Friday Smiles 2025 # Week 7

 It has been another quiet week here but it was not without its positives.

For one, the sky has been blue every day so despite a cold wind, it is uplifting to look out of the window. I am almost always cold but I think that is mainly down to one of the medications I am on, and I just wrap up in a blanket whenever I need to.

I have finished my pink blanket and on Wednesday I handed them both in to the lady who collects them for food bank families. So right now my crochet is a bit in limbo. I need a few small projects that don't involve a big expense of more yarn, but will keep my hands busy in the evenings.

I have made a start on some cross stitch (just). I found a kit that didn't get packed when I was sorting out. It looked complete but when I opened it I found a piece of even weave linen, and my eyes are just not good enough to work on that. So I sent for a pack of four pieces of 14 count aida fabric. I had spent ages working out how many stitches were in it at the widest part, so what width of aida I needed, but when it came I realised that, although the design would fit onto it, there was only about half an inch spare all around - not enough to strech the finished work over backing card! So once again I went to amazon and found 14 count aida in a big piece and sent for that. The mistake was mine so I paid for it with good grace. The new piece was rather stiff, so after trying with a small square,  I decided to wash the piece I am using. I pegged it out and it was dry in an hour. Last night I found the centre and worked one line of green stems. The only needle I could find that fitted through the holes was so tiny I couldn't feel it or use it properly, so today I googled what size of needle is required for 14 count fabric, and ordered a set of them. They should be here tomorrow. I am obviously out of practice. I usually have "all my ducks in a row" beore I start a project, but hopefully I am on track now.

I treated myself to a new magnetic bracelet this week and I am very pleased with it. I have had a copper one for quite a while, but it only had one magnet at each end. This one has forty-four of them, all along the inside of it. Also the old one was an open circle and I was always getting it tangled in my clothes, or laying on an end and getting a bruise. This one is much better. I am not sure how much good it does you, but anything is worth a try.

One bit of good news is that I am pretty sure I have found a good home for Leo. It is with a family who already have two maine coons, plus two dachshounds, so I hope there is no jealousy, but he will be very loved, and get plenty of attention. They also have twelve year-old twin girls who love him already. The family came to see him yesterday, but the lady works all week and wants the weekend to make sure he has settled OK, so they are collecting him on Saturday. It will be a big wrench for me, and I will miss him so much, but it will be better for him, and that is what counts.

Once again I have exhausted the books on my Kindle, so I am going to upload a few more, and then sit outside in the porch if it is sheltered enough, and do some sewing while the light is good.

But first I must prepare this ready to link up with Annie's Friday Smiles tomorrow.