Olive Green and Kingfisher Blue

Finally I can show you the other bag I was working on. 

It's proved a slippery little fish - I just couldn't get it quite right.  First, I wasn't happy about the shape. Whilst it's so obviously inspired by one from Amy Karol's bend the rules sewing, I didn't quite follow the pattern exactly - the real pattern requires enlarging on a photocopier and I couldn't be bothered going into town to find somewhere I could get that done (Impatient, moi?)  So I just roughly drew it and so it wasn't to the exact measurements it should have been, which meant I had to guess the size of the handle and it turned out I didn't have enough matching fabric.  So I stuck upon the brainwave of using the ribbon to make a handle.  Cue ironing on interfacing and dealing with fraying ribbon (cue paining on of fray check!) 

Then it just didn't look quite right.  It was missing something.  Cue making of ribbon corsage topped off with cute little vintage button. 

Finally I'm happy with it and actually think the colors look pretty darn cute together!

I'm still not doing that well leaving the house, although I did go for a walk today (oh how lovely was it to have some sunshine this morning?)  I know I'm not that great - I'm not sleeping well at all and seem to have an aversion to speaking to people.  But for now I just need to nest and sew and spend lots of time with my boy. 

This is going to sound really awful but Cole woke up with a hacking cough and temperature yesterday and I was really pleased because it meant that he couldn't go to school and I could get one more day with him. Don't get me wrong, obviously I wasn't pleased he was ill.  But I did relish the thought of a whole day together snuggled up watching DVD's (Toy Story - again- yeah!)  In typical Cole style he was fine and up and about by mid afternoon but I did at least enjoy the morning with him.  I swear I've been so lucky; he's hardly ever ill to begin with and even when he is it rarely lasts for more than a day or so.  The only time he was properly ill was when he caught some virus that the doctors couldn't identify and he was in hospital with a horribly high temperature and meningitis type rash.  Even then, after being on intravenous antibiotics and in an isolation room, the fever broke after 3 days and he was sitting up and wanting to run about like nothing had happened (although I swear it was the scariest 3 days of my LIFE- I certainly didn't feel like running anywhere!)

So he was back to school today and I went for my walk and felt OK.  I then came home and finished off a pencil wrap I'd started making for Cole yesterday.

He chose the fabric and did some of the appliqué letters so it feels like a joint project. 

I've just finished it off so it will be ready for him to take tomorrow to school. 

Oh, and there's another benefit to being off work - I'm being a 'helper' on his school trip to the park tomorrow.  As a working Mum I don't usually get to do things like that so when the letter came through last week I thought I've no excuse really.  I'm not sure how I'll cope being in charge of a group of 8 year olds but I can only try!

Oh and I finished sewing the monkey squares together - it will make a nice cot quilt (still a bit scared of my first quilting attempt - do you think I'm stalling?) 

John suggested I keep it for when our baby finally comes along but something in me didn't feel right about that so I think I'll have to find someone to give it to (or put it in that Etsy shop that keeps tantalizing me!)

Tomorrow my intention is to be a bit more available - I've had so many missed called and unanswered phone messages that I really must start calling people back.  I just don't feel I've the energy to speak to anyone - I should at least let them know I'm still here and am okish-I even forgot to call my Dad back tonight - how awful's that? Note to self 'Must try harder... '

Comments

[EB]

Sock monkey quilt... so cute. I'm a big fan of my flannel sock monkey pj's :)

[Mollyejo]

I just had to tell you that my daughter (11yrs.old) and I let out a long, audible ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh! when we saw your beautiful olive green and kingfisher blue bag. It's *so* lovely.

[Twiggy]

Well honey, I think you're doing just great. The bag is gorgeous and I love the pencil roll, why not stash away the little quilt for a bit? I know what you mean about being slightly pleased about Cole being with you. Twiglet is never ill and has had a grotty cold the last few days so we spent this afternoon watching CBeebies whilst cuddling under a cosy throw - it was lovely!! glad to say he's on the mend though.
You're a brave lady taking on a school trip, I hope you enjoy it, you know in my humble opinion I think you're doing very well lady.
Twiggy x

[Marie]

What a lovely marriage of fabrics! I don't think I ever would have thought to put them together. Yet, they look fantastic.

Try just making one call a day. And STOP beating yourself up. You are expecting too much from yourself. Allow yourself this time to rest and recoop. Your father will understand. Your friends will understand. We (your blog readers/friends) understand.