Needle Case

Mum made this needle case for me for Christmas, but when I opened the present, I had to give it straight back to her, as it wasn't quite finished! Perhaps I could say my inability to finish anything is inherited?

But today Mum came over for the day for a visit and brought the finished needle case. Isn't it fantastic? It was shown on the cover of an Inspirations magazine ages ago, and I admired it. Mum remembered, and has been making it on and off for months. There were a few dry comments from Dad on Christmas Day about the frenzied last minute sewing trying to finish it in time, but Mum was inundated with Grandkids the few days before the 25th, who obviously sabotaged the last minute panic sewing!

I almost don't want to use it it's so lovely - I wish I could do embroidery like that, it's so fine. I don't think I have the patience. We had a good day looking at the computer at fabric sites and a few blogs, had lunch, sat out an afternoon storm, and drank coffee with the cricket on in the background. Plus there is always the added benefit of having a clean house, as the impending visit makes me rush around tidying up and washing the floor!

Talking about the cricket, Australia just beat India in a five day Test Match in the last 8 minutes of the game. How's that for close? Michael Clarke came on and bowled 3 of them out for something like 5 runs - incredible.

Simon and Chloe have been to the Vet recently, emptying the bank account. Chloe had started doing an occasional wee in the house, which was making me very annoyed. I'm thinking that she was trying to get me back for taking her to dog training, but someone suggested she may have a urinary tract infection. Simon was obviously feeling off colour too, as he whimpered one night when he was getting up, and he seemed to have a sore tummy. I thought "it's a sign", so on the 31st we headed for the Vet with a jar of urine, caught from Chloe with great difficulty, and tried to explain that I was really only there on the offchance that something might be wrong with one or the other. It turns out Chloe does have a UTI, and Simon has his usual mystery symptoms which can't be diagnosed after a battery of expensive tests. They both had a shot of an anti-inflammatory, Chloe also had some antibiotics, and I walked out with a special diet for Chloe, antibiotic tablets and minus over $300. Sigh...

Chloe is already obviously feeling better, despite the occasional accident (I think because she doesn't want to go out in the rain), and Simon is 'much' better, so he was obviously in pain. I've given him the same anti-inflammatory in a tablet form since the Vet visit, and he is much more active. So we will have to go back for a blood test, then expensive radiological investigations no doubt. Great.

In quilting news, I have the backing fabric and batting for the couch quilt, but I'm procrastinating about pinning it and quilting it, as it's my least favourite bit. I have 8 metres of a brown fabric I bought off ebay a few years ago, which will do for the back. Soon I promise, Girl Guide's Honour.