Decisions, decisions

It has been a week of decisions rather than work.  It gradually dawned on me that my main problem was lack of fitness.  If I did anything out of the norm I ended up with a pulled muscle or at the very least stiff limbs. 

Over weight.  Oh soooo over weight.  Being only 5'1" I am sure if I fell over I would roll. 

Depressed because of all these things too. 

I think, at times, we all arrive at this "Day of enlightenment".  Mine came last Wednesday after yet another restless night when finally crawling out of bed and realising it was make or break day I took myself off to enroll with a Gym.  It had to be one with a pool as I would rather be in the water than on the rowing machine etc.,.

I am now a paid up member and have been every day - yes, every day.  Walking up and down that stretch of water as if my life depended on it. Less impact on the joints apparently and no, no one quite shouted "Save the Whale" as I stepped in. lol..  Another week of this and I can gravitate towards the treadmill and the bike.

I could not believe how much I had deteriorated, age of course don't help but its no excuse.  Muscles? What muscles? just flab. 

I have 6 weeks to get into some kind of shape before my holiday which is a cruise with the whole family who will be spending all their time in various water activities in which I would be unable participate. I would hate that.

Let this be a lesson to all you avid crafters.  Sitting on your backside sewing and knitting and anything else you do requiring a sedentary position aint good for you.  Well, thats my excuse.

Talking about sedentary and avid, I took this pic this morning at breakfast time.  All the males in the family were sitting avidly watching Smurfs and wrapped in some of Grandma's quilts. 

Mainly due to my other activities  I only have something small to offer for Handmade Monday.  I would not have bothered but trying to keep to the spirit of the event.

Now do pop over to Wendys Handmade Monday on Handmade Harbour.there is always some lovely things there. 

Getting there slowly

I have been a silent watcher for a couple of weeks.  Read all your blogs but not left comments.  Didn't want to pass on my black moods when you were showing such lovely things and having great discussions but I did enjoy it all from the silent sidelines. 
Getting things back together a bit thank goodness.  Made a bag for my holiday cruise. 
Now we all know we have to take something to do whilst away.  I bet none of you can bare to sit with your hands empty or your fingers idle, I am just the same so needed something summery but also useful for carrying cameras etc., when tripping off the boat. 
I made this from a load of 4" squares inherrited from a crafter who sadly passed away some years ago.  There was a huge pile of assorted colours and designs which, over the years, I am gradually using up. It is fitted it with dual types of handles depending on what I am using it for at any given time. The white is just sheeting from Dunhelms and the plastic handles, well, I have had them sooo long I don't know where they originated.  The buckle thingy on the long handle came curtesy of The Equity Shoe Factory at which both my aunts worked.  What I would call a totally ecconomical bag.

As I have not entered Handmade Monday for a few weeks perhaps I can offer this.  Go to Handmade Harbour   to see what everyone else has offered.  You will be amazed at the variety offered.  Apologies to Wendy for being so remiss.

An odd assortment and Handmade Monday

Friday was Open Day at the Grands school, we had not planned to go, in fact, we had planned a totally lazy day but at 9 a.m. my daughter phoned to say that one of them was getting into a state because his Granddad was not going to see him in his play.
So, with feet not touching floor we made it for 9.45 just in time for curtain up and Stella The Starfish was in full swing. How those teachers got 60 kids of 6 and 7 to remember all that and perform without too many hiccups I will never know.  Children of that age are soooo amazing.  They not only remembered words and dance routines but 8 songs too and we were told that they had only been  rehearsing for three weeks, any more than that and they get bored.  I am so glad that we didn't miss it after all.

I have nothing to show you for Handmade Monday except a bit more work to one of the panels as I have been doing alterations. A client bought a set of five long sleeved blouses and wanted all of them turned into short sleeved ones.  Although the blouses are identical apart from the colour she wanted all the sleeves different.  I was so fed up with them by the time I had finished I could have binned them for two pins.  Common sense prevailed and they are now packed up ready for collection tomorrow. lol.

How about a ditty to make up for my lack of work~

The light, so bright,
So clear and crisp,
Glistening dew
In the sun through the mist.

The early hour

Of the first Spring day,
The Herald cries
Summers on its way.

I love these mornings

When the world looks so new,
When the grass looks so fresh
And the weeds still few.

But before much longer

Sunday peace will be gone,
With the hum of mowers
As the grass gets too long.

I have gossipped enough for one day so I will suggest you all pop over to Wendys at 1stUniquegifts/blog for Handmade Monday and have a look at all the lovely goodies

People constantly surprise me

Even those whom I consider I know well.  And while I am on that subject I would like to thank all you kind people that leave such wonderful, heart lifting messages for me.  It is so lovely to have your work appreciated by someone which brings me neatly back to my other reason for blogging today.
My daughter has never appeared to show much, if any, interest in my crafting, if it didn't come from Next, TKMax etc., it wasn't worth a dime.
However, today I was having a chuck-out session in her sons' bedroom, (they have one at my house as well as their own home,) stuff they have grown out of like clothes and toys.  Amongst this was two rag dolls I made several years ago on a project with Daycare clients at Age Concern.  pic below:-

Known as Purple Pattie and Ginger Tom.
I now have an 18month step G.G.Daughter so thought I would pass them on as they are completely machine washable. 
MyDaughter threw her hands up in horror saying that I should keep them.  I replied that when I was gone someone would only throw them in the skip, which, lets face it, they do and that would be a waste if a child could benefit.  My daughter declared that when that time came she would give them a good home.
To say you could have knocked me down with a feather is understating it.
Of all the many things I have made she has taken to two rag dolls.  Life is full of surprises.

Latest Make

This is all hand sewn.  Definately not touched a sewing machine. I fancied doing one the old fashioned way and thoroughly enjoyed it.