Sad times

I couldn't think of an appropriate title for this post, sad times doesn't even come close.

As I have said before, my Mum was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer on the 23rd December last year, she fought bravely for 11 months, went though huge surgery in March, was given the all clear in May then on the 1st August found out the cancer was back and now terminal. Sadly she died on the 28th November. We had her funeral yesterday.

She spent her final 17 days in the Marie Curie Hospice where we celebrated my new nephew's baptism then Christmas on the 21st November. After seeing this photo Mum decided that Christmas jumpers should be worn for her funeral. She got her wish , I doubt there has ever been as jolly a looking funeral party! 200+ people came to the church for the celebration of her life which is a testament to how involved she was in so many different aspects of life.

My life now has to get back to some kind of normal. I have been caring for Mum during the week since August so have not had much time for anything sewing or crafty. That will now change as I actively look for distractions...

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Playing Catch Up and a Cake.

It seems like ages since I wrote anything here, probably because it has been! Life has been busy, little e's transition in to school has been fairly traumatic, like screaming when going in and clinging on to the door frame traumatic, although I think the worst is over now, there have been no tears for over a week now... I tried what seemed like everything with her and a combination of this fantastic book

here

 and reverse psychology seems to have done the trick. She was fine when she was in school and then would start crying and not letting go of me when the bell rang so I told her if she could cry so could I. When the bell went and she started to whimper I pretended to cry as well, it made her and her class mates laugh and she then went in fine and has been fine since...! I wish I could spend a day in her head!

Anyway, that trauma has passed (for now) and I am trying to find a new kind of normal. Being a stay at home Mum with no kids at home during the day is strange. I have started to exercise more regularly and hopefully, if I stick with it, it will just become part of the routine. I need to get fit and loose 2 stone before next September when I am my Best Friend from School's Bridesmaid!

Enough waffle about me, now on to cake!

My Nephew was Christened yesterday and my Sister set me the task of re-icing a tier of her wedding cake for the day (not sure if it is a tradition everywhere to keep the top tier of fruit cake from your wedding cake for the Christening of your first child, but it is here!).

My Sisters wedding cake was of epic proportions (glass baubles and twinkling lights galore)...

Photo by Lifetime Photography

Photo by Lifetime Photography

and it was the bottom that was the fruit cake so the Christening cake was HUGE!

I quilted round the outside using this technique and make a teddy and blanket for the top.

My Sister made crispy cake and then they were cut in to squares and iced to make the blocks. The balls round the outside were a good alternative to ribbon (that we didn't have enough of because of the hugeness of the cake!).

Surprisingly the cake tasted amazing given that it was made 4 years ago! It was strategically cut by my Mum so  there is a Christmas Cake sized piece left, my Sister will have to decorate that bit herself though :)

Back soon with pictures of a few dresses I've made (one of which may or may not make me look pregnant which I am definitley not!!).








Linking to some of these linky parties!

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