Wednesday 25 March 2020

WOYWW - Week 564

Hello Everyone,

How are you doing? It's been quite a week. So much to get used to in a very short time. I hope you are all well during this period of enforced isolation. And that those of you who are key workers are doing okay. We are immensely grateful for all you do.

I hit a bit of a wall for a while this last week. Because I'm retired I would have said that I don't go out often, that most of my days are home based anyway. But, what with the cancelling a variety of appointments, the shut-down of the quilting classes and craft group, not to mention closure of all my favourite coffee shops, and, worst of all, the freedom to visit family and friends whenever, I now realise that I get out and about a lot. And so, not surprisingly, I'm at a bit of a loss on how to fill all those extra hours. It will pass but, in the meantime, I'll be trying, along with all of you I'm sure, to stay positive in the coming weeks.

Enough of that! You're here to see what's on my desk this morning.
It's another page for one of the classes I'm following at the moment. That's Freya and Josh (our great-nephew and great-niece) home-schooling. It's early days but they are sticking in and making the best of things. The background paper, Pinkfresh Studio's Felicity 'Happy Words', couldn't be more appropriate. I can't decide whether it needs a separate title or to let the 'Don't Worry Be Happy' do the job.

Here's what's on the right side of the desk.
Still a pile of page kits to work through, but it's going down - slowly but surely. Here, for the curious, is what I did with the one that was on top of the pile last week.
Finally, these lovely photos of Juli as a bridesmaid are in her album. She was fourteen at the time - 1985 - a lifetime away.
Just out of focus in the last desk shot is this. The new shelving expressly bought to house all the stamps that will go into those empty DVD style cases. I'd like to say I've made great headway with this project, but I haven't. Not yet. There's plenty of time.
Instead, I've been sorting through and making more space for this growing collection of albums. The two to the right on the upper shelf are new and therefore empty. I figure that they will soon be filled up over the coming weeks.
I have been knitting - yet another hat. I love this tweedy wool - the colours remind me of our Highlands. There's enough wool left, I think, I hope, to knit a matching scarf.
The knitting is keeping me occupied while I watch recordings of Jamie Oliver showing us how to use what we have in our pantry ... isn't that a lovely old-fashioned word ... fridge and freezer. Not that I don't know how to make the most of whatever I have in, my mother taught me well, but it's good to see Jamie 'keep cooking and carry on'.

And here, finally, for your amusement.
The hat, as modeled by Elizabeth!



Take care, stay safe and keep well.

18 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

I am glad that you have managed to get hold of blank DVD cases Elizabeth, they are a great way to store stamps. Love both the layouts! Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #10

glitterandglue said...

Hi Elizabeth. Well, I just LOVE your "finally"!! Although I heard someone on the tv yesterday describe us as in a wartime situation... Well done on all the knitting and page making. Yes, it takes a time to adjust to the new normal, doesn't it? I'm sure that in a week or so you will be back firing on all cylinders. Love the hat - and the modelling is superb.
Take care. Stay safe. God bless you both.
Margaret #8

Lunch Lady Jan said...

We'll never forget to appreciate what we can do in our lives when all this is over - from just being able to go out, do hassle free shopping etc etc. It does affect us being in, no matter how positive a person you are. I'm missing band hugely and will be really happy to get back to it. You have some lovely projects to work on, that's for sure - I loved the photo of Juli, such great memories there! I find that time is whizzing by regardless if I'm busy or not!
Hugs LLJ 2 xxx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, I think the 'Don't worry, be Happy' is perfect for the layout as is.Great job on the hat, love the muted colours. Beautiful pics of you Daughter as a bridesmaid, doesn't time fly? Stay safe,Have a good week, Huge hugs, Shaz #1 X

Annie said...

Hi Ellie. I think we will all take a little time to adapt to our new life but we can do it for sure. I'm sure us crafters will find it easier than most because we all have things to do if only we had time...cos now we do. Keep smiling and enjoy that lovely garden of yours.
Stay safe and keep crafting.
Hugs,
Annie x #15

Linda Simpson said...

Loving the creations you have shared. Stay safe.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Sue Jones said...

your pages are lovely. There are always some online crops to join in with I took part in the A Trip Down Memory Lane cyber crop at the weekend and have joined lots of crafty facebook groups. Take Care and keep safe. soojay #21

Helen said...

Fab pages! and lots to keep you going it seems... I almost wish I didn't work so could sit and craft all day, but when I had time at the weekend I didn't do any anyway.... Helen #5

Sandra H said...

Love your post Elizabeth please keep safe x

Neet said...

What a lovely hat you have made - I love that pom pom - how did you do that?
I too have been watching Jamie, I think he deserves some recognition for putting this programme together so quickly for us all. What a gem!
The woman on your poster is like the one on my Industrial Strength Gin - sh, don't tell everyone about it. Our little secret, for now that is.
Envious of your great tidying, I could really do to get some done here.
I don't scrap, but I do like your LO's- and I have just bought a nw pad - well ordered one because I saw something I quite fancied to do - hope I can work in my craft room to do it or it will be just ore paper to stroke.
Take care the both of you
Hugs, Neet 7 xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth, the new shelving looks useful and the cases too. Loving the poster too. Take care, keep safe and craft on. Sending hugs, Angela x3x

My name is Cindy said...

Hi Elizabeth, hope you are doing well. Pantry and Frock are 2 of my favourite old fashioned words!! Time hasn't dragged for me yet but loads of bits n bobs to get on with and always the garden!! Bit sad today because future d-in-law (care worker) and daughter (M&S) have taken themselves off to reduce risk to us. So down to just the three of us so will be very quiet going forward. Missing them already. Happy WOYWW (I know I'm late!!) Stay well, stay safe, Cindy #23

sandra de said...

Well that would have to be the most perfect way to finish a post.... brilliant and puts it somewhat in perspective. Staying home has definitely made me realise how much I pop in and out of our neighbourhood. But with time I will hopefully do more gardening and those little jobs might get done this time.
Stay safe and keep crafting.
Sandra de @6

Julia Dunnit said...

You just don’t take a bad photo Miss E! The hat looks splendid! I’m sorry to be so late this week...ironically, I think its because I have more time...everything seems to be waiting because there’s plenty of time. I need a routine..it will come, no doubt, but at this stage, thank goodness for WOYWW so that I know where I am in the week!! Loving your scrapbook page, I think it’s important to record some of these strange times, if only so that historians don’t look at the papers and think we were all selfish greedy entitleds! A new bookcase for the new stamp covers. I totally get it. I bought a wheels cart/trolley thing this week because I have a new system for my paper pads. At this moment it is just crammed with stuff I was using yesterday but wanted off my desk. Argh. Keep well you both, look out for my next blog post...one of the nicest photos taken at Crop 10 was of you two and I’ve finally got around to scrapping it!

Mrs A. said...

You are certainly knuckling down for the duration. Lots of craftyness in store. Love those colours on your hat. These are certainly strange times we are in and unfolding by the day. Hardest part is working out what day of the week it is. Hubby and
I were both convinced yesterday was today Friday. Stay safe and well and keep on crafting. Our blogs need us. Hugs Mrs A.

Shoshi said...

Lovely room, Elizabeth, and great that you are organising your stamps. I'm half way through doing mine and rather run out of steam because the album I bought for them at the craft show doesn't seem to be working as well as I'd hoped... Your scrapbooking pages look great too. I am not finding the lockdown any great hardship because I'm always at home anyway, but it is nice to have my hubby around as well - he's usually out and about all over the place with his various activities! I love the funny at the bottom of your post - how very true!! I have a pantry and love it. The pantry, freezer and fridge are pretty full at the moment so we are OK. I have a lot of wholefoods (chickpeas, beans, nuts and seeds, grains etc. etc.) and loads of herbs and spices so I can always cook up a good healthy and tasty meal! So far I haven't experienced any difficulty getting hold of fresh veg and fruit - even if I can't get a delivery slot, my hubby will go out and get stuff for us. Good for Jamie Oliver (I'm a fan of his), being so practical as usual.

Keep safe and well, and happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #35

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Morning Elizabeth and may I say you are looking very bonnie in your knitted hat, my gosh we could do with one of those right now as the wind is so chilly a great accessory during our increased gardening activities. Looks like you are keeping busy during this crisis, you'll soon have those stamps all in order how envious I for one will be.
Take good care of yourself & stay safe ((Off the couch Hugs)) Tracey #19 xx

scrappymo! said...

First off, I must say that your ending photo is fabulous. Love that!!!

Looks like you are keeping busy. We are so lucky to have our crafts to keep us going. All my crafty friends give positive feedback about the self isolation. My other friends are struggling!

I always say that apart from adhesive, I could go a few of years without needing to buy anything! I am a bit of an organized hoarder, so if I run out of my two favourite types, (which I have two drawers of) then I will use the drawer I have of odds and ends that were not faves...the old creative memories sticky squares etc.

Take care, Elizabeth. Also love the photo fo you modelling your new hat!