Tuesday 9 April 2019

Did You Miss Me?

You don't have to answer but this rather sad little blog has been somewhat neglected of late due to a combination of things really. The technology is making it more difficult than in the past so writing and posting photos seems to take longer, plus our lives have been totally taken up with the prospect of moving house. After twenty nine years I had forgotten what an upheaval it can be, although we have had a spanner thrown in the works last week... more on that later. Plus I sometimes think that after twelve years of writing this blog maybe it's time to call it a day. I think of things to write about and then when I actually find the time I'm not sure they are that interesting. Time to do something else possibly? Or maybe just take a break... oh hang on a minute... that's what I have just done! Anyway, for now, a little catch up of life chez moi.


However busy there is always baking. I made Welsh cakes for my Mum on Mother's Day. There was an ulterior motive.... it was so I could eat them when I visited her. I may have had one hot from the griddle too, making the most of the fact that I still have a range cooker with a griddle. Mum used to make them for us when we were little and I'm guessing maybe her Mum, who was Welsh made them too.


I made a chocolate cake for an Embroiderer's Guild supper party. We had Michala Gyetvai come to talk to us about her work. I have known Michala since the early days of blogging and although we have met once or twice I have never really seen her work up close. It was stunning and made me think I must get back to doing more sketching and producing more work... but maybe when we move and I have more time!


So... that move... Every day I try to clear another cupboard or box. Bags have been taken to the charity shop, items have been moved to their rightful owners (two car loads to son no. 2), some things inevitably have ended up in the skip and I have now also started selling things we no longer want. I have discovered the pleasure of ebay as people out bid each other and Facebook marketplace where our junk seems to be others' treasure. This entire set of 1980s magazines have found another home and although I was beaten down by £2 on the price - £8 instead of £10... does that really make them a bargain or is it just human nature to think we've got the upper hand - frankly I didn't care and I was happy because I would have given them away. They are definitely of their time.


But all is not plain sailing with the move. A month ago I would have said we would be settling into our new cottage by now but that was before the results of our building survey. We had been aware of some subsidence in the past which we were told had been fixed, but it turns out the problem was more extensive than we were led to believe and possibly still ongoing. It wasn't just a case of the cost of putting it right but the problem of getting buildings insurance too. It felt too much of a risk to go ahead so we currently have nowhere to move to. But having found buyers who are ready to move we are keen not to lose them so we are now looking for somewhere to rent. It feels like a logistical nightmare but as all things no doubt we'll laugh about it one day. Or maybe not!


One of the logistical problems is deciding what goes into storage and what I need to keep back for work which carries on regardless and varies depending on what I'm teaching. Just in the past week or so there has been a rag rug workshop as well as finishing off some rugs for Elspeth at Ragged Life.

I have held a block printing workshop and have another lined up for a couple of weeks time. This was the result of printing on paper which was fun to do. I feel it needs to wrap around a special gift or possibly make a book cover. Which reminds me I am teaching book making in the autumn so better keep all those materials to hand too.


And most recently I have been sewing together coffee sacks to make the most mahoosive wall hanging... 2 m x 5 m to be precise. It was an exciting commission. The partner of the owner of the coffee shop where I occasionally work owns a business called Hot Numbers, which not only roasts and supplies coffee and provides barista training but also runs two coffee shops in Cambridge. Their latest venture is a big shiny new coffee shop and restaurant at the same site as their roastery and this wall hanging will be part of the decor.


It was a real labour of love... my hands were stuck with pins more times than I care to remember,  I broke several machine needles, my house was covered in hessian fibres and dust and I didn't stop sneezing for days. Not only that but I had no idea what the finished thing looked like or if it would even work as there was nowhere big enough to spread it out at home. But it is up in situ and is okay so I've now got to make the second one... preferably before we move!


I keep sane by walking. Every morning whatever the weather the dog still needs to go out and it sets me up for the day, helping to keep a perspective on things. Sometimes I'm even rewarded by a beautiful sight like this. Although not this morning as I'm currently sitting with my feet up and an ice pack on my right shin. I've had a niggling pain for a few days but after a day working in the cafe on my feet all day yesterday I'm now in agony with full blown shin splints!


So that's my life for the past few weeks. I don't think I'm quite ready to give up blogging yet but my appearances here might be sporadic. I'm hoping you won't give up on me. I'm finding commenting on blogs and replying to comments sporadic too... sometimes it works and other times not but I'm still reading what you say if you leave a comment and I'm still reading your blogs too although I miss that connection when the comments don't seem to work.

Well I must go... I have coffee sacks to sew and more boxes to pack!

29 comments:

  1. Don't stop blogging,please.Our friends who moved from here in N.Wales to Royston have still not found a house and are still living with their daughter.House price in your area are at least double what they are here.They moved from here last August and are still looking.We moved to our present house five years ago and clearing the old one was quite cathartic.Good luck with the move and hope you soon find something

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  2. Awe what a shame about your cottage ... hopefully something else will come up soon!
    That is an amazing wall hanging, love the block printing and the Welsh cakes look delicious, I don't think I've ever eaten one!!!

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  3. Sporadic is fine, just don't disappear altogether (that's an order!). Losing your new home must have been gutting but, hopefully, you'll soon find somewhere suitable to rent (and, in due course, a fab property to settle down in). Your bakes, as always, look so tempting. I think Welsh cakes are one of my favourites. But, then, so is chocolate cake. Have a good week and fingers crossed the leg problem sorts itself.

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  4. Sorry about the cottage. Temporary renting/storage is tough - we once did it for the exact same reason. But the upside is it puts you in a great position to pounce when your next house comes up, not dragging a chain. And you can even take the chance to clean/decorate/carpet before all your furniture etc. goes in. Hope it's not long before you can settle down again.

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  5. I am sorry to hear about your cottage Gina. I bet the buyers of your house will be forever grateful for not delaying their move, you are very kind. Wishing you luck with finding an alternative little cottage quickly. As for blogging, just go with the flow and do what is right for you. Your readers will hang around, I am sure of it, because your eclectic posts about life and all are too interesting to miss. x

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  6. Do hope your leg will soon feel more comfortable and that your packing will not be too exhausting. What a blow to lose the cottage you were hoping to move into, and I hope you find a rental place quickly. I love welsh cakes and the look of that chocolate cake with strawberries on top. Drool, drool. Wishing you good luck with all your new commitments.

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  7. Sorry to hear about the shin-splints and hope that you are all healed very soon.
    Sorry also about the new house but it will put you in a good position for a future purchase.
    Well done on making the wall hanging, you deserve a Halo for that!
    Now I want Bakestones! We always called them that because that is what they were made on. I do miss them; would you be willing to share your recipe please? By email would be fine if you feel like it.

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  8. I regret giving up my blog Gina even though I only had a few followers. I found it an easy way to unclutter my thoughts and put into words all that I was achieving.It was nice to look back on challenges and visits along with plans for the future.Even if your posts are sporadic they are always a welcome break from daily chores.Take care of your leg and I firmly believe in karma and the right property for you is just around the corner.

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  9. I enjoy reading your blog Gina, so please don't give up entirely, though we quite understand if you miss a few weeks. I do hope you manage to find somewhere to rent and ultimately a place to settle and call home x

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  10. please do not give up I just love your blog and marvel at the things you do. I also drool over all the yummy cakes. I have been enjoying your posts for only about a year so you are gaining readers though you may feel you have been doing it for too long. Irene in Northern Ireland

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  11. Lovely to see a post from you, and no, I will not give up on you! I hope you manage to find somewhere that's right for you to rent. It sounds like a good move to wait for the right place to buy. The wall hanging is amazing, well done you. And good luck with the second one! CJ xx

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  12. Tantalising about the next cottage - but better to avoid subsidence problems. The next next cottage will be the right one.

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  13. Don't you dare stop blogging. I don't care how sporadic it is I always feel better after reading your blog. Sad about the cottage and having packed up the farm we are now renting. I feel as though it is all very temporary but have managed to keep with me the important things, sewing and sketching stuff, oh and the knitting. All will be well but so sorry about the shin soreness.

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  14. Love your blog so please do not give up.

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  15. Oh, the curse of the survey! Don't blame you for getting out if the problem was still ongoing. Having withdrawn from purchases in the past, we went ahead with this property as the problem had been properly dealt with by the owner's insurers. On advice from our solicitor, we approached those same insurers who were happy to give us cover.
    Very wise to hang on to your buyers in the current market, hope you find somewhere to rent soon. Look forward to hearing what happens. X

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  16. I always enjoy reading your blog Gina and would be sad to see it go. Hope you find the perfect property soon and your shin splints recover quickly. Walking is very therapeutic I agree.
    Always love seeing your amazing art and needlecraft and as for your cakes...keep them coming. B x

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  17. Yes, I've missed you...….please don't give up your blog. I love reading what you've been up to, no matter how sporadic!!! as for your house buying troubles, I truly believe there is something better for you. trust in the universe to provide it and it will surely come. xx

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  18. OW! I hope your pain clears away quickly. Blogging is certainly changing and I've felt exactly the same as you about continuing. I'm leaving my blog where it is for now and maybe I'll feel inspired at some future date. I'm sorry to read about your problems with the move but hopefully it will mean your special home is going to come along soon. Good luck with finding a rental. xx
    PS Love the wall hanging and good luck with the next one. Maybe invest in a dust mask?

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  19. Do keep going with the blog, you'll have so much to tell us about when you move and it's a good place to record it all to look back on. x

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  20. I really missed you and I hope you won't quit the blog. More than once you inspired me to sew or bake. Or just to be creative. So please continue your blog.

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  21. Wow Gina, i am amazed you can possibly stay sane with what you are attempting to do. What a shame about the cottage purchase falling through, but better to find the problems now before the money has changed hands.
    I hope you do not give up blogging - I love reading your blog, even if I am often playing catchup too.
    Good luck with packing up and selling all your unnecessary (?) stuff and I hope you find somewhere to go very soon. XXX

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  22. Hi Gina, totally agree with many of the comments, I look forward to your blog even if its sporadic and thankyou for putting me in touch with Pam.

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  23. Only just catching up with blog reading - so sorry to heat the news about the cottage - what a shame! What with that and your leg you must be very fed up! Let's meet up soon in Cambridge xx

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