What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
You haven’t seen my workdesk recently. This is the reason. Chaos with a capital C.
The main problem is the banana boxes on the right. They contain my knitting yarns and they live on a high shelf (out of shot) and I don’t want the huge effort of putting them back until I’m sure I don’t want to take anything else out of them, or put anything back, from my knitting UFOs (UnFinished Objects). The rest of the Chaos is a result of my usual habit of using my studio as a dumping ground when I’m not really using it.
The main reason for not using it at the moment is that a) my UFOs have been mostly stuff I can work on in the sitting room and b) I am now working on…
Tiny Carpets
These are the cross-stitch oriental rug designs I am working on, to make some needle books. I blogged about the beginning of this project last week.
I have made very good progress, and have now finished the front of the first of the needle books. Here’s the chart for this tiny carpet.
I began by mapping out the basic design.
I had planned to work outwards from the centre (usually the best method with cross-stitch) but once I knew I’d got everything counted properly, I worked on the border…
then filled in the “lozenges” and put in the additional embellishments…
… here I am working on it in the garden under the shade of the umbrella while enjoying a nice cup of tea…
and finally filled in the background. Here’s the finished tiny carpet for the front of the first needle book.
The yellow running stitches to the left of the motif (just visible) are a guide showing how thick the “hinge” has to be to go around the book pages.
I had some trouble with both thread and needles. I started off using two strands of stranded cotton and soon realised it was too thick, and the stitches were distorting the fabric, so I used a single strand. The trouble is, with this 22-count Aida fabric, one strand isn’t quite enough to give full coverage and there are tiny white spots showing between the stitches. There doesn’t seem to be anything to be done about this and I hope in time, with a bit of wear and tear, the threads will spread a bit and fill any little gaps. (Perhaps I’m too much of a perfectionist!) The other problem was with my tapestry needles. I looked up the ideal size of needle for different fabric counts, and it said size 28 for 22 count. I only had two size 28 needles (the finest ones) and they both broke! Apparently this is quite common for the very fine needles and some makes are notoriously breakable. I ordered some more and in the meantime, tried with a size 26 (the next size, slightly larger) and found it worked just fine – the only difficulty was that it was harder to run in the thread on the back when fastening off. I have now got a good supply of both sizes, from a manufacturer said to produce very good quality needles that are less likely to break.
Here are the pages that I have made out of soft fabric with the edges cut with pinking shears. Originally I was going to use 3 layers (making 6 pages for each book) but this came out too thick, and I thought 4 pages were adequate. I therefore made three books instead of two. They are simply stitched together down the fold with white sewing thread.
I am going to edge each carpet motif with black cross-stitch borders and the covers will be mounted over pelmet Vylene and lined.
When I start the motif for the back of the book I shan’t bother trying to work from the centre, but will simply map out the border and work inwards from that, keeping it exactly lined up with the front motif. This shouldn’t present any problems.
Food
Not a lot of time for cooking this week because I’ve found the embroidery completely addictive and I haven’t been able to put it down! I’ve prepared the meals from my standard repertoire of whole-food plant-based recipes and also cooked a few things to replenish the freezer.
One evening we had sweet pancakes made from almond pulp, mashed banana, a little maple syrup and cinnamon, and some soya milk, topped with berries (a combination of fresh and frozen), sliced banana and some granola. Deeelicious!
Nutrition
We got the result of my hubby’s cholesterol test this week. The GP phoned him and said it was way down, and was normal! He said that looking at the results of his recent examination (including his blood pressure), it was like looking at a different person!! He is very pleased with him. He said he was a candidate for statins, given his family history, but in his opinion, he doesn’t need them. I am highly relieved at this. He was suffering quite badly with muscle and joint pain and this has now cleared up. I wish doctors would understand that not every problem needs to be treated with drugs; lifestyle changes, especially dietary changes, can work wonders, treat causes rather than merely symptoms, and are sustainable. The results speak for themselves. We need a whole new approach to medicine and the teaching of it.
Hippocrates, famous for the Hippocratic Oath (which includes the phrase “First, do no harm”), lived over 2,000 years ago, and said, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food.”
Last time my cholesterol was tested (sometime last year, I think), it was slightly high but they said not high enough to need medication. I would be very interested to know what it is now.
One of the things we do to lower cholesterol, as part of our whole-food plant-based diet, is to consume a tablespoon of ground flax seeds each day. My hubby has this mixed with his porridge oats for breakfast, and I add it to my oatmeal and blueberry breakfast concoction – I adore this breakfast and never tire of it! I featured it ages ago as a Recipe of the Week. Since then, I have adapted the recipe somewhat and now add some dates as well as the ground flax seed, and I’ve upped the oatmeal content, too, from half a cup to a whole cup, and added a bit extra water to compensate for this. It still lasts me four days but the portions are slightly bigger (great!). I usually top it with a spoonful of granola.
The Healthline website has a whole page devoted to flax seeds, which have many nutritional benefits. In summary, they say:
“When it comes to nutritional goodness, flax seeds are full of it.
“Though tiny, they are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, lignans and fiber, all of which have been shown to have many potential health benefits.
“They can be used to improve digestive health, lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, reduce the risk of cancer and may benefit people with diabetes.”
They also include flax seed oil as beneficial, but we avoid the consumption of all oil as much as possible because it is a processed food, with very high calorie density and none of the benefits of the whole seed etc from which it was derived. With the whole-food plant-based diet you do not need any added oil.
Health update
At last I have heard something regarding my bladder scan. I was hoping that I would just get a letter from Torbay Hospital with a simple appointment to attend for a scan, but instead, I had a letter from the Bladder and Bowel Care Centre based at Newton Abbot Hospital. I have been dealing with Women’s Health at the physiotherapy department at Torbay Hospital up till now. The Bladder and Bowel people are treating my referral as a brand new case, and have sent me a load of bumf including a lengthy questionnaire and another bladder diary to complete. They have asked me to complete and send all this stuff to my GP, who will then refer me on to them. This strikes me as a humungous waste of time because the physio at Torbay already has all the information, and my case is so unusual that the standard paperwork doesn’t really apply anyway. I have emailed the physio and asked her to phone me so that we can discuss the way forward – what I would like to happen is for her to forward all the information she has about me to Newton Abbot and deal direct with them, rather than treating this like an initial new referral via the GP, if they actually need any of it at all – if I’m simply to have a scan, and for them to send the result to her, I don’t know why I’ve got to go into all the details with them in the first place. I do not want to be under the care of another completely different department – the physio only ordered the bladder scan in order to give her some additional information to add to that which she already has on me.
Also, doing a new bladder diary at this stage would not be helpful, because I am in the middle of retraining my bladder and the results are bound to be different from my original one. I am still instructed to void every two hours, which is improving the degree of retention and urgency that I would normally experience, and without all the background information, it might appear from a new bladder diary that there was nothing wrong with me. The physio has asked me to do another two-hourly one before my next appointment with her (hopefully after the bladder scan) just to monitor whether my “retraining” is working or not.
I have yet to hear back from the physio about the best way forward with all this. The trouble is, there is a time limit of a month, by which time I am supposed to have sent all the bumf to the GP, or they will cancel the whole thing and we’ll have to start the scan referral again from scratch. I am hoping the physio will phone me in the next day or two. The whole thing is a muddle, and as usual, it comes down to lack of proper communication between different departments, and the reliance on standard one-size-fits-all paperwork which doesn’t make allowances for unusual cases or varying circumstances.
Kitties
Something they haven’t done for a while – probably because it’s been too hot.
The other day my hubby had to go out so the kitties were shut in. Here is Ruby looking very cheesed off, as I sat out there in the sun, and she couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t let her out!
We don’t let them out unless my hubby is home, because if they get outside the garden, it’s almost impossible for me to get them back in again on my own.
Ruby again – enjoying the sunshine on the steps in the patio.
Garden
The patio flowers continue to be absolutely glorious.
It’s been so lovely that the weather has been fine enough most of this week that we could sit out and enjoy them.
Clothes
A few weeks ago when I showed you my purple shi-sha top, I mentioned that I had a similar one in red, that I’d bought at the same time.
Here it is, featuring in my weekly fashion show! I have teamed it up with a new Indian maxi-skirt that I got last week on Ebay, where I also got the cheap Indian necklace and matching earrings. Contrasting socks this week!
Here’s a closer shot to show the detail of the embroidery.
And again, this time with a different necklace – I can’t remember where I got this beaded necklace but I’ve had it for many years.
Have a great creative week, everybody.
Wow Shoshi, your tiny needlework carpet looks amazing. I don’t notice any white patches at all. I will have to try getting my husband to try flax seeds with his breakfast. Such good news about your hubby’s health. Love the flowers and the red top, a vibrant look. Meow to Lily and Ruby and Happy WOYWW. Stay safe. Sarah #?
Morning, Shoshi!
Goodness me, your workroom is huge! I love that picture of you in the garden amongst your lovely pots of flowers embroidering to your heart’s content. Those tiny carpets are gorgeous.
The girls make me giggle, I love your collages, you’ve summed up their cheeky spirits wonderfully. They look adorable all snuggled up together.
Jon & I sat under the very tree that Hippocrates studied under in Kos, we also visited Asklepieion, the school of healing he established. I’m a firm believer in his wisdom. It’s brilliant that your husband has managed to control his cholesterol without taking medication.
Loving the outfit, that top is fabulous. I love how your socks patch. the colour palette is one of my favourites.
Have a lovely week and stay safe and healthy! xxx
HI Shoshi, thanks for letting me peek into your life – your patio looks gorgeous, I especially love the parasol! Those tiny carpets are beautiful, I’m wondering if I have the eyesight and the patience to make some to use in my miniature rooms, as I have the Aida and lots of embroidery threads to use up – did you design the pattern yourself? Happy WOYWW-day 🙂 Annie C #17
The carpet cross stitch is even more beautiful then the chart suggests, your friend is going to be so made up when she sees it! You have more patience than me, that’s for sure. I’m going to follow the link to the oat/chia pudding too, I’ve been cutting back on wheat recently and have had chia so it’ll be interesting to see what it’s like/
Hugs LLJ 4 xxx
With the beaded necklace the top looks almost Russian. What a beautiful colour it is – so rich a red and it suits you so much. I love the socks and they echo the orange band in the skirt so go perfectly with the whole outfit. I used to wear a lot of this type of skirt a few years ago and had a favourite shop in Paris where I would go and buy them.
Love the kitties, the photos are always superb and I so enjoy coming to see them on your blog posts. Ruby is certainly giving you the glare as she sits there wondering why you can be out but she cannot.
How annoying re your bladder scan. Why do hospitals not tie up with notes and things? I thought we were supposed to be on a central database now with all information accessible to other doctors. I sometimes wonder if they put these obstacles in our way to hope we give up and don’t bother them. Keep at them and stick to your guns!
Hugs, Neet 6 xx
ps love your carpet pattern, what a lot of lovely work you do x
Hi Shoshi. Loving your little needle book covers – lots of work to do three! Enjoy. I admit that, because I tend to work on two or three different projects at the same time, my craft space is always in a muddle – as is the study (call it desk 2), and the lounge ( desk 3) and as for the dining table… not much food able to be consumed there!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #7
good grief, those carpets…how little! Lovely job and so patiently worked, brilliant you. Great news about hubby’s check up numbers. I do actually think that GPS try very hard to encourage lifestyle changes before delivering statins (didn’t he prescribe the Slimming World course?) , but you can only lead a horse to water……I just say, like your darling, I would find my lifestyle much easier to change if I had such an inventive and determined larder manager and cook such as yourself to live with!
you always co-ordinate so beautifully! Your hubby’s health improvement is a testament to your healthy eating I am sure. I wish I liked more of the foods you eat so much of as I am sure it would do me good . the bladder scan situation does seem very silly, given your situation! I hope they call you soon. have a great week. Helen #2
Loving your outfits as always! Such a lovely style. Well done on getting so far with those needle books, they look really smashing! Have a wonderful week, Lisa-Jane #1
Another great outfit Shoshi and nice to see the kitties again enjoying the nice weather. Bit late today as we’ve had an afternoon outside with friends. Hope you’ve had a lovely woyww too. Hugs, Angela x11x
Such an interesting post as always Shoshi. The colours in your carpet cross stitch are beautiful, it so detailed, much like your amazing outfit.
I have craft space envy too. Look at all the room you have. I use the spare room normally which is tiny and packed to the ceiling with my stuff, but it’s my space and I love it.
Take care and have a good week.
Hugs Lisax #13
Love your outfit today!
The carpet is absolutely beautiful! These needle books are going to be real treasures!
Happy woyww! Stay Safe, keep well!
Susan #15
Hi Shoshi! I love the red outfit, and the embroidery is divine! Things seem to be looking up for you, your big diet change seems to be paying off! I should put ground flax on my yogurt-blueberry-granola breakfast, my favourite! The little carpet is so beautiful, and your garden so gorgeous, I can see why your time has been spent outside cross-stitching! We have been lucky with Inky and Mittsy, with no enclosed garden, and a road in front of the house, Inky mainly stays on the porch, and Mittsy to the backyards behind the house. Mittsy is at the front door every morning around 10:30, has a snack and a nap, then out again until around 4:30 when she’s in for the night with Inky. Right now I can’t sleep, it’s 2:12am, and Mittsy is sleeping in front of my computer screen, after having a good look at your blog! She always gets up in the night with me, and then goes back to her room when I go back to bed. Then Inky comes and lies down beside me for awhile. I’m well taken care of! Sorry I’m so late this week! Have a great week, Lindart #26
Good Morning, WOW loving the photos you have shared. Your dress and the needle work are just adorable. I’ve had Needle Books on my agenda for years ! Another UFO. Simple but seems if it isn’t on paper it don’t get done. Now I have a note! Your kitties are precious. I wish Bailey had a partner again, I’ve seen a couple of cuties, but I’m not up to training and making sure they get along with each other ! Your outside area is beautiful. Lots of color and privacy. It’s good to get out and enjoy nature and the fresh air.
You take care, stay safe and enjoy a good weekend.
You must have patience to do that cross stitch, eyesight forbids me these days.
Love your dress and that red necklace could have been purchased for it.
Sorry to hear about all your medical woes, must admit our spanish national health system is brilliant. Went for an ECG on Wednesday and ended up having a full MOT even a pneumonia jab. Ani. #9
Oh my goodness – your little carpet is stunning and an extension of your gorgeous flowers and you! I love the photos of your outfit and the garden as well as the workroom (I can almost hear the hum of thinking and no I wouldnt put those banana boxes back just yet 😉 you never know until you know that you didnt know if you see what I mean…). I hope the health appointments work out – that sounds such a load of extra hassle that I cant even imagine how you can be so productive and creative with the extra effort put towards that
ooh the tiny carpet is fabulous. Re the wee gaps in between, it may be worth a light steam on the back to see if this maybe puffs up the thread a little, I remember doing this on one of my embroideries years ago. dont know if it will work but thought I would mention it.
Oh I can understand your frustration with the hospital too, one size does not fit all (I know that with my RA) but agree about the flaxseed, we are a vegan household and always have ground linseed in my porridge each morning too!
Thanks for visiting my desk already
kyla