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Wednesday 17 February 2021

WOYWW 611 - the one without Her

 Good morning, lovely deskers.


As I join in with WOYWW today, I write with blurred vision and tears rolling down my cheeks.  I made the fatal mistake this morning of reading Julia's blog from Monday about Shaz, and it set me off again.  Sorry Shaz, I know you're thinking "idiot woman, it's all good...", but your departure has unexpectedly blindsided me, as it has many others, I do believe - no matter how much many of us were prepared for this to eventually happen. The lovely Donna (Doone) and I were comforting one another at stupid o'clock this morning as we both happened to be online, on Facebook, at the same time and managed to set each other off.  For newer WOYWWers who are not on FB, Donna used to take part in WOYWW before she moved to France a few years ago, and was part of the Crop Brigade up until that point, so knew Doug n'Shaz through Julia too.

I'll get to my desk in a moment, but first I'll do as Julia asked and share my Shaz story.  It's short, but no less poignant.  You see, Mr B and me, we're Metallers.  Rockers.  A lil' bit goth and a whole lot pagan.  And we craft.  So you can imagine our delight walking into that first crop and meeting Shaz and Doug for the first time.  Our tribe!  Wonder of wonders!  A like minded soul and an instant friendship. I have wondered if she felt the same... David and Doug got chatting as well, and although Doug is not known for picking up needle and thread or double sided tape and card, I hope he found some company and acceptance from our lot.  Cos Doug n' Shaz were..... Doug n' Shaz.  An entire unit. Shaz also struck me as being the perfect balance between Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg... generous to a fault but I wouldn't have wanted to get on the wrong side of her.  Assuming she had one, I never saw it if she did.  

So, I will stop my maudlin and lachrymose meanderings, pull up my big girl pants and get on with the show.


Welcome back to my desk.  Apologies for not getting round folks last week but, ya know...I will however endeavour to respond to comments from last week in here.

First up - the desk.  A little bit of activity.  There's actually a finished card on there but I hope you'll forgive me not showing it until after the recipient has had it.  It's not the card I really wanted to kick off my non-Christmas card making with, if you follow...


Stitching - well...

Siren's Lament has a teensy bit of work done on it...


The PPSAL has moved on a bit as well, but the reason it's not further along is that I had to unpick the entirety of the border that you saw last week (plus the extra I did after that photo).  I'd forgotten to include the outer framing line before starting the border - and without that it affected the knotwork placement.  As it's supposed to be a direct pair to the turquoise one, I had to address that...


Regarding the problematic two shades of purple thread I had, Lisa-Jane pondered whether or not I could have blended the two colours.  Unfortunately not - this is all stitched with one strand of thread, and although even the single strands of thread are ultimately two ply, I love my sanity more than I love saving money.... 

Especially for Felicia, who was disappointed last week not to see Mr Moose, I made sure I worked on him for you this week and here he is....


He has eyes now!

Eagle-eyed Spyder spotted a "horse and stable" in my desk photo last week.  I think I may have shared photos a long time ago but they bear a second outing here.

My father - who passed away in 2007 - was a toolmaker and mechanical engineer by trade, and a model engineer by hobby.  I know for a fact that had he been alive when "book nooks" became a thing, he'd have been all over them.

He made so many things, and one of those was this little diorama, which I nabbed a couple of years back when Mum moved house and we had to re-home the myriad of trains, buses, cars, dioramas, paint, figures - you name it (and now I know where I get it from).  

So, the stable is not in fact a stable, but a farrier's cot/blacksmiths.   


The lid lifts off, and inside is a whole other world.  

From the other side:


Tools and all sorts!


I love that there is a rusted out bucket just outside by the tap.


And the other side...


It needs a little TLC where the glue has dried out and failed, as do a couple of other items of his that I have, and this is why it’s tucked on the shelf above my desk. When I’ve made the repairs it’s going in my curio cabinet in the dining room.  I shall try to repair them over the coming weeks and share them here.  Dad's most notable achievement was the dolls house he made for my mother in 1997.  I'll save that story for another day, but suffice to say here that she needed a whole room for it... I also have a pair of dolls houses - one of them was the last thing he worked on before he died and Mum had to finish it off.  Again, I'll save those for another time.

Anyway, enough waffle/ramble - I shall love you and leave you, and salute to the fallen....


Happy Hopping!









21 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

Wow Diane that diorama of your late Dad's is simply stunning - what incredible detail. Sorry you had to unpick the border, but it's looking good again. Mr Moose looks a lot more alive with eyes lol. Hugs and best wishes. Stay safe. Sarah #6

Mary Anne said...

Yes, it was clear to all you and your hubby and Shaz and Doug were indeed from the same tribe! How lovely to hear the story. he is missed. Your needlework is looking lovely and your Dad's little diorama is spectacular. Reminds me of the Christmas creche my father in law keeps up all year round, full of odd visitors to the manger, like a whole little table of German beer fest attendees, and a machine gun toting Uncle Buck from the Doonesbury cartoons, and a T-rex, complete with button to produce a ROAR. Look forward to seeing the dolls!

Hugs to all on a sad WOYWW day.
Mary Anne (1)

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi Morti, I’m starting at end with a few comments as it really bedtime.. again.

I remember Doone or Donna and actually met her with Neet, Jozarty, Anne ( last two are not a WOYWWer now, either) in Manchester in 2012, it was a wonderful time of cuppa followed by craft store travels that made my Oz eyes pop, and my pennies spent perhaps! It was impromptu and not crop like as that would’ve been marvellous too.

But yes shed tears over precious Shaz’s passing, too, but grateful for the fact I met her or Doug’nShaz and many at crop 2018.
Wow! is all I can say at your dads art work that I’d treasure too, it’s simply astounding.
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Lunch Lady Jan said...

What a lovely heartfelt tribute to Shaz, I have loved reading everyone’s memories, she meant so much to everyone, albeit in different ways. You’re right in her being between the two witches, lol, kind hearted end generous was the Ogg half and being kick-ass and not suffering fools was the Weatherwax part! I shall miss her more than words can say.
I laughed out loud when I saw the Moose’s expression, the eyes just give him more character. The blues and greens of the other piece are stunning and, once again, I admire your patience!
Hugs LLJ 9 xxx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Really pleased to see those horns held high for Shaz today she'd have loved that so much, sadly I never met her but I know she would have been amongst crowds at festivals at the same time as me & my hubby..
Good to see the moose now has eyes, at least he can see us all looking at him.. the blacksmiths model is fab, what a great things to re-own now.
Stay well & strong Tracey #3 x

Diana Taylor said...

A lovely blog post, hearing about Shaz -she touched a lot of people. Wow, the little blacksmiths is fabulous - I love anything dolls-house and miniature! The moose is looking great and the expression on his face is so cute.
Have a good week,
Diana xx #22

Lindart said...

Wow, your dad was very talented! So much in such a small space! Your desk looks very creative today. Thanks for sharing memories of Shaz, unfortunately I never got to meet her in person, but I felt that I knew her in some way just through WOYWW. Lindart #35

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I didn't know you were a metaller, Diane! How cool! I can see how you bonded over that with Shaz & Doug, as if crafting wasn't enough. The moose looks seriously cute with those beady eyes and I'm amazed at the transition of colour in your other stitch project. I didn't think that was possible to achieve - then again, what do I know about stitching LOL? Your dad's diorama is simply superb - so many little details! - and you're right, book nooks would have been right up his alley! It's a shame they weren't a thing earlier for him to enjoy. Keep well xx zsuzsa #31

Spyder said...

Oh Wow!! I'm so glad I spotted this last week, it's amazing! When I first eyed it (I blew up the picture) I thought, oh that's lovely! I'd have that out of there and somewhere on display, but now seeing it close up I can see it's sooo much more! All that detail! All the tools, horse shoes, buckets with holes in them, the knifetool sharpener (there was one in the stables where I used to live, along with a chaffer, real ones, not little ones!) So much detail! Thank you for sharing the pictures! Your dad was a very tallented dad! Glad the moose has eyes now, he's turning into a very cute character. Thanks for your visit! Stay Safe, keep crafting! WOYWW? ((Lyn)) #13

Lisa-Jane said...

Oh poo, I thought I was being really clever there too! I still haven't managed to get my cross stitch off the frame but I do think of you every time I walk past it. That farrier's hut is absolutely incredible, you must be so proud of his achievements and I'm sure he's proud of yours. Much love on this difficult day, Lisa-Jane #7

glitterandglue said...

Hi Morti. What you have written about Shaz is just beautiful. She will be so very much missed. I think you are not the only one who has been "broadsided"! I imagine many tears have fallen this week. Take care dear girl as you mourn your friend.
Oh, the pain of all that unpicking!! Got the teeshirt on that one - it is frustrating. Loving Mr Moose He is quite a character! As for that blacksmith's... incredible. Your father was amazingly talented - how lovely to have such a piece that he made. The inside is so full of detail.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #29

Felicia said...

Morti!!!!!!!! So, so love that you pulled out Mr. Moose!!! He's coming alive with those eyes now!! And he is toooooo stinking cute!! I just love him and love how he is coming along!! Oh my gosh with the farrier's cot/blacksmith shop! What a piece of art that is!! My biological father, who passed away in 2005 of cancer, used to love that sort of thing! He loved working with "little" come to life pieces of art like that and stayed at the hobby craft stores!! He really was gifted at that. What a treasure that you have that keepsake of his and will be able to display it after you have tinkered with! I am sure it makes you smile every time you look at it!! What a lovely share about Shaz! She will be missed in our community for sure! Blessings to you and stay safe! Felicia #34

Sue Jones said...

Lovely story - thanks for sharing. Your sewing, as always is stunning. I can see where you got your creativity from! Wow!. Sorry I am a bit later getting around. take care xx Soojay 32

Helen said...

Doug & Shaz without Shaz seem unfathomable, don't they! It has knocked me for six too. Love the diorama of your Dad's, what a fabulous thing to have of his. Look forward to the dollshouse.Thank you for your visit and the quote suggestion - it's a very good one, I shall definitely bear it in mind! Take are and stay safe - hope there is no more unpicking of stitches! Helen #2

Heather M said...

Great post, and lovely words about Shaz and Doug. The blacksmith place is stunning - so much detail in it. I feel for you on having to unpick the stitches- I have done the same with some of the crochet blankets I have made recently- spotted a mistake I have made after a few rows and pulled it back to correct it. Take care, Heather xx #19

Chana Malkah said...

My heart goes out to you as you mourn the loss of your friend!

Your father's diorama is awesome!

Be well,
Chana Malkah, #36

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I started off okay today with the visits, walked dogs and went into the cabin and now I don't know where the time went to! Shaz will never have really left us because her blog will keep her alive for us and I can tell you it wont be the last time I pop over there for some ideas when I get stuck, God Bless her. Have a lovely creative woyww, Angela,x18x

Susan Renshaw said...

That diorama is absolutely fabulous!

Lovely tribute to Shaz'n'Doug...

Susan #5

Julia Dunnit said...

Multi tribal, that’s a good way to describe you and Shaz, love that you don’t really fall into just one category. Sweet words for Shaz. I know I’ve seen it before but the work your dear Dad did on the diorama is just amazing, I like the tea pot and cups and the stuff round the back, the sharpening stone and gates waiting for attention or abandoned...so many stories Precious, but still things to be added to the Roundtuit!

Crafting With Jack said...

Your father’s scene is amazing, I should have loved that as a child and even now ! I don’t expect it was meant to be played with. I hope we get to see more of his work. Enjoy your weekend - we are having the jab tomorrow:(. Angela `#21

Shoshi said...

Your dad's diorama is an absolute work of art, and I can't get over the detail... Like you, I love the rusted old bucket! Such attention to detail, and such skill in making it all. Fabulous. No doubt where your creativity comes from, is there. I am glad to see Mr. Moose again this week, and he's beginning to look very splendid! What a blow, having to undo all that border you'd worked on. I've made mistakes like that and you could kick yourself, couldn't you.

What a sad, sad time it is, having lost our beloved Shaz. I shall never forget her kindness.

Have a good week,
Shoshi #25

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