Ylva's crafty corner

Amazing, we have sorted a property already!!! A 2bedroom cottage on Burray, just south of the main island, about 17minute drive from the hospital where hubby will be working. It is about 60-70 meters away from the next neighbour, which means the pets will be ok...the only thing we need to check is how close to the garden the main road is when we get there, and we have to consider if we are gonna let the cats out or not, but that is ok. They only go out when we are at home anyway, and never go out after dark. Hubby would not be able to sleep at night with the cats out somewhere:) So...one issue sorted. That only leaves the actual logistics of the moves. Yes, I do say moves as in plural...we have to move most of our stuff into storage either in Preston or Inverness, and the rest will come with us to Orkney. Then, in February, we will move again, to Inverness, Beauley or somewhere inbetween, and get all our stuff together in one place. There we will stay for 2 1/2 years (yey!) before hu...

I decided to do a bit of sewing this weekend, and I am really realising what a beginner I am...what a messy sewer. I have been cross stitching for soooooo long, and have started learning other stitches such as hardanger, crewel and so on. I am meticulous when I do this, both on the front and the back...any mistake I will frog and redo. But, when it comes to sewing I am just NO GOOD!!! I blame space...feel like I have not got the table space or storage space to have things in order. I know my husband would NOT agree with me as he has a tiny little box room whilst I have a craft room bigger than our bedroom, and I have a lot of drawer space plus a double wardrobe, and I have a desk (his reject) which is very narrow. So, I took my sewing machine and two bags with fabric and ribbons and threads and things down to the living room...moved the kitchen table (after clearing it of course) so I could still watch telly (to keep focus) whilst working. I cut out the pattern for the owl...and then...

So...I have told people at work that I am leaving, and feel sooo relieved:) Did not enjoy it for a second, but the reaction was ok, and the fact that I am gonna hand my notice in tomorrow (still won't leave until middle/end July) is gonna help my manager start looking for a replacement straight away, and hopefully I can train my successor before I leave. Other than that I am just potting about looking for inspiration even though I have way too much to do already...been out wtih Tara for walks yesterday and today in teh drizzle...halfway through today's walk the sun came out an dit was really warm, but now it is grey again...I am not complaining too much as it is a relief after so much sun...the ground needs it as well. Am gonna take my sewing machine down to the kitchen table tomorrow, and my fabrics, and am gonna play around a bit whilst my husband works nights over the weekend...am hoping to have some pictures to show for it:)

Ok, so...here's the thing...I have shoulder pain so I am trying to avoid doing any stitching at the moment...which is kinda making me feel lost...I normally have something to do stitching wise...so at the moment I am just sitting on the computer potting about...mainly searching without luck for properties or jobs in Orkney or Inverness area...I know it is ridiculous doing it as I am way too early. But...I am just soooooooo worried I won't be able to go and stay in Orkney for the 6 months hubby is working there. I really really really really really want to live there, and to explore. The thought of living somewhere that remote and different to anywhere else I have lived or even visited. The chance of going somewhere sooo much NATURE is just making me so excited, and at the same time worried I won't have a chance to go... I am NOT saying that I am not looking forward to living up in Scotland, in Inverness, Beauly or somewhere in between...I am really excited about that as w...

Here are my babies:) Now I am having a cuppa tea with some popcorn and watching a movie whilst potting about on the pooter...no more stitching today...partly because I have a headache...it was REALLY bad this morning, and I stayed in bed until 12 with a black skirt (the darkest item I could find) over my eyes to not have the sun in my eyes... Tomorrow I will get on with April:)

So, last night I was not sure if I felt like going to the workshop this morning...I was really tired and was also feeling very insecure about my abilities...this morning I woke up to a massive headache, but I did get up, had a shower and felt much better. Had my breakfast and then went in search of an inspiratory picture to use for my workshop project. Of course, I forgot to change from black/white to color picture, so what came out was half-size and black and white instead of full of colour... Now, I should really tell you what the workshop was about...freestyle machine embroidery. Taught by a lovely lady who has been doing it for ages:) She showed her first project from a workshop ages ago, a poppyfield, and it was amazing...and the fact that it was made from straight stitches and zig zags is fabulous. So, I got my machine out, and showed it to one of the ladies who was amazed that I do not have a foot pedal...I do actually have one, but I don't need to use it...it makes it eas...

So, the best part of today is that I have a day off from work...and hubby did the dog walking and is doing the dishes and dinner, leaving me to do what I want...:) Now, I have been good...I mended two tops and one pair of trousers for myself, then I changed zipper on one pair of hubby's trousers...it was a bit shorter than the original one, and it was dark blue compared to the original brownbeige, but that is not visible. Once I finished it is hardly visible that I have done anything to them... Now, after finishing with that I had to evacuate my room so that Darwin could go to sleep under the desk...he does not want my feet by his face...understandably:) So, I took my stuff downstairs...I have this large square plastic container with clip-on lid that I am using for my WIPS, and I have just added the Monopoly board to the container...I won't start back on it until the cats are done, but at least it is ready and waiting...the only negative is that the container is not big eno...

I just finished March on the calendar partwork! I have put the dot on the i on April, but am now done for a little bit...but have a peak:) And have a look at gorgeous Mr Podgy (real name Darwin) how comfy he is under the garden table. He is too clever to be out in the sun:) Tara looks for shade when she is in the garden, when we are out walking, when she is enjoying tearing a ball to pieces...but she is not the least interested in staying home when it is hot...she wants her walk, no matter the weather...  And Pearl, she is really funny...she is not much for being outside, but if I go out in the garden she will come and follow me around...preferably sit by my left foot if I am standing still long enough... And, if I move she will cry out upset over the fact that I am not sitting or standing there just for her... Now, I think I am gonna go make a cuppa coffe so I can stay awake a bit longer...we do have weekend tomorrow as well...and if I can stay awake I can do more stitch...