Quilt Challenge Revealed And Bathroom

As some of you know I belong to a web group named The Fibre Pirates. Basically we are a group of rufty tufty pirates who swear and spit and sew. The latest piratey challenge that was thrown out was called Baggo 2008. Those who wished to participate had to collect together scraps of fabric, ribbon, thread and beads and put them in a zippy bag and mail them to the coordinator. 10 people took part so the coordinator (in the US) mailed them out to everyone so that we all had a mystery pack of scraps from a mystery donor. Then we had to make something from the scraps. Here's a sketch of my original idea:

I wanted to do something pirate themed and would you believe that the pack of scraps I received contained some skull and crossbones printed organza and some skull and crossbones beads? Perfick! Here's is the picture midway through fusing the collage pieces to the background:

Here is the finished article. I 'sketched' using free motion embroidery on my machine. I added organza layers, beads, couched threads and strings of pearls. I think it's suitably piratey, don't you? :0) This is Buxom Betty Bones:

The idea now is that whoever recognised these fabrics as their own can claim it and I will post it to them. In turn, I shall recognise my fabrics and claim mine back. I wonder what I'll get? The challenge has about six weeks to run yet and I was rather prompt at making this so I might have a long wait to claim mine!

Over a year ago we had a lot of building work done on the house which was supposed to include re plastering and beautifying of the upstairs bathroom. However, as is often the case in these situations, we ran out of money, but not before me and dad had pulled all the old tiles and most of the plaster off the walls first! So we have been living with a rather cool cave-look bathroom for over a year now. I have been so fed up with pieces of ceiling falling on my head while I luxuriate in a hot bath! This week, Steve the builder is here again to plaster the bathroom at last! Here's a pic of dad pulling the last of the tiles and hardboard off in readiness:

Hubble is a bit miffed as he was doing the hard work right up until this point when dad took over to give him a break. He says it looks like dad did it all!

At the moment we are widdling in an ancient portapotti that I was given by a Freecycler. I have bleached it all up (although it was spotless anyway) and that is now our upstairs loo. We had no choice because I am very unsteady at night with all the drugs I have to take. I would have killed myself having to go up and down the stairs about 3 or 4 times a night! Steve has plaster boarded the whole bathroom now so I guess he'll start plastering in the morning. I already bought the tiles and accessories last year so now all I have to do is choose the paint and get some new towels. Well, I say 'new' but I believe my matey Dawn has some that she is willing to donate. :0)

Lastly, here's a couple of photos of Suzie who is now 16 weeks old. I love her soooooo much and she's an absolute darling. She's certainly brightened my life up. It is now time to train her and I keep putting it off because I'm so lazy! Here's an action shot of her eating her favourite treat, a carrot:

And here's a shot of her after digging in the garden in the rain. I found her with her head in a muddy hole. This photo really does not do the mess justice!:

My Name Is Bobbie, Pleased To Meet You!

This is Bobbie, my new Shih Tzu baby girl. She was born on 17th December and she came home with us yesterday. Look at that little face, it looks like she's been smacked with a frying pan!!!

I'm sure she's going to be a beautiful little doggie, but for now she's very hard work what with my back paining me so much. Oh well, it's all my own fault! :0)

Last night, because we knew she'd cry, we put her in her little cage with her bed, then we put the cage with the door open in the shower and then we closed the shower door. She SCREAMED the place down! She would have woken the whole street so we took her in her cage upstairs next to our bed where she continued to scream. In the end Livvie came in and took her into her bedroom becuase se sleeps with a light on. Bobbie was better but continued to cry on and off in the night. Livvie was able to sleep through most of it. I was up at midnight trawling the web for puppy training advice! It would seem that most people say that you have to ignore the crying and screaming and that the baby will eventually get that I won't come running every time.

This is me at 7.30am after being woken by a poo covered puppy. Look at my pained expression! Me and Livvie had to bath her and then I had to hand wash her bed.

It's so difficult getting anything done with a puppy in the house. I had to get Livvie to look after Bobbie while I washed, made the bed and did the chores. Thank goodness Livvie's off school this week! It's also handy because I am having a week of radiotherapy on my back and of course Livvie can doggy-sit. I'll put a video on later of her little stubby legs and waddling bum. :0)