Almost there

It's all done

Tonight I sent it to the publishers, all done on line, the process is so very easy. 

I just have a wait for about a week and then I will arrive, this is my 4th book.

The bonus was a 20% off deal

 I totally changed my mind last night, the stars were stitched in the lighter brown, I added the red to tie them into the rest of the design. They fit it well, I am really pleased with this, just one last star to sew and a little bit of back stitching and it will be done.

 The whole design

 My trug is being put to good use, I have all my Christmas fabrics in here and my sewing projects to complete, it is a perfect size, and for now it can stay as my sewing basket. I am not ready to put it in the shed yet, it is far too beautiful to be hidden away.

Soon I will do some more stitching, and then an early night. We had a huge thunder storm at 3am this morning and very heavy rain, almost every one I have spoken to today was woken up last night. The sky was bright as day each time the lightening came, and the claps of thunder was deafening. Both cats slept on our stairs, where there are no windows.
Tomorrow is a sewing evening, I will get my machine out, I have a few small items to make for myself and a cushion to make for my friend, she has stitched a beautiful horses head for her daughter.
Wednesday I have a friend popping in, Thursday is free at this point.
Friday we are heading for Somerset, evening with my brothers and Saturday with both Kev's son's their wives, Su and Fliss are travelling down and we are going for a huge family meal. We are still waiting for our 5th grandson to be born, spoke to mummy tonight and she is more than ready for the arrival, Logan is nor so bothered.

I'm dry

After our storm today, I caught Grace keeping dry.

She looks so small in here.

 Just a couple of things to stitch here and it's finished

 I don't like the big brown thing, I am not sure what it is, so I have found three stars to stitch instead, these will be one in red, one in white and one using both colours. 

It was hard to find something to use with this design.

 I asked a friend a while ago if she could get me an old horse's bit, I saw one used as a hanging Christmas decoration, I totally forgot about it and today I was given this, it's huge.

 I will use silk holly and ivy, with a pretty ribbon.

 Hubby was out on his bike today, I did not go, it was a long ride, and I still have a lingering cough, hundreds of bikers put on red T shirts and all drove at the same time around the M25 (motorway around London), it was billed as 'A Ring of Red' and again they raised money for charities.

I have had a weekend at home, which is just what I needed, I am trying to rid myself of this cough, it's horrible, I do manage to sleep at night, thanks to Lemsip MAX, I have two together at bed time.
I managed yesterday to spend an hour in the garden, cutting back the last of the dying summer growth, my little shed is full, everything packed away until next spring.
My poor Amaryllis, the leaves grew long and tall, but I can see no sign of a stem with any bud on, looks as if I won't have a flower this year.
My trug is in good use, I have placed all my sewing projects in it, I still have to get my machine out, a couple of friends popped in this afternoon, it was lovely to catch up, but used all my sewing time.
I have finished my book, tomorrow I will give it one more look and then send it for publishing, it will be my 4th Poppy Patchwork book, I love looking back on my blogs, and both Josh and Sam love to see their photo's in a book.
Going now to do some cross stitch, sewing tomorrow after work, if I keep saying it, it will happen!

Happy birthday Nanna

Yesterday was my birthday

I love cards with Nana on from our special little boys.

 Fliss had already given me the knitting book, but she also gave me the sewing stand with the pin cushion on top. 

Josh and Sam gave me the Christmas fabric.

 Su knows how much I love these candles, and a new scent for me Blackberry and Bay, 

I also love the letter M not sure how I am going to use it yet.

 Cat my friend, was totally naughty and lovely in the same measure, and got me this trug,
 I have been looking for one for ages, but each one I saw hubby would point out a flaw to stop me purchasing it, this was got at a summer county show.

 I have done a bit more stitching, not too much and none last night.

 I passed this kit on to Cat to stitch, she is off work and has loads of time in the day, she has finished and passed the design back to me, if anyone want to have the pattern, just let me know I will send it to you, there are no threads or linen, just the pattern.

Kev got me a fine gold ankle chain, I have been looking for one for ages, I am also having 2013 book published this week, as part of my present.
Sam and Josh popped in at six, with cards and presents, Sam was happy when my 1st birthday cake was brought in, he helped me to blow out the candles, and the boys took the rest of the cake home.
Last night Kev cooked a family meal, Fliss is away, so Su, David, Cat and myself had a perfect meal, I had loads of things I really love, hubby is such a great cook, but I did have to pass on the 2nd  birthday cake at the end of the meal. The table was set, loads of candles, he did check which ones he could light, I have a few I don't use.
These days all I want is family life, it is sad Logan, mummy and daddy live so far away, but we do get to see them often. I love being at home, hubby loves to cook delicious meals.
We have a lazy weekend, I want to plant my few bulbs today, we do have to pop to Wilko's for some cleaning stuff, another night in, hubby loves X Factor, as does Fliss, I will just stitch and listen, I really can't be bothered with much TV.
I have a few new followers, I really can't under stand why anyone would want to read this, but thank you, having said that, ladies, I love to read your news and enjoy all your subjects, so everyone enjoy the weekend, wet or dry we always have loads of fun.

Red on White or White on Red

I so love this

 Over half way now, it's simple to sew and the finish is stunning, 

Fliss keeps saying it's for her, but no, this will be another one for me. I have found another quickie for Christmas, which I will start after this is finished.

 This is our terracotta chimera, I use it to grow my Hosta  in, works perfectly. 

Now it's a sleeping place for Grace. 

Grace is not too happy, we have had fireworks every evening for over a week, she hates them. Purdy is not bothered.
Our cat flap has broken, it won't let the cats back in, so once out they stay out, but hubby has been home alot so it is not too bad for them. Every time I get my camera out to snap Grace here she sees me coming and moves. Our new cat flap should be here tomorrow, we got it on line for £65, in the shops it was £99, it works using their micro chip, so no other cats can get in. the saving of over £30 was too great to miss.
Not done much this week, tonight I am out for coffee with Su, I am looking forward to it, a girly catch up. The darker nights make me want to snuggle down in the warm.
Still not done my sewing, I am hoping to find time over the weekend.
I am so glad the weather has now turned cold, all the muggy wet days, I dislike so much. This morning we had our 1st frost, not too bad, but walking from my car to the office on a crisp morning felt good. But tomorrow more rain.
Also this weekend I need to finish my book, if I send it in before 11th I can get 20% off, they cost around £60 each, so it's a nice saving. I use a company called Blurb, you do all the work on your own computer using their templates and then upload to their site, delivery is normally under a week, and the finished book is beautiful.