Monday Morning star count

Well this will be a short post...

Since last Monday I have purchased some fabric and cut it up ready to make hexies, basted some and sewn together one hexagon flower.  This took ages as due to a virus my eye sight is really bad at the moment and I struggled (persevered though).  This time, I managed not to stitch my paper into the flower which I think is a minor success :)

I've also cut out a lot of paper hexagons and appropriated 2 biscuit tubs for storage (that may have included eating the contents to empty them out...).  So all in all, a slow week but a little progress.  As always, my photo was taken last minute this morning so the flash is way too bright and the cat decided to look on disapprovingly (he wanted cat nip treats and cuddles not fabric thrown about).

This weeks total tally is 2 hexagon flowers, 12 loose hexagons.
Roll on next Monday and more sewing

Ax

exercise and hobbies

I've always been a little hyper. When I was little, the doctor told my parents I was hyperactive and as I've got older I've always kept a bounce about me. Despite this, I didn't really exercise that much til I hit 30ish. Partly because I hated PE at school and the gym scared me.  Then I started doing pole fitness with friends and while they left I carried on.

Carrying on meant that I realized how unfit I was and made me start going to gym classes so I could cope with pole. A few years later, some pole girls and I tried trapeze as a laugh. So we started trapeze classes and I upped the gym classes to cope with that.  As a result, I got fitter but I'm always looking for something extra. Hence, signing up for deerstalker.  Yep- 10 miles through mud and up hills in the dark. Seemed a good idea at the time but now I'm worrying. I've missed a few weeks training cause of eye virus and now feel really out of shape. I have roughly 6 weeks to go and I need a plan. So far I have;

Monday: metafit (before work)
Tuesday: run (before work), stretch and flex in evening
Wednesday: spin after work, pole in evening
Thursday: zumba and spin after work
Friday: trapeze

I can obviously fit in running at weekends and possibly another morning. I could also do something on a Mon evening. Hopefully this should be enough, if not I'll struggle for time as work is also a priority. Think this may need a fortnightly review but at moment I'm still sore from Mondays metafit and I have trapeze in hour or so.

I feel I should also point out that despite my instructors best efforts- I'll never be graceful, athletic or good at any of these but I enjoy them and it makes me happy!

Ax

Planning ahead

I have an admission to make......
I'm a planner!

I like to think I am spontaneous but in reality I like planning things ahead, making lists, organizing stuff, researching stuff, making more lists....  I love using diaries and have always used a Filofax, I'm not so good at using electronic diaries but I do for work.  I have a calendar in the kitchen and I fill it in with everything I can think of.

This year, I've realized its more important than ever. Boyfriend (Bf) is in the last year of a PhD, soon the final slog starts which means he'll be ultra busy and after summer it may mean he has to move depending on the job front.  To make the most of things we've already booked our summer holiday and some treat days.  This means we'll make the most of our free time together but even then he'll have a few days working away on holiday.  

We also have to go to a conference in may in Italy!  This is actually work and will be stressful if presenting anything. However, we are thinking of taking  a couple of days beforehand to try and relax (bf will still be working for couple of hours a day).

Essentially I can plan 2 holidays so have started my folders of things to see, things to do, how to get there, what to take. But its making me think, what happens if he moves away - will we have to plan all our time together out? Will we lose our normal life? But more importantly, having gone through a PhD write up myself - can I cope with bf going through all the stress, tiredness and emotion that goes along with it.  Will I be a good enough girlfriend to cope?

Ax

Beginning of a new hobby

My new year's resolution was to find something I could do to relax but was still sort of useful. As a wee girl, I remembered doing quilting with hexagons and a plan formed. Saturday saw me at a little class on basic patchwork.

The eyes weren't perfect so my stitching was a little rubbish and I was holding stuff right up to my face but I learnt enough to get going and be inspired.

I learnt how to make little hexagons, baste, and sew a hexagon flower together all over a cup of coffee and a biscuit. I have a grand project planned but to start off and to practice I am going to make a blankie for a friends baby. It is going to be in reds and blues and I have no idea of size yet. I'm just going to see how it goes. 

So far I have made one hexagon flower and basted 7 loose hexagons as below. I'm using 1.25 inch hexagons and a random selection of fabrics and I'm sure there will be a few mistakes but it was so nice to achieve something.

This is also the first time I have tried to add photos to a post and I'm not sure nexus is letting me or it could be blogger that is the issue. I'm also going to try and join the Monday morning star count based at lifeunderquilts......

here eye go again

Eye hospital check up in half an hour.  The bad eye feels much better whereas what was my good eye is also sore now. My gut feeling is an infection but the nurse may disagree.

In the meantime, I have been cooking. My first attempt at fish pie. 2 packed of reduced price pie mix poached in milk, milk then used to make a white sauce with a tiny bit of cheese added then topped with mash. A smelly and tasty success. Fed 2 of us last night and for lunch tiday , I will have more this evening and it should do another lunch as well. Cat is enjoying tiny fish bits from it as well. A good use of freezer stuff!

Eye hospital think there might be a viral infection.  They are not sure so back on Fri. What a great week

Ax

Eye don't believe it

Well when I asked 2014 to bring it on, it really did. One corneal abrasion starting to ulcerate was how I started 2014. Luckily it was caught before permanent damage was done but for a few days I felt like I was being stabbed through the eyeball.  It will take a couple of months to fully heal and I'm a bit blurry but hopefully that will pass soon.  It has meant that my start to 2014 has been delayed slightly but I'll make that up.

In the meantime, I have been trying to make a quilt design.  I've booked a morning learning how to do English paper piece quilting.  I think in the class we will do a basic hexagon pattern but that's not enough for me! Armed with my new book 'quilting in the go', some colour pens and graph paper I have been trying to design.  Strangely, I really enjoy the research behind it and it suits my science nature. After all, I need to work out sizes, numbers etc. Colors I'm not so good with but discovered fabric bundles where someone else with a better sense of color has picked out several designs in a bundle that go.  I found mine and naturally it has lines on it that will need matched up.  However, I can do this and any mistakes I can learn from.  I just need to learn to sew now......

Sewing class is next sat, then pay day I will order some bits and pieces and get started. Can't wait!
Ax

rain rain rain

It's not a great start to the day when it is raining inside.  Luckily it appears that an overflowing drain is the culprit mixed with old windows. However, my spare day at work was slightly ruined.  Never mind, I have managed a half day and got my appraisal form out of the way.  This year or rather 2014, I want to aim for the next stage in my career so this appraisal was very determined.   In fact, I am slightly scared at looking at what I have set out to do.  I also think my word of 2014 will be 'determined'.  Looks like 2014 will be very very busy.  I'm supposed to be back in work on Friday but may pop in tomorrow to get a head start on the year's work.  I have an abstract needing written and as yet, it's just not flowing.  I'm hoping a fresh mind tomorrow will solve the issue......