needed new pjs

Before I begin about pjs . . . a quick update on Gibbs. He went in for surgery on Tuesday 24th May.  The grey mass  was removed and he also underwent a TECABO (total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy). Yes, it’s as serious as it sounds and is only done as last ressort surgery.  Anyhow . . . Gibbs came through surgery okay. We picked him up on the Wednesday evening.  He looks a sorry sight:  shaved ear, shaved face, droopy eye, lop-sided head . . . and having to wear the cone of shame for 2 weeks until the stitches come out.   He’s got lots of meds to take.  Biopsy results should take around 10 days.   I’m thinking I might have to make him an eye patch for when the cone comes off.  Facial paralysis (which is permanent) means he can’t blink/shut left eyelid . . . which means he’ll be prone to hurting/scratching his eye in future when walking in long grasses, etc.

In the meantime, I was trying to keep my mind on other things, and distract me from Gibbs’ medical problems  so I did some sewing.   Had been meaning to make myself a couple of new pairs of PJs.  I favour shortie PJs, even in the winter.  I pulled out two well-used patterns: New Look 6871 for the tunic (not really a PJ top but it works for me) and Butterick B4532 for the shorts.

And used two different fabrics I’ve had in my stash for almost 10 years.  Next job is to make myself a couple of day-wear tunics for this summer, using the same pattern. I have the fabric. Just need to find the time.

 

 

a bit of this & that

Time for a bit of this and that . . .  not all good.

Crafting has been on a go-slow recently because of family gatherings. That’s good!  I was very busy in April doing lots of sorting and clearing because Mr & Mrs Tattoo are having a change of direction in life.  We told them we would support them in any way we could. They lived in the south east of France, but have moved up to live with us temporarily . . . the time it takes to sell the flat and buy a house. Knowing this, I wanted to make sure they had their own space, so that we’re not living on top of each other.  I emptied things out of the master bedroom (with ensuite shower and little loggia) which is almost as big as the flat they were living in before.

so they can have some of their own furniture in there. And I also organised half the attic space.

They moved here on 21st April, so it’s been a month already. Mr Tattoo has started a new job, and we’re crossing fingers the flat sells quickly so they can start house-hunting.

We also had a lovely visit from Lindashee & Mr Lindashee (whose wedding we were unable to attend in February).  We therefore organised a family gathering for that: BBQ in the garden, with other family members.  We hadn’t seen Lindashee since Sept 2019 so the family reunion was well overdue!

Lindashee came bearing gifts for her old Mum (ie me)

fabrics, DVDs, a gorgeous bag (made by teacakemake on etsy)

and Mr & Mrs Tattoo brought a belated b’day present for me too.

That’s the good happy things going on in life.  The not so good is.

What on earth is that? you ask.  It’s MRI pictures of the inside of Gibbs’ head!

And this is what he looks from the outside.  It all started out with what local vet thought was a simple ear infection.  But after seeing a specialist the other day, we now know it’s much more serious. Gibbs is suffering from facial paralysis: loss of muscle, drooping of ear, eyebrow, face & mouth.  Due to a growth (a very large growth) in his left middle ear.  We’re waiting for a call back with a second opinion and date for surgery, but specialist thinks it’s a cholesteatoma.  In theory, not malignant (biopsy will confirm) but it’s eating away at bone inside his skull and needs to be removed completely. We’ve already been warned that facial paralysis is going to be permanent and that Gibbs will be deaf in left ear, and possibly blind in left eye.  He’s not 6 years old yet, so he’s still quite a young dog.  We’re crossing fingers surgery will sort him out.  He’s young enough to adjust to living with a slight handicap, and we’re not bothered about having a lop-sided dog, as long as he’s happy and in general good health!

SAL “poppy trio” #5

Life has been a bit too busy in recent weeks to do much crafting.

Here’s where I was 3 weeks ago on my “poppy trio” project.

And here is where I am now.

I had hoped to have finished the white poppy for this time, but didn’t.

Anyway, here’s the full list of links to other SAL members.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie

and we’ll be back again on 5th June.

the “almost matching” socks

The other day I showed you a photo of the latest sock project.

Knitting with a ball of Lang Yarn Super Socx in “Caipirinha” (their cocktail range) and following a pattern by Alex Parker Mooney (available for free download on Ravelry).  Many hours (and days) knitting later, I have my first pair of adult sized socks. And they almost match – yay!

I say almost . . . yarn colour changing seemed to do something a little different by the time I got to the toe of my second sock, despite having managed to get colour sequences more or less lined up throughout.

Colours were (strangely) less vivid in some places on the first sock (one on the right) . . . but I’m probably the only one who will notice.

And toes didn’t match. But honestly, who will see the toes when I’m wearing shoes or slippers?  I’m really pleased with how they turned out.  I cast on 72 stitches on 2.5mm DPNs and each sock took 44g of yarn.   This yarn is 75 wool, so a little warm for the summer weather on its way. I think I’ll cast on and knit another pair in a cotton mix!

hen happenings # april round up

photo from archives today, because camera battery isn’t charged up.  Time for the April tally of eggs in this part of the world!

All gals in fine fettle, and laying literally every day.  I say “literally” – a few days were taken off here and there, but not that it would be noticed.  4 hens laid a total of 115 eggs in 30 days.  Can’t complain about that, can we!

on a roll

I’d been eyeing up some ideas for storing knitting needles, namely double-pointed needles.  Saw a couple of nice rolls on-line, and used photos as inspiration to design my own.  The nice thing about taking up knitting after having learned how to sew is that something like a needle roll is a very quick & simple project.

It was a stash-busting project.   Using a couple of small pieces of cotton print from the drawer.  Finished size when rolled is 10″ x 3″ and approx 1″ thick, so it’s not too bulky.  It’s for my 20cm DPNs.

The husband came up with an idea, when I was unrolling to show him my finished project (and needles almost fell out onto the floor – you’ll see why later) so I added a couple of poppers to the finished pouch.

When unrolled, it looks like this

And the poppers, on either end of the flap stop needles from sliding out if I hold the thing upside down.

I made 8 little pockets, for 7 sets of DPNs and a wider pocket for my needle gauge.  I don’t actually have a set of 2mm needles in 20cm yet, but thought it was sensible to provide a pocket in the eventuality I need to buy some. My sewing machine has embroidery options, but no decimal point.  However, the numbers embroidered are good enough for me to know which needles should go in which pocket.

In case you’re wondering whether I’ve been doing any knitting of late . . . yes I have!

 

repurposing curtains

I’ve been doing a huge amount of Spring cleaning and sorting in our house, and one of the jobs was having a tidy up in the veranda.  The covers I’d made for bench seats several years ago had faded because of the sun, so I had a rummage in my fabric stash to find something suitable.

I came across two floral curtains (approx 135cm x 190cm each) that came either from MIL or SIL’s home, not sure, but they definitely weren’t mine.  They really are very flowery, but the fabric is lovely quality and I hope it stands up to direct sunlight better than the cottons I previously used.  Anyway . . . I had a measure up of what I wanted to make covers for, including two old chair seats, that have been covered countless times in the past.

These were the chair seats in question.  Disgusting!!!!!  But no longer!  I pulled all the old staples out binning the grotty fabric.  And after playing with the staple gun, they look like this.

What a difference!

So, those two chairs all pretty!  Then I made two square covers for two folding chairs (photo of just one here).

More measuring & slicing went on as I had 3 rectangular foam cushions to cover, that go on the bench seats.

And just enough left over to make a quick cushion cover and add a bit more floral to my grotty old armchair that also lives in the veranda, and doesn’t match anything.

 

 

SAL “poppy trio” #4

Time to link up with SAL members around the world

Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi,

Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen

and share updates of our stitching.  My current SAL project is “poppy trio”.

That was the photo 3 weeks ago.

And photo for this time.

We’ll be back again on 15th May.

ScrapHappy # April (or what the husband made)

I missed out on ScrapHappy last month and have to admit to not much crafting this month either. I’ve been rather busy with some serious decluttering, cleaning and rearranging (mainly up in the attic) and crafting has taken a back seat recently.  Not to worry . . . the husband came to my rescue.

Many hours spent up in the attic, tackling cobwebs, dust, and general chaos, including a pile of timber left behind by previous owner (at the husband’s request) because the previous owner was a retired furniture maker and had his workshop up in the attic.  I was sorting, stacking and deciding what was good to keep and what could become firewood, when I came across.

Two cabinet feet that had never been finished because wood had quite a few flaws.  Now . . . a few years ago, the husband made me a lovely yarn holder, with a larger cabinet foot found in the attic, the round foot of an old table and a broken arrow.   So, I immediately thought “more yarn holders”.  I found an old wooden spoon and a long mini trowel thingy to saw to pieces for the rod parts.  The husband took one look at the trowel thingy and declared he was going to polish it up and keep, but he was okay about sacrificing a wooden spoon.  I therfore went in search of something else . . . and found a wooden trousers hanger, with a piece of dowelling that could be used.

After sanding, staining and whatnot . . . two yarn holders. Much less elaborate than the first one the husband made, which had a rotating system in the base. These holders don’t rotate. You have to tug gently on the yarn and the ball turns around the rod.  They do the job though.  One is for Mrs Tattoo, who has taken to knitting like a fish to water in recent months. The other is a spare for yours truly, so I can keep the larger rotating one downstairs and have the non-rotating one upstairs.

Linking with other ScrapHappy members worldwide.

Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy,  Tracy, Jill,
Claire, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Claire, Jean, Jon, Dawn, Jule, Gwen,
Bekki, Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,
Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2, Bear, Carol,
Preeti, Edith, Debbierose and Viv

happy birthday Le Bleu

Way way back, in 2008, my local vet entrusted me with a litter of 4 kittens to raise.  Their mother had had to have emergency surgery and could no longer feed them. The 4 kittens were 3 weeks old when they came into my care, born on 8th April 2008.   It was a night & day job for the first couple of weeks. And try as I might not to get emotionally attached to the kittens, knowing the vet would be able to find new homes for all when they were weaned . . . I couldn’t stop myself having a favourite.

So as not to get attached to the kittens, we didn’t give them proper names. Just called them “la petite” (a female & runt of the litter), “le grand” (the largest male), “ruban” (= ribbon placed as a collar to differentiate him from his larger brother), and “le bleu” (= blue, because of his almost Russian Blue coluring).  The weeks passed. The kittens were weaned and returned to the vet aged 8 weeks.  Within a few days, 3 of the 4 had been adopted.  But one remained. And yes, you know the rest of the story!

I dashed to the vets and officially adopted Le Bleu, who already felt like part of the family anyway.

So used to calling him “Le Bleu”, the name stuck (and is actually a reference to NCIS – one of our favourite TV series, a French translation meaning “probie”).

He almost didn’t make it to his second birthday though!  In 2009 he was hit by a car and his left femoral bone was smashed to pieces.  Surgeon managed to repair that with metal plate & screws, but only days after the operation, the knee joint became dislocated.  This couldn’t be put back in place for several months, because of the repaired femoral bone that needed several months to consolidate.  And even then, the vet said we only had a 50/50 chance of the knee not popping back out again, in which case the only solution would be amputation.

Here’s a photo to show the left leg sticking out at an improbable angle, before the knee was put back into place.  And stayed in place.   After approxmiately 6 months of convalesence and exercising, Le Bleu was back on all four feet, and (touch wood) hasn’t had any serious health issues since.

Anyway, Le Bleu was promoted to Special Agent years ago lol . . . he’s the oldest member of our 4-legged menagerie (consisting of Ducky, Abby, and Gibbs).  And he celebrates his 14th birthday today!

He’s lost some weight this past year, and his “bionic leg” means his limp is more noticeable as time goes on, but doesn’t stop him living a normal active life.

He sleeps wrapped around my head every night.  Takes over the husband’s computer chair whenever possible. And here, is enjoying the warmth of the sun in the veranda . . . and making sure he looks his best for the occasion.