IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS....
I read a very interesting article the other day on how our communication has become more image rather than text based - it made me think of how useful images can be, emojis can express something so succinctly, Instagram (which I don't do) is instant but nothing quite reaches your soul as much as a proper letter or long message can. And then I realised that my blog is the same, I tend to rely on big photos and few words, maybe so you lovely readers can whip through my drivel and nonsense a bit quicker!!! *grin*
Anyhow, the desk (big pic coming up.......)
Shoshi, you really started something with your cross stitch, I am really enjoying doing this after a break of quite a few years....
I've made a few small pieces for Christmas cards and decided to have a go at the larger panel. I have a spare hoop the same size so will frame it up for a Christmas hanging in our house. But...*hangs head in shame* look at the appalling state of the threads......
I should be drummed out of WOYWW for that shambles! I shall have to tidy it up as it's really annoying me now....
Dobbin has recently arrived in our house. I needed something to help me exercise in my mission to get the flab off. It's fab, very smooth with a shelf for the iPad so I can watch scenic bike tours of the world while pedalling away (on YouTube, highly recommended is the Bike the World series). I was 'travelling' through the Pyrenees this morning, it doesn't half make the time go faster!! But the best thing is the built in fan at face level, which is wondrous for this old bird, lol! The funniest thing though, is that the whole rig is very tall and I need a step to get up on it - it's the first time in my life that I've felt short! G calls it my mounting block...... ;-D
Let me introduce you to a new family member:
Anyway, I may not get round to everyone this week as my eldest son is home, I haven't seen him for months and months so we'll be making the most of our time with him.
Have a great week!
34 comments:
I love the purple fabric! your exercise bike looks fab, even if you need a step up to mount it!! great idea to cycle to you tube too. have a great week with your son visiting - how wonderful that will be! Helen #?
Enjoy your son's visit Jan! Love Dobbin. I am terrible when it comes to exercise although I get plenty on school days with the one way system around school. Love that bright fabric! Look forward to seeing the finished cross stitch hanging. STay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #?
Morning Jan, always love to see your bright photo's of what's on your workdesk, love the new fabric cases, quite Autumnal. I hope you and Dobbin will have many happy miles together hee hee!! Stay safe & Happy WoywW Tracey #5 xx
I had to chuckle at your embroidery threads...cos it looked so much like mine :-) I just keep mine in a plastic bag now and pull out a length of whatever I'm using!!
Well done you with the exercise regime...I hope all your efforts are rewarded.
Have a wonderful time with your big boy....enjoy every minute.
Hugs,
Annie x #9
Good morning Jan! I see what you meant now about Dobbin having a shelf. I’ll have to think what we can do.
What an idea, that you should be drummed out of WOYWW for untidiness! It’s as much the chaos of our crafts that makes WOYWW interesting as much as anything else. I find sorting tangled threads/yarns very satisfying, mindful, I suppose, though I think all craft is that.
Lovely cross-stitch!
Give O a big hug from us. Love to you all xxx
Lynne #13
Hi Jan. Have the most wonderful time with your son! Enjoy every minute of it and don't worry about us - we'll see you again next week! Oh my - that exercise bike makes me feel tired just looking at it... but cycling the Pyrenees sounds like fun. Great specs cases - well done. Love the cross stitch - I confess to having little squares of card with each thread wrapped round it, number on, etc., then they are kept in an old photographic slide box - crazy or just plain daft?!
Take care. Enjoy family time. God bless.
Margaret #6
HI Jan, that purple fabric is fab-tastic, especially with the pop of green. I'm inspired to have a go at some Christmas cross stitch now, especially as I found some cross stitch card blanks when rooting through mystash the other day. I have a similar-looking drawer full of threads - isn't that what they're supposed to look like? :)
Well done you with the exercise bike, I've often wondered about getting one but worry I wouldn't use it. My son has one, he finds it is excellent for hanging his smalls on to dry!
Have a wonderful time with your son, enjoy every minute and don't worry about commenting, we'll all be here next time :)
Annie C #17
Ha! I have one of them, a small one, that I can use while I sit and knot. Makes me feel less idle while still allowing me to enjoy my craft. Then the big treadmill is for more serious sessions, when I can manage it.
I'm with you on that purple material. It's wonderful. Your knack for stunning colour combos has not diminished with time. I realize you can just see the little trash bag thingie you made, that I think I won at a WOYWW crop raffle draw, in one of my desk photos. Given the chaos, it's a bit like Where's Wally? to spot it, but give it a go when you drop by LOL!
Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (20)
Love the purple with the lime green! Such a happy combination! You reminded me that I need to get back on the bike too - it always gives me a sore bum though. The iPad holder is definitely useful, otherwise it's just boring. I used to have the laptop set up, so I could stream some series that otherwise I wouldn't allow myself to watch - so if I wanted to know what happens, I had to get on the bike! Once I spent 1.5 hours cycling this way (at the top setting) but I could hardly walk afterwards LOL! It's good for you though - keep it up and you've inspired me to get back on the bike too! Happy WOYWW Jan! xx zsuzsa #20
Love the exercise bike, had to laugh about the mounting as we have what I call 'the coffin dodgers playground' here and no way can I get on some of the machines and I am 165cms tall. My silks are similar to yours. I have my daughter with me at present haven't seen her for 18 months so alot of catching up to do. Ani
I'm loving all the beautiful colourful material on display this week. Your exercise bike looks fantastic. I have a cross trainer that I need to dust off and get onto more regularly as the amount I can swim goes down. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe, with love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#11)
Hiya Jan, oh my I LOVE that circles fabric, actually reminds me I have a stamp almost identical to that.Lovely colours in all those threads, I have a tub full somewhere from years ago! We have an exercise bike upstairs too, I really need to start using it, just for the cardio. Like the idea of watching videos, must look into that. I must be the only person in the world who's actually lost weight during this lockdown. But, to be truthful, thats been mainly down to Doug spending a lot of time at the hospital with Curtiss a couple of months ago- I couldn't be asked to cook much for one, so lived on mainly baked potatoes, and salad sandwiches. Now he's tutoring online again, he has one class at 6 in the evening till 9, so we tend to have a salad baguette about 5, and only having a cooked meal Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So far I've dropped to 10st 11 from 12st 5! I'll be happy anywhere around 10 1/2, so quite pleased. Lovely for you to have Owen home, give him a hug from us. Love and hugs to you all, Stay safe, Shaz XxXxXx
I love your little cross stitch creations - I have been thinking of getting stuck in to some ever since seeing Shoshi's needle cases. I like the idea of Christmas card toppers - they will look fabulous. I got rid of our exercise bike as it was so high and also blooming uncomfortable without a seat the size of an armchair! We now have a treadmill but it takes a HUGE amount of effort make myself use it, especially in the warmer weather - a built in fan would be heavenly!
Hope you have a wonderful time with your eldest and I don't blame you for making the most of every minute he's home - who knows what the next lot of restrictions will be in these strange times.
Stay safe and have a good week,
Hugs, Diana xx #22
Can’t do cross stitch at all unless it’s preprinted. My embroidery threads often look like that and then I tidied them up in sheer frustration with myself. You do use the most fabulous fabrics-no wonder you are always being asked for refills! X
Oh I love Dobbin! Years ago I had an exercise bike and it was the best way to easily lose weight - I could sit and pedal for about 7 miles in a little world of my own listening to favourite music and it never seemed like a chore. Think I need a new one - I could do with losing a couple of stone! (Too much birthday cake and choc during lockdown). As for the embroidery threads - I had a big purge on the box Max and I use in my room - wound it onto card. It looks tidy but I quite like to see a random bundle of colourful threads in a basket! Love your little cross stitch pics too. Have fun with that lovely son of yours -time goes so fast when they are with you doesn't it. xxx Jo
Jan, I LOVE the purple fabric!! It's singing my psychedelic song!! I also love the other fabric...so pretty!! I am NO sewer, so I envy anyone who can do clever projects!! So lovely! I did cross stitch ions ago!! I still have all of my goodies, just haven't picked it up in ages!! And as far as your new unit...it looks like a goodie! I have never attempted to put one in my home for fear of what it would eventually be used for.....lol....clothes!!! LOL Happy cycling!! Blessings, Felicia #25
Hello Jan, well, I for one, like your large photos. I enjoy your text too - it's hardly drivel!!! These old eyes aren't what they used to be so the larger the photos the better. As the saying goes, 'if you can remember it you weren't there'. It's fabric like yours that reminds me I was indeed there. You've got yourself some job there, sorting out those threads, but it's something restful to do after all the exercising you'll be doing on Dobbin. Have a good week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #29
Great projects ~ Love the new bike and the step stool to reach it! I have 3 stools in various rooms to reach top shelves :) watching a video sounds like fun to pass the time while exercising too ~ enjoy your visit with your son. Love, Karen #28
Good luck tidying your embroidery threads :). They so easily get in a pickle. Good luck also With the exercise machine I am trying to walk a bit more. X Angela #23
Hi Jan. I could do with Dobbin! I am trying so hard to get fitter, lose some weight but it is very hard. I love the purple fabric! Take care. Stay safe. Anne x 26
Loving your new Dobbin and the fabrics are gorgeous especially the purple and green, love them to bits. I think the EBA sounds right down my street Lol! Wishing you a happy and creative woyww, Angela x15x
Your cross stitch is so cute. I wish I knew how as I always envy those fab, talented cross stitch ladies like yourself. Your mounting block did make me chuckle.
Ellie #30
Theglitteredpoppleberry.blogspot.com
Hi, Jan!
Nothing exciting to share from my side of the world. We are replacing drywall insulation and flooring, from the leak damage downstairs. I have relocated "stuff" everywhere!
Dobbin looks like work to me! Don't let him throw you!
Enjoy your visit with your son!
Stay safe and well.
Happy Wednesday!
Kathryn
Love the cross-stitch. I want to try but my craft room refuses any new projects right now so I will live vicariously through you. Yes, I see you have your work cut out for you to untangle those threads but when you finish you will be happy and can access what you need fast. So it's worth it.
Dobbin is quite impressive. Is it a he? I will refer to him as a he until otherwise corrected. I love that he has a fan to keep you cool. What a great feature. I am working on my flab too. I don't want to come out of this pandemic unrecognizable! I agree with what you said about words having more connection. I feel like the social media is fun but should not substitute letters and blog posts where we use the wonderful words to express ourselves. I hope when I open my shop that more people will think that way and order som cards. I am always extra happy to receive letters or cards in the mail.
Have fun with your son and I will see you next week!
Belinda #33
I'm not a purple person but that fabric is really cool! I've done oodles of cross stitch up until we moved here. I will admit that my threads are all on floss winders and kept in a plastic holder in color order. I might even know where that is!
Nice new family member. I have an old treadmill but seem to get too busy to get on it. At least I don't have clothes hanging on it.
Hope you have a most wonderful time with your son!!
Carol N #24
Love the purple and green fabrics - and I too am enjoying a return to cross-stitching!
My exercise bike made an excellent clothers horse...
Happy woyww, Susan #14
Hi Jan, So love the purple fabric and that green goes just right.
Great makes with the other fabric. The embroidery is lovely. If you have a shoe box, you can make holes in the side and thread a bit of each of the threads through. Then you won't see the mess inside:) LOL
I use to have a Dobbin, but didn't need the 'mounting block':) LOL
Have a lovely time with your son.
Happy WOYWW
Sue
Happy Belated WOYWW and hope you are enjoying your family time. I am still loving those fabrics. I did look for an affordable sewing machine online last week, but everything that I wanted/was in my budget was sold out. I am busy with other projects now, so will leave it for a while. Perhaps hubby will get me one for Christmas?! That exercise bike does look good, and yes I would need the mounting block too. I have a normal road bike on a 'turbo', which means I can cycle stationary. We have 2 very large fans in there (hubby sweats a lot when he is doing his very long rides - sometimes several hours!). I prop my iPad on a cardboard bike box which is next to my bike. Someone suggested a music stand, which I keep meaning to look for on Ebay or Facebook Marketplace. Probably going on there later, as the roads are wet/muddy now. I do prefer to cycle outside, but avoid slippery roads. We have got a treadmill too, for the days when I don't want to walk outside. I even do a little bit of jogging on it - it seems to stress my legs less than running outside. With the hot tub inside as well, we are definitely prepared for the winter! Ali x #34
you have some great fabric there. i know what you mean about tangles tread, I manage it every time I cross stitch, lol
Hope you get to achieve your goal with the Dobbin,
Lilian B #10
How lovely for you to have Owen home for a visit. Happy days ahead for you all, I hope the weather is nice down there so you can get out and about a bit on those lovely beaches that you are surrounded by.
Not surprised you love that fabric and the green goes with it so well. I had to smile at the other fabric as it reminded me of a joke I had sent to my phone - sadly deleted.
Well done on the cross stitching, I can see I need to look if I have any embroidery threads around.
Well, Dobbin, soiunds wonderful. He has all the facilities a girl would want, and a mounting stool, even though it didn't come with it all adds up to the picture. I can just imagine you with jockey cap on, whip in hand, taking him for a cantor in the woods. Although i now you prefer cycling, or at last I think you do. But seriously, it looks like the ideal appliance to shed a bit of weight. I think I need to do after that two weeks away - the rhubarb gin flowed a bit more than it normally does (which is almost none at home) and the chocolate that Chas insisted we needed to take with us went down a teat too. Guess I had better say Toodle Pip before I divulge too much.
Hugs, Neet 7 xx
You're doing well with your mad 60s fabric, Jan! As for the cross stitch, I am SO HAPPY to have inspired you!! Quite made my day. I love to see that you use a polywallet too - for small projects it's ideal. I sometimes put the current design inside the back of it so I can see it through the plastic. Your threads really aren't too bad and no drumming out is required lol! Mine are sorted by colour and stuffed into small plastic bags, all of which live in a Really Useful Box. They are quite a muddle! I've tried various organising systems but find this works OK for me. I've never gone by thread numbers and just pick the shade of red etc that looks OK from the bag! It's the same with my knitting yarns. All sorts of bits and pieces that get randomly mixed and matched! That suits my style of creativity. I love the latest project you've started, and I so agree with you about how pleasing the designs on graph paper are. I love the discipline of it, and the clean look of the graph paper designs. Out of the chaos of the thread muddles comes beauty and order lol!! I'm making good progress on Tiny Carpet #4, mapping out the central motifs. Lots of counting at this stage, but then the filling in is easy-peasy.
Thank you for commenting - I appreciate your crossness on our behalf for the damage to our gatepost! The behaviour of people these days beggars belief sometimes, doesn't it. Still, it's nearly all mended now - my hubby is just trying to fix the broken gate bracket and hopes to get a delivery from Ebay soon, and failing that, he will probably ask someone if they can weld the broken one together again. The strong exterior glue is brilliant. We have a bird bath which is a shallow concrete dish on top of a pedestal, and it was just laid on top loosely. When the kitties first started going out in the garden we were worried about it because Lily loves to jump up and play with the water in the bird bath, and we thought she might knock the whole thing down on top of herself. My hubby used that glue to stick it together and it's solid like a rock now! It's the same with the gatepost. He's now pointed the damage with readymix and it's looking great.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi x #12
Drumming out...I think you’ve got a long way to go frankly...a few mixed up threads because you haven’t used them for a while doesn’t really cut it! More especially because you’ll have them sorted and serried in no time!! The cross stitch will be fab, and sooo trendy framed in its hoop, get you Missus! Hope you’re soaking up the elder son. Should’ve saved that groovy fabric to make him a welcome home shirt!!!
Your exercise bike looks good. You've been busy with the cross stitch! Next Christmas is comming soon! ♥ Hope you enjoyed the time with your eldes Son.
Best wishes, Eva from Austria
Playing catch up on posts and this one gave me a big smile. A step stool to get on the machine ! Yep I totally understand. My son got a Jeep, wanted to take us for a ride. I couldn't even get in it. And same for the combine yesterday, a ride thru the field with DH...needed a boost to go up the ladder I know I've lost inches !!! And flexibility...but I'm old.
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