Warm and Dry

A while ago I decided that on the next warm and dry day, I'd properly clean the coops.  Some of them, at least.

Today was the next Warm and Dry day.

When I was a little younger, I'd have been yup early, had all 4 coops disassembled, emptied, jetwashed, scrubbed and out drying before breakfast.  I'd then have my breakfast, and then go out and disinfect them,  and put them all back together again.    I'd then put everything away, have my shower, and be done by lunch.

Not so, today.

I got up very late (after a difficult night).  I had breakfast.    I decided to do only one coop,  the tattiest one which is in  the fruit cage. (Well, what was the fruit cage).   After I'd dismantled it and started jetwashing it, I decided to do the red GoUp  -  our emergency coop - as well. . That also resides in the fruit cage, now that we no longer have a garage, so it made sense to do it while I had the pressure washer over that side of the garden.

So, I took my time, and did both coops,  and all the gubbins associated with it.

Everything dried quickly in the sun, so I was able to get on with the the disinfectin of the coops as soon as I'd finished washing the bits,   and then disinfecting the bits as soon as I'd finished disinfecting the coops.  I managed to disinfect everything before the sprayer needed recharging, which was just as well.  

I plodded about putting stuff away, while waiting for the disinfectant to dry.  I'd found some topsoil in the shed, so I decided to make a fresh dustbath for the Girls in the run.  I had playsand and woodash, so it was quick and easy to do.  The sand was heavier than I expected thougg. Lifting it over the netting reminded me that I've been sub par all week. 

When I'd finished that, everything was dry enough to reassemble.  It didn't take long, and soon the coops were clean, fresh, and sporting fresh Aubiose,

I'm really pleased.    It was a lovely day to be messing about with water.  I missed having Miss Teen around to help, but actually it was just as quick on my own. 

 I'll do the other coops on another - not necessarily the next  - warm and dry day.

 

pillow talk

I finally got up the energy and enthusiasm to try making stuff today.

I cut out some bits to make more knickers for DH.   I won't count those until they are actually finished. 

This evening, I decided to make a quick cover for  small (32cm) pillow I've been using to give me some leg  separation when lying on my side at night.  Its a  feather pillow, and the feathers have been a bit pokey and getting on my nerves.  I've been meaning to do it for...a long time. 

I dug out one of DHs worn out tee shirts for this purpose.  The ready made hem  was great for the envelope pocket, and the fabric is soft.    I'm happy to have been able to recycle something.

It only took a couple of minutes [it is a bit rough and ready]  and I found it a reassuring reminder of how far my sewing ability and confidence has grown.

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Total crafty things this year: 38

Sewing based makes: 
123) Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
456)Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
7)Dressing Gown;
8-10)Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
11) Cushion cover for living room;
12-15) Sleeveless tops (x4);
16) SBCC top
17) Overlocker chicken
18) Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
19,20,21)Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
22)Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
23)Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
24)Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
25)Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)
26) repurposed  old tee shirt as cover for mini cushion

Learning activities:
1) Scanning pattern pieces; 2) Making movies; 3)Babylock demo day; 4)Gathering using my overlocker;   5) Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper);6) Gail Yellen's binder course; 7) Inkscape 1; 8) casting on;  9)purling; 10)casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 
A) Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired

B) Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Uplifting

My Mum brought some day dresses with her, which she asked me to shorten. 

She was delighted with the first one, and asked me if I could do the sleeves as well.  The two sleeves had to be slightly different lengths (she has a rotator cuff injury which affects the position of one arm).

It took me a while to do the four.  There was a fair bit of unpicking (of my own work) involved, and I must have done each hem at least twice.

But they are done now, she's happy. I'm happy. 

I'm counting it as 1 crafty thing. It's been ages since I've added anything.

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Total crafty things this year: 37

Sewing based makes: 24;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)
Shorten the hems and sleeves on 4 of Mum's day dresses (count as 1 task)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Drizzle

It's been a challenging six or so weeks.

My Elderley Relative (ER) was in hospital for 5 and a half weeks, most of which was him recovering to a point where certain procedures could be carried out.     My days were spent on the phone with him, or the hosptal, or doing the update email, or answering questions and calls from friends and relatives,  or visiting his house and sorting stuff out, paying bills etc (he's Extreme Old School - no DDs, nothing).   He had a gas leak, and I had to get that sorted. 

My cousin is a Gas Safe plumber, and he came and confirmed there was a leak and attempted to find it.  He couldn't,  so he turned the gas off, and arranged for him and my brother (who is a Handyman) came out for the day to close down parts of the system and find and fix the leak.    

They found it. It was the valve on the boiler.   The boiler was almost as old as me,  and it wasn't possible to get a new valve for it.  We had to get a new boiler.   After discussions, my cousin recommended a condenser boiler, which   - long story short - meant that it had to be located in the kitchen.   So cousin ordered everything, and arranged to come back a couple of days later to start fitting.

Life isn't simple.  When they started to look at plumbing the new boiler in, they found that the toilet had been put in on top of the bathroom carpet.  They had to remove the toilet, to take the carpet up, to take the floorboards up to get to the pipework.  Meanwhile, the landing carpet disintegrated as soon as they lifted it.

They did a proper job including removing the old pipework and water tank,  and it took days.  They bought new flooring, which we decided to extend over the landing (I'm never going to live that down. I didn't realise just how uch work it was going to be ).  They also fitted new taps to the bath and a shower riser, and put ni a bath panel wioth the same flooring on it.

They were amazing.  

I'd kept ER apprised of the situation all the way along.  He was fully compis mentis by the time this started, he was just physically unwell.

ER had several procedures. More were needed, but some of them could be done on an outpatient basis.  On the day when he was scheduled for one procedure, the hospital mentioned discharing him that day.  He phoned me, and I said that he couldn't come home,  the house was't habitable and wouldn't be ready for another 1 to 2 days.    Luckily, they had decided not to release him anyway, he needed one further procedure.

We were then against the clock, and the boys worked non stop to try and get it all done.

.........

When my Dad went into hospital, everything went on hold as I had to support my Dad with phone calls, and support my Mum.    It took up a susprising a mount of time.  I don't begrudge it at all,   it's just a fact.

My Dad, who was only meant to be in hospital for a couple of days, ended up in there for nearly 4 weeks.    At the beginning, before the problems became serious,  we had agreed that my parents would come and stay with my ER to support him (and so we could support them).     As time went on, and my Dad got worse, this looked like it was not going to be possible. 

Eventually, it became clear that  being in hospital was causing part of the problem, and we were desperately trying to get my Dad released.    The Bank Hiliday was looming asd we could see that the hospital were going to keep him in until afterwards, and we weren't sure he woudl cope. My Mum had to battle to get him released before the bank holiday.

He had a couple of days at home, and then  they decided that they would, after all, come and stay with ER.   It's partly because we haven't seen them for 16 months (they live in a different part of the UK), and they were getting concerened that  if we left it much longer, it would be too late.

There's a lot more to this story, but the end result is that they arrived and settled in to his house, just as the boys were finishing up.  ER was discharged the following night, and we collected him.

.........

They've formed a Bubble, so it's all within the Covid restrictions.    This means that they are near us now, so my brother(s) and I can keep a check on the 3 of them.

It's working really well, and we are trying to support my Mum so it doesn't all fall on her.  We've cooked for them,  my cousin's wife has cooked for them twice,  my sister in law has cooked for them,  I've done lots of shopping,  we've had covid--safe visits each day.

My ER certainly wouldn't have been OK on his own.

My Aunt (my cousin's Mum) died after having the same procedures,  it was the anniversary of her death the week ER was taken ill.   He's been out for a few days, and he's looking better each day.   Now, today, for the first time, I've been able to exhale.

Waffle waffle

Its funny how I like the same thing for breakfast every day. Egg on toast, with the eggs being poached for probably 13 days out of 14 and scrambled for the other 

This morning we had no bread.  We always make our own, we just didn't yesterday.  I thought we had "emergency crumpets" (not home made, Warburtons] in the freezer, but it turns out we didn't.

So I made up some savoury waffle batter and we had waffles.   Its been over a year since I last made them,  and I made the rookie error of putting too much batter in the iron. They  were lovely with eggs.

I made too much  batter, so I popped the extra in the fridge. Maybe to have later with some lemon curd.

For dinner, I fancied curry pie.  I had previously frozen some leftover  butter pork in portion sizes  with this in mind.

DH does the pies in our house.  He whips up a batch of shortcrust pastry, and uses a two pie piemaker.  Such a fab gadget! 

He suggested having waffles instead.  So we did!

I made a passable chickpea curry to accompany the butter pork curry [two pie filling sized portions isnt enough without pie] and we ended up cooking all the remaining batter.  We didn't need to, but it was rather delicious. 

We will definitely repeat this. 

Knickers again

I decided to make another pair of keks for DH, this time using the correct seam allowance on the fly pieces and not using swimwear.

As I was going to be binding them, all of them with the same black cotton lycra, and setting up the binder takes a few minutes,  I realised it would be a good idea to make several sets of flys (flies?) in one go.    It worked well, and the binding looked like a kite tail when it was done.  I had 8 pieces (for 4 sets) one after the other.

I made up a pair,  and then another pair.  overlocked some of the scraps togethr to make a waistband in matching fabric, as I don't think the plain cotton lycra has enough zing to do the job. 

I wanted DH to try them before I did anymore,  so I cleared up everything and put all the Knicker stuff in a "project bag" (a very strong bag,  made from recycled plastic, which I bought from Rex London.  I actually bought several (cough) of their bags in various designs and seizes, but that's another story) behind the sofa.  

DH very much approved, which surprised me a little.   He's going to make me an acrylic template for cutting the fly pieces.  I've been using a card template I made, but I have accidentally shaved it with the rotary cutter a few times. so it's less useful at the moment. 

I didn't take a picture of both pairs, but here's one  I used rainbow thread on the looper of the coverstitch, and you can just see a hint of it on the inside hemline.

I'm hoping he makes the template soon as I'd like to get a few more pairs made.

I might even try making some knickers for myself.  I've added it to my extremely long list of "to Make" items.

 

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Total crafty things this year: 36

Sewing based makes: 24;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)
Boxes for DH (3 pairs using black cotton lycra with patterned fly)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

knickers

A loooong time ago, when I first thought about making knickers for DH I bought a couple of bags of offcuts of very expensive cotton lycia. I thought I'd use them to make the fly pieces.

DH seems to quite like the test pairs of boxers I made him,  so I thought I'd unearth the box of offcuts and try using  some with plain cotton lycra for the main body of the keks.

I had enough offcut to make a matching waistband 

I made a pair, and they look fab. 

Unfortunately, I used the wrong seam allowance on the fly pieces, so they are a little bit snug.

Plus I think this particular offcuts was more swimwear fabric than cotton lycra.

I'm going tohave another go.

But im pleased with the one I've done.

Flare up

I used the Apostrophe Patterns  pattern generator to generate a pattern for a pair of relaxed fit flared trousers.

My first attempt at cutting was a fail.  I didn't have quite enough fabric, and I didn't notice until I was trying to cut out the second set of pieces.  I'm sorry I wasted the fabric,  as it was really bright.

I chose some digitally printed scuba fabric with enormous roses on.   I skipped making pockets (coward that I am).

I did a relaxed fit leg (or "baggy", as DH called it).  I did a slightly narrower waistband.

I think I have reduced size slightly since the last pair (I do tend to fluctuate), as these feel like they could have been made a bit tighter round the waist.

Other than that, I really like them.  I'm surprised, as I thought I'd not be too keen on the large pattern.

I took a quick couple of photos, obviously they aren't really meant to be paired with  a sruffy jumper.

Yes, they do need shoes.

Yes, they are meant to be "baggy" above the flares .

I think I might try another pair of flares, but try a more fitted-leg version. I'll   I'll also measure myself again, just to see if I need to make some adjustments.  I might raise the waist a bit.Or lower it a lot. 

Hmm. So many options.

 

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Total crafty things this year: 33

Sewing based makes: 17;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers (jellyfiah and space)
Apostrophe Patterns Flared Joggers (black, with big red roses)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Frenemies

There is one good thing, I suppose, about the recent chickeny losses:  everyone seems to be getting on better.

It's probably really down to the good weather,  the lifting of Flockdown, and plenty of grass.  

It could be that 12 is just a better number.

I love seeing them pootling about together, and I love seeing them having their little afternoon gatherings in the shade.

Even the bitterest of enemies now seem happy to doze side by side.

The sun makes everything feel better.

 

Still raining

Elderly Relative (ER) is still in hospital.    

I ordered some track suit bottoms and tee shirts, as their own clothes were not really ideal for hospital wear.  ER has never worn trackies, so I bought one pair,  and a pair of pyjama bottoms that looked like trackies.    We took them up to the hospital the day they arrrived,  and ER was very pleased with them.

I've ordered some more which will be ready for collection tomorrow, and i'll take them up to the hospital tomorrow night.

The news about ER continues to be reasonable, and they have now been ut on the operating list for tomorrow.

My Dad. meanwhile, is also still in hospital.   It has been.... well,  it has been exceptionally tough.    They were able to do the procedure on Monday,  but he has been unwell and still can't come home.   Today he sounds better, so maybe tomorrow.

Jog On

The Dad news continues to be stressful.    I might write it down when it's all over.

Today, DH went out for the day, and I decided to try and make something new.  

I'd already had a play with a wrap top pattern, (Willow Wrap Dress, peplum top version from Love Notions) which had a "full bust" piece.  Unfortunately, the "full bust" piece wasn't full enough.  I finished it, but won't be wearing it.   It's not a disaster,  but it just isn't right for my boobs.

So today, to distract myself,  I decided to try the Apostrophe Patterns Joggers.      Apostrophe is interesting.  You buy access to their pattern generator for a specific pattern.  Once you've bought it, you can generate as many versions of the pattern as you wish.

Each time, you provide very very detailed measurements.  The measurement video was superb, the best I've seen.   Then you put the measurements into the calculator, along with the stretch (if any) of your fabri.  You choose your options (tapered leg, regular, flare,  type of pocket, type of waistband, sheight of waistband), and any adjustments (bowl legs, knock knees( and it generates a pattern for you.

I opted for the projector version, with full pieces (rather than on fold, or "cut two mirror").  The projector file was great.  All my measurements were on one of the pattern pieces for reference. 

I had some lovely fabric. Inexpensive, but I liked it.  Normally I'd start with some fabric I was less attached to,and do a muslin,  but I decided to just get on with it.  I've made trousers for myself before, and the pieces looked reasonable.

I fluffed up stitching one leg,  so I wasn't holding out much hope for it working.

However, the finished result is not at all bad!   Even with the faults (which are mine, not the generators) it's better than most ready to wear trousers I've ever had.

I think I should have gone for a alightly shallower waistband (this is 7.5 inches folded in half, less seam allowance, so about 3.25 inches or so high).The inseams are great, the side seasms are great, the length is fine (I'm barefoot in the pics).

I had all the benefits of my beloved Sure Fit system, but without having to draw off the pattern myself.

I'll definitely make more of these,  I've got a few pieces of fabtic I'd bought with the intention of making statement trousers. 

I might try a flare next. And pockets.

I'd actually be happy to try making joggers for someone else with the same pattern.

I'd also be happy to buy other patterns in their range now.

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Total crafty things this year: 32

Sewing based makes: 17;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)
Abandoned muslin for LoveNotions Willow Wrap Dress (not counted in total makes)
Apostrophe Patterns Joggers

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf, first attempt (pinks)

Not raining, it's pouring

I have one elderly relative (ER) in hospital, who was in a serious enough condition for me to have several nights running of middle of the "I'm sorry to say....very poorly" calls. These are the calls you get to prepare you for the "I'm sorry to tell you that......"  bad news call.

ER was transferred to another hospital, one which was better equipped to manage all the complications.  ER has been there for a while now.   Happily, said relative gradually turned a corner from all the competing complications, and is now at the "seriously ill" stage (rather than the more serious "very poorly" stage), waiting for a major operation.

This hospital is far from local.  It's about a 3 hour round trip. No visiting allowed. At all.

There have been a few things to organise.  I went to the hospital with DB2 at the weekend, to drop off some stuff to try and help my elderly relative pass the time and keep track of things.  No clothes were needed, I did ask.

We have a chain of communication to the wider family members (and elderly, not internet connected, friends).   

Things were settling down into a routine.  Time consuming, but OK. 

And then my Dad was taken in to hospital, about 25 miles from his home.  He is also quite poorly (he was "very poorly" at one point),.  We could talk to him on his phone, and he was OK.   But then yesterday, something happened which caused him to start suffering from some delusions, which has been very challenging.   

The hospital will not allow visitors, and it's feeding his delirium.   All last night, and all day today, and it's still going on.   I can't really write the details now,  but it's all very real to him. It's heartbreaking.  My poor mum.

I had to warn ER that my Dad was having some trouble, in case Dad phoend ER for help.  

Shortly afterwards, ER called to ask me to bring clothes.  They are at a point where they have to exercise to get well enough for the op, and they need clothes.    So, I collected the requested clothes etc today,  and DH will drive me up there this evening.  I've got appointments tomorrow I can't break, and I want to get this done and out of the way.  

"What larks!".

 

 

Out of Order

It's been a challenging 10 days.  

And on top of all that,  I now have sciatica ad cannot sit down, or stad in one place for long.

I have to do something, so I may attempt somthing sewing related later, although I'm not in the right frame of mind really.

Luckily my lovely chiro, Tania, came in an hour early to fit me in as an emergency today, and that has helped.

Boxering Success

I've managed to complete the 2 pairs of boxers made from my cardboard template.    The sewing is a bit rough, but they are wearable!

I used the smallest double fold binder to do the fly binding.  That worked like a dream.

I used the downturn feller to hem the legs.   The first pair was already sewn up, so I hemmed in the round.  The second pair, I decided to try hemming first then sewing.  Both methods have their merits,  I'll have to see whether they construction choice affects how they feel in wear.

Unusually, I had a bit of a problem with the hem on the first pair.  I had to unpick and re-sew, and I sewed by eye so they are a bit rubbish.

 On both pairs, I coverstitched around the waistband so that the join looked a little more "finished" on the inside.   I need to improve my positioningfor that. I also need to see if DH prefers the feel of the finished to the unfinished ones I made the other day.

This second pic is of my glorious fly binding, The pic is sideways, sorry - the dinosaurs should be the correct way up.

I hope that DH finds these comfortable. I particularly hope he likes the waistband  as I'm using the same fabric to make the waistband rather than using elastic.   I could switch to using elastic, but it's easier (and cheaper) to use the fabric I am working with anyway.

When he's had a chance to wear them, and has given me feedback on improvements, I'll make him some more (assuming he wants me to) .  I've got a very small amount of fabric left, and I might make some flypieces to use in a pair of otherwise plain boxers.  

I've also got a small stash of fabric set aside for knickers for him.

 

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Total crafty things this year: 31

Sewing based makes: 16;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)~
Boxers for DH (test pairs for sizing - counted as 1,  and then 2 pairs)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Painted bisque butter dish and had it fired
Knitted Infinity scarf

 

Best Laid Plans

I made a passable pair of boxers for DH, he's like the leg slightly longer.  Everything else he was happy with.

So, I used my projector, and I made a cardboard template for the body of the boxers,  for the fly pieces, and for the waistband.  Then I decided to make him a pair from some more of the cotton lycra from Textile9 Fabrics.  In fact, I decided to cut two pairs while I was at it.  After all, while I had the machines loaded with navy thread, and while I had the binder set up with this fabric, I might as well do two pairs.  This  which would use up more or less all of this particular piece of fabric.

 It went reasonably well.  I had a bit of a fluff hemming one pair, so I needed to unpick it.  It was getting late on Monday,  so I decided to leave it until I was fresh the next day.

The next day I had a phone call to say that my Uncle had had a heart attack while out on his bike, and they were abot to carry out an emwergency proceudre to try and save his life.   

Of course I went straight to the hospital.

All my time since then has been involved in supporting him (and keeping the relatives and friends updated)..  It's his story, not mine, so it's not appropriate for me to put any information on here.

The knickers are still waiting to be finished.

0 sleeps

Flockdown ended just before midnight last night.  During the day DH set up netting and mowed the grass,  ready for this morning.

We let the Girls out.  They streamed out in a long line, and ran for the grass.  Even the aged and stiff legged Norah and Gloria walked down the garden to get to the lush grass. 

It was lovely.

Before long, Poppy had got under the fence and into the kitchen.  And Fay kept flying over the netting to the bare area.  She just can't help herself. Stupid hen!

Bloody Update

Astrid, my blood soaked Leghorn, stayed in the nestbox in the orange Cube for ages  She laid an egg in there.  The walls are once more soaked with blood, from where she kept shaking her head.

She came out, and wasn't too happy about being trapped in the separated run.   She ate a little of the cabbage I'd put on the floor for her, and a bit of sunfolower seeds.   She hadn't bothered with the scrambled egg, which was a bit worrying,  so I put some of that on the floor for her, and fed the rest to the others.

There was a bit of a kerfuffle last night.   Elizabeth (hatch sister to Violet and Bot) had not managed to find a bed for the night.  I caught her, and popped her in the purple cube, which is where the majority sleep (and where she usually sleeps).

Astrid was hunkered down in the next box again, and I was a little worried about her.

This morning, the clocks changed. 

The clock on the openers on the Orange Cube (Astrid) and  the Green Cube (Norah, Katy and Fay) adjusted automatically, so they were let out at the new 7am, which was an hour earlier than they are used to.    The opener on the  purple cube, with the majority in,  did not change.  There was a lot of squabbling, as they Purplers could hear that some of the others were up and about.

I went out to check on Astrid at about 9am.  She was marching up and down,  eager to be let out of her confinement.    I didn't let her out, I came in and had breakfast.

After breakfast, I let everyone else out into the netted outside area, and then I released Astrid.  She looked much brighter.  She went outside with everyone else, and I had to stand and keep watch for a while.   Gloria was bullying her a bit,   waiting for Astrid to start eating some grass then walking up to her and forcing her to move.

I gave her a warning with a "Gloria!" growl, and she looked at me.   She knows her name, but she rarely hears it in that tone of voice. 

I went on to explaine to her, in the most menacing tone I could muster, that I loved her very much. But, as much I loved her,  so much that I spent half an hour every day hand feeding her lettuce and grain/seeds,  if she touched Astrid,  I would cull her. 

DH checked on them in passing when he went out to do stuff in the garden. 

I went out just now, and Astrid is looking OK.  11 of the 12 girls are out n the vey denuded patch of grass.  Norah is in the main run, as usual.  She hasn't been in the netted area for a long time (she does go "outside" in the fruitcage run though).

I'll go out again in an hour or so, just to see how they are, and to hang up some vegetables.   I keep the chicken veg in a fridge in the summerhouse.

Bloody mess

I went to let the girls out into their netted external area this morning.   Poppy crouched for me, which was unusual.  I had found a very thin shelled egg yesterday, soI 'm guessing it was hers.

I saw some blood on Astrid's (one of my Leghorn) comb, and I realised that she had been pecked, severely.

I bent down to take a look, and I saw that she had blood everywhere. 

Her neck feathers and her face were soaked in it .  Her earlobes were covered in it.  Her comb had blood apparently coming out of many places.

I picked her up and brought her in the house to try and deal with it.

I started with wet kitchen roll, trying to "sponge off" what I could.  I didn't know where to start.  I checked that her eyes were OK (they were). 

There was so much blood. 

I know that combs and wattles bleed profusely,  but usually they stop before too long. 

She was panicking, and I was concerned that she might have a heart attack.

Over the course of the next half hour, I managed to get a lot of blood off her neck and her face.  

Her comb was still bleeding, but I was struggling to find out which of the blood pools were just blood, and which were injuries.  She struggled so much, that it was hard to hold her and clear her up.

We have blood all over the glass door now, and all over the floor.

I ended up using Septi-cleanse powder to try and staunch the bleeding.  She was very stressed (at being captive), so I put her out in the garden.

A bit later, I checked on her, and could see that she still had loads of fresh blood.  More powder.  Some purple spray.

She desperately wanted to get back in with the others, but I was  not happy about it.  In the end, I let her back in, and watched what was going on. 

While waiting, I wondered who had attacked her.   

Then I remembered Poppy crouching for me.   
Last night,  Astrid was in the orange cube with Poppy.  Could she have done it?

I opened up the Cube to see if there was any evidence.

It was like a scene out of Dexter.  There was blood spatter, everywhere.   Again, I know these scenes are not as bad as they look.  Usually its the hen shaking her head that causes the blood to spray everywhere.   But this really was everywhere. .

I started to try and scrub it clean.    Astrid came in the Cube , so I put it back together so she could sit in it.   She had gone back into the Run by the time I finished. 

Poppy appeared.  And then Poppy started harrassing Astrid.  

I ended up putting Astrid in the orange Cube,  with some food and water hooked on the wire accessible from the mezzanine,  and I blocked off the access to that part of the run.

Later I checked on the camera, and she was waiting by the mesh, wanting to come out into the main run.  I went and let her out   She went into one of the wooden nestboxes.

Our setup is a huge covered run, which has 2 cubes with separate runs attched on one side,  a fruit cage ( with a cube inside) attached to another side,  and access to an outside netted area from a 3rd side.   We can close off any of the sections at any time. 

Most of the other girls, including Poppy, were sitting in the fruit cage part of the run, so I shut the auto door so they couldn't get in to the main run.   There were three of four girls in the netted outside area, but they didn't seem too interested in Astrid, so I left that hatch open. 

Sunshine, the other leghorn,  went and stood by the door to the nestbox.  I don't know if she wanted to go in and lay,  or if she was concerned about Astrid.

Just in case, I waited until she went about her business before leaving. 

I'm so disappointed in Poppy.   I know she's a chicken, and chickens do what chickens do,  but it was spiteful and unnecessary.  And she knows it.  That's why she was crouching for me.  She wanted some reassurance that she was a good girl.

A little later, I went and checked on Astrid,  and saw that she had left the nestbox. She was in a corner, and one of the younger girls (Violet or Bot) was pecking at the blood on her neck.

I took some warm water out to the run to try and clean her off, but there was just so much blood, and all the hens were interested in what I was doing, and in the blood on Astrid.

Someone else couldn't resist a peck, and her comb started again. 

I was going to bring her back in the house, but I know she finds that stressful.  So, I ended up putting her back in the orange cube run,  with the entrance shut so no one else can get in.      She'll stay there until she's had time to recover properly.    

Ive put some scrambled egg on the mezzanine for her, as well as food and water.

I'll leave her for a while and then see what the situation is.   I may leave her there overnight, which will infuriate Poppy who sleeps in that Cube normally. 

6 more sleeps

6 more sleeps until Flockdown is over for the Girls.   They have no idea.  I can hardly wait!

The area we let them out into,  covered with approprately sized netting to comply with regulations, is such a mess.   We've had to restrict their time out,  and I'm spending a small fortune each week on fresh vegetables for them.  I'm getting another delivery today,  hopefully the last (for chicken veg).

When they do go out, they will have access to the "lawn",  the one area we aim to ckeep chicken free. Almost chicken free.   It's the area we use - used to use -  for the chicks, for a few weeks before they go to the allotment to live.  No chicks last year, and no chicks this year.   We don't have space to add any chicks to the flock here and, more importantly,  we don't want to have any more birds given the precariousness of the Covid situation. 

We will spend a few hours next  Wednesday fencing off the garden that we don't  want the girls to go in.  This is the veggie beds,  the area they have been using as their "outside area", and all the areas tha DH re-seeded at the beginning of March.  It also includes a small grassy patch which we are keeping as a backup for them, in case it takes a while for their previous "outside area" to recover. 

Gloria and Norah are still here, surprisingly.  I've been expecting Gloria to check out for a few days,  but she's carrying on.  She's still eating,  helped by a faily  private dining experience of half an iceberg lettuce and a load of sunflower seeds.      

I hope she and Norah both stay long enough to feel the lush new grass under their feet. 

 

Knitter Natter

Well, I finished my knitted infinity scarf!

it's got a few, erm,  holes. The knitting is a bit erratic (for example where I was meant ot be purling and I accidentally did some normal stitches),  and doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.  But,  it is the first item I've ever knitted, and I had to learn a whole load of techniques to do it.

I had the urge to knot becaise I accidentally won an Ebay auction for quite a few balls of  wool yarn.  The wool yarn was Sirdar Faroe, which feels lovely and was a plesanat pinky colour.  I'm not reall a pink person, but this was an acceptable variation.

So, I bought a pack of bamboo needles of various sizes from Amazon,  and had a go.   First, I had to learn how to cast on.     I did a few rows, and realised that I'd picked needles which were too small for the chunkiness of the wool. 

I abandoned this piece, on it's needles, and started again.  Later,  Shelby ate some of the wool yarn, like spaghetti, and DH had to pull it out of her throat.

My second attempt was quite acceptable really.  I quite liked it initially.   I realised after a few rows that I should have used  bigger needles.  I ordered some circular needles from Amazon, and transitioned.   I made a complete hash of the transition.

For my next attempt, I started with circular needles.   However, I just kept turning the kntting round when I got to the end of a row.   I thought that circular needles were just a way of holding a lot of stitches.  I used more than one ball of wool, so that was another thing I had to learn how to do.

I quite liked what I made, despite the flaws.

I wanted to learn how to purl,  and I found a good tutorial for an infinity scarf, knitted (properly) on circular needles.  I orered some larger circular needles, better quality, and tried again.

During the creation of my scarf I had to learn how to purl, and to mark my stitches.   The purling took a while for me to "master", I really struggled t get my head around it and I started again at least twice.   Now, of course, it seems very easy, and I can't see why it was such a challenge.

As expected, I had trouble maintaining the number of stitches.  I ended up with a lot more than I started with, despite dropping some along the way, which is because the wool was so fluffy and was multi stranded. 

I saw someone using a cat's head shaped marker.  I found a template on Thingiverse, and DH kindly 3D printed some for me.

There were multiple instances of where I should be purling and I accidentally knitted,  or vice versa.  This usually happened when I was trying to knit without watching what I was doing.    I had been using an elastic band to markthe beginning (so I knew where to change from knit to purl), but  I  lost it on more than one occasion. I'm sure it also contributed to my stitch multiplication.

After quite a few balls of wool yarn.  I decided it was time to stop adding rows and to finish it. I learned how to cast off.  It was a bit hit and miss, but I did it.  I then went back to my other attempt, which were all still on their various needles,  and cast off those as well.

I couldn't possibly use the finished knitting if I was making a jumper but, as it's a scarf,  I can and will wear it.

I started this because I had bought too much wool yarn, and just to see if I could do it. 

Ironically, I've now bought another 15 balls of the same wool yarn in a different colourway,  so I can try and make it again. Just to see if I can do it better this time. 

I did try a quick square with some very delicate yarn, Sirdar Firefly (which I had also bought in a large quantity, to use on my bnew Embellisher).    It was a bit of a disaster,  I'm not ready to handle that sort of yarn.

I'm not adding knitting to my list of active hobbies, but I would like to see if I can make something with fewer mistakes this time.

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Total crafty things this year: 28

Sewing based makes: 16;
Inner pad for foot muff; make cover for foot muff;  trim down Superking Duvet to KS and recover edges;
Cushion cover for Miss T; Gift bags for Miss T and GDK;
Dressing Gown;
Cat Duvet, Duvet Cover and Pillowcase;
Cushion cover for living room;
Sleeveless tops (x4);
SBCC top
Overlocker chicken
Curtains for nest boxes (4, but counted as 1 make)

Learning activities: 10;
Scanning pattern pieces; Making movies; Babylock demo day; Gathering using my overlocker;    Euphy training (circles,using elastic in looper) Gail Yellen's binder course; Inkscape 1; casting on;  purling; casting off

Non sewing based craft makes: 2
Knitted Infinity scarf