What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
Kitty Throw follow-up
Yes, that’s what I said, Kitty Throw follow-up, not kitty throw-up!
Well, surprise, surprise – my hubby loves his present!
I’m currently working on a video slideshow of the whole project, which will include a video clip of his initial reaction, after I’d led him into the sitting room with his eyes closed, and then came the Big Reveal!
I can’t tell you what a relief it is, no longer having to work in secret, and having to plan when I would be able to make a bit more progress on this mammoth project while he was out or had gone up to bed. It got more difficult towards the end, because there was no way of concealing what I was doing, and it was far too big to hide in a hurry, and also I was concerned that I might not finish it in time for his birthday last Wednesday.
He also loved his birthday card, which I am pleased about!
Persian Tiles throw
Now that the kitty throw is completed, I can progress more rapidly with the Persian Tiles throw which will go over the back of the settee. This is such a beautiful pattern.
Last week I showed the beginning of the first octagon motif:
(The lighting of this photo wasn’t that good I’m afraid.) I did some more work on this and had almost completed it, but thinking about it over the next few days, I wasn’t entirely happy with the order of colours that I’d chosen, so before I finished it, I decided to change the sequence, and made another one accordingly. Here are the two, side by side for comparison.
I am very much happier with this redone colour scheme. The design is more cohesive, and it emphasises the fans better.
I also made a connecting square. The choice of colours for this motif, and for the edging and corner triangles, has also been changed.
A mock-up, showing how the connecting square relates to the octagon.
Obviously, once these motifs have been blocked, they will look a lot less lumpy.
I also much prefer the design without the X-shaped stitches on the original, and with the fans all the same colour.
This is proving to be great fun to do. The motifs are coming out a lot larger than I expected from looking at the pictures. I think it’s going to look good over the back of the settee.
Wedding anniversary
On Monday, 24th May, it was our 35th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been that long! I’ve been married to my hubby for more than half of my life, which is a pretty amazing thought.
Here we are on our wedding day in 1986.
Wedding anniversary card for my hubby
You may remember a while back I was experimenting (mostly unsuccessfully) with bleach-stamping teabags. I also tried stamping some with white acrylic paint, and I have a stack of these. I took one of them and added further embellishment with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed-Proof White (an enabling recommendation by Shaz! – her legacy lives on!):
and another paint in the range, his iridescent gold:
along with my Tombow dual brush markers. Matted and layered, I am quite pleased with the result. For the background, I inked the card with two shades of Distress Ink, added water spatters and blotted them off (an effect I really like).
Following Zsuzsa’s lead, I really must do some more teabag art!
Kitties
Not only is 24th May our wedding anniversary, but it is also the kitties’ birthday!
They are now four years old. I cannot believe it – it seems only yesterday that we brought them home as two adorable little 9-week-old balls of fluff and adorableness.
They still have adorableness as their main characteristic, I’m pleased to say!
Having always been together, from the womb, they are like two sides of the same coin. Their togetherness is something over and above their individual characteristics, and is as special to us as it is to each other.
Some more recent photos from the past week.
Ruby investigating the new Kitty Throw.
Actually, everybody is enjoying the new Kitty Throw! (Perhaps I ought to rename it the Kitty Throne?) My hubby does try to put the lap blanket down so that they lie on that, in the hope that it will keep the Kitty Throw clean for longer.
The kitties seem to merge into it – Ruby looks as if she’s got two heads! We’re going to have to watch that we don’t sit on them by mistake.
Fortunately since that first episode, Ruby hasn’t shown any further interest in the detached tails of the kitties and hasn’t attacked any.
Finally, Lily says, “Look what a big paw print I’ve made!”
Health update
On Monday 24th May, I had my appointment at the breast unit, following my discovery of a lump. I should have been seen on Thursday 20th, but they phoned me to postpone the appointment because of a flood at the unit, involving a lot of clearing up and the cancellation of appointments till this had been done. I was actually quite happy with this because the original appointment had been set for 9 a.m. which is pretty early for me, and the new appointment was at 2 p.m. which was much more civilised.
Everything went very smoothly at my appointment. I was first examined by someone (I think she was a nurse) and then sent for a mammogram. After this I went to another room and they did an ultrasound scan. The doctor who did this also had my mammogram images up on his computer screen. He said that neither the mammogram nor the ultrasound scan showed anything particularly indicative of cancer, but he said he would do a biopsy just to be sure. He gave me a local anaesthetic and inserted a needle to take the biopsy and it was quickly done, with hardly any discomfort. He said the lump was most likely fat necrosis – sounds most unappealing! – a benign lump in the breast tissue that normally arises after an injury. He asked me if I’d knocked myself, but I couldn’t remember doing so. We discussed my other health issues for a while, and then he told me that the biopsy results would take just over a week, and that they would phone me a week today.
He warned me that when the local anaesthetic wore off, the area could be quite painful, and if this was the case, I should take some paracetamol. However, it is only when I touch it that it feels sore and tender, and most of the time I am unaware of it. I am to keep the dressing on it until this afternoon and to keep it dry till then.
From my results so far, and from what he told me, it is highly unlikely that this is cancer. I have not been worried, and am not worried now. We’ll just have to wait a week and see what they say, but so far, the news is encouraging.
Thank you, everyone, for your continuing thoughts and prayers which are much appreciated. I shall, of course, report back once I’ve got definite news.
I took in a printed copy of Lynne‘s recent “and finally” cartoon and the receptionist roared with laughter and told me to take it up with me and give it to the nurses! I hope they will put it up somewhere so that people can see it and have a giggle – this could relax those who are naturally anxious about having to be in such a place! Thanks, Lynne, for posting this at such an appropriate time!
And finally…
Had to share this with you – one of my hubby’s birthday cards, sent by a friend who knows about our whole-food plant-based lifestyle! She’s always very clever at finding appropriate cards for us!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
What a triumph that throw is! You can see he is pleased, even without the reaction shot. Quite an accomplishment, my dear. We share an anniversary year – our 35th was in April. That feels like an accomplishment a well, especially after being trapped indoors for over a year LOL! The kitties are a sweet jumble, and I am so relieved to hear of your positive news from the Dr. Let’s hope all the follow-up confirms that, as surely it will, and you can put that worry behind you. LOVE the cartoon….must send it to my MIL. She”ll get a laugh out if it I’m sure.
Happy WOYWW
Mary Anne (5)
Your hubby looks as pleased as punch about the throw, it looks great on the chair! I really like the Persian tiles too and agree with your rejigging of the colours, the red fans look much better, I wouldn’t have put in the X stitches either. It’s going to look beautiful as a throw. Happy Anniversary as well, the card you made was gorgeous, loved the metallic highlights!
Hugs LLJ 10 xxx
Happy WOYWW. I have been rubbish at keeping up with blogs for the past few weeks, so went back and read all of the posts I had missed. 1. So glad that you were seen quickly at the breast clinic and hoping that it is just a fatty lump of some sort. 2. The kitty throw is so amazing. Well done for getting it done in time. 3. Completed jumper is also very impressive (my limit is a scarf or similarly simple project, and preferably superchunky yarn with big needles, as I am very slow). 4. The next project is stunning already. 5. Thank you for all the kitty and garden photos, plus the recipes. Ali x #28
Hi Shoshi. I missed some posts but have read back.
So pleased that results re lump appear reassuring. I had similar thing a few years back now. Had biopsy, all was well. I am due for mammogram in a couple of weeks.
The throw is glorious and am looking forward to seeing next one! I like your version better.
The kitties are beautiful. We have just been asked to look after the kitty next door. Done it before and we enjoy it. Her name is Betty. I can’t believe it has been 4 years since you had them.
Happy birthday to your husband and Happy Anniversary to you both. This year we celebrate 50 years. I am not sure where that time went! We hope to celebrate, depends on how things are by then. Take care. Anne x 20
What a joyous post. Happy anniversary. So glad your husband liked his birthday gift and now you two can celebrate an anniversary together, too.
Those kitties are so special. I think they are about the same age as Squiggles. They are beautiful, as I’ve said before.
I hope your tests come back negative. I’m glad you aren’t worried, at least. Happy WOYWW from # 3.
The kitty throw looks amazing in its prime position – and we can only just now appreciate its true size! I can see the Persian tile throw will be equally gorgeous! So much work must go into these, but at least you can work on this new one any time you like without having to keep it secret. Love the throw-back (no pun intended!) photo of your wedding day – 35 years is a really long time! And the kitties as kittens – so cute! Do they actually realise how lucky they are? Do you know what happened to their siblings? Hopefully they are equally spoiled living with another family (without young kids around – they would find them a bit annoying, I’m sure). I heard this story that a neighbourhood cat always appeared in someone’s house at around 3pm and stayed until night time – until they realised that the cat was trying to escape the kids who got home from school around the same time! They don’t like commotion! My son was just the right age (11) when we got Oreo, so he was mature enough to treat him well – they are now inseparable and Oreo always hangs out in his room – he only comes to me when he wants food – sometimes in the middle of the night, so I always make sure he has plenty of food in his bowl before I go to bed! That’s gotta be good news about your check-up! I was in that position once (additional mammogram, ultra sound, poking around, etc) but they decided I didn’t need a biopsy – I’m just hoping they were right! It would have been more reassuring to have had the biopsy. I trust it will be fine, Shoshi! The fact that they didn’t see anything is a good sign indeed! The vegan card is funny! Have a lovely week! xx
Hi Shoshi! The kitty throw is truly a remarkable work of art! I can guess what reaction your hubby had when he saw it – amazement at the talent his lovely wife has! And the new throw will be as impressive, I think! I loved watching the video of the kittens, what a genius idea to use the wine rack as a kitty climber! I’m willing to bet they couldn’t do that now! Sounds like good news from the doctor, and hopefully when the tests come back it will just confirm what he said. And I love the cartoon – perfect!
Have a great week, Lindart #33
That is just wonderful Shoshi, in so many ways. 1. That they think it’s not cancer, 2. That your hubby likes your kitty blanket and 3. That the cartoon I posted helped you, the nurses and could potentially help other women.
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary.
The pictures end videos of Lily and Ruby as kittens were lovely- they’re just so cute.
Lovely colours for your Persian tiles.
Take care and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 7
HA! on many counts. I can make the blocks, tho it takes me a lifetime to connect them! thanks for sharing. robyn 29
Hello Shoshi, there is always so much to comment on in your posts. I am so happy the news seems positive after you hospital appointment. I will continue to keep you in my prayers till you get the results. Loved the video of the kittens. My husband said “What are you watching with that big smile on your face!” Which one was on the climbing frame and is it used for storing wine now? Your Persian throw is going to be equally magnificent I am sure. Yes that cartoon was very funny.
Where did you get married? I look back upon my own wedding with great happiness.
Your tea bag art is amazing, although I am not sure how it was done. Take care and Happy WOYWW Angela #12
The throw looks fabulous in situ, and your hubby cosying up in his chair! what a triumph. The news from your hospital trip sounds most encouraging, and I hope the results prove that. What a great funnie Lynne found – glad the nurses liked it too. Have a good week. Helen #4
Happy anniversary/anniversaries! The throw is lovely, the kittens are adorable! The one who climbed the wine rack was definitely showing initiative lol very adventurous. It’s so sweet how they are with each other. Mine are also littermates but do not share that same affection 🙁 Love your teabag art, I like using teabags, have a bunch of them saved that I really need to do something with soon. Glad everything went OK at the hospital! Happy WOYWW! Elle #35 this week
He looks very pleased, it must behave been a lot of fun doing the big reveal, hope his birthday was a good day! I agree about the tiles, the fans do look better in a single colour, this is going to be another beautiful blanket. Happy anniversary, and congratulations. We’re a year older than you two in our marriages. It’s amazing isn’t it, when you consider the ‘over half your lifetime’ thing!
Looks like the whole family is rightly loving that throw Shoshi. Happy anniversary and happy birthday to the kitties too. The latest throw looks like it will be gorgeous too. SO glad that there is better news on the health front. Stay safe, meow to Lily and Ruby and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #2
Huzzah on so many counts! I’m so glad that hubby loves his kitty throw and that you completed it in time – what an effort! Glad too that the kitties themselves seem to love it as well and are not “investigating” forcefully. A huge relief on the lump too. I had a biopsy taken in Thailand during the SARS crisis and the results came back while I was still laying on the couch – incredible service when you pay privately there & much cheaper than here too of course, although generally I’d recommend staying OUT of hospitals, abroad or anywhere… Stay safe and keep smiling, Lisa-Jane #8
Hi Shoshi, your kitty throw is lovely and looks perfect in your husbands armchair – so much work involved, well done! And congratulations on reaching 35 years of marriage – a fabulous achievement. Since we last “chatted” online I’ve moved my blog – I’ve left WordPress and gone back to Blogger!
I am so glad to find your new blog site. I was worried about the two of you, not having heard for quite some time. I have been busy water coloring. I utilize the Bleed Proof White too with water color painting where I need a white highlight or spatter in a night sky for stars.
Oh my goodness, the throw looks fab and the kitties really do love it too. We’ve been married longer, but of course I was about 12! Sorry for late WOYWW!? I was sure I’d been! Keep crafting, stay safe” ((Lyn)) #9