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Wednesday 30 December 2020

WOYWW 604 - Betwixtmas again...

Good morning, Lovely WOYWWers!  Welcome to the Wednesday blog hop, hosted by our equally lovely Julia.  You can find all the deets and other desks here.  Do join in if you haven't done so previously!


This week my desk is dull, much like the weather down here in Cornwall.  Nothing to report as being "in action" on it so to speak.


This year I will be re-instigating "Rudolph Day".  I'm painfully aware that some folks didn't get a card from me at all (hangs head in shame) let alone a handmade one (hangs whole of body in shame) and this is partly due to the year we had and the state the office/craftroom has been in.  Equally of importance is the complete lack of inspo and simply being out of practice!  I did manage to make a whole four cards for my Vampires (my Myth & Magic Stitch Wars team mates) and I think most of them have arrived by now but as two were going to the States, and they are having terrible postal trouble out there, I've a feeling at least one is still in transit.

I did two different designs...




Sorry, I digress.  Rudolph Day.  What this basically means, for those that haven't heard of it before, is that on the 25th of each month in 2021 (December excluded) I will sit and make a handful of Christmas cards, ready for Xmas 2021.  I know.  Terribly organised of me!  I do however feel that it's the only way to be organised enough as I can get far too easily sidetracked.  My patronus is a Sloth, you know.

I've even started a Christmas journal - not for diary keeping but to keep a record of to whom I've sent cards, who I've received from, what presents I bought for people.  Oh, and what we ate.  That way, next year I've got a record to look back on and to help ensure I don't double up on gifts.  And that at the very least, everyone who sent us a card gets one back.  Especially if they didn't get a card this year! oops.  I know that's not necessarily the spirit of the whole thing - no-one expects a card in return for sending one, and I certainly don't, but that's just how I roll.

I was going to say that I didn't receive a single item of craft related goodness this year, but I've just realised that is a lie.  Kat, one of my Vampires, sent a skein of Caron Wildflowers thread as a little gift.  It's rather poignant though - it came from her Grandmother's stash which Kat inherited, and she's said that she'll never use it all and thinks her Grandmother would approve of it being passed to another stitcher.  I've decided I'm going to make some simple blackwork Christmas ornaments with it.



Speaking of blackwork - the 2020 sampler is almost done.  I'm just finishing off the border which is now more than half complete, and then it can be washed and framed.  Peppermint Purple are doing a companion SAL for 2021 and I ummed and ahhed over whether or not to do it but have been duly enabled by Mr Morti to join in.  I'm just waiting for my fabric to arrive, and can then start it.  I'm going with purple thread for 2021.  There's a surprise.... hehehehe.


The Barn Owl was finally framed....


.... but I was unable to deliver as anticipated on the 20th December.  Essex was one of the areas that was placed into Tier 4 on that day, and our Round Robin trip to Essex and other areas in the south east for drop offs and pickups had to be very much truncated to just Exeter and Bournemouth for dropping off presents. It did mean that we didn't have to leave until about 9:30am, instead for 5am, and we were home by 10pm rather than 2am!  Rather civilised.  However, we still need to do the run as aside from the Barn Owl, I completed the silver memorial jewellery and that also needs dropping off, and we have a large oak overmantle to collect and pickled onions to deliver.  Santa ain't done yet...

The jewellery I made.....


There were 5 in total - the other four said "Nannie", and each had the deceased's birthstone alongside the recipient's birthstone, as a Swarovski crystal.



Morti Jr also got an Arctic fox charm, handmade by yours truly...




I did start another cross stitch in the run up to Christmas - A Christmas Moose, by Panna.  Haven't got very far but I will continue working on him so he's framed and up next year.  


What it’ll look like when done...

I also finally finished Morti Jnr's jumper.  It's taken me a good couple of years, but it's done.  It's also waaaaay too big, but she has professed that she likes a big slouchy jumper.  


I think the wool I used was more stretchy than that in the original, and I've never much been one for a tension test.  LOL.  I have different wool to crochet one the same for me, but I think I'm going to wait awhile on that.  Too many other projects on the go!  However, I will be doing a tension square with that wool...

So, that's that for now.  I think this is plenty long enough without boring you on all the current plans for the next year.  Watch this space for more crafting loveliness!  Also, I wish you all a most excellent 2021, although the dreaded C***d isn't going away so please do all take care of yourselves...

Happy hopping!

14 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

Love all the projects Diane - so good to finally 'meet' you during the crop zooms earlier. I believe we will be in Tier 4 shortly too. Hopefully with the roll out of the Oxford vaccine there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Love the idea of a purple blackwork piece for 2021. Stay safe, happy WOYWW and Happy New Year. Sarah #9

Helen said...

Well done delivering at least some of Christmas! I hope it's not too long before you can do the rest - although I fear it may be a while! I love the start of your new cross stitch - or at least I love what it is going to turn into. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year, stay safe. Helen #5

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Two things made me hoot - the Rudolph crock stitch pattern and the fact that your patrons is a sloth!! Lolol :-D. The barn owl is finished so beautifully and the frame is a great choice it really suits it. But the charms are fantastic and my fav, you did such a great job, I bet the recipients will be thrilled.
Happy New Year to all at Morti Towers!
Hugs LLJ 2 xxx

Crafting With Jack said...

Some fabulous projects there, but I love the moose. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year Angela #14

Mary Anne said...

You do make me smile. I love the Rudolph Day idea - and frankly, I need it. As a Yank, we tend not to even CONSIDER Xmas until Black Friday - which is why I am always in a state of chaos by the 2nd week in December.
Love the necklaces - and the cross-stitch!
Happy (almost) 2021!
Mary Anne (6)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Beautiful projects shared what a great year of creativity you have had. The post has held on to quite a few of my makes and cards that I have sent but they will get there in the end, the postal service have been working extra hard this year. I did smile about the jumper as my MIL has yet to finish one for my Hubby 5 years on, so well done.. I do love a slouchy jumper.
All the best for 2021 & Happy WoywW Tracey #7 xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh well done Miss Morti, you have intentions and a clear desk. Love the green and yellow that the paintbrushes betray too...nice! Rudolf day. Blimey good for you, I’ve often thought that on balance you need to make 8 on each 25th to make it a useable bunch. So then, before you get to the 25th, you need to decide beforehand on the style, inks, blah blah so that you can get going rather than faff and delay and such. And when I say ‘you’, I mean ‘I’. Of course!! I LOVE the moose pattern, it’s fab. So is the jumper, however long it took, great job!!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi, hope you will forgive me for being so late this week. Sending New Year hugs and happy belated woyww wishes, Angela x17x

BJ said...

Think I was in a similar boat with the Christmas cards, think it all gets a bit much sometimes. Used to do Rudolph day on my craft group so knew straight away what that was, hope you achieve your aim. Love the heart/wings very special. Happy New Year BJ#10

Shoshi said...

Wow, Morti, where to begin? Every picture on this post made me gasp - your work is utterly fantastic! Those absolutely beautiful Christmas cards that have a Victorian flavour, and your stunning jewellery. I am assuming this is made from silver clay? The wildflower thread is so lovely and reminds me of the hand-dyed yarns and threads done by Steff Francis. I always visit her stand at craft shows. The colours are beautiful, and I can't wait to see how you use it. As for your blackwork sampler, I am blown away by this - so delicate and intricate! The Celtic style border is absolutely right for the project and gives it just the right finish. I am positively drooling over this piece of embroidery... and your barn owl, too, now so beautifully framed! And the moose! What an unusual image. You are going to have so much fun over that one. The smoke from the chimneys looks amazing, and I love the shading on his nose. Just beautiful... I'm glad Morti Jr is pleased with her enormous jumper lol! I have to confess to being an inveterate tension checker - essential when you make your own designs. I like the idea of a fillet crochet jumper - definitely an idea to put on the back burner to try sometime.

Happy belated WOYWW and happy New Year,
Shoshi #25

Caro said...

I always love a desk poised for action. The cards are gorgeous and I love all the needlework. So fantastic. Happy belated WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. Praying for a happy and blessed New Year for you and yours. With love & God Bless. Caro x (#16)

Susan Renshaw said...

Love that Arctic fox!
Happy WOYWW!
Stay safe and keep well!
Update on here in Victoria – after more than two months with no Covid cases we now have a handful again…
Susan #15
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!


Chana Malkah said...

Happy New Year!

Impressive work!

Sorry for the late visit.

Stay well and be safe!
Chana Malkah, #1

Morti said...

Bizarrely, not yellow! That was anew , unused brush! You’re right about the green though. 😊

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