It is exactly 8 years today that my father died, and 8 years of looking after my mother as a result. Those years have seen many challenges but I have managed with the help and support of close family. Now we have self isolation because of Coronavirus. I still have to visit my mum each day to try to get her to eat. She has carers twice a day to get her up, washed and dressed and to put her to bed at night. That means we cannot totally self isolate. It is a nightmare and I am trying not to worry - but I know there are a lot of things I still want to see and do - I don't want to 'go' yet - I haven't begun to do all the things I wanted to do in retirement! Then I admit to my selfishness when I think of all those people who felt the same but are no longer 'here' and all those putting themselves at risk by helping others they don't even know! I then know I am grateful for each day I do have. My mother has had a good life, and at 97 has seen and done many things although now she has latter stage dementia. So I need to stay fit and healthy both physically and mentally and try to do something enjoyable each day.
I have always had my craft activities and have plenty to keep me occupied. I recently resurrected my electronic knitting machine and have made a number of knitted items for my granddaughter. My daughter has given me a wish list (more of that later perhaps). The machine needed some TLC and my husband had to replace a fuse and two capacitors before it would switch on again. I also had to replace the sponge bar that holds the needles in place and I also bought some new needles to replace the ones that had gone a little rusty. It did take me a while though to 're-learn'
how to use it!!
My patchwork is on hold while my knitting machine is set up, but I can still do my lace although my red Idrija project has not had any progress on it for the past two weeks.
This project has been good practice for the basic techniques and I plan to design a piece of lace myself and have started to draw out an Idrija styled pattern for a handbag frame I have. I might use some black thread that is a bit thicker than this red - and I think I will incorporate beads as well. We shall see.......
My patchwork is on hold while my knitting machine is set up, but I can still do my lace although my red Idrija project has not had any progress on it for the past two weeks.
This project has been good practice for the basic techniques and I plan to design a piece of lace myself and have started to draw out an Idrija styled pattern for a handbag frame I have. I might use some black thread that is a bit thicker than this red - and I think I will incorporate beads as well. We shall see.......