Wednesday 19 November 2014

WOYWW 285

For details on how to join in the fun of sharing your weekly desk, please click on the WOYWW logo in my sidebar, which leads to Julia’s blog, where all will be revealed.

WOYWW 285a Main Work Area

Not too much activity on my desk this week. I got some new stash – a gorgeous art stamp from Stampotique called Kitty Squad which is waiting to be unmounted from its wood block and mounted on some EZ-Mount foam. Also some sticky embossing powder. I’ve made a start on the next section in my recycled mini-album. On the right you can see the new iPod case I got from Ebay – I have an identical black one which is pretty well worn out, and managed to find a replacement – it’s fine except it’s pink, which I didn’t want! They are very rare, but my favourite because you can attach a neck strap to the ring.

Oh dear, I’ve just noticed I’ve got another dirty paint jar on my desk… Hopefully this one won’t hang around for as many weeks as the last one!

I’ve also been doing a bit of sewing, altering some more bedding to fit my new bed. Even when cleared, the work surface isn’t very deep for folding and cutting! I think I may need to pull out all the pull-out units to make a cutting surface…

WOYWW 285b Sewing Area

I’ve not been too well this week – one day in particular I had a tummy upset and felt pretty lousy all day but slept a lot which helped. We had a busy day out one day, and we dropped my defunct NAS drive in to my fav computer shop in Plymouth in the hope he can get it up and running again for me, and my hubby encouraged me to do some retail therapy in the market where I bought 3 simply gorgeous gorgeous tops… I love markets and charity shops. You can pick up some real bargains.

Had my first soap making class last Wednesday and I made a couple of really simple melt-and-pour soaps, including one for my hubby which he loves as it doesn’t upset his skin! I have ordered a special teddy mould just for him and am going to make all his soap from now on!! Since the teacher provides all we need for the class, if I’m going to go on with this, which I want to, I need to get a few supplies in, so I’ve been shopping on Ebay and am looking forward to some nice parcels arriving over the next few days. Some of the things will have multiple uses in the studio which is great.

Yesterday I started to strain my lavender oil that has been infusing for a couple of months. Our neighbour gave us a huge quantity of lavender that she’d cut back in her garden, and I filled a jar with it and topped it up with grapeseed oil and left it to infuse in the airing cupboard. It has darkened in colour and smells simply marvellous. I am hoping to be able to add some of this to my soaps.

This week I got some A4 Tyvek envelopes from Ebay. I can get a whole A4 sheet and two smaller pieces from each envelope, and it works out at 17p a sheet, which is considerably cheaper than the price a lot of the art suppliers charge. Wonderful stuff for melting and painting, and it apparently cuts very well indeed on electronic cutting machines, and once I get mine up and running again I am keen to try this – for cutting really detailed pieces which won’t rip when you take them off the carrier mat, and also for cutting stencils.

The result of my latest blood test shows that at last I am no longer anaemic! I shall be carrying on with just one iron tablet a day to keep me topped up, and hopefully I won’t slip back again. I don’t feel any different.

Great news – after hitting another plateau with my weight loss, I can now report that I have lost a total of two stone since mid-June when I started the 5:2 diet. I’ve got a way to go yet, and I am determined to reach a weight suitable for my height. Considering we have hosted 3 cream teas in 10 days, I don’t consider this bad going!!

My hubby took the kitties to the vet the other evening to get their boosters done, and they had their usual annual MOT. Uncle Luke (vet, who has a huge soft spot for Beatrice!) told Beatrice to stop purring because he couldn’t hear her heart! How many kitties in your acquaintance purr at the vet’s?!! Phoebe purred too. Uncle Luke gave them both a cuddle, and gave Beatrice a treat for being a good girl. Phoebe’s a little tub and didn’t get one.

Happy WOYWW everybody!

13 comments:

  1. Ahh look at that gorgeous book, I love the fact that we're seeing it in process. As I said last week I think it is stunning.
    I love the sound of the lavender oil your making, homemade things like that are so much nicer.
    Glad to hear your iron levels are good, I suffer with the same thing, I dip a few times a year. I've been taking something called Spatone everyday, completely natural, which has helped my levels to stay up. Could be worth a look. :)
    Take Care
    Georgie C

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Shoshi happy WOYWW - great post read and lots going on at your place. Soap making sounds like a lot of fun especially if it's going to be just right for hubby...love that you're making your own lavender oil to use, it would smell divine. Cheers RobynO#36

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy WOYWW. Soapmaking sounds wonderful. I love the smell of lavender and it must be very rewarding to make your own oil. Our cat loves going to the vet too. Ali x #42

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Shoshi - what a busy post, and congratulations on all the good news, but sorry you've been feeling poorly. It certainly doesn't seem to have slowed you down or cramped your style, though! Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Chris # 8

    ReplyDelete
  5. How interesting, making soap on your own. What stuff do you use? As I have sensitive skin myself, I might give it a try. I am curious to see what you will do with the Tyvek.
    Cheers
    Gabriele 26

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your last story about the cats - and Phoebe being a little tub. Bless them!
    Congrats on the weight loss - that is brilliant and some going. Do you think that has helped your health? Even though you were not good this week I mean more over all.
    I like the sound of the soap making, especially the lavender soak - must try this some time but my lavender has not been successful up to now.
    Must go, visitors arriving any minute.
    Hugs, Neet 27 xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. My, you have been busy, great post this week.
    I've never seen an I Pod holder, with a loop on it, like that. I must investigate that a little more, sure beats just sticking it in my pocket or strapping it to my arm (which I hate)
    Glad your feeling better.
    Krisha #5

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great idea to get Tyvek envelopes rather than the overpriced sheets aimed at crafters! I might try that too. I've been loking into using Tyvek myself. Apparently, they work great as stencils. Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #39

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love reading your posts Shoshi always so interesting. You have so much going on. I like the idea of making your own soap ( think I may have said before) Sorry you've not been too well this week. Not good here really either - think weather is affecting arthritis, I've also taken to much on - was awake till 5 this morning - so much on y mind :-( I tried to leave a message last week but wouldn't let me for some reason :-( Anyway Happy WOYWW Anne x #34

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry to hear you've not been feeling too good. Love the kitty stamp, gorgeous. You obviously got it from Art from the Heart by the way it was packaged, I have lots of their little hearts and some big red ones which they used to use which are also gorgeous.
    Hope you have a great crafty week, Angela x 28

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love reading your posts. You have so much on the go!
    That stamp is lovely with the pussies. And I smiled at your sewing desk because I think I spotted the instruction book open. I have my instruction book next to my sewing machine as I use it so rarely that every time I use my machine \I have to remind myself of certain things.(It is a relatively new machine).
    I'm sorry to hear you haven't been well, but the weight loss does compensate a little bit perhaps? Well done anyway. I wish I could lose weight with 3 cream teas in 10 days!
    Have a lovely (crafty) week!
    And God bless.
    Lisca#24

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Shoshi, I'm still making my way around all the wonderful WOYWW desks from this past Wednesday's post. I've wanted to get into soap making but then I got side tracked with learning to spin yarn, which ended up not being something I wanted to do long term. I loved it, very meditative but just too slow to get an actual project made so I sold off all of my spinning goodies. Of course I bought more goodies in another medium with the funds! :D I have yet to try out Tyvek... I am a bit of a tortoise, and gosh, there are just so many things out there to try! :D What lucky kitties to have a vet they can purr at! I bet that lavender oil smells fabulous... I can almost smell it over here in New Hampshire!
    Well, I loved the photos of your soaps and look forward to future visits to see what you are up to in your studio.
    Hugs from a sister in art from across the pond,
    Beth P
    WOYWW #73

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Shoshi, love the post. Lol at Beatrice! A huge well done for your weight loss, that is a brilliant achievement in that time. Been reading your soap making posts too, keeping my interest going here. Running so late this week, I'm almost early for next! Have the rest of a great week, Hugs, Shaz #2 xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments! They are much appreciated. Spammers, please be aware that I read and moderate ALL comments, and yours will be deleted before publication, so please don't bother!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...