Sunday, September 23, 2012

Long awaited update

 Dearest blog readers, I am lay in bed whilst I write this update. I am a wee bit poorly you see. Three weeks at work and I'm exhausted. I have a very sore throat - no doubt from all the talking I do in the classroom - and I am very bunged up and full of a cold. Hubby is away again so I am left to play the single, working mum again. Poor kids have had to entertain themselves this weekend as mum has been lay flat on her back in bed. Dvds to the rescue. Yesterday, I couldn't talk at all and dd made me a fine notebook to write all my messages in to her. Oh and a little bell to ring if I needed anything. They were so good. Today I am feeling a little better but need to take it easy so I can be right for work tomorrow.

Work. Such a harsh word for this job I have undertaken. I see it more of an extended hobby. It's really great. The pupils are great. The staff are great. The leadership is great. Even though I have been away from teaching for nearly nine years now, it s as if I have never been away. It is all coming back to me. Things that I get worried or nervous about don't actually happen. There are the natural stresses and it is very tiring. Unfortnately the drive in was made much worse last week as they shut some of the roads due to the two policewomen being murdered - it was in the news and it is on my way to work - so traffic was backed up and one day it took me an hour to get in whereas normally it would take 25 mins.

My brood have settled in really well as well and don't want to leave at the end of the day. They have really made that school their own and there is such a lovely sense of belonging there. It is like one big, happy family. So, so far so good. Just need to get some extra vits in me I think to keep the bugs away.

Onto crafing then.... I have been a busy bee this month it seems. Just when I thought I wouldn't get any time for stitching, here I am with a finish. This is Ann Taylor from Heartstring Samplery.





This was such a joy to work on. I coffee dyed my own fabric - Brittney I think it was - 28 count and used the called for DMC threads. Really nice to work on and I see Beth Twist has two lovely new ones out as well... ho hum... I also managed to finish a baby blanket for my friend who has just had a new baby boy. I am not too sure if the pink makes it too girly but hey ho - modern times and all that - I have bought her a little extra thing just in case she hates it. I am really pleased with it. I used Lucy's bobble edging from Attic 24 to border it and love the overall look of it. So here is my Elmer baby blanket:




It is mostly Stylecraft special with an odd square of Hayfield bonus thrown in for good measure. I have also started the japanese flower shawl/scarf I have been meaning to do for ages as well. All this time in bed hey??? This is using Debbie Bliss Angel which is a kidsilk mohair. I am using a 5 mm hook for these ones and guess what?? This one is going to be for me!!!!! No giving this one away I can tell you. I will finally own my own flower shawl. Now sure if I am going to make it triangular or straight yet. Time will tell. It took me a while to finally decide on how I was going to crochet this so I went with cream centres. Do you like it? Do you think it will look okay?

And lastly..... since this post is going to be my September entry into the Wipcocalypse, having finished the Ann Taylor, I thought I would show you which samler I am working on next....

It's the Elisabeth Lillie sampler! She is such a joy to work on. This is a reproduction sampler by McIntosh samplers and I am stitching her on 34 ct Legacy linen in Oaten Scone and using the called for DMCs. Hopefully, I will make more progress on her this year too. Some of you may be wondering where the picture is taken at the top of this post. It was taken a couple of weekends ago when the sun came out for a final peek before the Autumn breezed in. It is the top of Mam Tor which is quite near us. We took some crackers and cheese and a hot flask of coffee and butties and biscuits for the kids and trundled off for a walk up the hill. It was lovely and so nice to have some good quality family time. Here are a few more shots. There are lots of interesting artifacts up there as it is an ancient Anglo Saxon/Celtic site.






So thats me for now. Hope you enjoyed my little update. Now I am getting back to some stitching or crochet whilst I can. I wish I could go out as it is now officially Autumn I am told. Autumn being my absolute favourite season. Snuggly times and the smell of crisp fallen leaves and that smell of leaf decay in the air mingled with frost. LOVE it. Have a lovely Sunday one and all.
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36 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

I love that you're enjoying and loving your job so much! My sister is a teacher too and she gets sick every year with a cold at the beginning of the year. I hope you recover quickly!

Annette-California said...

Congratulations of finishing Ann - she's Gorgeous. Glad to hear your pleased with work. Baby blanket looks so pretty and warm - your friend will love it. And as for the spectacular flower scarf coming along? Looks like something a magical fairy would create and wear. Do hope you feel better hazel!
Love all the photos.
love Annette

Christine said...

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well, hope you get better soon.
Great finish on Ann and the flower shawl is going to be stunning

Lesleyanne said...

Hope you feel better soon. Its lovely to hear you are enjoying work. Ann is lovely as is your crochet.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

What a lovely post. I'm glad your return to teaching is going well - it's an exhausting but rewarding job Hazel.

Unknown said...

Your projects look beautiful!! Glad work is going well but do get better very soon.

Luv Jane XX

Chars said...

Get well soon. I love your shawl.

Giovanna said...

I hope you'll be better soon... Your stitching and crocheting are just lovely, congrats on the finishes.

Julie said...

The flower shawl is so delicate and pretty, going to be nice and snuggly. A super finish too. Get well soon (hugs) m sitting here nursing a cold myself lol. Great to read you are enjoying the job so much.

Vickie said...

Do take care Hazel. What sweet children, who love their mum.
Oh my! The Japanese flower scarf is going to be gorgeous. You sampler is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing a bit of your world with us. What a gorgeous place to live so close to. The pictures are fantastic.

Margaret said...

I hope you're feeling better quick and are bright and chipper for teaching on Monday. Sounds like everyone has settled into the new routine wonderfully. I'm so glad! Happy that you love your new job, and that the kids are so good and seem content as well. Love your Ann Taylor finish -- so gorgeous! Love that baby blanket!!!! And the flower shawl. Sigh. Wonderful! Take care of yourself. Load up on those vitamins!

Faye said...

Get well soon Hazel.....It is so so easy to get run down... I love the stitching photos...Nice job and the countryside photos... Breathe taking~~ Take care of yourself!! Faye

Sara said...

First of all I hope you get better soon... I'm a daughter of a teacher, and I do remember when my mum was sick but still wouldn't miss a class, because her students needed her, I do have a lot of respect for the dedicated teachers :D
The finish is gorgeous and I love the colour of the fabric... it makes the project even more special imo.
The baby blanket is really cute, and I bet that neither mum or baby would mind the pinks... and your flower shawl... it's going to be gorgeous with those colours and yarn... it looks so soft :D
And what a lovely place to take your kids, I bet you all have a great day over there :D

Hugs,

Deb said...

I'm sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. I hope that you get better soon. I love all the projects that you are working on.

Erica said...

Congrats on a lovely finish!
Ann is certainly beautiful!

Chris said...

Wonderful update Hazel! I hope that you are feeling better soon. It is so hard being sick. There are so many other things to do.
I am glad that you are enjoying work.
Congratulations on your lovely sampler finish. I also love the wonderful new start.
The crocheting is lovely and that scarf is going to be fabulous.
The Tor is beautiful. what amazing views.
Thanks for sharing.

Anne said...

Sorry to hear you are feeling sick. Your kids are so great helping you out. As a teacher myself, I find September the worst month for flues and colds. Everyone is stressed out and burning the candle at both ends. Glad to hear your students and staff are so great!

Ann Taylor is amazing!! I have this chart and haven't thought of stitching her until now! Your new sampler looks lovely and I can't wait to see more progress!

Von said...

Lovely to hear from you again! Teaching is obviously your thing and I'm so glad you're back in the classroom.

Now take it easy and get over that cold bug!

Heather said...

I hope you are feeling better soon! I've just discovered your lovely blog and find your projects very inspiring.

Grammy Braxton said...

Sorry you are feeling bad. I hope the cold gets better soon. Love the cross stitching and I envy you being able to cross stitch on the fine fabric. I can no longer see to use anything less than 18 but I love to cross stitch and have found that I can adapt a lot of patterns calling for 32 and 37 ct. fabric.

Get better soon so you can enjoy the autumn.

Hugs,
Sharon

Rowyn said...

Ann Taylor is beautiful!

Glad you are enjoying being back at work, although it is a shame you are sick. Hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Hello

Just found your blog.
Beautiful finish and gorgeous crochet. Your blog is really gorgeous.
I do hope you feel better soon - it sounds like you really love your job.
Have a good week.

lynda said...

What a lovely sampler! And your crocheted blanket is so bright and colorful!
Hope you are feeling better...when I worked in the schools I was always having a cold or sore throat...lots of germs on those little ones!

Andrea said...

Nothing worse than school to get bugs, coughs and colds! Hope you feel better soon.

A wonderful finish.

Carol said...

So glad your job is making you happy, Hazel. I know how exhausting it is to go back to work after a long "vacation!" I went back to the library after a ten year break (raising my sons when they were little) and I was so wiped out. But, here I am, 16 years later, and still working there and enjoying it :)


Lovely pieces you've shared with us today--feel better soon!!

...Nina Nixon... said...

Oh dear - I do hope you feel better soon. All of mine seem to have come down with colds too....touch wood I'm OK, for the moment.

Get well soon,

Nina x

Louise said...

Hello Hazel!
I am so happy to see your update :)
Your stitching is beautiful, as is your crochet. I am sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope you feel better real soon!
Love all the beautiful pictures.
Glad the job is working out well, Happy to hear from you!!
Louise xx

Catherine said...

Great post, Hazel. I do hope you are feeling better.
All of your projects look lovely!
What a fun place you went to visit. Love the views and the history!

chris said...

So sorry you're poorly and how lovely that the children are caring for you. Lovely stitching and crocheting as usual.. and what a pleasure that job is for you.My last school was a joy to work in too..
Happy days and blessings...Get well soon.
Chris xx

Sally said...

It's lovely to see a post from you Hazel. You have been missed. I do hope you are feeling better soon. So glad you are enjoying your job and that your children are settling well again at school.

Ann is beautiful and your new start is too. Love your crochet. I've got the knitting bug!

Heidi Kuijer said...

I am soooo glad you are happy with your new job Hazel! I am however sorry to hear that it has worn you down to become so ill. I hope the time in bed helped to perk you up a bit.

I watched about the murders on the news. It was really sad. We have all the English channels on our sat tv.

Love your Ann. Aren't BT's designs great? I love all the red in this one!

And now crochet...the Elmer blanket is adorable. She will love it I am sure. It is so good to hear that you are finally making yourself a flower scarf. You are the one who convinced me I could make one so you deserve I nice warm flower scarf all for yourself! Have fun making it...

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

barbara said...

Your stitching is so delicate and beautiful! I am sorry to hear you've been ill, though. :( I hope you'll be back at it soon, and enjoying that wonderful sense of extended family. :)

Karoline said...

Glad your job is going well and I hope you're feeling better now.

Congratulations on finishing Ann, she's gorgeous.

Pradeepa said...

Your crochet is lovely and the cross stitch too. Hope you feel better soon.

Brigitte said...

Ann Taylor is a fantastic finish, I love her muted colours very much. And just the opposite - colourwise - is your new blanket. So beautiful. And ohhhhh, a new sampler! Elizabeth already looks very promising.
These pictures you show from your trip to the top of Mam Tor ar just gorgeous and remind me of some of my holidays spent in Wales where we also visited archeological sites similar to the ones on your pictures. My imagination always goes wild when I see the remains of old hut circles and think about the people who had lived there ages ago. Very exciting.
So good to hear that you love your job at school. I'm a teacher myself and I used to get all the colds that the kids brought to school but meanwhile my body seems to be used to all kind of viruses as I rarely get anything that goes around at school, lol.

stitcherw said...

Hope you're feeling all better by now. Love your finished sampler, so pretty, and your new start looks lovely too. All the colors in the baby blanket looked wonderful, what a bright fun one for a baby to have. Looking forward to seeing how your flower piece turns out, they look so delicate and pretty.
Sue