WOYWW #863 - Dressing Off

I think my side desk sums up my life right now... the box of bandages which I put on top of the dressing the past fortnight. 

Enter the new box with Vaseline and Epaderm for massaging onto the scar 5 times daily for.....ages. Plus the weights and squishy & hard balls for exercises.

My texture book and blue sausage are downstairs. 

The latter definitely my friend, so comforting on the scar, easier to roll over scar than with a ball. There is some kitchen sponge (without the rough bit) inside. I made it 4 yrs ago for my right hand recovery on the hand therapist's suggestion.

I have done a couple of watercolours in my Bible.

Plus a couple of pages to finish off my mini journal

One used up the window cutouts from my Rahab page from last week for the cross and the sacrificial alter.

I hadn't realised the foreshadowing of Jesus carrying his wooden cross with Isaac carrying the sticks for the fire.

I did an Artistic Advent page of Mary seeing the angel proclaiming the conception of Jesus.

The other mini page was for my word of the year for 2026. I got a Hebrew word from a group link

The word is Tikvah which means Hope rooted in Trust.

I used up a strand from my blue sausage and some vellum from the angels wings above as they didn't like wet glue (used staples here).

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

EDIT Quite traumatic seeing, feeling and dealing with hand after dressing off, back to waking at 4am - Oh man!

WOYWW #862 - Recovering Slowly

A big thanks to all you visited and commented last week. Sorry I wasn't up to much typing so didn't get around to replying. 

It's been a bit of an up and down week since my operation. Some pain some tears some OK times too.

I stated my return to crafting with some fussy cutting whilst still in my bulky bandage. Fingers faintly tingly but I think that is the nerve mending now it has been released rather than the pins and needles and subsequent numbness I was having before.

Behind you'll notice the tin I got as a gift from my neighbour opposite. She popped round with her daughter, baby and play date girl too. They all had a good time looking at my art journals.

In the tin was some gorgeous citrus hand cream what a thoughtful gift after a hand op. The tin is perfect for my new (prize from zen) threads too.

Last Friday I managed a Bible watercolour, the first of an Advent series, glad it was simple.

I also used the fussy cut elements which were from the JOTW December challenge. I kept that simple.

I made a page in my mini album whilst I was at it.

If you were wondering what is on my desk it's a pink crocheted angel. I made lots 4 years ago after my right hand operation (2 months after!) 

This time only 6 days after! I made one for my neighbour's daughter on Sunday but forgot to take a photo so had to make another one before posting this - LOL.

Also on Sunday I did another simple watercolour and "started" my next Artistic Advent page.

Monday I finished my jigsaw. The bottom 2 corners were the hardest parts.

I finished my Artistic Advent page on Monday too. 

I've chosen my next jigsaw for when I get around to taking this one apart. I fear taking it apart will be more taxing.

Son had bought me some from the same series so I'll be revisiting this one. Love the colours.

The Artistic Advent pages are a lot more challenging with just 1 and a half hands. Can't put much pressure on my left hand and still can't get it wet so need to be super careful.

I depicts Rahab's house in the city wall of Jericho. And shows where she is in the lineage of Jesus.

I think that's me for typing for now - ouchy

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #861 - Post-Op

Yep, all done. 

Got the jigsaw out that my son got me 3 years ago but not up to much.

Did a few sessions from the Artistic Advent pre-op

Plus some pages in my mini journal.

Not up to writing much this week.

Been watching Absentia on Netflix mainly.

The novelty of doing things one handed and keeping the other hand elevated and dry for 2 weeks will wear off soon.

Received my prize from the Zen workshops which was a nice surprise.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #860 - It's A Wrap & A Date!

Yep finally put my sewing machine away and finished up with the Making Zen sessions I wanted to have a go at.

I made another fabric book from my son's old jeans along with a coaster from the hems. Add those to the pocket bag and not bad for a pair of old jeans with still some denim left over too....

Think I might wear the pocket bag after my op save carrying my phone in the house. We'll see.

I did a few more of the zen paper sessions and put them all on a page in my journal.

I used up left over bits and pieces in my mini journal (it's only 3"x 2")

Just realised I hadn't dated the pages so have sorted that now.

I fixed the tab on one of my walking boots which broke.

I started the Artistic Advent Course a week early as I now have a date for my surgery 

Monday 1st December 2025 1.30pm, 

and really couldn't be making a journal with one hand. 

I have gone private and opted for the cheaper out patient procedure rather than the theatre one. So just me and the surgeon! Eeeeekkkk!

The journal pages are 7" x 5" and the cover a little bigger. The cover session (above) was a bonus as well as the journal construction using 2 signatures sewn onto the cover.

Day 1 is on Genesis 3:15 of a verse which points to Jesus but right at the beginning of the Old Testament, that revelation itself blew my mind!

I loved doing the pregnant lady so replicated it in my actual Bible using just watercolours.

I also updated the 2 margin pictures I had done over 3 years ago. I have better technique and paints now and added my signature paint splatters as well.

Finally I had some paper napkin pieces left over from the journal page so added them onto the first page in my mini journal. 

Took a photo with my hand for scale and I guess the last times with my hand before surgery in a few days.

See you on the other side next week.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #859 - Guess What?

Yep - more stitching...

Working my way slowly through the Making Zen sessions. 

I stitched another bird and a mandala.

I extended the snippet roll and covered my tin.

Made a piece for the lid too.

Then I just HAD to make a rainbow snippet roll. 

I stitched on a photo and made a garland with bits and bobs too.

Today I made the blue scapular and circle piece.

Earlier in the week I made the mini journal with painted/inked fabric sewn into a book and made the first page too. Stamping on fabric is my new "thing".

Even earlier in the week the conservatory served as another "desk" as I sorted an old chair out for my son as the base fabric had "died" and it was "leaking" stuff! Fortunately had some spare "stuff" from my upholstery classes pre-son days and some fabric for the base so used that.

Health update I HAD a new date for my surgery in January but only found that out with the cancellation text they sent as we'd had no post for over 2 weeks! All this has really messed with my head so I have booked a private appointment with the same surgeon who did my right/other hand back in 2021. Might have an actual date  soon now.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #858 - Still Stitching

I am still loving the Making Zen Stitching Retreat.

I still have lots to have a go at but for now I've been adding the finishing touches to the Upcycled Denim Pocket bag with Sashiko-Inspired Stitching. 

I wanted to make the bag up so I can use it for popping my phone in when I am out walking. 

I added a zip for a more secure main pocket. I used the crotch seam for the strap which I find quite amusing.

I made a little needle book - that's been pending since the May Zen workshops so in the end I forwent the stitching and just made the book.

The only gingham I had was just a printed one and far too small for the stitching really.

I altered hubbies PJs whilst I had the trusty sewing machine out too. 

Glad I have the 2nd table so I can leave it out a while for other projects.

I made a couple more little birds. 

One for a neighbours daughter and one for my son in his new flat.

I followed the Snippet Roll video with gusto and has to stop myself at 50cm.

However I have now realised I could cover my tin with it so it needs to be longer now - LOL, with tapered ends.

The only papercrafting has been using up some scraps in a mini album (7.5x5cm).

I only made it as I found the sheet whilst looking for something else!

The scraps were the stamping tests fropm the cards I made the other week, wrapping tissue and words I had kept as special.

My photos came but the quality wasn't great I called Photobox and they have given me a voucher to get them reprinted. Might just get my next lot with that although it is only valid for 2 months. Hmmm.

Still coughing - although did manage the drive to visit son in his new flat on Sunday.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.

WOYWW #857 - Getting Better Slowly...

Feeling a bit more human this week despite the persistent cough lingering on. 

I had to take it easy with Zen week and only made a few items this time, maybe I'll get around to more soon.

Here's my basket of makes from last May and this week. My fabric book now has the last 3 pages filled in plus additions on the front and back covers. 

I found some old handmade bead earrings from waaaaaay back could be half a century ago even! They matched the cover adornments so I put them on the tie string too.

So the pumpkin was stitched and filled in with needle felting, loved that process. The bead strings were like those on the owl (last week), good job as that bit was only in the paid version!

The little birds are so cute so too the hand woven charm/tassle.

Last make kept me up till 2am. the little patchwork pouch. Think it needs additional stitching but just the right size for my polished stones.

There was even a little bit of watercolouring of fine line flowers.

All in addition to completing the final parts to the 10 days of Peace from Devotion in action, hence the watercolours out on my table too.

Also just ordered the last 4 months worth of photos 156 in all. There was a 50% off offer from Photobox ending midnight 3rd Nov and I came in just under the wire. Nothing like a deadline to get me to sort photos.

Just realised I'm writing this on MONDAY 3rd oopsey but hey I'm on a roll.

Happy WOYWW Everyone.