So, who goes shopping with a ruler? Don't be shy - hands up!

This morning started well enough - but I will confess to wanting a distraction.  I had decided to tackle the WI wine bag and follow the you-tube video step by step.  All was going well, until her "normal" bottle of wine must have been smaller than mine - the only bottle that I had in the house was too big for the bag (which has a "hat" on and therefore size is important!





Just as I stopped to ponder my dilemma, Wendy called round with a  lovely bunch of tulips to congratulate me on reaching my first weight loss target - wasn't that lovely of her and Nigel?






Then mum called and I arranged to meet her and Dad at a garden centre for lunch -problem solved, I could stop off at Tesco's and get another bottle of wine - hence the ruler.  Yes I honestly did go up and down the wine aisles measuring bottles!  In the end, the bottle was the smallest that I can find.  I need to sew a button on to finish it off - just hope that they like it!






Back home, and a quick dog walk, it's nearly tea time - just where has the day gone?  I can report, however, that the knitted waistcoat is now sewn up and I am contemplating binding the seams with some lovely bias binding that Wendy got me for Christmas.  Cruisewise, I have now checked in online both ways and have been sent (and printed out) my cruise e-tickets.  I have allocated next Sunday to go through everything and check that it's all in order - but I think that we are good to go. Heck - Mum has even bought me Percy Pig sweets for the journey!!  Just got the ironing and packing to go then!

With the knitting complete - hey, I can go back to handsewing!! Life is good!  Oh, and on a totally different note, Sewingbuddy and I "tendered" for a designing job last night.  A mutual friend put us in touch with an american start up company who wants one of their products re-designed and were looking at a number of different companies to take on the task.  We probably won't be successful but it's all good experience!!

The annual battle with Mad Millie

So - another scorcher eh?  After feeling rather smug that I had swapped to the summer duvet (and, consequently, am getting a good night's sleep), my first task of the day was to make bag number 6!  Well - I wanted to let the grass dew dry out before getting out and mowing the lawn - which was then swiftly followed by the second power washing of the patio are to get rid of those last few dregs.

With a change of clothes (you do get filthy power washing!), it was then mid morning and time to chill in the summer house. For the first time this year, the doors were thrown back and the rocking chair enjoyed.  I would say that it was a lovely peaceful morning but, just as I sat down, the next door neighbour started with a strimmer!

With a short break to check in online for our return flight (boo - 3 weeks today the holiday is over!), it was back outside for some weeding - I'm a regular "wonder woman" today! - before bringing the powerwasher in and taking the table outside to the clean patio - today's mission accomplished (watch it rain tomorrow!!)

So -what about the blog title and "Mad Millie"?  Well it was time for her booster jabs this afternoon - never my favourite task as she goes mad in the vets.  Every year we get a different vet(now I wonder why?) but this one thought that she looked good for her age, was surprised to see that this mad monster was nearly 12 and, when we weighed her, I was surprised to see that she had only put on 0.7kg in five years since she was weighed last year - not too bad going eh?  However, having survived that, we then came home, picked up Daisy and gave them a nice walk (trying to keep to the shade of course).

Tonight I have the church's AGM, which is a shame since I have just got to sew my waistcoat up and that project is finished!!  I also volunteered to make our WI's entry for a group competition next week - a decorated wine bottle bag! - so that will be my next focus.  Just to add to the list, my ricrac arrived today for my advent calendar Christmas trees - no excuse now then!!

Battling with the hosepipe!

Well, the sunshine has arrived and it's glorious!  So I decided to go ahead with power washing the "patio" so that I can move the table and chairs outside.  It didn't start so well - connection issues etc - combined with two different hosepipes to choose from - one of which is ancient and has kinks - but has a better connection.  Eventually - the problem was solved and off I went - I do love the difference it makes!  I will need to get rid of the debris and then give it (and the covered walls) a once over - but we are nearly there for this area of the garden.




Covered in muck, I stripped off and filled the washing machine - before sewing another couple of toiletry bags - I want to have made 7 (strange number I know - but! ) and currently have 5 so I am getting there!  Heck I even braved using a double headed zip - I have always avoided trying this in case there is a gap in-between because I have put the heads on wrong.



By now it was time for an early lunch ( Bacon and asparagus pesto pasta since you ask) before setting off for the inaugural "Knit and natter" group (wearing my nice new M & S top may I just say!).  There was a good turn out and we certainly had a good natter -meeting new friends is always good.  Heck - I almost finished the back of my waistcoat and even got to sample the new Pin Gin cocktail  - the owner was in and the barmaid gave us one between us to sample.  I can't go for another few weeks, but - wait for this Jo - a group of us are going to try knitting a sock!!  I say one - just in case it goes horribly wrong!!

With the car thermometer saying 27 degrees(yikes!)  I went home and even did some weeding!  Let's make the most of these lovely sunny days - my phone gives us tomorrow and Friday (with the temperature starting to drop on Friday ) before the rain returns!  So - tomorrow will hopefully see the patio finished, the table moved outside and the lawn mowed.  Who knows - maybe some more weeding!

What a day!!

Seriously - it's like being back at work.  Waking up to the alarm and then two meetings with barely time for lunch in-between!

The first meeting was a WI group meeting so, as Secretary, I spent some time organising myself before the meeting, took the minutes and then spent some time this afternoon typing up the minutes. 


After a quick turn around, it was then off to Carine's for a WI craft group meeting looking at our WI entry for the Lincolnshire show.  The theme is "all the fun of the fair" and so Wendy brought the base - a piece of wood covered with artificial grass which looks fab.







Carine has just acquired two kittens (well they're 11 months really) and the kittens have been brought up in a flat -much loved but given up when the owner realised that they were desperate to enjoy the outside area but she lived near a main road.  Today was only the second time that Carine had allowed them into her garden and they are still at that tentative stage!  However they are VERY cute!



Back home, and whilst typing up the afore said minutes, I looked up to see this.  I am hoping that it's a Cadet exercise rather than being invaded - but all very strange!

Knitting wise, I must report that I am about 5" away from finishing the back of my waistcoat and so am hopeful about finishing it.  I have just learnt that there is a new "Knit and natter" group starting tomorrow afternoon in the pub so may just pop in!!

Well?

Today the Monday Textile Group met again after their Easter break - and the project was a retreat bag.  Since I was early, I took the opportunity to run up another toiletry bag for the stash.






However Wendy had come prepared and was able to nearly finish it - whilst Carine was busy cutting and prepping.




Meanwhile Linda was busy choosing her fabrics and starting the prep.






Home, for a few minutes, and it was time to book my tickets for The Festival Of Quilts - sadly the two workshops that I wanted were fully booked but I will look again to see if anything else takes my fancy!  Then it was round to the church to see the gardener, before popping into Mum and Dad's for a catch up - and then onto Tesco's for the weekly shop.  Phew - I was glad to get to Slimming World - if only for a sit down!

So - did I achieve my goal?  After just over a year - did I get my 5 stone award?  Of course I did!!  Did you ever doubt it?  Not only that but, with a weight loss of 4lbs,  I was slimmer of the week - so that was two shiny certificates for the wall!  With two weigh in's before I go on holiday (and put some of it back on! ) I would like to reach the 5 1/2 stone award (6 in total) but that would mean losing another 5 1/2lbs.  A tough ask - but let's go for it!!

Nearly there .........

As promised, this morning the sun really did have its hat on - well, for a couple of hours at least.  After that, the mist started to roll in from the fields like a gothic victorian novel!  Truthfully we did then have patches of sunshine - but it needs to warm up a little more for me!   I had hoped, for example, to power wash the patio before taking the tables and chairs out - I think that soaking may have to wait until later on in the week when it promises to be a tad warmer!







So, what's a girl to do?  I mean, all of this tidying means that the house is in a reasonable state (just needed a hoover round) so I then sat down and made another toiletry bag for my craft fair stash.  I don't know if they will sell, but they are quick to make and will begin to fill the stall!




After a nice long long walk (still in my fleece at this point) with the dogs, I then set to making my tea towel bag.  You may recall that I fell in love with the wallpaper in a tea room that we visited whilst we were on the retreat - and bought a matching tea towel.  The design, by Emma Bridgwater, was of a kitchen dresser and in my favourite colourway of blue.  So, using plain blue from my stash for the lining, I cut the tea towel up (two long strap fronts from the sides and "in half" - well, to match the shelves anyway), backed with fusible wadding and made into a simple bag.  I kept the orange "Emma Bridgewater" label to both give credit to the designer and add a touch of "class" to this simple make.  I think that it's come out well - if I do say so.

With some waistcoat knitting, meal planning for the week ahead and church bill paying, I guess that you could say that it's another day completed.  So - why the blog title you ask?  Well, it could be because I can finally buy my Festival Of Quilts ticket tomorrow and book my workshops or it could be because a loss to 2 1/2lbs tomorrow afternoon would result in me gaining my 5 stone SW award (so it would be 5 1/2 stone altogether).  The 5 stone award was the first target that I set myself when I started - so fingers crossed that I need to set a second target.  I have been 100% on it this week so it should be in the bag - but you just never know!

Another "bitty" day!

Ah well - it happens sometimes now doesn't it?  Those days where you are just getting on with bits and bobs that need doing.  For example, I traced the new Gail Pan stitcheries, sorted the first retreat bag that I made - and then added one of the reindeer stitcheries that Wendy gave me for Christmas.  Et voila - my holiday craft bag is now complete!





With bed stripped and bedding washed, it is now time to change the duvet to a summer one.  Yes, I know, I may regret this but it is beginning to get warm at night and, I figured, I can always add a blanket!  A simple task, I know, but it does involve trudging duvets up and down stairs!

With more tidying and sorting of kitchen cupboards (don't worry Sewingbuddy - no piccies today - you're safe), a  dog walk and the rustling up of another 15 minutes toiletry bag (well, I have been stupid enough to have a craft fair stall in July so need to start building up stock), that kind of sums up the day.  However I will round it off tonight by going to the theatre for my monthly volunteering task and serving ice creams.  In other words - a simple, understated but enjoyable day.  Heck, I even had time to cut out another retreat bag for the Textile group on Monday!