Monday, March 31, 2014

Woodland stitching… and sweet pets!

Gosh it’s a lovely day today!  The sun is bright and the sky is blue.  I’m sat at my desk in a cool room being thankful for the perfect temperature! The house is quiet but for the whirring of a grass mower down the street… I’m having one of those “ahhhhh” moments.  Just soaking up the serenity that doesn’t come my way as often as I’d like, but when it does it feels all the sweeter.

I thought you might like to see a sneaky pic of my ‘Deer Cabin’ table-runner design?  It has been sent off to Creating Country Threads magazine and is due to be published in the next month or two.

Deer Cabin sneak

I used some of Lynette Anderson’s ‘Scandinavian Christmas’ fabric… although it is so versatile with its love-hearts, stars and cute little mushrooms, that it needn’t be saved just for Christmas projects alone.  I drew the deer from photographs, and with the woodland theme in mind, thought that Log Cabin blocks would be the ideal choice to accompany them.  I’ll show you the full project when it is published, and will release the pattern at the same time so that if you live overseas and would like to make it, you can do so.  (smile)

Well, the serenity didn’t last for very long people… my little dog is barking her head off at everyone who walks by – and we have a hard rubbish collection on our nature strip (grass verge), so people tend to stop and linger… gosh I love Kayla, and she is doing a very good job of guarding her family… but sheesh, she is driving me nuts!

Kayla 2

Butter wouldn’t melt, hey cutie?!

If you were reading my blog a few months ago you would have been greeted with a sweet pic of my young Rosie’s little pet mouse, Nibbles.  She was such a dear little thing, but she became very ill only three weeks after we brought her home.  I took her to an ‘exotic’ vet as not many vets will treat mice.  Turns out she couldn’t go to the toilet and although she was given medication, she wasn’t given the diagnosis of a good outcome.  The vet thought it was probably an anomaly the young thing was born with.   Little Nibbles lived in my hands for hours at a time, I hand-fed her and gave her medication.  I just sat and cradled her, she must have liked the warmth from my hands as as soon as I tried to put her back in her cage, she would run back on to me.  Just as we thought there might be a chance that she would come good, we lost her.

Both Rosie and I (and dad and brother) were so incredibly upset.  I think there is something about helping an animal to survive… you get so attached.  I was shocked at how tearful I was for two days straight.  Rosie wanted to give Nibbles a good burial, so we decorated a box, and put her inside with her favourite things – some food, a toy, and some toy-stuffing to keep her comfortable.  It was so hard seeing Rosie heartbroken, as we stood out in the rain, in the garden; but in a strange kind of way we also bonded in our grief.  It’s hard to explain, but it felt wholesome. 

We now have two new pets… Cheeky and Tickles.  Rosie didn’t want the late Nibbles to feel like she was being replaced, but I explained that because Rosie was such a good owner, Nibbles would love for some other mice to have the pleasure of being looked after by her.

Cheeky 1

So many of my friends cringe at the thought of owning pet mice.  One friend in particular said she would rather touch a spider than a mouse!  But I think they make amazing pets.  They are so tame.  I must admit, that before we got Nibbles I had my doubts about housing mice, I was so worried about the smell.  But I’m quite happy to clean them out twice-weekly… Rosie helps out and we have special time together.

Tickles and cheeky 1

Cheeky 2 

Anyhow, it’s time I headed off to continue with some stitching!  Ooh – and I’ll set up a photo-shoot with my toy sewing machines as I know a couple of you are interested!

Until next time, hope you get to enjoy some serenity!

Vikki xoxo

9 comments:

Deb said...

Helllllooooooooooooooo, Hmmm Rosie's new mice are cute I must admit. They don't make me want to jump hoops and run to the pet shop to get some but cute. I think I will stick to their furry wee enemies, thanks though.
I am loving the look of your table runner hun, the deer are so sweet and yes those fabrics are scrummy.

margaret said...

Deer cabin looks so nice, I love the country threads magazine, I get it here in the UK, often as back copies when at a show.
I have never had pet mice, occasionally had unwanted visitors in the house from the waste land at the end of the garden! Would be worried about them getting lost in the house and running riot. Sad Nibbles did not recover from her bladder misfunction but now you have 2 mice to keep each other company. Look forward to seeing the sewing machines

barb's creations said...

Sad to hear about Nibbles but I'm sure Rosie will love her new members of the family just as much in time. I love your deer runner, so clever to incorporate the log cabin block around the stitchery :) Barb.

Thoeria said...

Sad to hear about little Nibbles....I had pet mice as a child too :) Can't have them now though....my kitties would look on them as slightly more than pets! I'm sure Rosie will love her new playmates.And I'll take mice over spiders anyday!! Infact...I'd take ANYTHING over spiders!

carla said...

Hi!!!! Your deer cabin is wonderful!!!! I love it!!!! So pretty!!!! One time me and hubby were at Walmart??!!! And there was a baby mouse and some nesting on a shelf around the toothpaste isle? But knowing it would die...we took it home and it made it a couple of weeks only and we were very upset too!!!! I always will think it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved!!! Your heart keeps showing you that you can love more and more!!!!

Joy said...

It's always hard to lose a pet, big or small they wriggle their way into our hearts and of course there's sadness when they're gone. So glad you decided to get a couple more though. My kids had mice when they were little and they were such a delight - even when they escaped and I was late to work because of hunting for them lol.
Your tablerunner looks fabulous, love the sweet deer!!!
Big hugs,
Joy xxxxxx

Sue Niven said...

losing a pet is very difficult, Loved the ceremony, very important, Your new mice look very sweet. Kayla, such a cutie! Have fun stitching. I am looking forward to seeing your toy machine too.

RoseMary Baty-Willcox said...

I totally understand, we had two rats named Pickesy and Dickesy, remember the cartoon? We have also had three mice named, Curly, Moe and Joe. sorry to hear about Nibbles, just love that name. Love your site.

Melody said...

I had a little mouse as a pet for four years. I bought him at the Vic Market as I felt so sorry for him = his little tail was broken. The guy at the stall was drinking a cup of coffee when I bought him and he just tossed the coffee dregs on the ground and dropped Algy (as I named him) in with no lid or anything. I had to carry him home on the train with my hand over the top.
I bought him a little house and he lived happily in my bedroom. I used to block under the door with a draught stopper and let him have a run around each day.
He was a fat, lazy little mouse. His favourite treat was Twisties and he put on a lot of weight. He then stuffed his exercise wheel with bedding material and would sleep inside the wheel. I loved him dearly and was heart broken when he eventually died. I hope your little mice bring Rosie as much joy, hugs Mel

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails