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 579 - except it's Thursday

Oops - missed yesterday.  Intent was there, even took the photo, but then forgot to post!  Doh. Some habits are hard to get back into but it will be there.

Not much has happened this week.  I've progressed somewhat on the Barn Owl cross stitch, and the back for Miss Bs jumper has been finished.  I've now got to work out how to do the sleeves, and connect all the parts together, but I'm more than halfway through and the end is in sight.

Here’s a view from my stitching “desk”:

Home-wise, the car has caused us a major headache - it needs a new radiator and is currently sitting mournfully outside the mechanic's, waiting for the new rad to be delivered and fitted.  Poor old girl - she's done us proud over the last five years, including driving all the way to Umbria and back last year.  I suspect she's protesting now!

Unfortunately the not inconsiderable cost of replacing the radiator means that our plans to go away for a medieval social event next month have had to be cancelled but we will make good use of the time off getting the house a little more sorted, and prepping for a proper event at month-end, when we go to Herstmonceux Castle.

A new phone also became top priority over the weekend but it does mean that Miss B gets my hand-me-down once we've replaced the battery.

That's it, really, in terms of news for this week.  Until next time!

WOYWW 578 - Resurrection Special

Oh my.

I'm not even going to say it.

So let's skip the self-flagellation and say...

HI!!!

I'm back.

There's probably not a lot of point in trying to do a catch up post.  There's a massive amount that has happened in the last two and a half years. In a nutshell...

Finished my CIPD and qualified in Level 5 Human Resource Management - can now put "Assoc. CIPD" after my name.... 

Lil Miss B celebrated her 18th Birthday.  And her 19th.  Almost at her 20th!

Lil Miss B also started University in Exeter.

I changed jobs - twice.

Had an amazing road trip to Italy and Gubbio - stopping off to see the marvellous Donna Garner en route.  Might blog about that in due course.

Moved to Cornwall. 13 months ago.  Still unpacking!

Joined a new Panto society and appeared on stage...

Oh - got two dogs as well.... :)  

I'll probably cover some of this off in future posts.

So what next?  I will, honest injun, do my best to post more often now.  My life is getting back into some semblance of order.  Honestly, after moving it took months for us to locate the pizza cutter, and the coffee percolator, whilst discovered, is still sitting mournfully in its box because we're not sure it needs to be out permanently these days.  There's still loads of boxes to unpack and the house is basically a money pit that needs a lot of time and energy spent on it.

Craft-wise, not an awful lot has been going on.  Actually, I lie.  I'm working on a crocheted pullover for Lil Miss B.  I finally finished my counted thread piece, Cape Breton Christmas, am working on a Blackwork SAL by Peppermint Purple and have dug out an old WIP to finish. 

I've recently finished a set of wedding stationery for a friend who is getting married in November.  Not made any other cards lately (except one, for my new great-nephew's 1st birthday), but my fingers are starting to itch and so the card making bonanza might start up again.  So might the old jewellery biz.

So, stick around.  I've missed spilling my thoughts out and think it's time I started again.


(and for any random blog hopper, WOYWW, or What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday is hosted by the lovely Julia here)

WOYWW 175 - The Big Crop Week....

Woooooooooo...... it's here.....  The Big WOYWW Crop.  Can you imagine a 40 year old woman running around her lounge with her t-shirt pulled up over her head like an over-excited footballer?  No?  Me either.... LOL.... but that's about how excited I am.  I have Doone and Jozart coming to stay which is a scary prospect.  No, that sounds wrong.  It's a daunting prospect, as they are both such amazingly creative people..... will I measure up?  LOL.  I have a secret weapon or two, in the vague shapes of Mr B and Hamish.... hehehehe....


Anyway, you're no doubt here to see my desk, not read my witterings, so without further ado....

Ta dah!

One desk.  Not looking an awful lot different to last week, but I can assure you that Stuff has happened.  And also not happened.  The domino I was working on last week hasn't actually been finished yet, though it will by Saturday.  Providing my screw-eyes turn up.  Funny how you don't always know what you need until the very last minute.

See, we have a finished Christmas card!  I took Janet's recommendation to put in some dark card, and also surmised that I did NOT like the medallion in a base of white, so did it in cream instead.  Added some distress ink to...um...distress it a bit...  and there you have it.

It's also Mr & Mrs B Senior's wedding anniversary this week, so I took advantage of the current Sketch Saturday sketch to make them a card.  Here is the card and there are just a few more deets here.

The quantity of crocheted squares is gradually increasing.  I'm hoping to add a few more colours at some point!  That green, whilst pretty, is a bit dull...

And that's your lot for this week.  By the time we do all this again, we will have had The Crop and eaten lots of yummy things like this....

  

See you in a comments box (or a village hall!) near you....

WOYWW 174 - Happy October!

Wow – where IS the year going? 4 weeks to Halloween..... I’m not even going to count down to Christmas, it would scare me too much!

Well, the reason I’m here, and you’re here, is because it’s a Wednesday and it’s WOYWW.  If you don’t know about it – head here to the Great JD’s desk, where you will find all the deets and Mr Linky.

Once again, not a lot of change from me.  You can the domino I've been working on for The Big Crop, and also a Christmas card.  Yup, a Christmas card.  I'm partly doing it for the Sketch Saturday challenge, and partly because I need to pull my finger out and get making some cards to sell at work.  Yay.  I also did two more squares for the pile this week. This blanket is going to take me a while..... 

None of the bits on the card are stuck down yet (hence the wonkiness) as I'm not sure I'm happy with it.  In fact I'll go so far as to say I'm NOT happy with it and don't know what to do to put it right.  Watch this space...

 Here’s an update on the cross-stitch, for those that are interested...

 And a gratuitous shot of Mr B out with the dogs and me on Saturday...

So, there you, brief as brief can be, or at least my version of it!  Catch you in a comments box near you!

WOYWW 172 - back to the desk....

Hellooo!  Welcome to WOYWW - and if you're clueless as to what I'm on about, head on over to Madame Julia's for all the deets and Mr Linky, should you be of a mind to join in too!

I've joined in again this week.  Not that I have much to report - the desk is tidy, so is the bed!  Wonder of wonders....  The pile of crochet squares is growing, slowly....

This week we had crop, and I managed to sort out two more pages of Project Life, plus a regular 12 x 12 layout.  My apologies for the terrible picture quality - my camera does NOT like taking photos indoors in the evening with flash/without flash. 

  

The cross-stitch hasn't changed at all, so I won't bore you with an update!

Only a month until the big WOYWW crop, and Mrs Julia has said I can do a demo/tutorial on altered dominos.  I'll work out what the heck I'm doing and let you all know, but if you are coming on the big day and want to join in, I would suggest looking for some dominos now.  You want smooth plastic ones (or bone if you find them) in a light cream or white.  There's plenty available very cheaply on ebay if you don't already have some.

 Catch you around!

WOYWW 162 - more Project Life...

Whoa! Where the heck did that week go? Oh, I know. Down the gutter with all the rain. And the country’s hopes, when Andy Murray lost at Wimbledon. Poor old Jonathan Marray though, overlooked as one half of the winning men’s doubles team.

Well, here we are again for another round of WOYWW – prepare thyself to do battle with Blogger, for she verily is a scurrilous knave and somewhat pesky in the posting department.

*shakes head to clear it*

Sorry, not too sure what happened there. LOL

Anyway, for the deets and Mr Linky, head over here.

My desk this week is not that interesting. I’ve not done an awful lot other than have a general push around and call it tidier. Mr Wobbly Man and his sidekick Junior are just hanging about doing not a lot (as per usual, nothing new there), and the tissue box hasn’t actually moved much further forwards. That would be because the Outlaws were here again, with Mr B heading off to the Fairford Air Show with Grandad B. The steampunked/industrialised mask has moved on a little bit further – not a lot, just a little.

I’m really getting into my Project Life though, having completed Week 3 and well on the way to finishing Week 4. At this rate, I will have caught up by the last week of December! (do the maths...). The crochet has taken a little bit of a backseat as it’s starting to set my carpal tunnel off. Mr B wants me to teach him next, so maybe we’ll be able to sit and crochet together – there’s love for you!

Well, we’re hopefully off to a special event on Saturday, weather permitting, and I will make sure I get photos for next week’s WOYWW...

In the meantime – watch out, watch out, there’s a Morti about. See you in a comments box near you!

WOYWW 161 - moving on!

Hellooooo!  Welcome to another WOYWW - honestly, where DOES the time go? Mind you, at the moment it feels like it's November from the miserable wetness outside, although it is still a few degrees warmer.

So.  WOYWW.  If you're not familiar with the term, head on over to Julia's place for all the deets.

As for what's on my workdesk this week - yup, there's a pile of squares.  And you're right, it IS a tissue box I'm working on, but nobody guessed as to what it was going to look like.  It's definitely a WIP as its going to need a couple of coats of paint first, but we're looking good so far!  I see little wobbly man is hanging out in the coffee cup.....tsk

Here's all the squares laid out.  The picture doesn't really do them justice cos it's warped the colours a little - the green is lovely and minty, the grey and the pink look quite 80s but I can assure you there will be other colours!  I'm just working my way through the collection of balls of wool, one ball at a time.  19 squares down, at least another 340 to go....

Also on my desk this week I've managed to complete week two of Project Life.  Hopefully, by next week I should get weeks three and four done too.  I'm starting to get used to working with Adobe Photoshop Elements, as you can see, I can overlay type and the like.  Mind you, I'm using quite a few of Cathy Zielske's templates which help - but my fingers are itching to break out and try my own thang...

Now, onto the small matter of Artstamps at Newbury.  I might be going, I might not.  I was thinking of going, and mooted the idea in JDs direction.  The trouble is, Mr B and Grandad B are off to the big air show that's on (RAF Fairford, I think), which leaves Lil Miss B and Grandma B at home with me.  Now, if Grandma and Lil Miss go shopping, it's going to leave yours truly in charge of the hounds, which I can't take with me.  Plus I have very little Moolar at the moment.  So, chances are, I'm not going so I'm sorry if anyone was getting their hopes up!

Ok, enough waffle, on with the hop!  See you in a comments box near you....



WOYWW 160....another week goes by....

A high speed post from me today!  I waffle far too much for you all to read it and move onto the next desk, so I promise to be brief(er) today.  If you don't know what I'm talking about... go visit Julia @ Dunnit Dimensions.

On my desk this week are the beginnings of project I've been considering for some time.  Years perhaps.  But sometimes it can take that long for an idea to develop, and then the right recipient comes along and BAM! off you go.  That's what this week's desk is all about.  You might get some hints from the bits on it.  Little Wobbly Man thought he'd help out this week.

I've also finally finished week 1 of Project Life - yay, go me! - and we're only at...what... week 26 of the year?  I'll get there.  Meanwhile, if any of you out there know anything about Adobe Photoshop Elements, maybe you can help me suss out why it's printing images smaller than the size I specify on the canvas or image...

You'll be pleased to know that the spare "desk" is a bit clearer this week, and the pile of granny squares is getting taller - not that I remembered to take a picture of them though.

 See, I can be brief!  Catch you in a comments box near you!

WOYWW 159.... a new angle...

Hello fellow WOYWWers!  Happy Wednesday to you all.  I hope you are all fine and well and prepared to bare all in the name of crafting science.  Or WOYWW, to be more precise.  LOL

I managed to get round a few of you last week - I've jumped on the band wagon and taken to visiting those who have the same second number as me - and it's taken me to a few blogs I've not seen before.  V cool idea, whoever first thought of it.

If you're not familiar with WOYWW, well, you need to go say hi to Mrs Dunnit at Dunnit Dimensions where all will be revealed and you can either just bloghop or add your own desk for us to gawk at admire.

Firstly, this piece of lusciousness is my ATC from Doone - which on the back is addressed to "The Eye of Morti" - heheheheheh.  More chucklesome was the cartoon of the dead car on the envelope.... I LOLled at that for sure...

Next, here are three lovely ATCs I received from Zoe, Lavinia and Ros A - Ann B, I'm sorry hun, I got a bit muddled when I said I'd had yours.  You must think I'm a loon.  I'm sure it's en route!  I think there are a few out there in the ether on their way to me as there's another one coming from foreign climes.  I hope folks liked the fun ones I sent out.  Not quite my usual standard, but a bit of fun nonetheless.  I have one left that hasn't yet been earmarked - so please, first person with their hand up?

My desk this week?   Oh dear......

And let's be honest, the space behind it on the bed isn't any better now, is it?  Oops indeed.

I have new stash on that bed somewhere, after visiting both Paper Arts in Stroud (Hi Ladies!  I'm the one with the enthusiastic partner!) and Snazzy Stamping in Swindon (Yay, someone who'll have my self-adhesive aluminium in 3 months' time!) when we went to Gloucester to look at a car.  I see that someone didn't put away the paper after wrapping up a father's day gift, and I'm not entirely sure which of the two potential culprits it was!

However, I am suitably chuffed to announce that I have another desk too.  Years and years ago, I tried to learn how to crochet, only to fail miserably.  Squares?  Hah!  More like rhombuses, with all different length sides etc.  I gave up very quickly cos tension wasn't working for me.  I never tried it again.

That is, until last Wednesday evening.

Over a year ago I was given a mahoosive amount of knitting wool, as my friend's mother had died leaving lots of wool and neither he nor his girlfriend, nor anyone else in his family, could knit.  I figured I needed to make something for their kids but having failed on the jumper front (and kids don't half grow fast!) I wanted to make something they could keep.  My own Grandmother knitted a kerjillion squares to make the blanket I still use to this day, and so I thought I'd do the same.  Only I wanted something that would grow a little faster. 

So last Wednesday, I took the bull by the horns (or should I say, wool by the hook?) and with grim determination, taught myself to crochet a basic granny square.  To say I'm over the moon with the success of it, is an understatement.  I can only do one square a night, simply because any more than that will set my carpal tunnel off, but that's fine by me.  See you here this time next year, cos I figure it will take that long to make enough squares.  But here are my first six.   Yay!

Ah... I hear Miss Julia knocking on my window, to complain that I'm taking too much of your time up with my waffle!  Best be heading off - maybe I'll bump into you in a comments box near you!  Might not be today - might be next Tuesday, but I'll do my best to slide by.....  Ta-ra!