What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
I’ve been busy doing some more drawings from my Florabunda book.
I’ve done three small drawings of potted arrangements of flowers, leaves and pods. This is the original drawing. As usual, I scanned it into the computer, and transferred it to the iPad where I tidied up the drawings using the Procreate drawing app.
I printed out three sheets of the drawings in my 3 3/4 inch squares template and painted them with gesso. The outer two are done with clear gesso, and the middle one with white. In the end, I preferred these particular designs done with the clear.
I lightly sanded all the sheets and cut them into squares, using the printed guidelines. They were now ready for the backgrounds.
As before, I used Distress Oxides for this. I began with the second of the three designs, with the pods in a terracotta pot.
As I did before, I used a fine wet brush to lift the background colour from the drawings themselves, in readiness for colouring with my Tombow pens. Here are the completed drawings of this particular design, with slight variations in the colour scheme. I wanted to keep the colours fairly muted and subtle for this one, in keeping with the dead seed pods.
I am thrilled with how the Distress Oxides work for backgrounds for my drawings. I love the texture and colours, and the gorgeous chalky effect you get with them. Each one has also been inked around the edges with Distress Inks.
Knitting
Remember this? This is one of my UFOs. It is based on a Kaffe Fasset design and I’ve been working on it for at least 2 years!! I thought it was time I got on with it again.
This week I finished the front – it was nearly done, but I needed to draft the pattern for the neckline.
New Stash
Blocking mats for knitting
I ordered these from Amazon. I have always blocked my knitting on the carpet with dressmaking pins. This is very inconvenient and uncomfortable to do, and you can’t walk on that bit of carpet, either! The only members of the family who enjoyed going on the blocked knitting was the kitties. I suppose they did help to flatten the knitting somewhat.
These new mats have dovetail-like joins which keep them together and you can arrange them in any configuration you want. You have to push them together quite firmly, which means they don’t easily fall apart. They are thick enough and firm enough not to warp under tension and stay together well, so that you can prop them up against the wall while they are doing their stuff. They have 1-inch grids on them to make blocking to the correct measurements easy. They come in a useful zip-up storage case with a compartment for storing the pins. I think they are going to prove invaluable, and I can already see other uses for them as well.
Next week I shall have some more new knitting stash to share with you. It should be delivered later this week.
Kitties and the Garden
We’ve had some lovely warm sunny days this week, so we’ve been eating our lunch outside at the table in the patio outside the flat. In the summer it gets too hot to sit there in the middle of the day so we decamp to the top of the garden, but for now, it’s ideal. My hubby got the umbrella out. We bought this at the Devon County Show last year after humming and ha-ing over them several years running, and decided that this time we definitely would get one! I’ve never seen such pretty garden umbrellas.
Of course, the kitties come to join us. They love being in the garden in sunny weather. Here’s a montage of Ruby rolling about on the steps.
Lily keeping in the shade, sitting on my hubby’s jumper.
Indoors, the wool box is now completely out of favour. Neither of them has been in it for over a week! We weren’t sure if they were trying to make up their minds whether my hubby’s hat would be the next favourite place. Lily tried it first, and was soon joined by Ruby.
His jumper on the bed was also favoured. They do like to be “on” something!
That includes us, of course. Here is my hubby, struggling to read his book.
Food
Recipe of the week
I changed the recipe slightly. I substituted celeriac for celery because I hate celery! I diced the celeriac and carrots finely, and cooked them in the microwave before making up the recipe. Also, I used a little dried dill because I didn’t have any fresh. If you didn’t have miso paste, you could always use Marmite. I used my usual favourite supermarket wraps which contain whole grains. We both agreed that this was a totally, totally delicious dish! Definitely one to join the Favourites list. It is also extremely easy to make.
We are continuing as before with the lockdown. It is so lovely having my hubby around all the time and we are so enjoying the time together in the garden, watching TV, enjoying good food together. He was thrilled that just before the lockdown, our local library allowed people to keep lots of books out until November! So he’s got plenty of reading material. He is working on various garden projects but has come to a standstill with the water feature because the pump he got from Ebay didn’t fit, and he’s waiting for another one. He has now mended the sundial which got broken in the storm, and we set it up together so that it read the correct time! He has now glued the metal part onto the concrete pedestal so it won’t blow off again. Our primrose bank continues to look absolutely gorgeous, with more violets than ever, between the primroses. He is popping out to pick up bits of shopping we need, and also cleaning the house for me!
I hope everyone is staying well, and coping with the lockdown, whatever your home situation is. I do recognise how blessed we are to have our own personal space in our house, and our lovely garden, and my heart goes out to those families all packed into apartments with no respite, and for those who are alone, who are feeling lonely and isolated, and probably afraid. This is such an unusual situation and even the powers that be do not know what the full outcome of it will be once the lockdown is over. Everyone must continue to do their best. Keep smiling, and keep creating!
What a gorgeous garden umbrella Shoshi. I expect it was a well considered purchase but it is beautiful. Love the latest drawings. Have you found Barbara Gray’s doodle videos from the SHAC shack on YouTube? She goes live every weekday morning on FB (Clarity page) and shares the videos later each day for those that have missed them. I imagine it would be right up your street. Meow to Ruby and Lily, stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #?
The colours in your knitting and umbrella are beautiful. But the photo of the kitties and husband balancing a book while reading is priceless. Stay safe and keep creating.
Sandra de @14
Hi Shoshi. Those drawings are lovely – well done. Ruby and Lily are certainly enjoying life!! It’s not safe to leave anything around in your house, is it?! Glad you are both managing during this new, strange, normal. I admit that I go sit in the garden and there is absolute silence apart from the bird song – glorious!!! I am loving this new slower pace.
Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #4
I am always impressed that you go that extra mile with your gorgeous creations. I too love your garden sun shade – how pretty. Take care of yourself and continue to enjoy time at home Soojay#16
Love that umbrella, a real feel good item, makes me smile looking at the photo of it.
Well done on re-starting the knitting, something to show for the lockdown isn’t it? I have lots more crostitching WIPs, might manage to get round to finishing a few more!!
Stay safe and take care
Love
Christine #29
Wow Shoshi, that umbrella! I have never seen such a gorgeous one before – Oh I’m in love!! Your drawings look fabulous and must be so much fun to design – you’ve ended up with a very professional look to them too. I love the pictures of the kitties and hubby and I had a real laugh at them both trying to fit on your husbands hat! I was telling my friend about your wonderful ‘safe’ garden for the kitties and she is going to try something similar – she hadn’t really thought it was possible but I told her I’ve seen it done!
Hope you have a lovely week and get loads of enjoyment from that stunning umbrella!
Diana x #12
Your florabunda drawings are stunning and I love the way you have adapted them and coloured them. Gorgeous photos of the kitties – wish I could have a cuddle. Happy WOYWW. Stay safe and take care. With love and God Bless, Caro x (#25)
your garden looks fabulous! my grass slopes and is nearly always in the shade so it doesn’t make for easy sitting out (I have been perching on a brick wall ) You are right, I really do miss Kew (although i will be so out of condition from not walking much when I go back) They have been sharing some photos and videos which kind of helps but makes me miss it more! have a good week Helen ‘2
Oh wow lots to comment on this week!! First those coloured drawings turned out really well – so soft and delicate. The knittin glooks interesting, nice colours. However I have no idea what blocking is but that sure looks like a neat bit of kit. The umbrella is GORGEOUS and would actually go with the huge beach throw we bought to go on our wicker sofa. (It has an elephant!!) Kitties gorgeous as ever (why do they do that weird sitting on something that’s often too small thing?) and the wraps look delish. Glad you are managing to stay safe and enjoy rather than endure this awful time. Stay Safe, Stay well, Happy WOYWW Cindy #18
Your umbrella is so fun! Love your drawings and the coloring! Fun knitting, too! But your kitties got my attention quickly! I miss ours but haven’t gotten another.
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Carol N #30
Those flower drawings are so delightful, Shoshi! And I just love how you coloured them with a vintage feel. Love your umbrella too – would have caught my eye as well – I bet it wasn’t cheap though as it’s not mass produced. What a lovely spot of whimsy in your garden. Kitties looking cute as ever – I bet they keep you entertained all day. The rach wraps look really y and healthy too! Glad you’re keeping well in lockdown – it can’t last forever – I’m enjoying the silverlinings, of which there are quite a few! Keep safe xx zsuzsa #20
Beautiful art work and looks like someone’s making the most of the nice weather and that includes the kitties. Have a lovely creative woyww, Angela x17x
We bought Alan a ridiculously pink and covered in dangly things garden umbrella for her big 50, they are just very cheering aren’t they, very happy to see you made the right purchasing decision! Love the seed pod pictures, I think that DO background is spot on; despite my complaints about the original DIstress Inks coming in seven shades of wee wee, I wouldn’t be without Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain, they are super colours for distressing. The lovely weather is certainly making lockdown more bearable for those of us with gardens.
Hi Shoshi, lots of fab pics. The artwork looks gorgeous. Loving the umbrella, how much fun is that? The kitties do seem to be enjoying themselves, ans smiling at hubby trying to read whilst the kitties sleep. Have a lovely week, Stay safe, Hugs, Shaz #11 X
Hi there Shoshi
Well on my mobile not iPad so pob can comment ok.
I’m past bedtime6alreafy so you’re ladt for tonight. I just hope WordPress doesn’t spam me again..?!
Amazed at your wee ATC size Oxide paintings they’re gorgeous!!
Love garden and that brolly is a real beauty!
Kitties gorgeous as usual, and love you wraps, I’m really into wraps at mo as fiubd one my tummy likes its organic and not cheap but work so thats great.. remember your knitting too!
Sorry for late visit! ?
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love, in these changeable times. For as Paul said: “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x #34
{Wonderful Words of Life – Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards – Shaz in Oz}
Your garden umbrella is gorgeous as are you colourings. You have given me a new perspective on colouring books, normally I only think of colouring in terms of pencil crayons or pens. Your blog is a real kitty fest,and `I am glad as they are so lovely. Your husband reminds me of what I do when I have my puppy on my lap – go out of my way to accommodate her. Blogger is playing up, I have had 3 error messages after commenting, I forgot to make a note of who they were so I shall have to check tomorrow?.
Stay safe, x Angela #38
Hi Shoshi, sorry for the late visit. I am so in love with your umbrella – I actually had a wander down the garden and looked at mine to see if I could somehow colour it, but I don’t think so. We have a smaller umbrella for our patio set at the top of the garden, so I might experiment with that. The florabunda prints are beautiful, and the distress ink backgrounds are perfect for them. I never think to copy the drawings and print them out to colour – that way you get to colour them many times – so simple, yet something I never thought of. The cats look so comfy sitting on your husband, whilst he’s trying to read. They blend in very well with the jumper he is wearing, I almost missed them. It is lovely having a nice garden to sit in whilst we are inmates – I agree with you, it must be very difficult for those without any outdoor space. I’ve ordered a new potting shed so I can potter in there and grow things myself, rather than spend the crazy money on plants that we have done for the last couple of years. Have a lovely week and stay safe and well, Heather xx #28
Morning Shoshi, what a fabulous umbrella I just knew you would have brought it from a fair or quaint little shop in Devon, as we have spoken previously about me holidaying as a child in Teignmouth three or four times a year I know it’s where my Boho love evolved. I only have to look at those patterns and they ooze freedom and fresh air to me.. beautiful.
How clever to get even more out of your florabunda book you could easily form great decoupage by doing this, I love fussy cutting. Your knitting mat looks very interesting, is it made of foam so you can stick pins into it? Sorry if this sounds silly but not being a knitter i’m trying to understand and read between the lines here hee hee.. If it is made of foam I have a few mats made of the same that I use for embroidery and jewellery making, invaluable to me with their grid system.
Hope the sun continues to shine down your way Shoshi for you Hubby & the Kitties to enjoy.
Stay safe & take care Tracey #3 xx
ooh lovely plant toppers, they worked out really well. Kaffe knitting is looking fab, love his work (he was my friends teacher many years ago) and wow to that umbrella easily the nicest one I have seen.
Thanks for your comments on my blog, especially about the vegan afternoon tea, yes baking is not as often as I lost 50lb and have kept it off for 4 years now so we are measured in what we eat (we only tend to eat home cooked food and we are both vegan) but still sweet stuff, nibbles and cake are all nice though! Seeing your chickpea dish reminds me we often do a coronation chickpea (curry powder, yogurt, mango chutney and sultanas) as a sandwich/wrap filling or even a salad side.
Hope you have been having a great week
kyla