Tick Tock ...

Today I've been writing in this small part of blogworld for exactly five years. I'm amazed to be truthful that I've stuck at it, I'm not a very good sticker at things person on the whole. A mixture of being impatient, losing interest and just giving up are usually to blame. When I find something I really love and enjoy though I stick to it like glue.
To be sure there are times that my blogging voice has disappeared slightly and I've found I can't write, but I just can't imagine leaving this space behind for ever more. I had a quick look back over this last year and my heart lept at all the happy memories captured here.

Now I know we sang in the new year yesterday, so I'll wish you a Happy New Year firstly for 2013. If you fancy I've a put together few of this last years blog memories to cast an eye over. Although my blog has changed slightly in focus over the years, I've always written about the things I love most.
First off are the some of 2013's new to me treasures.

I've always been a collector of things, a searcher out for stuff other people don't need anymore. Years ago before it all became vintage and fashionable treasures could be found at jumble sales and fleamarkets. I remember a fabulous white mohair 1960's coat I picked up at a jumble sale when I was 16 along with a few Freddie and the Dreamers 45's. I found an old Post Office bike in a skip so I painted it up and rode that in my art college days. I delighted when aunts gave me their clothes from the 50's and 60's. I don't search for clothes now in the same way, the treasure I'm seeking has changed, but the thrill of the search and the excitement when I find something gorgeous to me hasn't.

There have also been a few yarny projects over this last year. 

I love knitting and crochet the same, both give me a chance to try out different yarns, techniques and play about with colour. It's how I relax and stop awhile from all the mad rush. 

I taught myself to crochet years ago now, but it was my mum who got me knitting before that. She had tried teaching me when I was a child, but it wasn't for me. Knitting Nancy's looked lovely, but I found them tedious. I preferred painting, drawing and sewing when I was little. When I was pregnant with Little Bun my mum suggested knitting as a way of relaxing.
At the three month scan we saw the left half of her brain was white when it should have been black. While Miss Rosey who was only just one, screamed and struggled a Consultant told us it was probably Edwards disease. In a nutshell if our baby had this then they wouldn't develop any organs whatsoever. He told us to wait until the five month scan to find out. He read the symptoms of a scrappy piece of paper, struggling to find the English words and so we left shellshocked and confused. Luckily at the next midwife appointment our midwife (who was going to be there for the home birth) said we needed the dna not a scan as that would be more certain. We booked in straight away. I'd never had the triple tests out of choice, but now I needed one. Our baby went from being 1:25 to one in 1:25000 at risk. I wobbled about having the amniotic needle that could cause miscarriage now the chances were lowered. The Consultant, who looked like Father Christmas, held my hand and told me if you were my daughter I'd tell you to go ahead. I cried and felt as reassured as I could be. I asked him to explain the choices we had if it was positive. None were a choice and were all bloody awful to be honest.

While they scanned to see where the baby was lying I looked the other way. My man was watching and suddenly said it's not there is it. He told me later that the Consultant had looked and then looked at the previous scan picture again. He then told us the fluid had gone and he had no medical explaination. Fluid, he said, simply can't leave the brain on it's own.
The picture of that scan shows three fingers with the nails clearly outlined held against our baby's head. We paid to have the test done privately as on the NHS we would have had three weeks of not knowing. Instead we had three days and that was hell enough. It came through as all clear, but until I held that wee bundle in my arms I wasn't able to trust fully.
Little Bun arrived at home on a sunny Spring day all 11lb's of her. We wrapped her in my first ever knit, a blanket covered in hearts.

I think that leads nicely into casting an eye back over some of the wonderful times this past year with my family. Plans have already been made for some of the adventures we want to have this year.

Alongside my love of yarn and family, I'm always itching to sew something. Whether it be small stuff or big stuff I'm always thinking of something to make on my days off work. From patchy quilts, dresses and bags to revamping things and making felt brooches I feel happy with it all. I have such a pile of fabric that is still waiting to be the things I planned for it and quilt shapes cut out but not stitched. I really better get on as I've decided not to Procrastinate this year. 

I'm often to be found making excuses or just letting time slip by me. Truthfully I think the biggest eater of my time is family life. That's a very good thing for sure as these magical days don't last for ever. I don't want to regret not enjoying them as much as I could, but I do need to find more time to make my own dreams come true.

This post like most of my posts started off with a general plan, but as always the words have taken over. I write them down and then see if I want to share them or not. I decided from the start of writing my blog that I wanted to be as lighthearted as possible, celebrate all that made me creative, but sometimes I get an urge to talk about what's deeper in my heart. Only sometimes, but that's how I live my life.

Now as all good birthdays have presents, I have decided on a 5th birthday giveaway open to all you lovely people who stop by my blog for a read. I've chanced by a spare copy of Mollie Makes Feathered Friends and as I only need the one I thought someone out there might appreciate one for themselves. Due to mad postage charges I'm afraid I'm only offering the book to UK readers, which means I have a brooch as a gift to any overseas winner. If the winner if from the UK you'll get an anenomes brooch and the book, if the winner is from overseas then I'll send the brooch with a few surprise extras. How does that sound?

Rules: well rules really pee me off to be honest. If there's a rule I'll be the one doing my damndest to break or ignore the rule. So there are no rules, just a simple request. After popping down your name, I'd love to hear what you enjoy reading or seeing on my blog. After five years I want to change things a little and a few helpful suggestions would be really appreciated.

By the way, I'll keep the giveaway open until Monday 13th.

That's me done I think, far too much chat really. Thanks for stopping by and good luck.