Re-reading my diary posts and knowing what I know now, I can see how my energy levels are getting worse. I had no way of knowing how in a few months time I would be basically sleeping twenty four seven and be in much more pain.

Day 72: No sewing.

Diary Entry: I achieved my aim of finishing the gowns, so that was a real bonus. The drawback, I was now feeling wiped out and needed an afternoon nap. After the evening meal it was a bath and relaxing in front of the television, with no sewing, I did not have the mental capacity for that tonight.

Picture taken from day four of the diary.

Day 73: Single Seed Stitch, green wool.

Diary Entry: Apart from the first of the month, Sunday clean of house. Nothing to report except the fact I am feeling very low. On the verge of tears and despite a house full of others very lonely and even more isolated than I have been in a while. I am seeing families start to meet up and it makes it hard as I realise mine is so disconnected, tears teetering. Husband is still wary of going out, won’t come out for a walk with me. Not sure if it’s because of the Covid that he doesn’t want to go out, or the fact he doesn’t want to go out with me.

Sewing stitch is single seed, or very small running stitch. I wanted it to have a grass effect as I miss going out.

Day 74: Single Seed, brunt umber perle thread.

Diary Entry: Slept in the afternoon, my head still feels out of it, the brain fog remaining. Emotionally exploded to my husband, at how the girls were making me feel, how the sandpit is making me feel. Sick of being everyone’s dumping ground. My emotions are very low.

Today’s stitch is again single seed. The ground work.

Day 75: Blanket Stitch, orange perel thread.

Diary Entry: A more balanced good day. Normal Chatty ladies video call 11am. I enjoyed a nice unexpected chat with a friend as she dropped some homemade cards off for the scrub group. Then a sweat shop factory was made, two of the ladies popped by and as we sat and socially distanced over coffee, we made scrubs caps, one pegged together, I overlocked and other trimmed and secured the thread ends. It was fun.

After the last few days of feeling down it was better to just relax. Then I had an issue, I was short some stock, nothing serious as I could make it, I just had under estimated my levels for an order. Put a call out for help and it was answered, so I have been able to relax and not have a stressful day sewing tomorrow. Instead I can make my bumble bee scrub set.

After a relaxing bath and catching up with an episode of 911 an American drama, I did my days sewing stitch. I chose blanket stitch. I enclosed it around my spiral. Not sure why as of yet but I felt it needed to be there.

So tomorrow the plans are sewing some more gowns, then my bumble bee scrub set. Depending on how I feel, I may even start on Kira’s rag doll.

Day 76: Bullion Knots, yellow perle thread.

Diary Entry: Busy morning, ladies were collecting fabric for gowns, we had a full English for dinner. Kira painted and did art and it looked really good. We all ate together for the first time in months, it was so great. With a full stomach I needed to nap. When I woke up I had a really bad head and felt really rough.

I managed to sew my stitches tonight while watching the Sewing Bee; Bullion knot on the outside of my increasing flower.

Day 77: A mixture on a stitch project.

Diary Entry: Thursday house work, normal slow paced day. It wasn’t until the evening when I worked on Merill Comeau Stitch club project.

I was really hesitant doing this project, as I am not very arty with flowers and collage. I researched the meaning of flowers that do describe me and my mood right now, I would need several, so I narrowed it down to a Borage, which means bluntness and directness. Which is what my friends say is one of my qualities, as well as being one of my flaws. As in blunt to the point of being sharp.

I was also inspired to do something a little different by Zara Muradyan with her dark tumbleweed. However, despite my dark mood this came out very colourful. I chose to do an egg plant, not to represent an aubergine but as an egg that is fragile in these tough times. It is more childlike that I wanted. I still have a little barrier when it comes to experimentation with things like this, but improving slowly.

I worked on this until 2:30 am. It was a relaxing joy.

Day 78: No sewing today.

Diary Entry: It was a quiet morning. However, it got manic in the afternoon. I was making masks when a friend popped and I helped show her how to make them too. A bit later on another friend turned up, trousers she had picked up from another scrub hub were the wrong colour. She came with the right colour fabric. I have never made a pair quite so quick. At least I know I can. Not sure why I am slow any other time.

No sewing as really tired.

Picture taken from day 16 of the diary.