Monday, February 9, 2015

The Bad Blogger

That would be me! I have wanted to blog multiple times since my last blog but I have been sidetracked by a nasty flu, work, and now a congested head cold since last weekend. We have also stopped packing and gave up on finding a decent place since we should probably buy our next home instead of renting with the crazy prizes here in the Lower Mainland.  But where to buy, we don't know.  I think that with baby bean's birth on the horizon, moving is just crazy which was stressing us both out a lot, and I can't afford to be stressed right now.  So we are going to improve our place a little bit instead. Baby Bean can stay with us for the first few months and then we will see what to do.  So I unpacked some of my stitching supplies and have been working on my WIP's while sick.  It helps with the stress! 

I had one finish this year so far! Woohoo!! It's BBD's freebie Souvenir de Paris I stitched for a colleague who will be retiring this year.  It will be placed in scrapbook so I didn't need to finish it into anything.  I used GAST Blue Jay, a divine blue, and a scrap of linen I found. 



I personalized it with her initials and the year of her retirement.  I hope she likes it!

After pulling out my stitching supplies from boxes, which was a silly thing to do, I grabbed Knotgarden and stitched on it all yesterday and the night before.  



The corner is complete except for the beading and fancy stitches which I'm going to leave out so they don't get squished by the qsnaps. I highly doubt this will get finished in the next year with Baby Bean's imminent arrival.

Sarah Chapple had got a lot of love from me the past month or so.  She's such a beautiful sampler to work on.  I can't wait for her to be finished!



The border with all the honeysuckle flowers will take quite awhile to do. It's such a unique design that is very ornate.  Stay tuned!

The Bitter Flower Sampler by Birds of a Feather is nearly complete.  It's been fun stitching it on weekdays as it's easy to hold in my hand and I can speed along as I wind down from work. 



I've made two bunting triangles, with a third in progress for Baby Bean.  They are fun to make and I think I'll make 4-6 more of them.



The Granny stripe has been growing too.  Hubby says I need to get it done so we can have at least one finished blanket this year.  



I feel like a bad mother who has made nothing for Bean yet! So I found these adorable booties online that looked fairly simple to crochet.  I'm going to give it a fair shot in the next few weeks and see if I can make them.



Aren't they adorable?! Teeny tiny baby shoes always fills me with delight! I'm going to make them in white and maybe grey too. At least Bean will have stylish feet! 

I'll leave with a few photos from my walk yesterday.  I had to get out although I was very tired and the walk wore me out. I really hope this cold goes away and that I don't get another one for awhile.  I'm sick of being sick!!!


My February display




Oh, can't forget about Titus!! He's such a big suck.  I wonder how he will be when Bean comes.  Hubby says we can't ignore Titus but I don't know.  I know that Bean's first few months will be attached to me so how much can of myself can I give to all the babies in the house, hubby included.



Take care and thank you all for taking the time to read through this post.  I have been a bad commenter as well but I do peak around to everyone's blogs early in the morning as I wake up.  My comments wouldn't make sense that early so I have been refraining for a reason.  I hope to take some time during spring break to do some visiting.  Hugs to you all!!

Anne

40 comments:

Vickie said...

Baby won't know about space or apartment or house for a long time. I know the overwhelming feeling. We moved into our second home when Emerson was 2 days old. Hard times. It will all become clear and work out.
Your bunting is just wonderful!

Cath said...

Hope you feel better soon. Don't worry , you will learn to juggle everything , and Titus will probably come for a snuggle when you're holding Bean , so a two for one offer.
Take care .xxx

Agi said...

If you are lucky as I was you will have plenty of time to finish Knotgarden. I started stitching when I was expecting our son, and I finished a huge amount of things when I was at home with him. He was sleeping - I was stitching. he was playing - I was stitching. He actually tried to stitch with me when he was 2 and a half - cutest thing, I gave him a 20 needle with blunt tip, made a knot for the thread not to let it come out and my smallest hoop. He really loved it!

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

I hope you feel better soon.Glad you have decided to stay put for now if moving is making you both stressed.Baby Bean will be oblivious to space in your home,but will like having un stressed parents.Hope you can stitch regularly to de-stress too.You have lovely designs to work on.
Take care.

Mouse said...

ok I hope the cold goes real quick ...good idea re the moving ... wait until you are settled a bit into a good routine and then think about it again ... re Titus don't leave him out ... let him see the wee one and get to know them ... they have cat nets if you think there would be a chance of him getting in the crib .. more than likely he won't be bothered apart from the noise ...
well done for getting lots of stitching done and you can still do stitching when the little one arrives ... do some housework then stitch a bit then do some more ... it will make you cope better ... :)love mouse xxxxxx

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Lovely stitching Anne, I hope you feel better very soon. We had a young cat at home when our son arrived and we had no problems at all. Just follow your instincts.

Maggee said...

You have been doing lots of lovely work... Sarah Chapple is my current fave now... love the border too! Glad you are not moving after all... Baby Bean will not care about space for a while! Get used to having him about then... Titus too! Another consideration... new house to him too! Take care not to overdo anything now! Hugs!

marly said...

Knotgarden is beautiful! And complicated looking. Sarah will be spectacular. Everything you showed is very nice. Things will fall into place eventually and I sure hope you feel good soon.

Linda said...

Glad to have an update from you Anne. Your stitching is gorgeous. I love the colorful bunting and that blanket looks great. Hope you feel better soon.

Linda

Barb said...

Right now the most important thing is you and Bean. I hope you get much better soon. These things going around this winter seem to be hard to get rid of!! My daughter moved into a 3 room apartment when she was born. The living room became her room till we moved when she was 4 months old. It all works out. That sampler is just beautiful!!Your other stitching is also looking lovely.

butterfly said...


Beautiful Stitching and great photos.

Look after yourself Ann and get well soon .
You will feel much better once your flu has gone.
Tomorrow is always another day and soon your life will change for the better .
You have so much to look forward to.
Sending you Hugs & xxx.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Oooh, beautiful stitching! I love the crochet bunting too. The little booties are going to look absolutely adorable! :D Feel better!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Such gorgeous stitching. Make the most of it!
Love the crochet bunting too.
I am sure Titus will make a great BF cushion to rest Bean on when you're feeding! Or maybe not...

Kay said...

Sarah Chapple is looking beautiful. x

Lillie said...

Beautiful WIPs.
Hope you are feeling better. At this time do not worry much, am very sure everything will work out fine.
Just take good care of yourself.

Annie said...

Must be very uncomfortable to be pregnant and have cold/flu symptoms at the same time. But good to see you've been able to do some lovely crafting ... always good mental therapy. And moving is so stressful for everyone.. I think the decision to stay put for a while is probably a good one.

Looking forward to seeing those booties!

Mii Stitch said...

Hope you feel better soon Anne.
Good idea to limit stress for now, baby Bean will certainly not mind. Enjoy your stitching while you can and I'm sure things will work out naturally with Titus xx

Margaret said...

I hope you are feeling better fast! Such a bummer to be sick! We made a move from one house to another when DS was 3 months old. I do think it's easier to deal with once you aren't pregnant anymore. The move will work out when it's time! In the meantime you all can be together and snug and happy! Love all your crochet and stitching! Sarah Chappelle is gorgeous! I so need to stitch her. You are not a bad mommy for not making something clothing-wise for little bean! The booties will be very cute though. Feel better and rest! Pregnancy is the time to spoil yourself. :D

Carol said...

Hi Anne :) I think you are making the right decision to hold off in moving to a new place. Until your little one starts moving on his/her own, you'll be just fine with a small space. Baby stuff does take up a lot of room, but most of it can fit in corners here or there. We moved from Washington DC back to our home here in Pittsburgh (we were just sent to DC for a year with my husband's job) when my youngest was just six weeks old. It was exhausting with three little boys in tow, but I made it :) You can, too!!

Loved seeing your updates--the booties you plan to crochet are just precious :) Beautiful gift for your co-worker; I made the same one for my sister's 50th birthday to commemorate her trip to Paris back in 2013.

I know it's hard to stay away from all of those germs that your students bring into the classroom, but please take extra good care of yourself over these next few month... Your health needs to come first :)

Sending Titus a hug (and you, too, dear Anne!).

Angela said...

Hope you feel better soon Anne :) There is nothing worse than being sick while pregnant!

Love Knot Garden and Sarah Chapple, congrats on your finish too.

Julie said...

Sending get well wishes your way, these germs really are no fun (from one cold infested stitcher to another's!).
Beautiful stitching you've been doing.
Those little crochet boots are adorable.
Titus will be fine, we've always had cats with little ones, just carry on as usual with him.

Rhona said...

Hope you're feeling better soon. Love your stitching. And those crochet booties are just ADORABLE!!! Can't wait to hear how they work out.

Melissa said...

Anne, I remember being sick with the flu when I was pregnant and I couldn't take any medication. It was not pleasant. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm glad to hear you are taking a break from deciding to move. Sometimes when no answer is coming to you it's best just to take a break. Maybe something will come up that you hadn't expected!

Glad to see you are picking up your (many, many) handwork again! Sarah is my fav and she is looking great!

Take care of yourself! Hugs!

Southpaw Stitcher said...

I love all your WIPs. The crocheted bunting is so happy and colorful. Those booties would look adorable on Baby Bean!

Justine said...

Well as someone who didn't finish her son's birth sampler until after his 5th birthday, I say make what you want to and buy the rest! Whatever makes you happiest. I think you are right to limit your stresses and leave moving home till you feel ready for it. You will manage with Bean and you may have more of an idea what sort of home you would like once he/she is here. Gorgeous projects you are working on. I stitch more now than I ever have as our evening social life is virtually non-existent, it's a chance to get the needles out once the boys are in bed!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Hope you feel better. You have some really nice big pieces you are working on. So pretty.

Melanie said...

I can't imagine trying to make a big move while solidly pregnant. I don't blame you one bit for holding off for now. I'm sure the baby will be cozy and happy right where you are now. :)

Barbi said...

Oh Anne, there is so much to say about this post. First of all how can she not love her Paris finish from you! It's lovely! Working on Knotgarden would drive me mental...and as beautiful it is, better you than me LOL! Sarah Chapple is BEAUTIFUL! I've never seen this before. I loved working on Bitter Flower Sampler, I found it fun too. Those booties!!! AAAHHHH they make me want to squeal they are so cute!!!

Chris said...

Hey Anne! I hope that you are feeling better. I think it is a good idea to cut down on the stress. You need to take your time on finding a place.
Lovely stitching and crocheting.
Hugs to you and Titus!

Von said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so taken with that blue floss in Souvenir de France! I must get some of that. :)
Be well, my friend.

Deb said...

Congrats on your finish!
Great WIP's.
About Kitty and upcoming Bean.
Maybe set a babydoll, that makes noise, on the couch and see how kitty reacts.
Hope you feel better very soon.

Annette-California said...

Hi Ann! Sure hope you are feeling better. I know all the stress wore you down & you got ill. It's the baby won't know where you live. All baby bean will care about is mommy & daddy:) All your stitching progress is over the moon. Just gorgeous.
Stitching is exactly what you needed - lol! Hugs Annette

Brigitte said...

Oh don't say this, Anne. You are such a wonderful blogger no matter how often or rarely your are abel or willing to post. I'm always here to read your posts with delight.

Looking for a new home when a baby is underway is certainly a very stressful thing to do. So you might have made the right decision to postpone it. And the good thing is that you could unpack your stitching projects and make some lovely progress on them. Knorgarden is coming along great and Sarah Chapple is such a beauty because of the colours and motives used in it. And that BoaF piece has seen a lot of attention, too.

So great to see your crocheting. It seems that the blanket has grown a lot and ohhhh, look at these lovely little booties. They are so so sweet and Baby Bean's feet will look lovely in them.

Wishing you all the best of luck that this nasty flu will leave you soon.

Shirlee said...

So glad to see a post from you & to read that you are doing well other than the nasty cold & flu bugs. Staying put is a good decision as you are right ... you don't need the stress. Keeping all of you in my prayers : )

Andrea said...

Hope you feel better soon. It probably is the best idea to stay put.At least you get in to a routine and then look for somewhere at your leisure and make the right decision. Wonderful stitching.

rosey175 said...

Beautiful stitching and eeee such cute buntings and booties!

You don't have to give all of yourself to all the babies, that's what husbands are for! He gets a big dose of Time To Grow Up, haha. You're in this together~ :D Plus babies won't mind apartments. I don't remember my first home until I was around 2-3 years old. Don't stress yourself; things will work out eventually. :)

Annette said...

Sweetie your pregnant, working, was busy with packing. You can't do it all..
I think you have made a great choose. Waiting with the move. Better for baby and you..
And now you can see What the packing did, you made progress in so so many pieces!!!
Very beautifull
Hihihi. Your have. Finish this on then we have one finished.. Lol.. Funny him..
I Love love the booties!! You Will make them beautifull.. Can't wait to see them!!!

Annette said...

Sweetie your pregnant, working, was busy with packing. You can't do it all..
I think you have made a great choose. Waiting with the move. Better for baby and you..
And now you can see What the packing did, you made progress in so so many pieces!!!
Very beautifull
Hihihi. Your have. Finish this on then we have one finished.. Lol.. Funny him..
I Love love the booties!! You Will make them beautifull.. Can't wait to see them!!!

Annette said...

Sweetie your pregnant, working, was busy with packing. You can't do it all..
I think you have made a great choose. Waiting with the move. Better for baby and you..
And now you can see What the packing did, you made progress in so so many pieces!!!
Very beautifull
Hihihi. Your have. Finish this on then we have one finished.. Lol.. Funny him..
I Love love the booties!! You Will make them beautifull.. Can't wait to see them!!!

KimM said...

Beautiful stitching - love those wrap around booties.
xxx