don't move them until they are stable.  Coralie was there having caught the train at 5am.  Once again it was wonderful to know that she was there with her sister and was able to keep us updated every 15 minutes or so.  Thankfully it was Simon's day off so we got up and just waited for news.

Jackson was born at 6.36am and weighed  just 3lbs.  A decent size actually but he looks incredibly tiny when you see him.  Simon and I went  that afternoon and after having 20 minutes with Verity which was ten minutes longer than they said we could have,  Steve took us up to the unit to meet his son.  I went in first as only 1 person can go in at a time with a parent.  I held it together, didn't cry, not then.  I wanted to be strong for Steve.  He is SO SMALL.  I have never seen anything as small.  His arms are the size of Steve's fingers.  Simon made a joke that the chicken we had for dinner the day before was bigger and he was right!

So here we are 3 days later.  How can he be 3 days old already?  Verity is doing well but is in quite a lot of pain. She will probably be allowed home soon. Maybe tomorrow or the weekend.  Jackson is doing great so far.  He is on CPAP ventilation but is continuing to do well with his breathing.  All other signs are looking good so far.  We are all very aware of the roller coaster ahead.   At this point in time it is very early days.  They have been told to expect around 10 weeks before he can go home.  The general rule of thumb is the due date but they must also weigh 5lbs.  Some babies do well and are home sooner and some take longer.  

I would like to thank those of you that knew what was going on and kept our family in your prayers right over the weekend and beyond.  I think it goes without saying that little Jackson could use all the help he can get right now so whatever it is that you do, prayers, good wishes, positive thoughts,  all will be more than welcome right now and in the coming weeks and I thank you for them in advance.  As always I know that all of you will be there as a constant support. 

Special announcement

I am pleased to announce the birth of our 5th grandchild,  a little boy called Jackson Youngs.  He was born at 6.36am on Tuesday the 15th of January 2013.  He weighs 3lb.  This is the only photo that we have so far and the blue light  makes it hard to see him.

He was born 10 weeks early but both he and Mummy are doing well.  Congratulations Verity and Steve.

10th January

A third of the month gone already, just in case you hadn't realised!  It's been a funny kind of a day.  A lethargic day.  I haven't felt the best but then on the other hand I felt better than I did yesterday.  I'm not ill.  Both ears are hurting and sort of itching.  I can hear fine. I am treating them with lavender oil. My left knee is playing up too.  It is a different kind of playing up to what I have had before,  It is like a deep ache more than a pain.  Feels a bit as if there is a massive bruise but there isn't.  It is slightly swollen, sort of above and to the side of the knee cap and it is quite warm to the touch.  Strangely my skin also has a mottled look down my leg.  No doubt one of you Doctors out there will advise me.  Of course I shan't be going to the doctor because I don't like them and anyway I'm not ill, so there.

Now where was I?  Oh yes, a funny day.  A cold day too.  Freezing and horrid fog that didn't really clear the whole day. I hate winter.  Heard on the TV that they are saying that snow will be covering most of the country by the weekend and it will last 3 weeks.  Great, I hope they are wrong.

It's been cold in the house today too.  I realised about 10.30 this morning that the heating didn't seem to be working.  I was cold.  I checked and it was on but all the radiators were stone cold.  It has been like that all day.  At 7pm this evening the boiler made some noises and we thought it was coming back on.  The upstairs bathroom radiator is boiling.  All the other radiators upstairs are luke warm.  All the radiators downstairs are cold.  What the heck is going on now?  We just had the new pump last week. We are wondering if there could be a problem with the programmer thingy as it happened before.  We are going to see if it comes back on tomorrow.  It had better or I shall be moving out. I don't do cold.  We have lit the fire tonight in the living room.

I had a knock at the door this morning while I was having my breakfast.  It was a lady wanting to know if I had lost a Husky.  She had found one wandering along towards the main road that goes through the village.  She had managed to get it back to her house and as it had no collar or identification on it she was trying to find where it lived.  So I put on my coat and ventured out into the cold and fog to help her.

We discovered that it lives in the very end house of my road.  Strange I haven't see it before.  Later the lady who found it told me that when she took it back there was no one home but the next door neighbour came out and said that she would take it and put it back in the garden. She said they leave it in the garden.  Poor thing, I know he is a Husky and has a fur coat but it is still very cold.  Not to mention if he has escaped from the garden once he can do it again.  I phoned up and told Gyll and she said she would call round this afternoon to check on it.

After that I did a bit of housework as usual and then some sewing.  I have made 2 padded cases today both of which turned out too small!  The first was a phone case and I measured my phone very carefully.  The second was for an iPad and yes I measured my iPad very carefully.  Before you ask I did add on for the seam allowance.  I was right cheesed off.

I spent the  afternoon going through the folder for the dog sponsorship scheme.  Remember that I have now got responsibility for this. It seems that it is nearly a year since anyone was sent a newsletter and they are supposed to get 3 a year!  So first job is to write to everyone and apologise and explain.  I composed a letter and I have sent it to all those that I have email addresses for.  Tomorrow I will print out hard copies for sending via snail mail to the rest. Now I need to contact those whose sponsor dog has been re-homed and get them to choose another.  It all took quite a while.

Dinner was a bit odd too.  I am still waiting for the glass to arrive for my oven door so it is still out of action. Not thinking this morning I had got some chicken breasts out of the freezer to do country chicken!  I ended it up frying them and serving them with mash and veggies.  It was quite nice but I don't generally fry.

After dinner I spent an hour in my sewing room and I have started on a wall hanging the same as the one I made for Kathy.  You know the one, depicting English spring time.  Several people have said how much they like that so I am going to put one in my Fabrilushus shop.  Thank you all for checking it out and for your kind comments and suggestions.  I'm not really a business woman though Pammy!  I like making stuff and if I can sell it for enough to buy more fabric so I can keep making stuff then I will be happy.  Hopefully I can make a little bit for the doggies too as I am donating 10% of each sale.    It's worth a try and if it doesn't take off  well I'll just put bits on eBay.  I also want to have plenty of stuff to sell at the dog show in the summer.  All proceeds from that will be for them.  I don't think I am going to be making my first million any time soon!  Still it keeps me out of mischief!

OK, time to go to bed with a hot water bottle, some cocoa and a book.   Night, night.
  

Show and tell

Time for a "show and tell" I think so that I can show you what I have been making so far this year.  I have made a total of 5 tote bags, 1 child's tote bag, 3 kindle cases and a cushion.  Not bad.

So let's get started.  The tote bags are padded and quilted and have a strap long enough to go over the shoulder.  This was the first one. Made with Moda fabrics in blue, cream and brown and quilted in straight lines.

This was the second one.  Greens and mustard and quilted with a stippled effect.

Then as I had some fabric left I decided to do another one basically the same as the first with the same wool type fabric for the lining.  The quilting is wider apart on this one though.

The next one was a little different as it was made with half square triangles in multi colours.

For my 5th one I went back to the basic squares.  Lilacs and purple for this one.

My last tote bag was a smaller version suitable for a little girl.  I used squares again and some pretty yellow fabric.

So that's the tote bags that I made.  After that I made 3 quilted cases for Kindles and other E readers. They are all padded and quilted with stippling.  They are all lined too.

Red and Gold.

Pink trees.

Lovely bright flowers.

The last thing I made was a cushion.  I referred to it as a cheats cushion the other day.  The reason for that was that it is actually a printed panel that was given to me and the embroidered accents on the cat had been done already.  I did add some fancy machine stitching though.  I simply just made the back and turned it into a cushion.  It shows a Siamese cat.

So those are my makes so far this year.

My other biggie that I need to tell you about is the opening of my shop on Etsy.  You will know that I have been selling stuff on eBay for a while and that has gone quite well especially my little brooches.   Coralie has an Etsy shop and I did put a few things in there but didn't have any luck.  

Long story short, I decided that I would give it a shot on my own.  On Etsy stuff is listed for sale for 4 months and I figure that will be long enough for me to see if it is worthwhile.  

So I have spent several days listing lots and lots of my stuff on Etsy, 55 things to be precise and finally this morning I have "gone live"  with my own shop called, wait for it.......  FABRILUSHUS.   It is a sort of play on the words luscious fabric.

 This is the website address  www.etsy.com/shop/Fabrilushus 

Now for the shameless plug................. do me a favour and drop by.  Let me know your thoughts.  Good and bad.   If you are on Etsy then could you put me in your circle and add as a favourite please.  Apparently this all helps drive traffic to my shop.  If you can send your friends to have a look too that would be great.    I shall await feedback.  Thank you.

OK, time to go now.  I am not actually feeling too great today and I think I may even go to bed. It is only 9pm but I feel the need.

Wednesday the 9th

The 9th!  January is racing past, nearly a third gone already.  It flies.  The last week has been unseasonably mild too which is good because you know how I dislike winter.  However, today is the last of that for they are saying that tomorrow a cold spell is on its way and winter will be returning.

I had a good day yesterday and managed to get myself reorganised with all jobs done except the dusting.  I shall do that this morning.   I spent the afternoon reorganising and tidying my sewing room  then I made a cushion.  A cheats cushion.  I'll explain that in show and tell. I put some more stuff on my Etsy store and I think it may be ready to "Go live" today.

In the evening I watched Eastenders and then set to getting my head around the stuff that needs to be done for the administration of the sponsorship scheme for the doggies. I think I mentioned that I have been asked to do this?  It isn't much work; just maintaining the records, sending out annual reminders and then a newsletter 4 times a year with updates on the sponsored dog.

Do you remember the bedtime buddies that I made for all 4 grandchildren for Christmas? They went down very well.  Flynn loved his.  The following is part of an email conversation with Coralie which I found amusing:

"The bed time buddies are a huge hit. Evan mostly uses his for storing stuff that he does not want Flynn to get. Flynn, as he does with various things, has latched onto his with vice like grip. He sleeps on it for nap and bed time. Literally ON IT!

So my question is.... What are the washing instructions for a bedtime buddie? After just 4 days/nights it is in need of a wash. There is a fair covering of snot, a brown coloured stain and a general odour of sweaty toddler. It's not good! Instructions please."

I replied saying, wash on 30 degrees, short spin , tumble dry or line dry.  It is only fleece, should be fine.

"Bedtime buddy is in the wash as I type, will let you know how it goes!" .........

OMG,  bedtime buddy has gone lumpy in wash. Flynn currently rejecting him because he is "different."


LOL. Maybe there is a teaching opportunity here?  He needs to learn that being different is OK.  We are all different.

I just love my little ones.

Today, when I get out of bed. ( recently I have been writing blogs first thing in the morning after my coffee and before getting up) I shall get my jobs done and then I am going to sew.  Hopefully might do a show and tell blog later.  

Actually this blogging first thing isn't good for me, have just realised that it is twenty minutes past eight and I am still in bed!  Going to shower now and start my day.

Tuesday the 8th

Well that's the holidays done and dusted then.  Simon is back to school today so I can get myself back into my normal routines; well for the next 5 weeks anyway.   February half term is early this year.  First though I need a couple of days to get myself straight and reorganised.  Everything seems to go to pot when Simon is at home!

Can you believe we are already over a week into January?  Only 51 more weeks and it will be 2014! Only 350 days to Christmas!  Goodness, best get a wriggle on.

Yesterday was a fairly quiet sort of a day. We had a little sort out and put some stuff into the loft.  Simon caught up on some school marking and planning ready for the start of term.  Then we went out for a short while, to the post office and then to Sainsburys for some food shopping.  I have had to plan carefully for this weeks meals as I cannot use the oven.   Good news about that though, we have contacted the manufacturer and the new glass for the oven door should be with us by the end of the week.

After lunch Simon went out to potter in the garage and I did some sewing.  I made a padded case for a kindle and a child size tote bag.  I shall do a show and tell soon.  I am going to have a go at selling on Etsy.  I did try on Coralies site and didn't get anywhere but I figure maybe I will try harder if I have my own site so I am currently setting that up.  Details soon.

Todays plan is for housework this morning to include  hoovering throughout, changing bed linen, cleaning and tidying kitchen and both bathrooms, washing, ironing and maybe, just maybe, even some dusting.  Now that is a biggie, you know how I feel about dusting! The trouble is with so much coming and going over the last few weeks things have been moved and disturbed and the dust can now be seen!

If I get it all done by lunch time then I shall retire to my sewing room for the afternoon.  I need to take some photos for the Etsy site and then I have things to make.   So, time to get to it.  Onwards and upwards.

Sunday the 6th

It is a grey day here in the Fens but at least it isn't raining. I wrote that line yesterday and this post was entitled Saturday the 5th.  That was as far as I got with it but the first line still stands good for today.

Yesterday was a normal Saturday with me at the dog rescue kennels as normal. I have been there every Saturday for more or less 5 months now.  I do enjoy it.  It can be very hard and absolutely heart breaking but the reward of seeing a dog happily settled into its new forever home is priceless.  

It was a fairly quiet day yesterday but we did take in one little Staffie of 8 months old.  He was just unwanted.  The story was that the daughters boyfriend had got him for her for a  gift and she is now at Uni and the dog has been left behind with the parents who don't even like dogs.  What a thoughtless prat of a boyfriend.    He was called Tyson when he arrived but as we already have 2 Tysons he was renamed Dodger. Funny how names just conjure up a picture.  When the woman phoned up and said he was called Tyson we all said he was going to be a Staffie.  He is such a dear little chap.  It really breaks my heart. They get such a bad press.

Fortunately not long after we took him in we had a lady come in to formally adopt a dog called Lacey.  She has been in her new home for 3 weeks and she is clearly in love with her new owner.  So nice to see.  They are like different dogs after a few weeks in a good, loving home. It is that end result that makes it all worthwhile.

You know ever since I was a very small child I have always had an affinity with dogs.  I have always loved them dearly, every size and shape, I love them all. I think maybe I have found my calling helping out with the rescue.

Simon took some stuff to the dump and then went off to the barn to fetch some more stuff.  I am hoping that apart from the cars the barn is nearly empty because the new garage is getting pretty full now!  He then came to the kennels and we had a  couple of dogs out to play for a while. A dog called Chief  and then an old Boxer called Dolly.

Chief is an American Bull dog and he loves playing with a big hard plastic ball.  He chases it round and round.  It is really funny.

Dolly is 10 years old and has been at the shelter for 8 of those years.  They have never been able to find a home for her.  It seems that people don't like white dogs and they don't like Boxers either.  It is such a shame as she is a sweet girl.

The rest of Saturday afternoon and evening was spent relaxing and generally vegging out.  Today has been pretty much the same.  Simon has done some more of the garage roof insulation and I have been sewing.  Today I made a patchwork tote bag and 2 padded kindle cases. I shall do a show and tell some time in the week and show you.

Guess it is time to finish now.  Simon goes back to work on Tuesday so tomorrow is the last day of the holiday for us. I am quite looking forward to getting back to my normal routine.