RED January - Day 6 - 10

So on I go, walking every day!

The weather has been gloomy.

Today was a wellie day! 

This week my Son was in Alder Hey Children's Hospital for the first round of treatment, so in a bid to keep busy, on top of all the walking, I decided to redecorate his bedroom. 

You might not have signed up for RED January but you could still challenge yourself to up your activity. 

RED January - Days 1 - 5

Way back in December I signed up for REDJanuary.

I'm not a runner but walking is fine.

January has been surprisingly dry so far. 

Lots of muggy and misty walks around the town.

And even a little retail therapy walking.

I always find the months after Christmas pretty depressing, cold, dark, etc

But walking really helps, keeping busy, getting out, setting yourself achievable (small) goals.

For more information.

Finally, New Year

I finally feel like we've started a new year.

Christmas 2018 was clouded by worry and the New Year could only start on the 12th January.

The saga started about eighteen months ago when my son developed a limp over the course of a few days. Since then we've had multiple appointments and tests about his bones at our local hospital.

Lots of things where ruled out but the limp continued and the worry grew and grew.

The local hospital referred us and we started visiting AlderHey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool.

My Son had more tests with the latest scan just before Christmas.

Being in the hospital around Christmas, whilst the rest of the country seems to be in high spirits, out and about, shopping, was difficult. But also we realised how lucky we where, my Son happily walked into the hospital and came home the same day, whilst lots of children didn't have that option.

We got a final diagnosis between Christmas and new year, he has an inflammatory disorder.

After the initial shock, we know its not too bad, but the first round of treatment was last week.

Three days in Alder Hey, then home for his tea on Friday night.

One thing shines out through all this and that is how lucky we are to have the NHS. The treatment he's received, especially at Alder Hey has been exceptional. All the staff we've met have be lovely, making the experience bearable. 

So my New Year starts now.

Even though we have more treatment ahead I know as a family we can get through it.

December, the good, the bad and the good

The month of December is full of lists (for me anyway)

Lists of - gifts, christmas cards, extra household jobs, extra food shopping, the list of lists goes on and on.

So what did I do? yes, start some Christmas crafts!!

My Daughter joined in for some 'Air Dry Clay' fun.

But it did take a while to dry, which gave me time to look for more crafts . . . . .

So my clay made a little Christmas tree.

Next was a 'Cheap wool and tea light' craft.

I do like my woolly baubles hung on the kitchen door (and they don't scratch the door when it shuts)

Then finally (for this week) I pulled out the felt for some pretty fairy lights.

They look nice and cheery in our kitchen, no plug required and no holes in my wall.

My sons had some health issues over the last year and a half, which is all a bit overwhelming at times. So when lots of people where Christmas shopping we had another appointment at Alderhey Children's Hospital. The decorations where beautiful, they had a wonderful Christmas Choir and all the staff are helpful (always smiling and positive). But the biggest thing you realise is how very lucky we are. Some of the children listening to the singing are really poorly and lots more are too sick to leave the ward. You really do need to count your blessings.

On an altogether more positive note, we've had a birthday this week!!

'Do you like my hat? Mum made me wear it!'

Our little Penny was two this week. She's agreed to wear the bandana but wont be wearing the hat again!

Swanning about . . .

I had a rethink about creating a herd of elephants...... OK my family think ones enough!!

But I do think our house has room for a slim animal/bird. . . . . 

Well I just so happen to have some white fabric and a little bit of orange.

So the sketching begins, first I draw out the shape/pattern, then using my basic printer/scanner/copier, I increase the size of the pattern until I'm happy with the size. Then finally add a seam allowance.

On Saturday I put my semi finished swan to one side so I could visit the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show. I didn't buy much but I did get some super sparkly fabric.

What could I make with sparkly fabric? Well a crown for a swan, what else!!!

It was easy to cut but tricky to sew, especially difficult to attach to the swans head!! 

But she/hes all done now, what do you think?

I'm really happy with it but I do wonder what it would be like in crushed velvet . . . 

Whilst making a swan it did cross my mind that a swan and a flamingo are quite similar.

Ooh, if only I had some pink fabric

Whats bigger than a chicken and grey?

Following on from my last post, here's my little flock of chickens.

(If you're part of my family and I ask you what you'd like for Christmas, please think carefully. 

If you say 'ooh I'm not sure', don't be overly surprised if you get a chicken head!!)

I really loved making the Chickens but I fancied trying something bigger.

Having spent a few minutes on Pinterest (probably hours if I'm honest) I visited a 'new to me' fabric shop with an open mind. Often finding the right fabric for your project is half the battle.

So I came home with grey, thinking horse, unicorn, elephant, hippo, rhino.....

Normally I'd have a go with some calico fabric for my test run, but the grey fabric was a similar price to cheap calico or cotton.

I had to do lots of trimming, unpicking, re-cutting pattern pieces, more unpicking, etc

Then a quick measure of the back of her/his head for the back board.

I've got a lot faster at cutting the wood, I think its because its FREEZING in the garage!!

A quick tidy up before the stuffing begins.

I'll tell you now, I thought I loved a Chicken head but I'm now in love with my Elephant, isn't she lovely!!

I think she needs one of those little blanket/hat/whatever, on her head with the tassels, you know, what are they called?

 (or maybe she needs a friend . . . . .)

Playing Chicken

Over the last week or so, the sewing machine has been switched off, but my mind has been focused on animal heads!!

After lots of sketching, lots of surfing the net (research) lots of rummaging in my fabric cupboard, I finally got around to cutting out and sewing.

Unfortunately, although I'd finished my chicken  I had no stuffing (not even sage and onion)

Then the debate - Do you need to iron your chicken before you stuff it?

And how do you iron a chicken?

So finally I have a chicken!

And I'll admit it, I've cut out three more......