Diversion rant

I drove south today to Chelmsford, lovely drive going, drizzle and grey and more drizzle. But I got there safe and sound and early for once. Had a nice afternoon with Em and then drove home. Via the A14, which was closed at Cambridge services. I followed the diversion signs and ended up back at the services. Hmm, this time I followed the car in front, thinking he might know where he was going and we both ended up back at the services! Next I followed a car transporter, figured he might know where to go. We drove all the way back to the M11. I thought that must be wrong so followed the A14 towards Cambridge. Ha, a diversion sign. I would like to tell you where I went, I have no idea. I followed those blooming yellow signs until I came to a roundabout, the diversion signs told me to go all the way round and back the way I came. No blooming way!!

Instead I followed the signs to Godmanchester. I found the Wood Green Animal Shelter (it was closed) and eventually found myself on the A14 going in the direction I wanted to go. Yey. Mine were the only headlights I could see, no-one in front and no-one behind me. So, in splendid isolation I beetled it to the A1, breathed a sigh of relief and went home.

I have questions. Where had I been? Why did it take almost an hour? Why wasn't I diverted off the A14 at the interchange with the M11? What a waste of time, petrol and blood pressure tablets.

Today I heard from someone who had done the journey in the opposite direction, it was just as bad, she had no idea where she had been either. One person going from Lincoln to Chelmsford ended up travelling via Ispwich!

Rant over, normal service will be resumed asap

Exciting felt textures

I may not be achieving much in the studio, but I am spending my down time reading and planning.
This book has a collection of recipes for amazing textured felt. Don't be put off by the title, it isn't a book about making clothes, although there are a few patterns. It is stuffed with information, inspiration and instructions and wonderful photos.

Amazon.co.uk have a look inside feature, but this doesn't show the spikes and spirals, and fab embellishment techniques. Blogger won't let me cut and paste the link. But, honestly, it is well worth a look.

Kizzie is leaving Emmelinesplace

So that the artisans who are kind enough to read about my efforts don't get bored, I have decided to start a new blog to share the exploits of Kizzie and me. The address is http://kizziewhizz.blogspot.com/

Normal service here will be resumed once I have something worth showing :)

Snow Woe

We were ready and willing. We set off even though it was snowing. We travelled for 1/2 an hour even though the roads hadn't been gritted. Then we came to a halt, after the third accident, R's car didn't like stopping. We carried on round the roundabout and came home. (The man on the satnav got his knickers in a twist)
Sometimes you just have to be grown up and sensible. Luckily we are planning to go to 'Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch' at the NEC in March so we have something to look forward to.

woe and broken toe

We took Kizzie to see the vet on Friday and her toe is still very sore. So no exercise until Monday at the earliest. I am not sure who is suffering more, Kizzie because she is bored, or me and B because Kizzie is bored. She did come downstairs all by herself - admittedly there was a treat on every step, and I was there to catch her if she fell, but she did it. Then she ran upstairs again. Luckily Kizz still thinks that the id kibble are tasty treats so she can have as many as she wants.

This afternoon I sloped off to my studio and had a grand clean up. I found dirty paintbrushes and jamjars from my last fabric painting day (back in October). I am ashamed. They cleaned up fine. I moved the tut into B's garage and scrubbed and tidied and feel loads better for it. It is amazing how much better I feel after a couple of blue sky days.

Tomorrow I am going to 'Textile in Focus' in Cambridge where I will be taking a 2 hour workshop with Isobel Hall 'Books with open embroidered spines'. I have charged my camera and hope for loads of pics to share. BIAB :)

Kizzie visits Ben

Today we went for a ride in the car to visit Ben. Kizzie was sick three times on the way and I now have a wonderful carrier bag with towels and my sweater festering in the car boot.
Ben is the crazy greyhound who lives with C, H and E, regular readers will have read of one or two of his escapades.
I was a little worried about how he would react to Kizzie, but he was a charming gentleman, welcomed her into his home, wagging his tail. Kizzie hid behind us for a couple of minutes and then enjoyed running around and playing. I took two hide shoes for them to share and they thoroughly enjoyed them, occasionally swapping, you can see in the picture how relaxed they are, although Ben does seem to be guarding his :) When we left, Ben cried. Kizzie slept all the way home and wasn't sick once. I think we will be going again soon.

I did manage to visit my sewing room yesterday and achieved something. I took up two pairs of trousers, not exactly artistic but more than I have done for weeks. One or two days of sunshine and I am craving action of the studio type.

Hmmmmm

Isn't Miss Kizzie Whizz lovely? She is sleepy today, possibly a result of the meds from the Vet.

Breaking news

Kizzie has broken her toe. Does anyone know how to tell a puppy that she has to rest? The anti-inflamatory tablets did make her drowsy for a while, but that has worn off and Kizzie can run on three legs quite well.

Miss Kizzie growing up

The pic of Kizzie with her (late) football was taken at the end of the day, see the fat belly? Every night she goes to bed looking plump but in the mornings she is back to skinny but an inch taller.

Kizzie seems to think the most amazing place (and where she most needs to be), is upstairs. If we forget to lock the gate, she can open it and thunders up the steps. Sadly she hasn't worked out how to come down yet and so wails for someone to go and get her. Then we play the game of 'can't catch me'.

Brian saw Kizzie Whizz sitting like this the other day and gulped. She was laying where Katydog had, a thousand times. Just over Kizzie's shoulder on the right is a photo of Katy. I smile each time I see the picture, and I confess I still occasionally talk to her.