Sunday 19 May 2013

Life is a roller coaster...

I'm sorry I was away for longer than expected, but the weekend in Wales didn't go entirely according to plan, thanks to a mystery virus that landed me in hospital at the start of the week with suspected meningitis.  I'm very happy to say, after many somewhat painful tests, including a lumbar puncture, that was ruled out, but I'm only really now back in full health.

After that less than auspicious start, I went back to work on Thursday to confirmation of a promotion I'd applied for.  As this will come with a permanent contract, and a rather juicy pay rise, you can imagine that was fantastic news after the last few months. 

Then, to round the rapidly improving week off, remember this? Well, guess where I spent yesterday? Yep, only in day one of Katy's fantabulous class.  And what a great time was had by all.  It was all a bit of a panic getting ready for the class as I wasn't sure I'd be well enough to go, and then I had a last minute visit from my lovely baby sis, so it was a bit of a case of grabbing a fat quarter bundle of pearl bracelets off the sewing table, whichever solid I had enough of to cut 48 x 5" squares, (which happened to be a white on white by Makower) and in a last minute flash of inspiration, the fat 8th bundle of the Michael Miller mirror dots. (OK, not inspiration at all, they just happened to be in the bag I wanted to use!)

So we learned all about half square triangles, Katy had us cutting the squares in half and sewing along the bias edges to get us used to bias sewing - useful for curves and all sorts of other stuff.  And we got them all chain pieced - this is something I haven't done often, but I can see the advantages - speed and thread-preservation mainly.

One of the most exciting bits for me was using the electronic Janome's Annie has for the classes - I've never used a computerised sewing machine before and got more than a little excited about the fact the needle would always stop in the up position!  And the speed control.... I'm thinking I can see what part of that new pay rise will be going towards.....


So here's a little mosaic of the day. We were sent home with loads of homework, because we all gossiped too much and didn't sew enough!  I have somehow managed to end up with 131 HSTs instead of the 96 planned, and having done my layout ready to sew up before next week's day two, I've still managed to end up with one missing, so I've got one more to rustle up this evening and then I can start sewing them together.  Hopefully, I'll have it finished by next week, 'cos I don't want to end up in detention.....


10 comments:

  1. Great recap of the day. Glad you are feeling better from your mysterious bug. Not fun!

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  2. Sorry to hear you've been Ill. Congratulations on the promotion...

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  3. Lol,sound fab,congrats on promotion and hope u feel properly better soon

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  4. You never mentioned a bug!!!! Love the hst's as you already know ;-)

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  5. Congrats on the promotion and hope you're totally recovered soon. Love the HSTs!

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  6. Congrats on the promotion! I hope you're feeling much better now!

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  7. Hope you are feeling better. Katy's class looks like fun

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  8. Your illness sounds really nasty. I hope that you feel fully well soon. Katy's class looks really good (post more!) and many congratulations on the promotion. Di x

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  9. Oh Penny, you don't ever do things by halves! So pleased about the job, the no-so-ick and great class. That's my machine, not my actual machine but you know what I mean xxx

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  10. Hope you are feeling back to normal soon!
    My cousin had viral meningitis and it is wicked!

    Susie

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