WordPress has just wished me a happy birthday – I’ve been doing this for seven years. With my history, that qualifies as a pretty long relationship! No itch is registering, I’m just going through a sort of interval period. Since the Christmas markets ended, I’ve been catching up on things around the house and garden that have needed attention, and given myself lots of time off for embroidery, reading, snoozing, resting, shopping, personal sewing, etc.
Patio stuff: recovered the cushions on Philip’s old wicker chairs, sorted out my cuttings, hung up hanging baskets, general tidy-up:
Treated myself to some new indoor plants:
Hung a sweet little hanging shelf thing over the mantelpiece for the Angel Wings to rest on, and stitched a tiny William Morris design for the rustic frame I got on sale for R100 in Kleinmond:
I’m still working on the large cross-stitch design that I started about 13 years ago. I wish I could remember the name of the designer, I’ll have to go back to the library and see if the book is still there.
It’s nearly finished and, once it is, it’ll be time to get down to some proper work. I have a Big Plan for the coming year, watch this space.
Happy 2019 to all of you! I hope it will be filled with as much creativity, satisfaction, energy and contentment as you can handle :)
Nice piece of work 
Happy Bloggy Birthday :-) I’m so glad you’re sticking with us, I really enjoy your posts, but by the same token, everyone needs a break sometimes. It looks as if you’re using your down time to great effect – and I LOVE those wicker chairs, deep envy!
Yes, lots of old crap around here that I’m very fond of :)
Shoo you really have been productive!
Someone has to be, we can’t all be “on leave” until the 14th…. ;)
Congrats! So we’ve both done seven years. I wonder how long we’ve been reading each other’s wafflings? xx
Long enough to know they’re worth reading :)
Happy seventh blogging birthday. Love your posts.
Thanks, Gail, and thanks for showing us round your cosy home :)
Happy blogoversary! Congrats on seven years. Love the frame and stitching in it. I’ve had plenty of projects that took quite a bit of time as well. It’s going to be wonderful when you are all done and it’s framed. I like your house plants. Makes me a bit envious of your green thumbs there. ;)Here’s to many more anniversaries. We all take a break from time to time.
I already have the frame that will be used for it, I keep it propped up against the wall in the lounge as motivation :)
Hi Jill! Oh my gosh I love the fabrics you used on the cushions for the chairs and that couch looks so inviting. Your counted cross stitch is amazing. I admire anyone who can do counted cross stitch, as I never could get the hang of it. :) I would love to sit there on that couch and crochet with you. I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve. I hope you have a wonderful year too. LOve and HUgs! Tamara
I think cross stitch is probably the least mentally demanding of all the needlecrafts, it’s very therapeutic. I seem to go through phases – years ago all I did was cross stitch and needlepoint, and when I went off them I gave all my fabrics and threads away. Now I’m back into it and will have to make an expensive visit to my local needlework shop :)
Just realised that I will be 7 this year too. I love the chairs and your home is looking just lovely. happy New Year.
Seven is a fine age :) Since I’ve been able to slow down with work commitments and concentrate on house and garden, I’ve been getting enormous satisfaction from attending to small things like new cushion covers and putting shelves up! Today is a painting day – outdoor furniture and one of the bedrooms…
Happy Blogiversary. Your home looks lovely and I still love that cross stitch you started 13 years ago. Look forward to seeing it finished.
Almost done, just a few more stitches to go …
Love all your works, Jill! The hanging shelf and the Morris piece in that gorgeous frame! And the wicker chairs. I had a rocking chair a couple of decades ago very similar, but instead of actual wicker, the weavers were thin rolls of brown paper. It had been varnished after the weaving was complete. I listened to others and gave it away when I moved and still regret it! So I really enjoyed seeing yours.
I have quite a few needlepoint and cross-stitch kits (in the storage) and some finished pieces and have begun on the first of three cushion covers that I particularly love. Also in the storage, unfortunately. One day, and soon, I hope . . .
i envy you somewhat in having a patio that apparently is usable all year ’round. We have had little snow here so far but it’s too chilly to sit outside.
I’m holding my breath (figuratively lol), waiting to see what surprise/s you have in store for us this year.
I hope your Christmas was alright and I wish you so, SO much good in this coming year. I think of you almost daily. (my usual routines are still not quite back on track, but I’m getting there)
Much Love and Light to you. ~ Linne
I have also purged myself of various items over the years (quite a lot in the last two moves) and am also now regretting a couple of things. But not to worry, I believe they are happy where they are and the giving/selling freed me up for other things. I also really love the patio, it’s my favourite place in the whole house (except for my bed!)
Christmas was fine, thanks. I am also fine – enjoying my space and my work, and new opportunities and friendships. Some sadnesses (who doesn’t have any?) but no regrets. I was going to say that I feel ready for the future, but I think what I mean is that I feel ready for now, and that’s enough to make me feel happy and strong.
xxx Lots of love to you, too.
I’m hoping the decision making goes smoothly; it will depend on how much space I have available, I think. Although I’m willing to live a pretty minimal life regarding furniture if I can have my crafting supplies and tools. I’m glad you are doing well and finding some positive, but I suspect you are like that anyway. “ready for now” is how I’m feeling, too. It’s good to have gotten past the sadness (and, as you say, we all have some of that). I have occasional waves, but mostly am just enjoying the good memories. Of those I have plenty! I am also enjoying reading again and am so glad of that! Hugs ((((((( O ))))))) ~ Linne
Happy blogiversary :)
Thanks !