First of all, I have discovered that quite a few of you have been unable to leave comments because you’ve been blocked. I seem to have a very over-zealous spam checker on my WordPress blog. I have discovered how to deal with this and it’s just a question of remembering to keep checking, and keeping on top of it, because although some people have been “released” they seem to get re-blocked again! I’m really sorry about this and will try and check more regularly. If anyone has experienced this, please do keep trying and hopefully your comments will get through OK – I really value and appreciate them all.
What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
Giveaway
In case anybody didn’t see my blog post last week, I will reiterate that I am offering the final needle book as a giveaway to a member of the WOYWW group – winner to be announced at the 600th celebration Zoom gathering. If you would like to be considered, please indicate as much in your comment. Please see that post for full details.
Tiny carpet #6 is now complete!
Here are some progress photos.
The red completed.
At this stage I decided to add some beige into the design, partly to co-ordinate it better with tiny carpet #5 which will be the front cover of the needle book, and partly because I thought that in places the cream would be too stark. Here is the revised design.
Working on the beige.
The beige and cream completed.
I’m afraid the cream is rather hard to see against the fabric which is almost the same colour.
Adding the random green background – this is always the scary stage because it looks as if it’s going to be a disaster! However, once the main background colour is added, filling in the gaps, it is always OK. You can see that I have also added a tiny bit of green in the border, alternating with the cream stitches.
Finally, with the main green added to the background, tiny carpet #6 is complete.
All that is required now is to fill in around the two tiny carpets with black, and then to make up the final needle book.
Food
Recipe of the Week
As promised last week, here is the recipe for the veg casserole I made.
I omitted the oil, and added some cooked black beans. I usually add some legumes to my veg casseroles and other dishes, to add fibre and protein and to aid satiety. There is always a supply of cooked beans and chickpeas in the freezer for this purpose. I also added a little extra home-made veg stock and some Okara (soya bean pulp) to thicken it. The addition of the smoked paprika always makes for a tasty casserole. With any recipe like this, you don’t have to follow the recipe slavishly – it’s a good opportunity to put in whatever veggies you have to hand.
Clothes
No actual clothes this week, because I haven’t got anything new to show you! I think I’ve pretty much exhausted my wardrobe, apart from a few things I don’t wear very often, including a gorgeous ancient velvet dress but it needs mending first as it’s a bit tatty.
What I can show you, though, is my new glasses! They came yesterday.
Just so that you can recognise me on the upcoming Zoom session!
OK, they don’t look all that different – slightly more rectangular, and bronzy rather than silver. My hubby didn’t notice. After a few minutes I said to him, “Do you notice anything different?” As always, when I challenge him to notice something different about me, he looked me up and down from top to toe and said “Is your hair different? Are you wearing new clothes?” etc etc. I told him he was the most unobservant person on this earth and eventually he said, “New glasses?” Lol!! I think he only said that because he knew I was expecting them yesterday or today. I asked if he couldn’t see they were different, and he said, “Glasses are just glasses…” Men!! Anyway, I am very pleased with them. And I think I can see better too, which is a plus! When I first put them on everything looked a bit strange, but within half an hour it was fine. They are light as a feather and I hardly notice I’ve got them on. Being titanium, these new frames should last a good long time – hopefully for the next 20 years! If they do as well as my old ones, I shan’t complain. The old ones are now reserved as a spare pair.
When we moved house once, my hubby was complaining about how long it was taking me to put pictures up, so one day when he was out, I put up all the pictures. It took him a week to notice!!!!!
Talking of new things, our new furniture should be arriving next week, too. I think he’ll notice that, because he’s going to be here when it arrives.
Kitties
No new kitty photos this week, so I thought I might show you some photos of some of our previous kitties. We’ve had quite a few in the 34 years we’ve been married!
Purdey at our old house in 1999, just after we moved. She was a rescue cat from when we lived in Plymouth. She was the last of our Plymouth kitties and spent her final year living in the country, enjoying the rich hunting grounds! She thought all her Christmases had come at once.
She was a funny little thing. She had a very deprived kittenhood and I don’t think she ever learnt how kitties were supposed to behave. When we lived in Plymouth there wasn’t a great deal of hunting, apart from slow worms, which she brought in regularly (nearly always alive and rescue-able) but in the beginning it was butterflies during the daytime and worms at night! She also had a compost fixation and would drag black banana skins, sweet corn middles and old cabbage stalks through the cat flap from the compost heap, and we’d find them on the kitchen floor. Other strange objects used to appear too, such as a yellow plastic rose and a shuttlecock.
Beatrice and her sister Bella as kittens, autumn 2000. We got these two kittens after Purdey died. Bella was killed on the road outside that house, just before my 50th birthday. I broke my heart over that – little Bella was a very special kitty. Beatrice grieved for her and sat by the cat flap for two whole days waiting for her to come home. Like Lily and Ruby, they were very close little sisters.
Bella was a little magpie. She loved bright things and would pick them up and run off with them and hide them. My hubby would wake up and reach for his glasses or his watch on the bedside cabinet, only to find she’d pinched them, and they would turn up in funny places such as behind the chest of drawers.
After Bella was killed, we got Phoebe and Chloe to keep Beatrice company. It took her a whole year to accept them! After a few short years, Chloe was also killed on that same road, and we were left with Beatrice and Phoebe – the survivors of two sets of sisters – we had both these kitties till they were quite old and they died within 3 weeks of each other. Poor little Beatrice gave up the will to live after Phoebe died. Here are Phoebe and Chloe.
Chloe used to have some peculiar habits, too. She had a duster fixation. I’ve got a plastic trolley with pull-out plastic baskets and I used to keep dusters in one of these. She would pull them out through the holes and we’d find them all over the kitchen floor in the mornings when we came down. She was also the greatest tail-chaser we ever had (why do some do this, and others not? Lily and Ruby never chase their tails!) – she would have regular sessions on the landing after breakfast and you’d hear her thumping away up there. She also loved chasing her tail around the back of a chair. Here’s my very first YouTube video, of her doing it (I’ve got better at making videos since those days so please make allowances!).
As for Phoebe, she was passionate about Marmite. Here she is with my poor hubby who is trying to enjoy his breakfast! (Another very early video.)
In case anybody is feeling ultra deprived, not seeing Lily and Ruby this week, here’s another picture of them as kittens.
9 weeks old, just after we got them. It’s hard to believe they were once that small! They are such great lumps these days!
Zoom
Last week my hubby sat me down and initiated me into the wonders of Zoom – I had tried to set it up a few weeks ago and something went wrong and it didn’t work, but all seemed to be fine when we tried again. We did our own little Zoom session with him in another room (sitting beside me didn’t work because there was massive feedback from the microphones). Last Thursday we had our second Zoom lecture from the Arts Society and I was able to log on in my own right instead of sitting beside my hubby on his computer. It was great! So hopefully I am now all ready for the momentous 600th celebration Zoom rally for WOYWW! I’m really looking forward to seeing you all.
And finally…
While we’re on the subject of kitties, a funny to end with – my hubby found this in a magazine.
Have a great creative week, everybody.
Hi Shoshi, brilliant magic carpets as ever!
When I had my cataracts done, I enjoyed walking around at first with no glasses on. I have v little close range vision though so wore reading glasses (which I frequently lost) sometimes even on top of my head?. my husband said he couldn’t recognise me without glasses, plus it was hopeless when I wanted to watch tv and craft, so I’ve ended up with varifocals from clear to reading.
I love your videos! Jake, who came to us from LLJ, adored marmite as well and would steal it given a chance. And also smoked almonds!
Anyway,
Looking forward to seeing you at the crop
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 21
I was thinking (which I do quite often, although it never comes to much) You could sell your little carpets to people who do up or make dolls houses. On saying that, you probably already do! They are lovely. I have found some of that cross stitch stuff in my mum’s old sewing box, which is older that me! So…have thread and now the canvas stuff…you never know! have a great week. Happy WOYWW ((Lyn))
PS>Love the pussy cats and the cartoon!
Wow, you managed to complete Tiny Carpet #6 well in time for the crop! And there you were worrying that there may not be enough time! Well done! My husband doesn’t notice new things either – which is good, because he always wants to know how much they cost – even if it’s my own money LOL! I always have to lie about the cost of craft products – even when I declare half the price he thinks they’re too expensive – little does he know… Loved to read through the history of your kitties – I knew bits and pieces and it was nice to see the whole picture and learn the sequence of events. Sounds like Purdey was a hoarder LOL! So sad about Bella and Chloe – and the way Beatrice first lost one companion and then the other, even if many years apart. When you said she waited by the cat flap for days – it broke my heart too! And then people say cats have no love! Of course they do! The videos of Chloe and Phoebe were funny – it’s good that you have those videos and photos to remember them by. I’ve never heard of cats with a taste for marmite! Hope to see you on Zoom, Shoshi! And perhaps we can get our kitties to meet each other!
Hi Shoshi, enjoyed watching the cat videos they were funny. I can’t see much difference between the old glasses and the new ones actually! Not surprised hubby didn’t notice Lol! Sending happy woyww hugs, Angela x14x
I’ve never had an issue commenting on your blog but recently have had so many problems if people have embedded comments boxes rather than a pop up page…it’s Blogger’s fault and I can’t seem to get round it. Sigh. Love the new page and the random green background is brilliant, so much better than flat colours!
HUgs LLJ 7 xxx
The random green of the background colour makes a fantastic difference to the finished piece Shoshi. Again, a wonderful piece of design and patience! I like the new glasses, just an up to date-Ing….and I’m jolly glad they didn’t take long to adapt to.
Hello, lovely lady! I have to agree with the other commenters, you tiny carpets would be fantastic in a doll’s house (a huge love of mine!)
Loved the recap of previous cats, the Chloe video was brilliant and I loved Purdey, she looked like a fiesty lady! I shared a picture of me and my beloved cat, Albert on my blog last week from 1989, he was my constant companion for 18 years and like my namesake, Queen Victoria, I was devastated when he died.
The new glasses are almost identical to your original ones. they really suit you. Glasses have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, Jon says his varifocals hardly took any getting used to, unlike the old bifocals which could take weeks to adjust.
Love the Egypt cartoon!
Have a lovely week! x
I love the tiny carpet – perfect as ever! Love all the different kittie photos and videos as well. I am so looking forward to ‘meeting’ you at the zoom crop. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless. Caro xxx (#13)
I love the latest carpet. I think the new glasses look very similar to the previous ones so not that surprised your hubby didn’t notice! Have a good week, take care and stay safe. Helen #1
Really like your new glasses, are they slightly more angular? They look very sleek and elegant, I have just got new glasses too – varifocal and whatever gosh the price of lenses stings a bit doesnt it – but if you wear glasses all the time it is worth getting the best lenses possible and then choosing nice frames, it is not as though they get worn once or twice and tucked away in a drawer is it. I went for tortoiseshell type plastic only not in the orange-browns of normal tortoiseshell as I look terrible in those colours – these are magenta and lilac all mottled together which sound lurid but isnt, but I have to say choosing new frames is agonizing – it is such a commitment! I do get a free second pair but at the same time, the commitment!!!!!!
I have a funny cat memory to share – “Big Puss” was our first cat (she adopted us when I was about 2 and lived for 23 years), she was adorable – a big fluffy purring love struck pacifist – yup pacifist. No cat was allowed on her patch with a freshly caught anything, ever. One of other cats might land a bird (yikes!) and she would sashay over look at the bird and look at the cat and then Ca-WALLOP!!!!!! the other cat would get an enormous clip over the ear, Big Puss would then sit and protect the little creature until it flew off. She was quite an extraordinary creature. Your carpets are stunning as usual – have you ever seen the huge one in the middle eastern hall at the V&A, mindblowing. Have a fabby week xxx
Shoshi…first off, I’m in like Flynn for the giveaway! Who wouldn’t want to be the owner of some of your fabulous work????? Which, by the way, #6 is lovely!! Well done!!!
I would have loved to have pulled up and had a big bowl of that yummy veggie casserole!! It sounds like it was delicious!! And guess what? I got new glasses today as well!! I totally could not see out of my old ones, which is sad because I’ve only had that prescription for a year and a half. Every time I go, my prescription changes…which is a nightmare because here in the state, glasses will set you back somewhat!! Thank goodness for a little reprieve with insurance, but it doesn’t pay for it all by any means!! Any by the way, men NEVER notice anything!!! LOL But don’t get me started! LOL
And on to the kitties…..I’m in love with your rescue kitty that you had. What a gorgeous baby!! But all of your babies have been beautiful and certainly the newest lovelies! I’m a kitty freak, so ANY cat would be the bees knees to me! LOL Blessings to you Shoshi! Felicia #32
Hi Shoshi,
I missed a week, so this is a reply for the last two weeks.
I’m sorry to hear about the sad passing of your brother in law. The restriction on numbers really is quite upsetting for larger families – how on earth is one to choose who can and cannot go to a funeral. If social distancing is observed, I cannot understand the restrictions. However, the government has decided what the rules are and we must abide by them. I love the colours and style of your new tunic – I feel a song coming on …. “You wear it well”. I just can’t remember who sang it! Oh the joys of getting older and forgetting things! J would love to be included in your generous giveaway for the Crop. You have put such love and effort in , that the lucky winner will treasure for many years to come!
Wow, love the new glasses – as you pointed out, they are not significantly different, but they certainly suit you. I may be due a visit to the optician soon – I can’t quite recollect when I last went, so may need to telephone them. Hopefully we will be able to ‘meet at the Crop. I will be attending, unless lockdown restrictions are eased and I am able to visit one of my daughter’s. I miss them and their families so much – telephone and video calls are good, but they do not replace cuddles from my grandchildren.
Have a lovely week, Heather xx #22
I never cease to be amazed by your needlework Shoshi and so admire your patience in working out the patterns and executing them!
Love the pics of your kitties!
Take care
Chrissie #6
I had to laugh at the idea of a cat flap in a pyramid Shoshi, although as the Egyptians revered cats it is not vastly beyond the range of imagination lol. Beautiful carpet. I am very much a cat person, so thank you for sharing so many lovely pictures and videos. Meow to the little ladies, Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #2
I said this on another blog, but really do feel it every week – it is so nice to see projects slowly unfold and follow the progress people make every WOYWW. Love the carpets and always appreciate a new recipe to ponder. And hey, if I had a chance to see my son I would totally abandon WOYWW for that. I think we all feel similar. So see ya if we see ya!
Happy WOYWW a little late!
Mary Anne (3)
Had to zoom in to see the cat was a mummy! The idea of a cat flap on a pyramid is funny. Beautiful pictures of your cats. It is heart breaking when they die because of traffic. Thaw as how I lost my Pepper. Have a great week Angela #33
Loved all the photos of the kitties! Chloe is hilarious chasing her tail! Inky does it too, sitting on a bedpost going round in circles! Do they know they are chasing their own tails? Mittsy doesn’t do it at all, but she has her own little quirks. The glasses do look very similar, don’t be too tough on hubby! Sorry I’m so late this week! My computer was acting up, today she seems to be OK. Stay Safe, Lindart #29
Well done on the lovely carpets!
I remember Mum seeing my husband in new glasses. She couldn’t work out what was different. In the end she said have you got new teeth…
Sorry I am late again…
Happy WOYWW!
Susan Renshaw #23
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