Well, I said I'd try to be a better blogger *sigh*. I had last week off - had to use my left-over annual leave before April. We thought we gonna get our dog, but it hasn't happened yet. Rather than getting a puppy, we'll wait for a rescue poodle to come along (which Rachel is going to keep her eyes out for me) - I tought that is the best solution for the time being.

Had a lot of trouble in the house with plumbing - leaking taps and sink. I called the chaps from Britisch Gas (have an insurance with them), and they don't do taps and sinks. So... I had to call a plumber from the Yellow Pages - and the sad thing is that I knew what is going to happen, and it happened of course - I got badly ripped off. He came, took everything apart, put it together again and told me he can't fix it - it must be a faulty tap or whatever.... Now I still have a badly leaking tap and sink, and payed £100 for the pleasure!

Here is my update on the poodle. Page 1 is ready, only 5 more to go. I have to admit defeat, I don't think it will be ready for Rachel's birthday begining of April, I'm just not quick enough, there is a lot of confetti stitches, and unfortunately there is the small matter of me having to work all day, so stitching is limited to abt. 2 hours every evening.

I admit - I haven't been a very good blogger! Life just seems to get in a way... and unfortunately I cannot update the blog at work:-)). So...as I mainly would like to concentrate here on my cross-stitch, I think I just show my updates and try to update more often. As I have to finish the Poodle for Rachel's birthday, I'm working on it 5 days a week, and do my usual rotation only over the weekends.

Sorry about the bad picture quality - not much to see, only a large blob of white - that is the top of page 1 of the poodle. I tried several settings with the camera, this was about the best I could do - sorry, I'm no expert on this. And yes, that really is all just white crosses....

I finished the 2 trees quite a while ago, and now finally framed - they are hanging in my hallway. I think the frames really set the pictures off. The design is from Gerda Bengtson, my alltime fav. designer (Danish)

Another Fremme design - my part in the round robin for Anita. I did the flower on the left. Fremme thread is such a pleasure to stitch.

I worked on Spring queen last weekend. Nearing the end - I can't believe it. Then there's only the small matter of beading.

Here is my progress on the flower for Anita(I stitched the one on the left). Should hopefully finish it in two weeks time. For the weekend, I kept to my rotation of the Monet picture, and had a least a little bit of progress.

My order from sewandso arrived.Most of it was for the birthday exchange, but it is still so much fun getting a parcel with stitching goodies! And the chart for Rachel's poodle arrived. It's not a picture converstion (I;m planning this for her as well), but an ordinary chart of a pedigree dog. went out to get the fabric (18ct Aida) which is quite a tiny count. Why is it that whatever fabric I need for a project is not amongst my big big stash.

Today was the first day I worked in my new working hours pattern. I now finish at 2pm so I can pick Ruby up from school, and one day a week I will have to work 12 hours to get my weekly hours in. I'm so glad that my line manager has given me enourmous support when I needed it.

Today, 'Anita's round robin arrived with me. It's a round robin I stitch with friends from my German Yahoo list. It's going to be a flower meadow, made up of Fremme flowers (Gerda Bengtsson design). As I want to finish this first, I have altered my rotation, and will stitch this round robin this week - see how it goes and maybe do my usual rotation for the weekend only (this would by Monet this week). And then I also want to start a poodle picture for Rachel. Again, she has helped me so much in the last few weeks - by just beeing there for me - that I would like to do a surprise for her birthday. And then there is the wedding Sampler for my co-worker Sara who is getting married in June. It seemed like..ages away, and now it is only 4 months - 16 weeks eek!

this is the round robin as I received it today

Finally, I can show an update on the NH afghan. Actually *drum rolls* its the 1st square done! I quite enjoy working on it - it's so different from my usual pictures. it's a bit strange having all that fabric to work with - but I know the end result will be stunning.


Thomas finally went to the vet this week to have his snip-snip. It all went well, but I can't help but think that he has changed a bit. He used to be a very affectionate cat, he'd literally lick your face off if you'd let him, and was following me all around the house. Well, he seemed more distant it seems. Maybe just some 'afterpains' from the op...

My update on the Glasgow Rose cat from last week. i did quite a lot - managed to finish the cat and the vase, started now on the flowers. I guess only another 2 rotations and this one is finished.

I have really neglegted my blog in the past few weeks... here is my update on Spring Queen - yes, she is coming along nicely and almost finished. The card is for Beverly from the birthday exchange group. This week, my rotation is the Glasgow rose cat.

I 've had a week off 2nd week of Jan - I was absolutely shattered after Christmas/New Year. Work was so extremely busy and we had only sceleton staff as it is usual I suppose - instead of 10 there were only 3 of us, and often I didn't leave the office until 7 or 8 in the evening (I usually finish at 3.30pm). The week off was bliss - and I managed to get quite a few things done. Finally registered with a dentist (after 5 years!! shame!), Raja had his annual jabs... Hopefully I'm getting someone to come around to have a look at our fence which needs replacing. I feel reluctant to call someone from the Yellow Pages - I know I'm gonna get ripped off with builders and such, as I really haven't got a clue.

Ruby started swimming lessons and I do go regularly again on Saturdays/Sundays. Ruby's lessons - well, I don't know. She is in a beginners class, as she never had lessons, but all the other kids are 3/4 year olds, and lots of the lesson seem to involve simply getting the kids used to water (e.g. splashing about, retrieving balls from the water) -pretty silly for a 9 year old. I payed a small fortune for 10 lessons (each lasting only 30 mins) - let's hope she is eventually learning to swim! oh, btw, I tried to teach her several times but failed, I'm just an awful teacher I'm afraid.