Wednesday 18 January 2017

Tubes, Teabag Stains, Spider Webs and WOYWW

For WOYWW #398 it’s a mixed bag from Shoshi.

I know that to stick to my NY resolutions, I was supposed to be concentrating exclusively on UFOs (UnFinished Objects, or as Glitter and Glue Margaret called them, “Unfinished Symphonies” lol!), but I just had to do a small something new this week, because we finished a roll of clingfilm:

01 Cling Film Tube

and it brought to mind a fabulous video I saw on Youtube recently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MZR3fucuME

and I decided to cut this tube up and make it into the start of a series of vintage mini-books which I shall work on later. It’s quite a thick tube, and a lot narrower than a toilet roll or kitchen roll tube, and I thought it would be ideal for a series of very small books.

I began by cutting the tube into four lengths.

02 Tube Cut into Four Pieces

The cutting made the ends quite rough, so I sanded them with some 120-grade sandpaper.

03 Sanding the Ends of the Tubes

Working on the inside of the cut end with a bit of torn off sandpaper.

04 Sanding the Inside of the Tube End

Four tubes ready for cutting in half lengthwise.

05 Tubes Ready for Cutting in Half

I marked the length on opposite sides of the tube in readiness for cutting.

06 Tube Marked Ready for Cutting

One of the tubes cut in half lengthwise.

07 Tube Cut in Half

Again, the cutting made quite a mess of the cardboard, so I sanded each one.

08 Sanding the Cut Tubes

Some of the inner linings of the tubes had pulled away so I stuck them back with a glue stick.

09 Tidying Up the Inside of the Tubes

All prepped and ready to go! It was all a pretty dusty job and it made me sneeze! Good thing I had my nifty little brush handy to clear up the mess.

10 Tubes All Prepped and Ready to Go

Watch this space for the future of these tubes – but it may be a while!

(By the way, the little pile of thread scraps in the first photo are from my embroidery project – I save all these and put them in a box, ready to add to mixed media projects.)

This week I also made another sheet of watercolour paper with round teabag stains.

01 Round Teabsg Stains

I love the marks they make. Plenty of scope for Zentangle and other embellishment!

Finally, back to my current UFO. I haven’t managed to get much done this week because of other things, but I was excited to find a new embroidery stitch online – whipped spider web stitch, which is really pretty.

03 Purple Piece with Whipped Spider Web Stitch

I did this round my signature shi-sha mirror and I’m really pleased with this. This piece isn’t finished yet as I’ve got to work around the edges of the applique. Here’s a detail shot.

04 Purple Piece with Whipped Spider Web Stitch Detail

I can see a lot of potential in this and I’m looking forward to doing some more, and as I get more practice, I’m hoping to get the stitches a bit more evenly spaced.

I’ve got baking to do over the next couple of days, in readiness for the resumption of our informal cake-athon get-together at the cancer support centre on Friday after the Christmas break. I made lots of mince pies last night, and am hoping to make some more of my chocolate ganache filled coconut macaroons and possibly some cupcakes. And yes, I am still on my diet! I gained 2 lb over Christmas but have lost it again, plus another pound, and have now hit my all-time low since starting the diet back in 2014 – I’ve now lost a total of 3 st 1 lb!

Health Update

My wretched wisdom tooth kept me on maximum dose of paracetamol for about a week! However, it is now quite a lot better and I haven’t taken any pain killers today. I’m hoping it will settle back down completely and no intervention will be necessary. I will tell the dentist about it when I see him but hopefully I won’t have to see him before our scheduled appointment.

I’ve had a couple of days this week when I’ve had to take to the recliner with my ME. There’s been a lot going on lately and I have to take the consequences! Better again today though. I have now lived with this for 10 years and know how to deal with it. Life is good! Have to keep smiling, and keep looking up!

16 comments:

  1. Good morning, Soshi. Goodnes, I've not visited with you in forever. I'm happy to hear you are doing well, for the most part. I'll have to take a look at the spider web embroidery. Very pretty. Like you, I have UFOs to work on this year but more importantly is to get some projects done that I've been wanting to make for years... like embroidery gingerbread men on kitchen towels for my Christmas decor.

    Here's hoping your 2017 is full of all things good.
    Creative Blessings & Hugs. ~Kelly #41

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  2. Hi Shoshi, lots of lovely things to look at! Glad you are feeling a bit better,hard not to overdo things when you feel up to doing things. Hope the baking goes well. Love & hugs,Shaz xx

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  3. Hello lovely lady! Well what a tease you are, I had to go and watch the vieo - still not exactly sure where the tube inner is going but I'm eyeing up my extra large turkey foil roll as we speak. Can't be much left on there... Teeth - all I'm saying is ouch, have had a few niggles myself lately, just hope they get resolved without intervention also. Hope you have a good week, Happy WOYWW, Cindy #25

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  4. I'm always amazed with what can be achieved using those cardboard tubes. What a great way to make a book cover with a sturdy spine.
    Happy woyww Jill #24

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  5. Hiya Soshi! Sending gentle hugs. I'm a fellow spoonie! I love your wonderful applique. So talented! Happy WOYWW! Sez x #42

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  6. Great workspace. TFS xx Jan 52

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  7. Really interesting journal idea - it will be fun watching the progress! I pinned it, just in case I might want to try it someday too. Your embroidery is beautiful, I love the mirror in the middle! Thanks for sharing, Lindart #47

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  8. glad you are continuing to smile through.. and that the wisdom tooth seems to be behaving! Am intrigued to see what happens with the toilet rolls (not got time right now to watch the video!) so will wait for your UFO... don't be long, now!!! Helen #2

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  9. Sorry that the ME is playing up. Glad your wisdom tooth has settled down. My daughter had all four of hers out at the same time a couple of years ago. Not fun. Her gum ended up getting infected and she had to go back. It turned out to be very expensive!

    Love what you're doing with the tube. Will be nice to see it finished. I'd never thought of that. I started watching the video, but will finish the whole thing as it looks useful.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sharon K #37

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  10. Glad your teeth have settled like you had hoped... and you are quite right that you know what your body needs.. I hope you are so much better soon.

    I am intrigued about the mini books from paper rolls... some times the UFOs just need to be unfinished a while longer.. they aren't going anywhere after all.


    Have a lovely week x
    Erika (#6)

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  11. Hi Shoshi, UFOs! Sure we all must have these, know I have. Good luck at getting them done. Have a great woyww and thanks for the visit to mine, Angela x 9

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  12. I'm looking forward to seeing the progression on your vintage mini books. Your embroidered piece is looking lovely. Blessings, my friend!

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  13. I watched that video with great interest, Shoshi! The spines she makes out of those kitchen rolls look so great! I would have thought the cling film roll would be too thick to cut, but you managed it fine. I always feel they're too good to throw away, but I never know what to do with them. Might just have to try this too! You absolutely need new projects in addition to your UFOs to keep those creative juices flowing. Good to hear your tooth is behaving for the time being - hope it stays that way! I haven't had a chance to reply to your lovely long email yet, but hopefully I will later on. Happy belated WOYWW!

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  14. I don't know if I would have spent the time you have on a part of the project that would never be seen, note to self take more time with things and do them properly, looking forward to seeing the finished books. Glad your tooth is behaving again.

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  15. Well that's a teaser isn't it - I'm tempted to watch the video but then I want the enjoyment and surprise of seeing your creation first! Your embroidery is beautiful and you have it so neatly spaced, which is one of the hardest things I find. The different stitches are very pretty and I really ought to try some new ones out but I always end up sticking to the same half dozen I've always done!
    Thank you so much for the visit to mine and for your kind comments - not a good start to my year but hoping it will improve. I do hope your tooth settles right down, that is such a horrid, nagging pain to have.
    Happy baking,
    Diana x

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  16. busy, busy desk as usual! WoW all the baking and embroidery makes me jealous. You should publish the recipe for the pavlova! Sorry I am so late getting around but...I made it!!! Have a great week! Vickie #54

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