A slightly different workdesk this week. I have finished the desperate cards, those that are needed this week, and have now till the end of the month to do the last three for February. So, I decided the priority was to finish the shawl for the new baby, and try to get it done before he/she is actually born. I started it over two years ago for our youngest grandaughter, but family troubles got in the way and it was never finished. This time, I am doing it, so instead of playing with paper, paint, glue and things, I am busy fighting the worst written pattern I have ever met. I do consider myself as a reasonably competent and experienced knitter, but I found one very critical mistake on the first line of the pattern. It took eight attempts of knitting and unpicking to realise it was not me, but the design, and only by working it out mathematically did I get it sorted. Now on the final border, there is one part which is very ambiguous, but very critical. However, I think I have got it sorted now. Watch this space!
My so tidy room last week is rapidly disintegrating. We have to clear the lounge ready for tearing the wall boards off and demolishing the fireplace for a multi fuel stove. That meant removing the cupboards where I kept all my embroidery threads for my cross stitch. They were there because that is where I always sat to sew. It has all landed now up in my craft room, together with my enamelling kiln and the bits to go with it (must get that out and have another go), the crepe and tissue paper I used to use at Christmas, and a couple more boxes of "stuff". I did get very ruthless yesterday and threw away some things, manky zips, grotty elastic, press studs and hooks and eyes, and that sort of thing.You can also see the cross stitch I started and nearly finished for my other grandaughter. The excuse for not finishing that was that I broke my wrist and could do noting like that. We also had a shunt in the car, being rear-ended by a car doing about 35mph when she hit us, pusing us forward into the car in front (we were stationary with the hand brake on). That meant that I could not sit to do things like cross stitch for more that about 5 minutes at a time. The unicorn is now the next project to finish once the shawl is done.
This is the parchment birth card for our great nephew which is now ready to post off. It did take a lot of time, and I would not do parchment for anything but special occasions or for people who I know will appreciate the amount of work that goes into them. The writing was done by doing a print out of the design, slotting the words into the right place (I used My Craft Studio Pro for this), then tracing the works from the front using a Quickie glue pen. That is allowed to dry for a while (take the dog a walk or something else while you wiat), then with your finger, you carefully but fairly firmly rub fine glitter into the glue until it is covered completely. Then use a paint brush or make soft make up brush to remove the excess, before turning the work over to the back. You then need a small or medium ball embossing tool to emboss over the glittered words from the back. The words will then really pop our and the glitter shines brilliantly. I used one of the Martha Stewart glitters, which are brilliant.Right, I am off now to wander through some of the many other desks on show this week courtesy of the wonderful Julia on http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ (do take the time to read some of her wonderful blogs - you will have a little chuckle) , before heading back to the knitting. I did actually manage to visit everyone last week, though it took a fair bit of time, and saw some wonderful ideas and desks. Hope you have enjoyed what you see on mine this week.
