Ozzy, Gertrude, and a Month of Monkey Chops Mayhem

I’ve been thinking a lot about music lately, probably because I’ve been reflecting on how much Ozzy Osbourne shaped my life. From the first time I heard Black Sabbath as a kid in the late ’80s, banging away on my electric drums in the conservatory (sorry neighbours!), to screaming SHARRRROOOON! at the telly during The Osbournes, Ozzy’s always been there.

The man was real. He knew who he was and gave no sh–… let’s say “no cares”. You could see how much he loved his kids and most of all Sharon. That’s why I think he’s so loved – he never pretended to be anything he wasn’t.

On the day of his funeral, Birmingham stopped. All the fans had gathered in their masses, a brass band playing both Sabbath and solo Ozzy songs as the hearse passed by. The family stepped out to lay flowers: Sharon wearing his ring on a chain around her neck, Jack with his bat tie pin, Aimmee with his bat brooch, and Kelly wearing his glasses. When Crazy Train kicked in, the crowd started singing – and yeah, I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Stitching like a Madman

While all that emotion was going on, I had my own madness – a new stitching start! Meet Gertrude from Stitches Sew Beautiful, stitched on 25ct, 1 over 1, and it’s for my daughter – affectionately known as Monkey Chops.

11 colours stitched so far out of 125, all chosen at random by my Facebook group, The Stitching Shack. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and I love it. (I’ll do a full post about the group and why I started it another time!)

You can’t see Gertrude’s grin yet, but the outline is creeping in – and it’s giving big Diary of a Madman vibes.

August: Less Thread, More Monkey Chops

So that’s me for August – Monkey Chops is here for the whole month, which means stitching might slow right down (unless she picks up a needle too… hmm, start ’em young, right?). Instead of chasing dragons in thread, I’ll be chasing playground adventures, ice creams, and the kind of giggles only a 7-year-old can do at full volume. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’ll still be stitches, but this month it’s about making memories instead of just crosses.

I’m just a dreamer… but for now, I’m dreaming of ice creams and giggles instead of needle and thread.

So, that’s my week of stitches, Ozzy riffs, and new starts. But now it’s your turn – I want to hear from you lot!

Have you ever stitched something wild while blasting your favourite band?

Got an Ozzy memory that still makes you grin (or cry) like No More Tears?

And most importantly – who’s riding the Crazy Thread Train with me?

Until next time, keep on rockin that needle!