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Tuesday 21 January 2020

Three things

Last year I got a bit bogged down with the stitching and knitting I had on the go, It seemed to take me ages to get anything finished.  This year I didn't want this to happen so I resolved to try and have only two pieces of stitching and one knitting, or crochet on the go at time.

It seems to be a trend, especially with stitching, to start lots of things and work on them in rotation, I admire you if you can do that, but if I had multiple projects sitting in bags with just a few stitches in them, it would drive me insane, besides, I haven't got the space to store them all.

I hope that by keeping it to three things it will keep me motivated and I will see more finishes.

Easter Parade by Blackbird Designs


February Calendar Girl by LHN 

I stitched on this one on Sunday so i'm now further along than this photo shows


My knitting is the Betwixmas Shawl
The free pattern can be found on Ravelry and was offered up by Black Sheep Wools in December, you may remember that I posted about buying the yarn in December.

Obviously I didn't get it finished in the timescale but I did have a few problems and had to rip it back a couple of times before I found my rhythm.  
Not much left to do now so perhaps I might get it finished this week.


I do have a finish of sorts, I made another project envelope to keep my second stitching piece in.  This one is a little bit taller than the one I made for my Calendar  Girl stitching so it will accommodate the larger clip frame.  
As before, the fabric is from stash and something I've had for a while.


I had some lovely post this month.
Andrea (who's blog is The Craft Room) had offered up a giveaway on her blog of nine Farmhouse Christmas charts by LHN.  I put my name forward and won!  I never win anything, not even on the tombola, lol so I was very happy when my name got drawn from all the entries :-)

I'm looking forward to stitching these and will do my best to fit them into this years stitching.

Thank you so much Andrea :-)

Once I've stitched them all I will be paying the kindness forward and offering them up here on my blog in a giveaway.

I think that's me all caught up for now, I've been trying to find time to post for the last two weeks but life keeps getting in the way.  I've been sorting some care out for my mum, she's 91 and doesn't get around very well anymore, she wanted help in the mornings but the emergency care package they put her on was four visits a day, she didn't like all the comings and goings so we have cut it down to twice a day now, mornings and lunch time.  She is still finding it hard to adjusting to having help, it's a case of her needing help but not wanting to give up doing anything, It's hard work. 
Up till now she has been sorting her own tablets out every day but it's getting to the stage that she can't see what they are unless she holds the packet right in front of her eyes (she has macular degeneration) and has a hard time even opening some of the packaging, now the chemist will supply all her medication in a blister pack that will be set up for morning, afternoon and evening for the week.  The first pack will be delivered tomorrow so after work I will go up and make sure she knows what she's doing.  Something else for her to get used to and she won't like it but it is the safest option I think.

There is always something to do and someone to worry about isn't there?  Fingers crossed she will settle into this new routine and get used to the people going to help. 
Mum does have a lot of help from us besides this care, there are four of us and we all help her in one way or another, my cousin also visits and does a few jobs for her once a week, she is very lucky really compared to a lot of elderly people.  Anyway, I'm sure we will all get back to some routine soon.

-X-

18 comments:

Poppypatchwork said...

Love your projects, I to can only manage one or two on the go. We always have family to worry about, either elderly parents or younger members. I hope you mum feel comfortable with the changes to help her.

crafty cat corner said...

I think we are called 'butterfly crafters', lol
I am the same with so much on the go at one time, I shall take a leaf out of your book and try to limit how much I am doing.
Briony
x

Carol said...

I'm another who would be driven crazy having multiple projects on the go, Maggie! I usually have one larger stitching and one ornament sized one going at the same time--that is all I can handle :) I like finishing things up and moving on to new things--not starting 20 things at once :)

Your projects are lovely and I think the new project bag is so pretty.

Your mom is lucky to have you nearby... My mom will be 93 in May (and also suffers from macular degeneration) and is still doing "okay" most days. She has a helper come in two mornings a week to help her shower, wash her hair, and do her laundry. She is in a senior living community so does go down to the dining room for dinner, but the other meals are on her own. I am a five hour drive away but try to go up every 5-6 weeks for five days. It is exhausting, though--have been doing this for 9 years now! And I'm no spring chicken myself.

Enjoy your week ♥

Cathy said...

I've always had a lot on the go, but just started rotating a big project and a small project. The small one I finish and the big one gets 10 hours. Up until this month I was doing multiple big projects; now I'm rotating in the same big project for it's 10 hours until it's done. Looking to finishing up some UFO's that way.

The new project bag is pretty and I love the design of the shawl.

Jackie said...

Lovely projects and that shawl is gorgeous!

God bless.

MartinaM said...

The Easter Parade has also been on my wish list for a long time.
Congratulations on winning Farmhouse Christmas, you will have fun, it is such a great pattern
Greetings Martina

butterfly said...


lovely projects you are stitching , I stitched the Easter one a few years ago and loved it.
Oh I am the naughty one but trying to be good , I need to work on my UFOs this year.
Congrats on your win.
It is always a worry when your parents get older .
Enjoy your week.

Jo said...

I used to work on just one thing at once but I enjoy having multiple projects on the go now, that's not to say that every now and then I'll work on just one thing until it's complete, it's just a case of me having a choice there to work on whatever takes my fancy at that particular time. Your stitching is always so beautifully neat. Seeing your shawl has made me regret not starting one myself now, it's so pretty and I love the colour you chose. It looks so soft and squishy, I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's finished. Your project envelope is such a good idea, I have project bags for my knitting but nothing for my stitching, it's perfect for keeping the frame in to keep it nice and clean. I hope your mum can settle with the care she's receiving. You're really lucky to have other family members who can help too, though I know how hard it is to want to help when they want to keep their independence, it's a bit of a battle sometimes to get them to accept the help. The blister packs of tablets sounds such a good idea, I think my dad could do with those with all the tablets he takes, though I know he'll just resist the change if I suggest it to him!

Jane said...

I'm a monogamous crafter and work on one thing until it's finished. Looking forward to starting something else gives me the incentive to get what I'm working on finished. Your stitching looks great and your craft bags are a great idea. My dad also struggles, but he lives alone and wants to be independent. We live close by and try not to interfere, but have made it clear that he MUST call us for any problems. My brother and his mate have just installed a walk in shower for him, that's a big help. I do worry about him as he's 82 and is awaiting a hip replacement now. Best, Jane x

Clare-Aimetu said...

Great projects, it can be overwhelming to have too many on the go. Congratulations on your win, they are lovely charts. It's hard when our parents get older and need help, there's a fine line too between helping/accepting help and stepping back/being independent. We currently have my MIL with us or staying with DH's sister as her life has taken a huge turn. Stay strong, sending love x x

Julie said...

The bunny is adorable, but I do have a love of little rabbits!
Loving the project bag, clever you. I only have 2-3 projects on the go, usually one stitching, one knit or crochet and perhaps a deadline one.
I hope mum is accepting of the changes. How nice you have support of siblings to help out with her. It's difficult to know what to do for the best sometimes.
love and blessings x

Barb said...

Easter Parade is a wonderful design. I did it several years ago and I love taking it out every year. I do understand your Mom's problems. My sweet step mom also got to that point. It is difficult for both us and them! No easy quick solutions.

http://thankfullga447 said...

I have the same cross stitch patterns and I have so many plans but my finishes are slow. Love patterns though, my knitting is behind. I am doing a full finish today. A cross stitch pillow band.

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Carolien said...

Hi Maggie,

I had to smile ... I also gave myself 3 projects to focus on. Otherwise the effect is the same as yours, I'm afraid ;)
Love your projects and how nice you won the cute patters!

Have a good weekend!

xxx Carolien

Lowcarb team member said...

Your projects do look good ones …

Enjoy these last few January days.

All the best Jan

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