Monday, 16 March 2015

A List

Assembled: One chair, four bookcases and half a shoe rack.


Repurposed: One very large cardboard box.


Searched for: Signs of spring.


Found: One bitterly cold walk and fifty shades of coastal grey.


Found a bit later on: Some actual signs of spring.


Show offs.



Baked: Lasagne and apple strudel.


Remade: One fox, in proper wool felt this time after the last one fell to pieces. This one feels a million times sturdier, and the wonkiness of his whiskers are testament to the vigorous bedtime cuddling he's had to endure, poor chap.


Bought: Very, very many embroidery threads. 39 I think.


Put off: A new embroidery project. It taunts me and I've been following my friend Jennifer's progress on the same pattern with a mixture of awe and jealousy


Dreaming: of daylight hours when I can put down my paintbrush and pick up my needle.


I feel like I have so much to say and share here, but completely lack the energy or wherewithal to say it. So I give you a list, and hope that you'll bear with me. There will come a time when I can write in sentences again.


43 comments:

  1. I love your list. I'm so glad you shared it because it helps me know you're coming up for air with all your projects. You're going to love the sampler. It's hard, but I know you're going to enjoy it and it will go fast. Mine is at the framers'! I can't wait to get it back. Hopefully at the end of the week.

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  2. I have the winterwoods sampler but I've completely ground to a halt with it. When you do yours I might become inspired. Love the colour of that first wall. Wonderful. Love the camellia as well, so exotic at this chilly time of year. I have a tiny white one in my front garden. I'm waiting for a flower or two. I hope you have a good week Gillian. Keep going! CJ xx

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  3. Mmm apple strudel - yummy. I can't wait for a big reveal of your new house, all beautifully decorated - the little snippets have been quite tantalizing. Hopefully you'll be able to get on with your embroidery soon. Enjoy the rest of the week. x

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  4. Goodness - after all that I'm impressed you can even write a list and match the right photos and words! I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. x

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  5. Nothing wrong with lists lovely Gillian. They get your message across just fine. Make sure to take time to relax. Don't burn yourself out. Bee xx

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  6. Nothing wrong with lists lovely Gillian. They get your message across just fine. Make sure to take time to relax. Don't burn yourself out. Bee xx

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  7. I love your lists. I'm impressed that you even have the energy to post alist a list with all you have going on. Love the new chair, and your apple strudel looks delicious!

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  9. I enjoyed your list and loved looking at your photos. I am sure that things will settle down and you will find time to complete that embroidery once you are settled in your new home. I think sometimes we can put too much pressure on ourselves to try and fit everything into our busy lives but you will find when the time is right you will get back to it. xx

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  10. I'm sure once you've finished the "hard" bit of decorating, moved in and are settled, you'll have more "oomph" to get on with the fun things. Do take care and thanks for such an enjoyable little post in a hectic time.

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  11. It's a good list. I am contemplating some stitching too, but (ever the one to make life difficult for myself) to my own design with thread that I've dyed.

    Mr Fox has a knowing look, I wonder what deep secrets have been imparted to him during those cuddles.

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  12. You'll get there, you've accomplished so much already don't forget that.
    Lisa x

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  13. Love the chair. The best sofa we ever had was a big red squashy one, also from Ikea. Lists are good when sentences elude us. And you have still been doing 'proper' cooking in the midst of all the work, how wonderful! X

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  14. I think the list works well, it gives us exactly that feel of how much you are packing in. Well done on managing another fox in between it all too! All your work will be worth it, that's the main thing.

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  15. I am amazed how much you manage to blog in the first place with all that you have going on. I would be living on beans on toast and soup in your position, not baking lovely meals, or planning my next project. And my cuddled Mr Fox is gorgeous x

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  16. Nothing at all wrong with a list ( I'm guessing you've written lots of them recently) and that looks a good mix. Have a great week.

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  17. Haha - fifty shades of coastal grey! I love it!

    ohhh and apple strudel! My favorite! Enjoy!

    Take care
    Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)

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  18. You are sounding very busy, a list is a perfect way to put us in the picture. I don't think there's many women out there that don't have a list!

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  19. Following avidly and always interesting! However, the thing that struck me was your stove - for the life of me, I don't think I have ever used all four stove spots at the same time, and rarely even three… I keep shocking people by saying that when/if I ever have my kitchen redone I'd prefer a 2-3 linear (horizontal) hotplate stovetop arrangement and a small, narrow dishwasher (or one in a drawer!) because even when there are more than the 3 of us in the house, that always seems more than adequate… Must be my perception only!!

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  20. Gillian,
    You sound tired my love. An insightful list, giving me a glimpse into life there with you and yours. Boys love boxes, don't they? Keep going my friend. You'll be in your new home soon, sat in the sunlight with your embroidery. It will be wonderful.
    Leanne xx

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  21. I'm loving what you're doing to your new home.....and your colour choices, blooming brilliant! ) xxx

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  22. The list was still really interesting and the headings made me smile! Keep plodding on but take time to look after yourself in amongst all your busyness! Sharon xx

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  23. Snappy photos are fine by me. Stick with the painting. Jo x

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  24. hi gillian
    beautiful photos!!! love applestrudel...how do make the apple strudel?
    have a lovely week,
    regina

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  25. I like lists, and I enjoyed your list. I really like that chair, it would look great in my bedroom! Mr Fox's whiskers are so cute
    Caz xx

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  26. Don't worry about not having the energy yet, I think we're all still hibernating a bit and waiting for spring to properly warm up so we can feel the surge as well. The flowers are little hints but just you wait for the first cloud busting day when you feel you can sit outside drinking tea in the warmth of the sun, I bet you'll feel you could take on anything then! Antonia x

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  27. I so love Mr. Fox! Also the pictures searching for spring. Poetic!

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  28. Beautiful photos. Great list too, I love lists actually. Don't worry about not having the energy to write much here .... It sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment. Your posts are always a joy whether they have a lot of words or not.
    Marianne x

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  29. Lovely list and lovely photos :)

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  30. It's a lot of work but will be well worth it.
    Jacqui xx

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  31. I do love a good sampler - but can't remember the last time I did one. Such a nice, absorbing thing to do. I'll keep an eye out for a pretty one, I think...
    Lists are good. They keep me functioning and it's always good to see somebody else's too.
    Just think of summer when it'll be lighter and brighter (I hope) and your house will be newly-painted and you can style it to your heart's content :)
    S x

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  32. Beautiful collection Gillian and the thread colors are gorgeous. I can see why you can't wait to start it. Lovely pictures my freind💕

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  33. That's a pretty cool list! I love the vintage look of that chair.
    Your cross stitch project looks beautiful, I really like the black background. I have just ordered some threads myself, to take on holiday with me. I hope to be productive!!

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  34. You have got so much done, love the Fox.
    Meredith

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  35. You are starting the AP sampler I would love to do, too, Gillian, but I have been having a reality check about what I can and can't do :-) First I have to finish the AP ornaments I purchased! Wishing you happy nest feathering as you get settled in your new home. xx

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  36. Lists are good. You know where you are with a list. I love Mr Fox's wonky whiskers xx

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  37. What is it about boxes that children love to sit in and play with ....

    All the best Jan

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  38. Odd - I can only see the first two photos from your post. The rest are just blank....

    Linda in VA

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  39. You poor chicken, it is such a lot when you move but you are doing brilliantly. Very soon you'll be sitting back gazing around you and congratulating yourself or wondering how the heck you managed and stayed sane!

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  40. Hi there. I love your Mr Fox and have purchased the patterns. Could you tell me where you got the good wool felt from please. Best wishes in your new home. How exciting to put thing in their new places. Alison

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  41. Mr Fox looks super. I don't know how on earth you have found time to 're-make him with all your house setting up as well. Could you tell me where you got the wool felt from please as I have bought the patterns and look forward to having a go at them. Though I don't think they will be as beautiful as yours.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Alison. Sorry it took me so long to get round to replying to this! I bought the wool felt from a fabric shop in Chichester called The Eternal Maker, as I could easily choose the colours and buy small amounts there. I think it is quite widely available online though, the brand was called Woolfelt.

      Good luck and enjoy making it, it will be beautiful however it turns out as it'll be full of your personality. I love how these toys come out so differently as everyone sews and stuffs them in a slightly different way.

      Gillian x

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