Sewing and more Sewing

Hi all

Yes I have been sewing again and loving it. Here are my recent makes.

I made this for a mother's day present. The instructions are in my new favourite book, Half yard Christmas by Debbie Shore.

As i have lots of scrap fabric that i want to use up, i decided to make these tissue covers.

 

You can find the tutorial for these easy makes by going here http://twobrownbirds.typepad.com/two-brown-birds/free-pattern-ahhtishoo-travel-tissue-cover.html 

Thank you for reading

Love Hayley x

Always follow your instinct when it comes to your health

just a quick update from me.

I have been out of action with a chest infection. Was just getting over that when my feeding tube came out.

I think i sat on it and the tube that goes into my jejunum came out. I panicked as without it i can't get food or water. Off i went to A&E. I was seen at about 7pm and had to stay overnight as there wasn't a doctor to put it back in. I was moved to the ward at 9.30pm but there was no bed as they were waiting to discharge someone. I had to wait in the corridor until 10.30pm.

I had no sleep as was next to someone on a heart monitor. Doc came in at 5am and another one followed. I got moved to another bay at 5.30am.

I saw the doctor in the morning who pushed my tube back in and i went for an xray. I was then discharged.

However i knew something wasn't right. It hurt to put my feed on and i couldn't get enough calories. I told my dietitian and she said well it must be in the right place if the doctor said it was. She tried to get my notes from hospital. I was getting weaker and weaker, so Thursday mum rang the original doctors secretary who put it back in. She said to go to gp who can fast track me through the hospital.

Off i went to gp who was horrible and patronising. She said it must be in the right place so maybe im constipated. Uh no as i new my bowels. Then she ordered to have a urine sample for a uti, no again, i do not have a urine infection, something is wrong with my tube.

Last resort was back to A&E. We waiting about 5 hours to be seen but there was a lovely doc who treated me. He wanted bloods but it took 10 attempts, eeek. I went for an xray again. He then said i have to stay as need a ct scan. I said is it really neccessary. I only need a new tube. Eventually a gastro doc saw me and said my tube my have flipped back into my stomach and they will book me into endoscopy. Phew i got to go home.

So today i had my endoscopy. And guess what. My tubed decided to dance inside me, its supposed to be in my jejunum but had coiled back on itself and was feeding into my stomach. This is why i couldn't feed as my stomach doesn't work. I now have a shiny new tube.

I am very glad i followed my instinct and pushed for a new tube regardless of my gp and dietician doubting me, as if i didn't i would of got very sick. I am also very grateful for the lovely doctors at the hospital for treating me x

Stitched laptop case

I am really into sewing at the moment so i thought i would make a case for my laptop.

I usually sew small things but decided to venture out of my comfort zone and go abit larger.

It took forever to make but I'm quite pleased with it and i got to take some pics with my new camera hehe.

What are you making at the moment ?

Love Hayley x

Me and my feeding tube

This week it's tube feeding awareness week so i thought i would do a blog post about me and my feeding tube.

I have a condition called Ehlers danlos syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder. It has taken my ability to walk but also effects my organs. My stomach has failed due to gastroparesis, which means it can't empty properly due to the muscles or nerves not working.

I went into hospital in June last year to be put on tpn ( which is where nutrients go into a vein) and bypasses the organs. I wasn't well enough to undergo the operation to have a feeding tube fitted.

My first operation to put a feeding tube in failed ( it is usually done in endoscopy). So i had to have it put in surgically.

My tube is called a pegj. It is basically a tube within a tube. One tube goes into the stomach ( brilliant if you want to empty your stomach from eating loads of chocolate hehe ) . The other tube goes into my jejunum which is where i am fed.

This is the equipment i use to feed. I am hooked up 24/7

My feed and pump.

Giving set which the feed comes through, syringe i use to flush my tube to prevent it blocking and sterile water as the intestine cannot take normal water.

A couple of questions i often get asked

Q. Can you still eat

A: yes but very very tiny amounts, maybe a tablespoon of something and then i am very full

Q: do i get hungry or miss food 

A: i don't get hungry very often and i get very full on a tiny amount.

I don't miss food. I think i am lucky in this respect. I love food i love baking but i never fancy eating it. Weird thing is i love to know what everyone else is eating hehe.

Q: Do you stop going out for meals with family

A: no i love going for meals. Often my family will order something and get an extra plate. This means i can have a spoonful of potato or something so i am included.

Q: is it for life

A: yes probably, but i don't think about it as i take one day at a time.

My feeding tube has saved my life. Without it i would not be here.I hope this has explained a few things. Feel free to ask any questions x 

Sewing and Photo's

Afternoon everyone,

I have been quite busy lately and exhausted because of it. I went back to hydrotherapy.Then i started back at the gym. I then went to a sewing class (not all in the same day). I now have an infection in my peg(feeding tube). So have some antibiotic cream to kill the little enemies.

Oh oh oh, i have a new camera. I've been wanting an Slr forever but couldn't justify buying it. But i took the plunge or rather my poor bank account did and brought it. I have a confession though. I'm scared of it. Its like an alien with loads of buttons. Looks lovely in the box though 😂😂

Anyway here is a new picture from my photography course. Just playing with backdrops still and took this in terrible lighting. I am learning though x

As i am addicted to sewing lately, i decided to stitch a house. First attempt and i forgot to put the ribbon on, oops

Backdrops and Photocraft

Hi all,

Recently i signed up to an online course called Photocraft. Here is the link if you want to check it out http://www.photocraft.org/

It is aimed at crafters or craft business and teaches you how to take better photographs to style your products. There are 6 modules to work through and it includes so much information about styling your images. I have just finished module one and decided to play around with a couple of backdrops.

Eventually when I've completed more of the course, my photos hopefully will look alot better or more professional.

 

I made this cushion for a friend and photographed it on a white background.

Next i got abit more adventurous

 

I then tried a different angle.

 

I quite like the photos on a textured background and I'm eager to learn more. Watch this space x

 

 

Things I love in my home

Happy new year. Sorry It's abit late.

Things are going quite well at the moment, fingers crossed it stays that way.

Anyway, for the blog post i wanted to show you the things i love in my home.

As i love baking, i thought i would show you my kitchen first.

As you can see, i love vintage. These units are original but have been painted to update them. The big unit even has a metal cupboard in it, i think it was used like a fridge.

Next is my other favourite room. My craftroom. 

I spend hours in here. This is a picture of it when it's tidy x

What items do you love in your home x