WOYWW 609 - February just slidin' in...

Happy WOYWW day, fellow bloghoppers!  All the usual deets are over here at the fabulous Mrs Dunnit's blog, if you have no idea what I'm talking about.  Not sure any random humans stop by any more, but heigh ho!

So, the desk this week looks much the same as last week.  I've not touched it at all.  So much so, I’ll just insert last week’s photo! LOL

But, that's cos we're still on stitchy duty with Siren's Lament :

And oh, woe was me on Monday night!  It had all been going along swimmingly, and then.... this....

Two near identical symbols (asterisk and sun) which despite a good light and a pair of magnifying readers, I got muddled up with.  

So I frogged some stitches - fortunately not many - and tried again, and made the same mistake but in a slightly different place and fewer stitches this time.  Definitely said "fudge it" a few times - and decided I actually would and no-one would notice if three stitches were steel grey instead of grey-green.

After that I dusted off my tablet, and loaded the charts into Pattern Keeper - a mysterious but genius app that allows you to zoom in, and pan, and highlight and mark off and KEEPS COUNT FOR YOU.  Oh happy day!  Wonder of wonders... It's been sat on my tablet for a good year, and I've been a bit "pish!  old school!  not cross stitch if you don't mark off in pencil on a paper chart!" since getting it and hadn't tried it.  Tonight I spent a few minutes marking off the 4,265 stitches (go me) already completed (didn't take as long as I feared it would), and tomorrow I'm ready to embark into 21st century stitching.  What an idiot not to have done it sooner!

Christmas Moose is looking a little pathetic by comparison - but he has received some love this week:

As has Dracula.  Nearly done!

I'm joining in with some other stitchers on March Mayhem, where we pick something a bit crazy to do during March.  Some are only working on WIPS, some are playing WIPGO (like bingo, but with works in progress), others are starting a new project every day.  Me, I'm going to work on my Mill Hill Kit Mountain - I have 16 small ornament kits and they keep multiplying, so I'm determined to bring that number down.  More on that come March!

In the meantime - keep well, keep smiling, do your very best to keep sane, and.....

Happy Hopping!

WOYWW 608 - and January comes to a close...

Good morning my fellow lovely WOYWWers!  Welcome back to the Mad Ramblings blog, and to another Wednesday's post.  For all the details head over to The Stamping Ground here where our lovely Julia will have all the deets....

So!  This week, progress on many fronts.

If you remember from a couple of weeks back, I mentioned Rudolph Day.  Well, that was two days ago and...ta-dah!  Two Christmas cards.

Second one is a more modern style...

Might not seem like much, but it's kind of a big deal here. Now to keep it going.

So, the desk itself is showing signs of a creativity aftermath - or craftermath as I've seen it referred to elsewhere.  LOL

Stitching wise, we have a lot of progress.  The spoon has gone home to the memorial maker.  Finished off the rose, added a few twisty vines and some freehand embroidery to look like handwriting at the bottom.

(If you're really interested, I have a Flosstube here where you can watch me being an idiot on YouTube)

Christmas Moose has moved on a little....

And we have started a Mill Hill charmed ornament, Dracula.   Hehehehehe.

The big movement is on the HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs) project, Siren's Lament.

I really disliked how untidy it looked, doing full cross stitches on such tiny fabric.  So, I swapped out to doing just tent stitch (half crosses) and am much happier with the result.  And as you can see, major progress.  I should get it completed in double time as well!

So the next couple of weeks will be about getting down to stitching and other creativity, see if I can't shift some of the lurking projects that are around.

Oh - and Morti Jr sent me a photo of her in her jumper, for me to share with you ladies...

Happy Hopping!

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!

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!

WOYWW 600 - The Big Anniversary Edition

Welcome back to What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - the weekly blog hop hosted by our lovely Julia here.  Do go and have a look at the other busy desks and workstations being presented as part of the hop!

And what a hop it is today!  600 editions.  SIX HUNDRED.  A quick review of my blogging history and I'm embarrassed to admit that I've only been present for 165 of those 600, scattered across time, with my first WOYWW post being made on 12 August 2010 - WOYWW #62!  for those weeks I didn't join in, the WOYWW clan were never far from my thoughts though, I have to admit.  Time between posts sometimes flew, and I never realised how much time had passed until I sat down to blog again.

In that time I've remarried, and moved house 4 times too. Hopefully settled in my latest dwelling and looking forward to the next 600 WOYWWs (hehehehehe).

So a huge congrats to the great Mrs D and her wonderful hop, which has inspired and encouraged me, and given me some friendships which will last a lifetime and cross countries and continents!  Love you, lady.

On with the hop...

Today's desk is back to normal.  A mess.  Miss B has been staying for a few days as it's the only chance she'll have before Yule/the holidays to visit.  Some much needed R&R for her and a chance to catch a beat before the Xmas rush at work.  And get floof therapy.  So 'stuff' from around the house has been deposited in what is deemed the only free space... huh.

We also put the Christmas tree up, so that's another reason for my office/playroom becoming a dumping ground.

The blackwork is nearly caught up - I'm only a couple of weeks behind (three as of this morning) and I'm about ready to start on the border as well.  The Christmas Moose is also on the frame but not photographed.

On another frame is a spoon - this is from the Medicine Spoon Memorial - a planned art installation to memorialise the women persecuted and killed as part of the witch hunts. Do go and visit here for more info. I’m not yet decided on how I’m decorating my spoon but I’m sure it’ll involve needlework. 

And that's it for the moment!  Short but sweet.  I'm working on some memorial jewellery for a friend - 5 pendants.  Sadly my friend lost her mother very early on in the first wave of Coronavirus, like so many people, and she wants some handwriting jewellery for herself, her two daughters and her nieces.  Must crack on with it and get them done before Christmas.

I am determined to get round everybody today, and hopefully we'll see a few familiar faces pop up and join in from back in the day - a reunion of sorts.  A virtual gathering is indeed planned - and when we can eventually meet up in person, t'will be a joyous occasion.

Happy WOYWW, Happy Hopping, and...

See you on the hop!

WOYWW 446

Don’t faint....

No, really.  Please don’t. 

You’re likely to break or spill something. 

I know - it’s been a while since I was last here. Six months, in fact.  But I couldn’t let a Christmas slide by without wishing my fellow WOYWWers all the greetings of the season. May it be a happy one for all of you!

Me? It’s been a bit of a busy year with the old CIPD Studies (hence not joining in with WOYWW). And work. Work has been....hard work. Data cleansing around 1,500 staff members’ details and uploading them to new HR database software. I’ve estinated it to be around 200,000 individual pieces of info by the time I’ll have finished. And then what?  Who knows?  My current contract is due to end mid-March, so we’ll see which way the wind blows me. 

Creatively it’s been a bit quiet but I am actually working on one of my seasonal favourites - a Mill Hill Charmed ornament.... getting to be a bit of a tradition, it is!

So, brightest blessings to you all!  Hope to see you all around in the New Year!

WOYWW 394.... oh, go ON then..... It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Everywhere you go...

Huzzah!  Christmas is officially here.

But first let me say - Happy Solstice/Yule to you all.  May the turning of the year bring you all you wish for the future...

 

So, back to business - it's Wednesday, which means it's WOYWW (the deets are here), and we're all getting together in the ether to show off the general mess and mayhem that is our creative spaces.  An honest look at life as a crafter, rather than just showcasing our beautiful work in glossy pics (thought we do that too!), we share the blood, sweat and tears that go into making them.

 

Although you'd be forgiven for thinking that I've used last week's photo!  Nothing has changed at the Morti Station.  The surroundings have moved about a bit and there's something that looks suspiciously like a bauble made of card to hang from the ceiling...  Pinterest....

 

I was at a crop last Saturday, in St Leonards (Dorset), with Craft Obsessions.  That's my friend Noreen on the left there.

 

 

I'm not sure why our Julia was surprised about me having Project Life on my desk a couple of weeks ago, as I've been doing scrapbooking for a while!  However, I used this opportunity to finish off one beading item that I've half shown before, and start another...

 

 

So here's the finished star tassel (Spellbound Beads kit) I shared the star of a couple of weeks ago - you can see from the pic above that it has little stars dangling from it - the pic below isn't quite so clear on that point!

 

 

And the other item I had just started above is shown finished below - a peyote stitch triquetra.  It is supposed to be one half of a pair of earrings for Lil Miss B (don't worry, she doesn't read my blog!) but they worked out to be so large, I don't think she'll ever wear them!  So instead I'm going to offer her a choice.  Earrings, or a pendant, or a brooch maybe.  Or perhaps even a decoration for her Christmas tree - her's is black with red decorations on, so it'll fit in perfectly. She loves triquetras and triskeles!

 

Following on from last week's giggle over baubles in hats, I shared on FB for Shazsilverwolf's benefit these photos of the actual "ornaments" in hats.... did I say we were nutters in this house...?

And lastly, here's another treat from Pinterest - I fell in love with these on that website, and just had to do my own.  I've not lit it, but I do like it!  It's a Liliput Lane house from my collection inside...

 

So cute!

Soooo - happy Christmas to you all.  I hope you all keep well and sane over the next week, and I'll see you back here for the Betwixtmas issue.  I might post on Xmas day, to save my own sanity, as we have all the Crumblies with us (David's parents, and my Mum!).

Happy Hopping!