Tuesday 18 January 2011

Question: What do you do when you are supposed to be...

a) doing your tax forms? and
b) doing lesson plans for Maths classes?

Answer: Sew, of course!

Having been on rather a zipper pouch roll of late (what, you hadn't noticed?) I was really in the mood for making one for me for a pencil case. As I was saying earlier, I have far more pressing things than make myself a new pencil case, but due to the rather emotional week we've had, I couldn't focus on anything today. So in order for the day to not be a complete wash-out I figured I may as well sew.

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, you'll know that Matthew's Nan passed away late Saturday night, after fighting a losing battle this last week. It's been an exhausting week emotionally and physically, but at least now she is at peace. At 98 it's inevitable that your days are numbered, but when the time comes, it doesn't matter how old, it is still the loss of a loved one.

Hence the lack of desire or energy today to do anything but sew. But in order for me not to feel totally guilty about this, I've decided to make this a giveaway and thank you all for all your comments and support of my blog. I don't always manage to reply to your comments, but I love reading them and in my mind I have replied!

So as a proper thank you I'm giving away this zipper pouch and it will be filled with a whole host of surprise goodies too ;-)

To enter all you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment to say hi...easy as that!

I'll be making the draw AFTER I have registered my tax next Monday...there, if that's not driving me into action, I'm not sure what is.

Thanks again for following and being there x

40 comments:

Sarah said...

Thinking of you all, such a hard time. The pencil case looks fab

Rachel Chieppa said...

My sympathy to your family.
Thank you for the giveaway. I admire your beautiful work!

louise35flower said...

So sorry to hear of your loss, what a wonderful age to have reached though, quite an achievement!
I am trying to get my tax done too.....and failing, it will all be totally last minute as it is every year!

Reene@Nellie's Niceties said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and your family at this time. The pencil case looks great. We are so lucky to have a creative outlet to distract ourselves in times of trouble.

Anonymous said...

Really, really sorry to read your family's news. You are so right when you say no matter how old, it's totally gutting to loose a loved one. Bethx

nickynackynoo said...

Sorry to hear your news. I'm glad you found something to occupy your thoughts (and hands!) at a tough time.

Gill said...

Sorry to hear of your loss - but what a good age
I spent the day with my aunt who is 92 and she was on cracking form - an incredible lady

charlotte said...

Hello - always really enjoy your blog - always makes me feel i must learn to get over my fear of zip (zipperphobia)!

Anonymous said...

Very sorry for your loss!
Your work is always beautiful. Definitely good to have such a great hobby to work on as a distraction when needed.

Hannah said...

At times like this we have to do what our heart and soul need, if yours need you to sew, then I say, keep sewing xxx

elsy said...

good luck with the tax return.....wine helps...sorry about your relative...age is not really a factor is it x

Jane said...

That's sad news, I hope your sewing therapy helped. Jane x

Diana Toledano said...

Ouch, I'm sorry for your loss...

It's not the best way to discover your blog, but anyhow, I'm glad I'm here. I love your combination of patterns. And that pencil case is a great way to procrastinate.

Thanks for your comment on my blog. Actually I'm setting up my Etsy Shop.... It will take a while, but If you want I can let you know when everything is ready. :)

Tara @ Aquamarine Art said...

I know it's been a hard week for you. I want to say something about how much I love that pencil case but it feels like a weird non sequitur. Although I seem to have done it anyway! Look at all the lovely support you have! Hugs xx

Roberta said...

Sorry for your loss, a hole is left however old the person but the way I like to cope is to fill the hole with fond memories of the person lost.

I'm hoping winning your lovely pencil case will spur me in to completing my tax return!

dawn machell said...

So sorry to hear your news :-(
And good luck with the tax return...my very lovely accountant does mine if you want his number!
Love the pencil case, fab colours as usual xx

lindsey said...

My sympathy to you all. I always follow your blog as I lived in Leeds, too, until recently and thoroughly enjoy hearing about your sewing projects (and everything else).

Allie said...

what a good way to help through the sad times - to create beautiful things.
i just learnt how to and became a follower - its my first time following :-)Allie

Barbara said...

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for having a giveaway...very thoughtful.

webmailaddress2 said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure she lived a long, wonderful life. Take care. That little bag is very pretty.

Jo @ life in lists said...

Sympathies to you, it's so sad to lose a loved one no matter how good an innings they've had.

Pencil case looks lovely, and infinitely more interesting than a tax return. I finally managed to get mine off on the weekend.

Stephanie said...

I am so sorry to read about your loss. Somehow I've managed to miss that through Twitter. My best thoughts for you and your family, take care.
And you are doing fabulous things, far more interesting than taxes!!!
Love...

Justine said...

Count me in for this lovely giveaway Mrs. Thinking of you and yours during this difficult time, hugs xx

Emma Shilton said...

So sorry to hear of your loss, thinking of you all at this difficult time. Best wishes, MrsShilts xx

The undomesticated scientist said...

hug hug, at 98 i bet shes left you with a whole lot of wonderful memories. X cute pouch too by the way!

verykerryberry said...

Sad loss, great age but always sad. Making stuff is a good distraction

Hayley M said...

Sorry to hear about your loss, i hope you and your family are all doing ok!

x

Kate R said...

Sad news :( You're right - no matter how many years they've been with us, their passing still hurts. I'm glad you found some calm in making beautiful things :)

Rocio said...

I am a quite recent follower of you blog but I feel the need to send you my best wishes in these hard moments.
I love your work!

Kristy said...

Thinking of you all Karen. Hope the kids are okay. Losing someone you love is tough. X

Helen said...

I lost my grandmother last year and even though she had dementia and was no longer herself it was still devestating when she died so you and your family have all my sympathy
I've been reading for awhile but've never commented before

andie said...

So sorry for your loss. Thank you for your wonderful giveaway. Hoping the sewing was comforting. Good Luck on the taxes...ugh!!

WandaFish said...

Sorry for your loss, Karen, it's never easy having to say goodbye.

I can't believe that you're being so creative (just spied your bunny pouch) AND industrious by completing the dreaded tax (I'm still feeling sick thinking about mine).
What a lovely giveaway - I'd be thrilled to make use of your gorgeous pouch.
I write lots of comments in my head but don't post too many for fear of being known as the crazy blogless commenter!!

Nicole Follow the White Bunny said...

oh almost missed out on your giveaway! If I win I will use it for my 'bestest' pens, the ones I use to draw my patterns :)
Losing someone is always sad no matter what their age is. It's good you have sewing as a creative outlet. x

KatGotTheCream said...

In my book, there are always better things to do than tax and maths (two brands of the same evil surely) but given the difficult time you've had I can understand why you turned to sewing! With sympathy, Kathryn x

Unknown said...

Hello Karen - just been catching up with your tweets. It's very sad for those left behind when someone in the family dies but how wonderful to have lived to 98!My grandfather is 95 - still all there but finding life so restrictive physically. I hope you get your tax return done - I'll be working on that too ( mine!)x with love Gabs

Donna Smith said...

Hi Karen, sorry to hear your news, its always hard no matter what age they are. Lovely pencil case as usual! I can sympathise with the tax return problem, I finally got mine done last night - not sure now why I put it off so long!

Julie Nelson Rhodes said...

So sorry to read of your loss. It's never easy at any age.

But sewing is always a great meditative distraction: I tend to knit. Or clean the bathroom. Have even been known to tackle the gravity defying ironing pile.

Tracy x said...

hello sweet x
i am sneaking in at 11.35am and popping my name forward...
i *obviously* should be your winner as i made such a valiant effort to help in your hour of teaching need, and was only prevented from arriving at your door by the desperate lack of sweets...
anyhoo
always here if you need a chat and a internetty hug
t x

Melissa said...

Sewing is always a good distraction, sorry to hear about your loss. The pouch is lovely - thank you so much for the chance to win.