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Sunday 26 July 2009

A finish and some sad news

I haven't visited my blog in such a long time - the main reason for this has been a busy time at work, and no stitching time to speak off. I usually only blog when I have a finish to show you all; partly the reason for this post - the other reason though is to document the sad loss of a very dear friend, Nan, who died in the early hours of 18th July 2009.

Nan was a close friend of my mum and since mum passed away a little over 3½ years ago now Nan has been a rock for me to cling to when I especially felt mum's loss. We helped each other through and became very close friends as a result. As some of you know, I had been stitching Poppyfield Lane for Nan (without her knowledge of course) and I never did get it finished in time. My intial feeling was that I just could not carry on with stitching Poppyfield Lane, however, Abi has persuaded me that I should go on with it and when I open my little shop it will hang there with a little plaque dedicating it to Nan.

I sent a few days away at Abi's at the beginning of this month, along with Mouse (Michelle) and we had a fabulous stitchy time despite the awful weather! I made huge progress with Karen's RR and also started on my very first biscornu - which I finally finished putting together today and here it is!
I'm absolutely thrilled with it, despite the fact that it isn't 100% perfect - but hey, it's my first attenpt and I am extremely proud of it! Thanks to Abi who provided the chart and the fabric ("Honeysuckle Pink" (I think!)) and buttons and Mouse for the thread the name of which escapes me but I'm sure she'll remind me!
Here's a couple of photos of us at Abi's ~ Mouse beavering away at her stitching and the three amigo's outside in the greenhouse underneath the grape vines.


I'm on the home strait as far as Karen's RR goes although I haven't done much of it since I got home with one thing and another, but I shall get back to that for the rest of today. Nan's funeral is on Tuesday and as I shall need something to occupy my mind when I get back I could well be in for another finish on this one too! Watch this space as they say!
Oh and I almost forgot - back in April I got my second Blogger award from Lynda - and here it is! Thank you so much Lynda. The award says .."This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated." The award has to go to eight other bloggers who shall be:-
Just a short note for this time - I'm still stuffed up with a heavy cold so I am taking things easy for now so not much else to report on. Hopefully I'll have more to report next time!

Until then - thanks for popping in!

Love n hugs,

Ally xxx