Thursday 26 September 2024

A small triumph or two

 


As it was raining on and off this afternoon (and now heavily and steadily), I went up to my sewing room for a couple of hours, rummaged through fabrics I had left over from making the patchwork curtains for the Summerhouse, and found some to complement my screen print from Llwyn Celyn the other day.  I think they blend with each other perfectly.  The top photo shows it sat on the russet-coloured glazed cotton backing material I'm using.  The photo below on the carpet just shows the colours more clearly.  The dark holly green of the Christmas fabric on the outer border ties it together nicely.



Above, Blackberry, Ivy and a greener wild Strawberry leaf from my walk this morning.  The colours tie in perfectly with the cushion front, especially that middle border :)  After going across to see my friend Pam and take her some magazines, I did a 2 mile walk up the side of the valley whilst it was still dry.  It was good to be out again, and I saw a friend out riding her skewbald cob - hoping to get home before the heavens opened.  

I've made (and eaten) a chicken and home grown tomato curry for tea, and frozen two portions for meals as needed,  and I'm going to make Minestrone soup tomorrow with one of the (cheap) Gammon steaks I bought. The other I've frozen to be made into a tasty Risotto when I fancy it.

I've sat and read a bit more of Barbara Erskine's The Story Spinner and am really enjoying it.  I've not had a chance to touch it whilst Tam and Rosie were here.

I have also made an appointment to get all my banking with the same Bank, rather than accounts with 3 different ones!  One bank has been the one I've used all my life, then the credit card went with another bank because that was the local one when I was at Uni, so it needs sorting out.  We've also requested a copy of the Will because the Bank need it so they can make over the balance of Keith's current account to my name.  That will be easier if I'm with his bank.

I also had a grab it whilst you can moment and have taken advantage of the Audible offer of 4 mths at £2.99 a month, this mainly because having looked at what is on offer on Borrowbox, the books I had enjoyed reading in the past and now wanted to listen to again as they are doorstep sized reads, weren't listed.  £12 isn't the end of the world and is covered by only having one newspaper a week now.

I've been worried about Alfie cat for a couple of days as he seemed very stiff coming downstairs yesterday and today when I picked him up to go on the chair beside me, he squawked in pain.  I just lifted him again, very carefully, and found his chest wet - an abscess had broken open, so I've got some salted boiled water cooling to clean the area with.  He will be more comfortable now it's burst.

17 comments:

  1. I find tea tree oil to be most effective against infection, especially open wounds.
    One thing I find is a good idea when taking up introductory offers, if you don't intend to continue after the introductory period is to mark it clearly in your diary when to cancel!
    Your print looks most effective, and the colours in those leaves are nothing short of magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't use it on cats though, as it's poisonous to them, like many essential oils.

      I have indeed noted down exactly when to cancel Audible! Glad you like the cushion front and aren't those leaves glorious?

      Delete
  2. It's gorgeous! What a lovely pillow top!
    Poor Alfie. Hope he heals quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello my dear. Yes, it made up beautifully. Alfie was back on my bed last night - obviously comfortable enough to jump up on the bed again. He's scooted out this morning, but when he's back in I shall cleanse the wound again. A clear set of bite marks there - he will insist on going out at night - obviously likes to patrol the grounds. Little Whale says he can do his share of patrolling, he would rather sleep!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. It is very satisfying, I have to say. Though often accompanied by mistakes :)

      Delete
  4. Poor Alfie! I had a cat years ago who was prone to abscesses from the slightest claws out poke of another feline. I'm liking the fabrics in your cushion--a warm autumn/winter coziness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was a good set of bite marks to the chest. Cats' teefs are notoriously germy.

      I knew you would like the colours of the cushion - your sort of tones.

      Delete
  5. You have a very good eye for coordinating colors. Poor Alfie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was fortunate to have those pieces in my scrap bag - I'd bought a job lot on Ebay and they were really good value for money, and some shiny rich ones amongst them - the sort I would never have bought in a shop.

      Alfie tells me he is glad he can jump up on my bed again . . .

      Delete
  6. I love your screen print and it’s morph into a cushion cover. I watched a Landmark webinar last night on the massive restoration of Calverley Old Hall, astonishing work on a huge scale.
    They mentioned screen printing workshops being done in a community space there.
    Poor Alfie cat- funnily enough my cat called Alf E lol I had years ago used to get the biggest abcesses I’ve ever seen, the smell was stomach churning and many a time I’d have to hot compress one to get it to ‘give’ up its thick foul green muck. Malory has been more a torn open wound sort of cat rather than abscesses but he’s had a few over the years usually around the ear /head area. Charlie Cat seems to escape? I’ve tempted fate now havent I….! Xx Danette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have to look out for that one on Youtube. I did enjoy the screen printing - that part is simples though - it's the making the design which is more of a challenge.

      Agree with you about the smell of abscesses - I still have no sense of smell so that part went over my head. Normally the bites seem to be around the base of the tail. This one is breast one area. Hope Charlie continues abscess-less.

      Delete
  7. I love the colours surrounding the print, beautifully dark and oriental. I am trying out Tula Pink fabrics they are very fresh and clear patterns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, just right for our living room where one wall is painted in Copper Blush (a soft terracotta, that we also used at Ynyswen). I bet the Tula Pink fabrics are lovely to sew with and a fabulous choice of prints.

      Delete
  8. You are going to have a lovely pillow from that.
    Hope Alfie is feeling much better today.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's worked out well. Unfortunately I noticed that the abscess hasn't drained - the hole is from the bite - and the abscess above it and still quite hard, and I will have to take him to the vet tomorrow for antibiotics.

      Delete
  9. You might be interested in https://librivox.org/

    ReplyDelete