2023 - No Craft Spending - I WILL bust my stash and make pretty things!!!!!

ArbitraryRandom

The sewing kit has arrived. The plan is supposed to arrive sometime in the next few days. 

Hopefully this has everything I'll need (?), and I remembered I've got a huge tin of buttons upstairs (because they please me) so I can rummage for eyes

sammy_kaye18

@Florenceem your dolls are so pretty. I wonder if I might make myself one for nostalgia reasons. :-) and maybe one for my sister for Christmas. I love the patterned material that you have made her outfit from though. Reminds me of a playsuit my daughter has. 

Things are taking a toll here. I think I just need a day to relax and craft once DD is back in school just to unwind a bit and focus on something that isn't stressing me out. 
Health is suffering as a result of stress, not sleeping and then in the day because I'm finding I'm turning to sugar to keep me going - obviously then the diabetes rears its head and I within 40 minutes of eating I'm falling asleep on the sofa so I need to give myself a kick up the bum with that. 
Mum is starting to struggle with her radiation, in pain and not able to swallow or eat (its on her throat) and we found out today with the hospital that she should of been put onto high calorie protein drinks before treatment started which she wasn't, and should of continued them afterwards, they have discussed putting her on a feeding tube which she doesn't want but we are trying to reassure her that if she can control the pain with liquid painkillers then there is only 7 treatments left after today (she gets weekends off) and then hopefully this will all be over.
Then just as she finishes treatment, my FIL starts, thankfully his will be quicker but more invasive. He's having his bowel removed and a stoma fitted so to lighten the mood a bit myself and DD have been looking at Stoma bags for him and have found one that says 'Grandads Bum Bag' which we thought was funny and I told MIL the other day and she laughed and said he'd like that so we are going to wait and see how he goes and then I will order a few for him with different patterns on unless I can make some. 
Then to top things off my eldest niece 17 was in a car accident on Friday just gone. The car was completely destroyed yet somehow she managed to escape with a fractured thumb and lots of bruising. I've no idea how. Thank the lucky stars that all her airbags did their job.
I realise its not even September yet but I am already looking forward to seeing the back of 2023!

I have the dentist today for a check up as well which Im not looking forward to as I hate the dentist but its got to be done as our dentist left and if we want to stay registered with them then we need to have a new assessment under a new dentist. I'm fully aware I have work that needs doing but it will be as funds permit now we aren't exempt since husband got promoted. 

So today is going to be a peaceful day. I am looking through fabric stashes because I want to make the house more autumnal and I love decorating at Christmas and things so I think doing something like that will make me happy. 
Also saw on TT some PVA ghosts that you can hang in windows and things so think they might be a good use of the PVA stash I seem to have accumulated and googly eyes! 
I do have a wooden pumpkin blank from hobbycraft last year too and Im trying to decide whether to paint it and add an autumnal saying or make it something halloween-esque. 

We will see. 
Hope your weeks going better than mine!

daisy_1571

AR: that looks fairly comprehensive.   As you start using, you will decide what you want to upgrade and what you're happy with.  The threads may be 'cheap' so if things tangle or break dont assume its you - try a guiterman thread and see if it still happens.   These threads should be fine for hand sewing.   And they may be grand for machine too - only way to find out is to start.  If you do buy some guitermann i'd recommend colour 722 not (as you might expect) white.  Unless you are sewing white, the 722, a sort of light beige, will disappear in almost every colour and pattern of material whereas white can stand out.  (A tip i got from a sewing course that I have used ever since)

Get sewing!  Get smiling    

Daisy xx

daisy_1571

aw sammykaye,  you sound like you do need a day or so to 'come to'.  You've got a lot going on so dont expect too much of yourself.   Remember too, you can't keep pouring out an empty jug.  If you are wanting to support others, you HAVE to replenish yourself otherwise you won't be any good to them.
Maybe a 20 minute walk after your dd leaves for school in the morning would help?  A bit greenery, being outside and moving your body all helps us.  
Take care 

Daisy xxx

Katiehound

Hi sammykaye I was going to suggest hunting around for something which is a sweet treat but won't affect diabetes as much as full fat sugar.
 I'm thinking how good is a banana? or homemade flapjack with less sugar. I know oats are really filling and that you can use cinnamon for flavour instead of something sugary.

I wonder if there is anything here that grabs you and that is quick / easy

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/diabetic-cake-recipes

https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/7933746/diabetes-friendly-desserts-to-make-forever/
this one uses US cup measures- aarrgghh- but there are some yummy recipes

You certainly need to look after yourself- that's top of the list. If you are exhausted & out of sorts you are not going to do well.  Self help first.

Take care

Florenceem

ArbitraryRandom - wow - great sewing kit. 
daisy_1571 - great tip. I often use a cone of cream thread.
sammy_kaye18 - take care of you as well as others.
I finished another doll this afternoon - meet Ida.

daisy_1571

Florenceem what is the body of the dolls please?  Is it a lightweight cotton ?  They really are lovely 

Dxx

Florenceem

daisy_1571 - the first 2 dolls had bodies made of cotton curtain lining but the last 2 were made of calico.

ArbitraryRandom

Pattern just arrived... more complicated than I expected (a little overwhelming at first glance), but there's a 15 page instruction booklet that looks comprehensive (diagrams showing different stitches etc). 

I'm going to read through everything today, and have a look at available fabric tomorrow, but probably not actually start cutting out the pattern or anything until this weekend. I've got a stash of those cotton shopping bags. I'mm assuming they would be good for the body as 'pre-shrunk cotton'?

Mum hasn't seen the pattern and doesn't need to see any 'experiments', so I'm going to call the first one a prototype so I don't feel bad about messing it up. 

sammy_kaye18

@ArbitraryRandom as someone who has done A Level Textiles it looks pretty straight forward to me. Can I ask what the finished Doll looks like? I think you will find once you have familiarised yourself with the pattern etc you will be absolutely fine and there are some amazing sewers.. (that doesnt look like its spelt right)....sowers....(neither does that!).......sewing people on this thread that can offer advice and guidance if your stuck.

All I would say is Just remember to reverse some of the pattern pieces.