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Wednesday 6 January 2021

WOYWW 605 - Twelfth Night

Good morning and welcome back to the blog, and another week of WOYWW.  All the details can be found on the glamorous Ms Dunnit's blog here.  Do go and check it out if you're new here, and join in if you can!

This week has been a quiet one.  The decorations came down on Sunday, and whilst the house looks bare, we seem to have much more room again!  LOL.


For Christmas I bought Mr Morti a canvas from Frome - these are made using a piece of software that plays the film and takes the average colour from each movie (correction, scene), and puts a line of colour on a canvas to make a picture.  Can you guess which film this is?



In return, Mr Morti bought me an all singing, all dancing record player.  He has some notion that he can connect it to our old cinema surround sound system, so has bought an amp and we'll see how that goes!

 


The saga of our dodgy builders continues.  We had discovered that our new guttering was leaking, and we needed to fix it ASAP so prevent a repeat of the problem in the bedroom, where years of water pouring down the wall had destroyed the plaster indoors.  So, outside, he climbed up the ladder and took a look at the offending join. He discovered that not only had they cut the guttering an inch too short, the seal at that joint was missing.  A quick trip to B&Q and £2 later, a new joining piece was purchased to enable the seal to be taken out and put into the section.  The picture below also shows how wonky they put up the downspout!



The desk has seen no action other than to have all the Christmas cards we received dumped on it.  The bog standard printed ones will be turned into gift tags for next year, the handmade ones put into a box to be stroked at a later date, or used for inspiration, and the personal family ones kept.  



I always keep the ones we've sent each other, out of sentimentality.  Also, with my memorial jewellery making I am all too aware of one day it being the last card we receive from certain people, and having an example of their handwriting may come in useful.  The necklaces I showcased on last week's blog are a case in point - the Nannie in question went from fit and relatively healthy on a Monday, to no longer with the family by the Friday of the same week, one of the earliest Coronavirus victims. Not only could the family not see her, nor visit, nor be with her when she passed, they were unable to obtain a fingerprint impression which meant I had to be sent her handwriting from greetings cards in order to make the pendants.  Having known the lady since I was 11, it hit home rather hard, and I must confess to them being some of the emotionally hardest pieces I've had to make.

Anyway, onto lighter news.

The 2020 SAL was finally finished! Here it is in all its glory...



The fabric for the 2021 SAL finally showed up yesterday, and it's rather stiff and unyielding so will need a wash and press before it goes on the frame.


The moose hasn't moved on at all, but with good reason.  I have at long last framed up the fabric for my giant Heaven & Earth Design (HAED from now on), Siren's Lament by Anne Stokes.  This piece is being worked on 25 count (the number of holes per inch) evenweave fabric, and the grey gridwork on it identifies it as what is called "easy count".  (Finger in picture for scale!)   


I'm working full crosses in two strands over one thread (we'd say 2 x 1)  - so that will be 24 stitches per inch, or about 9 per cm.  I have made a start on the stitching for it, and at the moment I'm not overly happy with the way it's coming out as the stitching is looking a little bumpy and uneven.



However, I've taken some advice from my fellow Vampire clan members and they've said that I need to increase my tension and it will sort itself out.  So, I'm sticking with it.  It'll be interesting to see how long it takes me to do as this is two evening's work - although I hasten to add that I don't work on it for more than a couple of hours at a time, I'd go blind!  

I've also decided what I'm going to do with my Medicine Spoon Memorial piece, but I really need to get onto that!


That's it for the moment.  I'm also trying to figure out my YouTube channel.  We Geminis are mercurial butterflies who like to try all sorts of things, and have so many interests, and my channel kind of reflects that.  It's (going to be) a mixture of home renovation, hobbies, travel and being a Goth, which I know isn't a recipe for success (you should really do a consistent single thing) but it's me all over....

Speaking of YouTube channels, if you fancy a bit of escapism I can really recommend watching NickiPositano - her vlogs are about life as an expat living in Positano and are actually really rather good. A gentle, simple life with amazing scenery and some fabulous characters.  She's been vlogging for the last 10 years, but has really ramped up her vlogs and posting over the last year and is now looking incredibly professional.  I can see big things in this lady's future - she'd make an excellent travel TV presenter.


So on with the hop!  I'm terrible at getting round to everyone but I will endeavour to make more of an effort in the future.... so much to do, so little time.


Happy hopping!


20 comments:

Mary Anne said...

I am dying to know the film title! And the "blackwork" is pretty amazing, but the 2021 in purple is going to be gorgeous!

Happy WOYWW 2021!
Mary Anne (1)

Sue said...

I need to know the film too. What a great gift. Hugs, Sue #21 xx

Annie said...

Sorry I didn't get to leave messages last week [I did read all my favourite blogs though]. Thankfully the side effects from my injection have just about worn off now [it's taken all week though :-(].
What a lot of amazing projects you've shared. You have lots more patience than me [and better eye sight I guess too :-)].
Stay safe and well.
Hugs,
Annie x #8

Twiglet said...

Hi Morti - thanks for the comment on my blog. The twiddlers have twiddlers inside as well as out so ample opportunity to keep cosy and twiddle whichever bit takes their fancy! I love your blackwork embroidery - what a challenge! xx Jo

Helen said...

I don't watch many films so I have no idea.... you have been very busy - the 2020 SAL looks absolutely fabulous! glad you were able to fix the wonky (shoddy!) guttering, before too much damage ensued. Take care and stay safe. Helen #2

Lunch Lady Jan said...

So many amazing things to comment on today! I love the finished black work but 2021 Purple looks equally awesome and I enjoyed looking at the details of your cross stitch too. What a great present that record player was, you’ll have such fun revisiting your LP collections! I love the film print but have no idea which it is, a Harry Potter one maybe? Thank you for the offer of the yarn but honestly, save yourself th postage and see if there’s a community knitting group near you who would like it. Even charity shops are happy to take on bags of yarn, or at least the one in our town is.
Hope you’re both keeping well,
Hugs LLJ 16 xxx

Heather M said...

Oh I have no idea what the film is! The artwork looks good though. I'm not a Gemini but I too like dabbling in lots of different crafts. I haven't done any cross stitch in a few years, but I do have a "current" cross stitch project, that I started 8 years ago! Thanks for stopping by my blog- the Jan Blan will be a project in the go for a while me thinks! Have a lovely week, Heather xx #14

Morti said...

Oh I wish I could revisit my old LP collections but ex hubby made me get rid of them a LOOONG time ago! So, going to replace as many as I can remember having....

Karen said...

Hi! Oh the stories of people not being able to visit people who are dying just break my heart. I'm sorry for your loss. I love your gift ~ I was thinking about trying to find something to play my collection of 45's I still have from my great grandmother ~ If you know of what I should buy let me know :) I even have "that's Amore" which I loved to listen to when I was little. Enjoy your week! Love, Karen #32

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Now that's a good idea for using up the designs on printed cards. I have a load of paper bags that I bought years ago and they would make good Christmas bags with a card pic added to the front. Take care and have a happy woyww, Angela x19x

Sarah Brennan said...

Sorry no idea about the film Diane. Love the finished 2020 year of blackwork. Good luck with all the new projects. Happy New Year, stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #3

Crafting With Jack said...

No idea on the film, but I like the record player! Your stitches are so tiny I am surprised you can do it for more than an hour! I have no idea what a Goth is. I did Google it some time ago when my daughter in law said she was worried her daughter was turning into a Goth. Apart from historical Goths and photographs of people who wear black and heavy makeup there was not a great deal of information. Have a great week Angela #13

Julia Dunnit said...

Gosh I could have ordered loads from Frome, but we have no wall space left! I thought it was a colour per scene? Anyway, no I can’t tell the film, but once you know you can pick out the dominant scene colours! Lovely gift. The black work is gorgeous, what a result. I excited to see the next one now, and you haven’t even started it! The spoon 🥄 story it’s going to be great, glad you’ve got your idea, bet it morphs as you get ready to do it. You’ve got a lot of stitching planned for this year!

Shoshi said...

Your completed blackwork sampler is truly magnificent, Morti. I love the colour you have chosen, and the fact that you have added some text as well. As for the lumpy stitching, when I started my tiny carpets project, I originally worked with 2 strands on 22 threads to the inch and once I'd built up any coverage, it was clearly not going to work - much too dense and lumpy, so I went with a single strand. I did end up with little white flecks but they didn't seem to be much of a problem in the end. If only we could use 1 1/2 strands lol - that would have been perfect!! That canvas from the film is extraordinary - never seen anything like that before, and I have no idea which film it might be. Your record player is a stunner - fabulous vintage look! We have surround sound with our TV and I love it. My hubby's chair isn't in the right place so he gets most of the sound from one of the speakers, but he's never complained! I'm sorry you've had problems with a bad builder. Any small leaks, and water will find a way in. That was why my hubby was so keen to get that plant our of our downpipe a few weeks ago - you may remember seeing the photo of it with its enormously long roots!

Thank you for visiting, and I'm glad you enjoyed the vaccine joke! In a way I'm glad my old blender broke down because the new one is soooo much better in every way! Hopefully they will either replace or repair the old one so I've got a spare - it's still just inside its guarantee, but I still haven't heard back from them...

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #18

Lillianb said...

Happy new year,

Sorry about the late visit.

Hope you get all your projects sorted and also your yourtube channel,

Take care and stay safe

Lilian B # 12

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

That canvas is definitely intriguing - no idea how it would work! Have fun with your new record player - looks very vintage. Wonderful cross-stitch - love the pattern! Hope the guttering has now been sorted - my husband has spotted a few bodge jobs in and around our house as well by the previous owners - he doesn't trust builders, that's why he insists on doing everything himself! Happy New Year Diane and thanks for stopping by! xx zsuzsa #26

Caro said...

Loving all the interesting things on your blog this week. No idea about the film but would guess at something like star wars or Indiana jones simply due to the colours involved. Sorry I'm late. Wishing you a happy belated WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#10)

Neet said...

Not a clue about the film.
I am a pisces but still dabble in lots of crafts when I am able to. I have two "suitcases" started years ago still in the same condition as they were left. It's about time I either finished them or binned them.
Hugs, Neet x

Susan Renshaw said...

Would love to know what thr film was!
Your post is also 'all sorts of things' and very interesting!
Sorry I am so late visiting.
Happy New year and happy WOYWW!
Susan #6
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!

Kelly said...

Hi Morti!
Lovely to have a new face at my door! Wow, you have a lot going on. I hope to get back to either embroidery or cross-stitch at some point. This year is all about moving paper and fabric out of my stash. Lovely pieces you have. Sorry about the wonky construction. Sadly, a lot of people don't have the pride in their work like we were raised with. Glad Mr. Morti was able to put things to rights rather inexpensively.

I look forward to visiting and seeing more of your creations.
Creative Blessings! Kelly #29

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