What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
Pakistani Art
Yesterday while I was relaxing on the recliner, I began the design for quite an ambitious thank you card that I want to make for Mr. Memon, the surgeon who operated on me last Friday to remove my breast lump. I researched both his names online and it appears that they are most likely to be Pakistani, or at least North Indian. I thought it would be really nice to make him a card inspired by the art of his native country.
As usual Pinterest was a great source of inspiration and I chose motifs and borders from several different images in order to make a cohesive design. The colours appear to be predominantly pink, yellow, lime green, turquoise and dark blue – really bright and vibrant. I chose a peacock as my central motif.
I am intending to paint this on a gesso ground with a mixture of acrylic paints (probably Dylusions acrylics as they come in such gorgeous vibrant colours) and inks, markers, and perfect pearls for a bit of shimmer. I may also add some gems or liquid pearls. I would like to make this card fairly dimensional but it may end up being flat – it just depends how things go!
I’ve made a pencil sketch on scrap printer paper, which I have partially coloured with coloured pencils as a guide.
Things may change as I embark on the real thing. It’s hard to get the detail with coloured pencils but at least it gives an idea of what it will be like, and a starting point. Who knows? It may come out completely different!
More new stash!
Last week I ordered a gel press because I thought the time had finally come to bite the bullet and get one. I’ve been toying with the idea for several years and never got round to it – partly it was because I thought it would be too messy, was expensive, I wouldn’t use it enough, I wouldn’t be any good at it, could I really justify buying yet more stuff when I don’t use the stuff enough that I have already… I have seen endless videos and examples of absolutely fantastic stuff that people do with this piece of kit and have been sorely tempted many times. The time is NOW, with my new lease of life and a nice tidy studio!
Just recently I have been binge watching Jennifer McQuire on YouTube and something clicked with me – she uses her gel press for inks to make card backgrounds. I loved the results she was getting. I hadn’t realised you could use inks (although I had seen people using alcohol inks) and thought this would be a good place to start. She was producing some really beautiful backgrounds, and also using it to colour die-cuts with a gorgeous even result and ombre effects etc. and much quicker than using blending tools.
I found a cheap gel press and a set of 4 small shapes on Ebay and ordered them. They are not as thick as the original branded ones but this doesn’t matter – I am sure they will be just as effective. Also, it’s an advantage having thinner ones, because Jennifer uses hers in her Misti stamping tool! I’ve got the Tim Holtz one, and I am sure it will fit in on the “rubber stamps” side which allows for extra thickness. I don’t think the posh, expensive branded one would fit without straining the hinges of the stamping tool.
I also got this pink Ranger brayer from Ebay. Jennifer particularly recommends it as being good with the gel press. It is unused, but was very cheap because the packaging was ripped. A good bargain!
I also got a couple more 3-D embossing folders and an irregular circles die which I thought would make a nice accent in projects.
This week I am going to be watching more videos about the gel press and try and familiarise myself with the techiques before I eventually get started.
The Distress Archival inks that I mentioned last week are now in, so they are on order, along with some Speckled Egg Distress products. This is one of the new colours which I don’t have, and I’ve seen how useful and versatile this particular one is, being such a subtle colour.
Now my studio is tidy and usable again, I can’t wait to get back in there and get creating. There’s still some more reorganising to do but that can wait for now.
Inkscape
In addition, while on the recliner, I have gone back to working on some of my Inkscape designs which can be cut with my Cougar cutting machine. These will complement the dies I have bought recently. So far it’s mostly sentiments but I’m planning on designing some standard-sized card toppers which can then be coloured and embellished as appropriate. No pictures to show, I’m afraid.
One needn’t be idle while taking it easy!
Meantime…
Getting better!
I am making very good progress after my operation last Friday. Full details on my Breast Cancer Diary page. Thank you to everyone for all your good wishes and prayers to see me on my way – I really appreciate these, and knowing that you were all there in the background rooting for me gave me such a boost, and I know it helped. You are all so kind and thoughtful.
The operation was a day case and everything went according to plan. The following day the Day Surgery Unit phoned to check how I was doing, and I had a telephone appointment on Monday morning with the Breast Unit. I am very glad I was home straight away after the operation because there’s nothing like one’s own bed, and I think you recover better at home. I am amazed that they are able to do this breast surgery as a day case – even a full mastectomy can be done as a day case these days, although if it involves breast reconstruction, they keep you in overnight. The level of care at our hospital is amazing, and I can’t thank them enough – everyone was consistently kind, thoughtful and cheerful – just lovely.
After an uneventful weekend when I rested and felt better than I’d expected, I had my scheduled phone appointment with the Breast Unit nurse on Monday morning. As there were no problems with infection or haematoma under the wounds, she told me to take the dressings off, and tell her how everything looked. It is all healing up nicely. I have dissolvable subcutaneous stitches so nothing to be removed later.
Later on Monday after a further phone call from the Breast Unit, my hubby took me in so that I could be fitted for another bra as the one they gave me is a little bit small. There’s a third one on order.
Pain relief is good – I was sent home with a supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen which I’ve been taking regularly. Both wounds are obviously tender to the touch but I am not in pain. I am also doing my exercises three times a day, to make sure my shoulder joint remains mobile. They are easy to do and not at all uncomfortable.
I am not sleeping well. My sleep pattern is peculiar with my ME anyway, but at the moment, needing to rest, and feeling tired earlier in the evening, I have been going up to bed quite early and reading. I drop off early, and then wake frequently during the night, so I read some more till I drop off again. I never get an uninterrupted night’s sleep anyway, but it’s much worse at the moment, and the nights seem pretty long. I can’t sleep on my side (too uncomfortable either side) but my electric bed is brilliant – I can get both head and foot ends at the right height and get comfy on my back, so it’s not too bad. This was the same after my abdominal operations – when I could sleep on my side again I knew I was really getting better! I am trying not to go to sleep during the day because I think this makes the night sleeping worse.
My hubby is helping me with lifting things and we’re pretty well organised in the kitchen. Last night we made the weekly batch of kombucha together! I can actually do a lot more than I expected, and it’s a bonus that I don’t have to cook because of all the advance preparations I did. I am resting a lot and allowing myself to recuperate. (Lots of time for fun TV and YouTube!) My hubby fills 500 ml water bottles for me from the filter which is too heavy to lift, so I’ve got a ready supply of drinking water, and I am now making up my daily rehydration/electrolyte drink from the frozen concentrate I made earlier – all the ingredients bar the water blended in the Vitamix and frozen in single portions, and all I have to do is top it up to 1 litre with water. My hubby is also helping me change my support stockings each day because that involves too much pulling for me to manage.
Unfortunately I am now lopsided! I am reminded of the delightful old movie from the 1950s starring Alec Guinness, “The Ladykillers.” The old lady heroine was called “Mrs. Lopsided” by one of her bank-robber lodgers. I can identify. My left boob is definitely smaller and less droopy than the right one! I’ve got photos but I’ll spare you those! With a bra on, you can’t tell the difference, though, which is what I was told would be likely to happen. I can’t complain about it – my hubby says it’s better that way than ending up with only one, and of course he’s right – although it would be nice if the right one was smaller too! He keeps quoting this at me:
There was a young lass from Devizes,
Whose breasts were of different sizes.
One was quite small,
And not much at all;
The other was big and won prizes.
Kitties
It is mostly Ruby this week.
My hubby feeds the kitties. He told me that at breakfast time, Ruby has got into a funny little routine. I don’t encourage the kitties to jump up on worktops and windowsills etc. but my hubby is a soft touch and lets them get away with murder! Anyway, when my hubby has finished washing their dishes, he tips the soapy water out of the washing up bowl down the sink, and Ruby sits on the worktop and plays with the suds. Since I was up early enough a few days ago to witness this, I thought I’d video her. Funny girl.
Identikits again…
Ruby has a new favourite place – on my neck pillow on the back of the settee! It’s rather small, but that doesn’t bother her. She likes being on things that match her size.
They have been very attentive since my operation and appreciate having me sitting on the recliner so much. Always a nice warm place for them to settle down!
Food
Recipe of the Week
(Not that I have been cooking this week!)
A while back I promised I would share my latest falafel recipe discovery with you. I had made some flat ones for when we went out for lunch not long ago and the rest were in the freezer. We had them a couple of days before I went into hospital. I said they were “deconstructed wraps” and we agreed that they should be called “Falafel Unwraps” lol! Unfortunately you can only see one falafel just peeking out in the picture, but they are there – mixed with roughly chopped lettuce, cucumber and tomato and sprinkled with some of my spicy tomato sauce (see below), and accompanied by my usual green leafy salad with all its additions on the side. We both agreed this was a great success, so I shall be making more. I’ll share a photo of the falafels themselves next time I make them.
These falafels are spicy and tasty and delicious. Baked in the oven (oil free) on a non-stick baking sheet or parchment at 180 deg. C for about 20 mins (turning once) they have a slightly crunchy outside. You can make them flat like little patties, as I did this time, or as balls. Either is fine.
I heavily adapted the original recipe, which states categorically that only dried uncooked chickpeas can be used. I did not remember to soak them in time, and tried risking it with pre-cooked and frozen ones (the equivalent of 1 14-oz can), and the result was great. Further adaptations:
Add 1 tab chia seeds soaked in 3 tabs water till thick – the equivalent of 1 egg, which stops the falafels falling apart.
I omitted the fresh coriander (cilantro) as I don’t like it.
A sprinkling of dried dill rather than fresh (all I had available).
I didn’t bother keeping the sesame seeds and baking soda separate till just before cooking, but added all the falafel ingredients to the food processor together. This worked just fine.
Wraps can be used instead of pitta.
Freeze when cooked – they are firmer and can go straight in a bag. They reheat well.
Spicy tomato sauce
1 14-oz tin chopped tomatoes
A few mushrooms, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
Cornflour to thicken if necessary, blended with a little water
Chilli powder to taste
1. Fry onions and mushrooms.
2. Add other ingredients and stir. Cook until thickened. Thicken further with cornflour if necessary.
I freeze the tomato sauce in large-sized ice cube trays – then you can take out portions as and when you need them.
Have a great week, everyone, and I hope to have more creativity to show you soon!
Glad the surgery went well and you are on the mend. How thoughtful to tailor the card to your surgeon personally. I am sure he will be pleased with it – and it is looking lovely so far. You will have SO MUCH FUN with the gel press. I use mine for so many crazy things and it never lets me down. When I first played with ink on it YEARS ago, everyone was saying “No you can’t use ink, it will stain the plate..” blah blah blah. Now I see all the amazing things people are doing and I smile. On the not Gel Press, not Gelli plate, be warned. I bought a Creative Palette (I thought just a thin version of the Gelli plate) and it was flipping USELESS. I am super interested to see how yours performs. The falafel recipe looks good and it’s lovely to see the kitty throw in use, by hubby and cats. Hang in there and feel better soon!
Oh and yeah I am so with you on the messed up sleep patterns. Mine is probably down to meds and if I get a solid continuous 6 hours of sleep any night I feel like I won the lottery!
Happy Desk Hopping!
Mary Anne (1)
Thanks, Mary Anne! Interesting insights on the gel press, too. I am looking forward to trying it when the time comes. Jennifer McQuire doesn’t seem to have any problems with ink staining it. I haven’t heard of the Creative Palette and must look that one up! Agreed about sleep. Six hours? That would be amazing! I only seem to need 4 or 5 and it’s never uninterrupted. It’s so much a part of my life now that I don’t usually think about it, but it’s worse since the operation, mostly because of not being able to lie on my side, and also I’m hotter because of the support stockings.
I love all your fun little boxes on your post this week! They are very stylish and the paper is gorgeous. That new paper is definitely cream!!
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #18
I’m delighted to read that you’re doing well Shoshi, you have been very much on my mind this weekend. My sister has just had an op that involved two nights in hospital and she too is not sleeping well. The zoom meeting with her nurse was hilarious for all sorts of reasons, but one of the outcomes was that she should try sleep late into the morning rather than napping in the ‘actual’ day. It’s apparently easier to shift around to a normal sleep pattern if you stay in bed rather than get up and end up having a chair nap! This could be sister specific of course, but I sort of see the point. I know you have some relaxing time on your hands and of course designing is second nature to you, how fantastically ambitious that card design is, so gorgeous!
Wishing you continuing repair and recovery.xx
Hi Shoshi, I have been thinking about you a lot lately, I am so pleased you are recovering well after your op. I did find the limerick funny! Your peacock design is wonderful. Loved the little video of Ruby. When I can’t sleep I go downstairs and make a cup of tea, I quite like the quietness of the night. My night sleep doesn’t seem to be affected by my sleeping during the day and some days I really need that sleep. I can’t remember my sleep patterns before the ME.
I look for to seeing your progress with the gel plate. I didn’t do half the things I had planned while we were away, we are back on our travels on Monday so this week I thought I would do some stamping to take with me and colour. Hugs – gentle of course! Angela #7
So glad you are home and doing well. You put me to shame with all that you have done – I have done very little.
First of all I must say I love the little rhyme your husband has made about you and your body parts. Very clever and so much fun. It scans beautifully.
I will have to wait to see the video of Ruby when I get home as the internet signal is not strong enough here where I am. I did try but it was buffering all the time. Love seeing them both and especially Ruby on your neck pillow. Cats can be such fun can’t they?
Very impressed with the new design – for the surgeon’s card. I can just imagine how beautiful that is going to look and I agree, Dylusion paints are very jewel like. I love the burgundy one – think it is called Pomegranate. Another lovely paint that would look good is from Stewart Gill. Not sure if they still make them but I had lots when I first started stamping, Beautiful rich colours.
Fabulous buys this week – I really do like those circles with the tiny circles on them. Never seen those before.
Well, rest and do as you have been told for the time being, rest and sleep are the best ways to get better, take care of yourself.
Gentle Hugs, Neet 5 xx
So glad to hear that the operation went well, Shoshi, and it sounds like you’re well on the way to recovery already. And that you were able to go home the same day is priceless! I remember when my son was born by an emergency caesarean and we had to stay in hospital for a whole week – I was so desperate to go home! That’s a lovely idea for a card for your surgeon, very personal and thoughtful. Ruby looks funny in the sink – Oreo used to frequent the sink and the kitchen counter in our old house – as well as the top of the kitchen cupboards – but thankfully he’s doing much less of that in this house – although who knows what he’s up to while we’re sleeping LOL. I have several of those fancy-ass gelli plates, but only because when I bought them they were the only ones available – otherwise I would have opted for the budget version – I’m sure it works the same way. I remember thinking when I bought the first one (8X10″ the only size available at the time) that was bloody expensive but it has served me well for years and I still use it all the time so at the end of the day, it was well worth it! I don’t mind spending money on things that I actually use – I bought really expensive Sizzix XL dies that I only ever used once or twice – those purchases are a waste of money (though I’m still reluctant to part with those dies – you never know when you might need them!) Actually, I always compare prices to the weekly grocery shop and think compared to the 80-90 quid we spend on food and household products each week, craft products are not that expensive! Have fun with your new gel plate – you’ll love it! Hope your recovery continues well! xx zsuzsa #24
Good to read all went to plan Shoshi and that you are doing better than you thought, listen to your body it will let you know when you need that extra rest, guilt free may I add. Hubby is your constant by your side and there to lend a hand always from what you write.
I’m sure you will find many more uses for the gel plate, people come up with amazing ways to use them and create fabulous prints and backgrounds. I’m glad you found a bargain, they were very expensive when they first came out, there’s many different variations now. Just have fun playing, it’s what it’s all about.
I’m smiling at Ruby with the bubbles, she’ll surprise you both and catch them one day hee hee..
Take care of yourself now, wishing you a happy, creative sunny week ahead. Tracey #9 xx
P.S What ever you decide to create from the Pakistani Art it will be fantastic x
I’m so glad you came through your surgery with flying colors. Sounds like you are enjoying coloring and taking things easy. I love that card you have designed. It is beautiful.
I have a gelli. I hate mine. I hope you enjoy yours. Mine was so expensive, I can’t get rid of it. It is different from your two.
Sweet kitty photos and video. Enjoy your time on the couch, dear. Happy WOYWW from # 6.
So glad to hear that things went well last Friday Shoshi and that you are healing without issues. Hope the new bras arrive soon. That is such a beautiful card that you have designed. Funnily enough my obstetrician when I had my boys was a Mr Menon ( very similar name) when I didn’t see our GP Dr Jheeta who was attached to his team at the hospital instead. Meow to the kitties. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #3
Yay for you, I am glad to read that recovery is going on nicely. that card you are designing will be stunning. Loved all the kitty shots too. ~Stacy #27
i am glad that you are not in pain and recovering nicely – being lopsided is a small price to pay! I always have been myself…….however, in all seriousness I am pleased that things are going well so far. The card you have planned for your surgeon will be spectacular if the prototype is anything to go by! Sorry I am late, i had a hair appointment after work and I’ve not long been in. Take care and rest well. Helen #2
Loving the card and can’t wait to see how you use the new stash. Wishing you a very happy woyww. Wishing you a very happy and creative woyww, Angela x16x
I’m so glad you are home and doing well Shoshi, you have been on my mind a lot this week. The card you are making for your surgeon is beautiful – I love the design and all those rich colours – it will be magnificent when it’s done. It’s great that you have been getting some crafting in and it’s always a pleasure getting new stash to play with isn’t it. Glad you are enjoying extra time with the kitties in your recliner – they are enjoying life to the full as usual by the look of it!
Hope you have a good week and continue to recover well.
Diana xx #19
Hi Shoshi, so glad your ops went well. I love your husband’s Limerick! Physio is a pain but makes a huge difference. I’ll have to get into it when I get home from hospital. It’s scary how fast you lose muscle tone.
Beautiful videos of Rosie. We have all this to explore with Bella and Gracie from next week.
I’m going for a mammogram next week and will print out that cartoon to take, following your lead.
Take care
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 13
Hi Shoshi! Can’t believe it’s a week since your op and I haven’t been in touch. My bad. So good to find you so positive and cheerful and getting on with things. SLeep. Yes they tell us it is very important, I’m around 5/6 hours at the mo and would love it to be 7/8 as I do get tired and often fall asleep reading in the afternoon!! I am however very bad at laying in bed awake. I’m sure you’ll manage well with the gelli plate – it is a tad messy, but what happens is you end up with lots and lots of prints very quickly. There are also very clever things you can do (haven’t got that far) and various ways of layering that are quite stunning. I watched Leonie Pujol once for nearly an hour, just amazing. My friend recently did image transfers and I’m itching to give that a go. ANyhow, Happy WOYWW, stay well, stay safe, Love n hugs Cindy #8 xx
Hi Shoshi,
Just wanted to say thank you for the visit to mine and I had to smile when you mentioned the Prespahn mats as it was you talking about them a few years ago that encouraged me to buy a couple – they are marvellous aren’t they but unfortunately they were leaning against the wall by my table when I warped the cutting mats! Just goes to show you can have all the right equipment but not necessarily the common sense to use it! Anyway, I appreciated your ‘enabling’ and have used them a lot, especially with making the silver clay jewellery.
I hope you get to enjoy using your new stash, I shall be doing a little crafting today as it will be too hot to do anything remotely energetic – in fact moving from one cold fan the next around the house is about as much as I’m planning to do today!!
I hope you are over your bug and enjoy the rest of the week,
Diana xx
Hope you are recovering well. Glad to see your sense of humour meand you added the limerick!
I love my Gelli plates – I must take a look at some of those JM videos using them with a misti…
Happy WOYWW!
Stay safe and keep well!
Susan #23
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!
Forgot to say – that Pakistani design is going to be stunning…
Glad the surgery went well and yes it is amazing what they can do in day surgery these days. the handmade thank you card for your surgeon is such a lovely personalised idea. Ah that poem took me back, I was born and grew up only a few miles from Devizes, it was the nearest large town to me!!
kyla
I’m here at last, sorry it’s sooo late! I’ve been having touble commenting, and I have had cats to feed and puppies and dogs to look after this week and, retirement? what’s that!? silly me got my blood test two weeks wrong! still, it means I already have the specimen botte! So glad you’re doing well. I remember they left me to last to send home, Christmas eve it was too! Love the kitties, Jinx is back to his old self and putting on weight again and has been spending his days sunbathing and…watch his very hissing and shy ‘girl Friend’ Stay saft Happy very late late weeks WOYWW!? ((Lyn))