WOYWW 725 Painting and bluebells

Hi all, I’m back again, bloghopping with you all via Julia's Stamping Ground blog.

Here’s my desk this week. I’ve been using some washi tape on my ATCs, but that’s all I‘m saying for now 😉. 

My cover is working better with decent watercolour paper. I’ve shown it to a friend who used to be an art teacher and he may do some work on a version of it. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

We had a lovely day at Hole Park Gardens for the bluebells. They had lots of other pretty spring flowers as well, like these magnolias. 

Lots and lots of bluebells

An old ice house

And nice places to sit. This has a bear mosaic- part of the Barham family’s coat of arms. The cafe was good as well. We had quiche and salad before the walk and came back to tea and cake afterwards. 

I’m keen on finishing my ‘Frieda Kahlo’ cardigan so I’ve made more progress on it. 

I was asked last week how to use a Nostepinne so here’s a video link. How to use a Nostepinne. 

I like a short one (about 6” [oo’er Missus, LLJ 🤣)]  so mine are made by Les Smith in Darlington (roleswoodcraft). 

I had a moment of madness the other day and nearly bought a Picasso. There was an auction of Picasso ceramics at Sotheby’s and some were valued at £4k-£6k. I thought that might be a better investment than most savings and I did like the chicken pot. 

It went for nearly £10k and every time someone bid, Sotheby’s extended the time till the end of the auction so I stopped. Some items, the highly decorated ones, went for £250k or more. It was a nice dream for a little while!

Gracie was practising looking regal this week.

Bella just wanted the sunshine door and didn’t want to pose. 

And finally…

This is my favourite card - I hoarded it for ages but then sent it to my godson for his birthday. 

I’m watching Race around the World on BBC. It’s across Canada (with great scenery) so there are lots of potential bear food opportunities….

Take care and happy WOYWW 

Hugs

Lynnecrafts xxx

WOYWW 724 French cafes and frogging

Hi all,

Hope you’ve had a good week. 

I’ve spent a lot of time on the cover for my novel this week, playing with my Inktense pencils. 

At the back of my tray are a couple of bamboo boxes I’ve bought to corral my pencils etc while in use. 

Here’s the latest version

Hopefully it’s much more clearly a Parisian cafe now. 

I’ve also had a play with a few ATCs, but more about them next month. I’m sure you’re much further along than me. 😀

My nostepinne has been working hard this week as I’ve been frogging (unroving) my crochet cardigan. The yarn is quite resistant to frogging  so it’s a slow process- I only resorted to the scissors once. It had become too wide, so now I’m crocheting up again and trying to keep it straight. 

We may go to Hole Park to see the bluebells tomorrow so I may be late commenting. I adore the idea of Gardens whose bluebells are so famous they have their own bluebell barometer..It’s at Bluebell barometer

Bella and Gracie send purrs to you all. 

And finally…

Take care and happy WOYWW 

Hugs

Lynnecrafts xxx

WOYWW 723 Frenchifying my cover

Hi all,

I hope you’ve had a good Easter break. We’ve stayed at home but we made chocolates together on Sunday, which was nice. You always need at least three hands at a time when making chocolates. 

Here’s a photo of the first samples. They’re almond, walnut, apricot and ginger with 70% Valrhona chocolate.  

I’ve been painting my novel cover again. 

I was pleased with it as an image. Brian posed as ‘dodgy man pretending to read a paper’ (he wants royalties 🤣) but it wasn’t Parisian enough. I refuse to stick the Eiffel Tower in the corner, but I’ve added the name of the cafe, a Metro entrance and I’ve changed the coffee for a glass of wine. It’s still in progress but you can hopefully see it on my desk below.

I’m much happier with my Inktense pencils now I’ve learned to brush the point onto a palette with a water brush so they can be manipulated like watercolour. 

I’ve got to get on with it - my publisher has started working on the manuscript! 

Gracie stays in more but Bella has been making the most of the garden. 

The flowers are over on the apricot trees but the greengage is doing well. 

And finally…

Take care and happy WOYWW 

Hugs

Lynnecrafts xx

WOYWW 722 Book cover and ends, endless ends

Hi all, 

When I did my sketch for the cover of my upcoming novel ‘to be turned into a cover by a competent artist,’ Himself raised an eyebrow. 

I remembered that today so I’ve decided to do more work on it. Here’s my desk, with Inktense pencils spread all over it. Of course, I don’t have the shades suitable for flesh, or silver, so I’ve ordered some more from Derwent, who have a ‘choose your own box’ feature for a discount. The wait’s annoying but there you go. 

I made all my twiddles There are about 60 here, 40 for my cannula sleeves and the rest for the Handmade for Dementia fb group member who requested some. Lots of forget-me-nots and other flowers, cats, rabbits, boats and even a pink elephant. 

I was asked last week for the difference between a twiddler and a cannula sleeve. A cannula, or drip needle, is often problematic for hospital patients with dementia, who pull them out or get them infected. The cannula sleeve goes from cuff to above the elbow, it’s lined with knitting and avoids all choke hazards. It’s made to a pattern controlled by the leader of the Handmade for Dementia fb group, and was designed by a dementia nurse. 

I joined the group after my Mum died - she was given a twiddler which didn’t meet these standards. I’m sure many twiddlers are of high standards but I worry about buttons and fluff on some I see. 

I’m in the middle of sewing up my 10 cannula sleeves- ends, endless ends! 

We’ve had fun with Gracie this week. A neighbour’s cat, not sure whose, has been coming in and eating their food at night. 

We never used the selective entry feature of our cat flap (based on their id chips) as Gracie was scared of the beep. I’ve worked out how to use the silent mode and today she grumpily deigned to use it at last! 

 You wouldn’t believe this was the same cat. She came in wet and cold last week, so I covered her in the duvet to warm her up. 

Bella’s modelling excessive cuteness here. 

And finally:
 

Take care and happy WOYWW 

Hugs

Lynnecrafts xx