Catching Up and Moving On

I always promise an update don't I?  Always full of good intentions but then life kind of gets in the way.  Not long after my return from my visit to Mouse's I learned from my boss that she was going to have to let me go as she couldn't afford to keep me on.  Just as well I didn't sell up and move to Lanarkshire to be closer to my job then isn't it?  I was gutted as you might imagine and sometimes it is a struggle - going from having a decent wage coming in to literally nothing at all.

However, keeping positive, I am looking at this as a sign that now is the time for me to move on and go ahead with my plans to open my own stitching shop.  Gillie has kindly offered me a place to stay for a while to work on my business plan and more importantly rent out the flat so that bills get paid.  I am hoping to be in Yorkshire and up and running pretty soon after that.  The girls have been amazing to say the least and I count myself lucky to have them as my friends.

Going backwards in time, I had a fabulous stay at Mouse's and got lots of stitching done.  We spent a day working on CCN's The Needlework Shop and that has come on a treat.   I also did a load to my crocus cushion as you can see ... 

Early on Saturday morning we went off to deepest Cheshire to visit Gillie ~ what a wonderful place she and WT have found to live in while they are here.  With a lovely walled garden and a field of horses right next door, I think I am going to enjoy my little sojourn in the Cheshire countryside - and Minnie will be a Cheshire cat (think about it .....)

Karen came down too and we had a right girly get together, raided her boxes of books and did some stitching too.  I made my trifle for dessert on Saturday night and WT brought home a friend so that he didn't feel too outnumbered.  I think he acquitted himself rather well to be honest lol.

I am dog sitting for friends for the next two weeks although I have popped back home today to pick up a few things, attend an interview and check the mail.  Angel is a Tibetan Terrier, 13 years old, and a wee sweetheart. 

I have also found myself a wee voluntary job at the local PDSA shop (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals).  I am doing two afternoons a week starting tomorrow so wish me luck.  If nothing else, it will give me the retail experience I need for my new venture.  My last retail experience was over 30 years ago so I am a tad rusty but I am sure I will pick it up again in no time.  I think cash registers have moved on a bit since I last used one though. 

I have been working on my Crazy 15 Challenge and here is an update on my Honey Bees project.  I'm quite enoying this one now and it is working up fairly quickly thanks to the many half cross stitches there are.

I also finished a very long overdue bookmark which has now made it to its partner.  I made her a card too but true to form I forgot to take a photo before I sent it!

It is blowing a hooley out there right now and I am so not looking forward to having to go out again but I need to get back to let Angel out.  I have got several projects with me so expect an update when my dog sitting stint is over.  I promise I will have something to show for it!




Here is a shot of the lovely threads and fabric (and cards) I received from my Calendar Girls group on Friendly Stitchers.  The girls thoroughly spoiled me as usual.

Thank you all for reading and for your continued encouraging comments.

Over and out for now.

Hugs,

Ally xx