Smashing the cubes

I finished a jar of seasoning which I got cheaply from the Cash and Carry. It lasted a long time as I only use small amounts in my cooking. Sadly they didn't have any left when I went to buy some more, shame, I liked that one. So I picked up a couple of boxes of veggie oxo cubes, they were two for £1, and 18 cubes in a box. That will be fine. 

After making a few meals and having to scrape a small amount from a cube because I don't want to add a whole cube, I was getting a bit fed up with the faff. An idea. Why not grind them all up then the granules will be ready to use. 

That's one box done, I'll do the other one when I need more. Much easier to use, out of a plastic tub with a tight fitting lid. Good idea. 

My walk this afternoon took me past the wood. The wild garlic is at it's best right now, the ground is covered, and with the sun shining through the trees it looked magical. A real treat to see. 

It won't be long before I'm off to bed, so I'll say tatty byes, and see ya tomorrow. ilona 

Stuff for sale and stuff to give away.

Our Village Summer Fair has been cancelled so we won't be able to have our cat rescue stall. An idea, put some pet beds and shopping bags out on the front of my house and put a note on our facebook page and try and sell them. Honesty jar for correct money. Ten pet beds sold, and one shopping bag. Good idea. 

Yesterday I made three lots of bunting using the fabric given to me by my nephew. Luckily I already had some long lengths of ribbon. Eleven flags on a strip. Three little girls will be pleased, they can decorate their bedrooms. A packet is in the post to arrive tomorrow.

More arts and crafts planned for tomorrow, spirally picture might be ready. A new weaving started. must keep busy.
Toodle pip.  ilona.

Cats are not daft

Just what you need on a Monday morning. Aunty Pat sent me this. Sooooooocute



Have a fun day. Toodle pip. ilona

Going with the flow. New art.

Hello. This is almost finished but not quite. I have still to decide whether it is to be framed, or make a wall hanging. There is a wide border to it at the moment, this will be slightly less when I finish it. 

This picture is cropped to the edge of the design.

Some close ups, a lot of tiny stitches in matching threads so they are hidden in the cords.

I started the spirals in the centre and worked out towards the edge, adjusting the size depending on the area I wanted to fill. I thought about trimming the excess cord to just leave the spiral, but then thought why not take the tail end elsewhere. And so it grew. I wanted to leave some of the denim background visible so did not fill every available space.

When I got to the outer edges I put in a few small single colour spirals just to square it up a bit. I like the way it doesn't have dead straight sides. 

In a few days I will decide how to finish it, trying out a few frames, to see what it might look like. I don't think it needs glass in front of it because that would blur some of the sharp contrasting edges and flatten the texture. A box frame would probably suit it, but I'm not sure I want to go to the trouble of making one. I have the wood, I will think about it. 

I'm making some bunting at the moment, and have other projects started which need finishing, so I have plenty to do. 

Enjoy your Sunday, and thank you to the walkers who have checked in with their progress reports. It's nice to see that those who are not able to do as much walking as they would like, are looking at other forms of exercise. The lucky ones who have access to the great outdoors are carrying on. Well done everyone. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

Check in for the Walking Group

Good Morning, and here we are again folks, it's the first of the month, and it's MAYDAY. We all know what that means, it's check in day for the International Walking Group.

So how are we all doing. Our walking challenge has been severely disrupted by the current virus situation. How have you got round that, or haven't you? Has it put a stop to your walking, have you had to make changes in where you walk and for how long? Maybe you have found a way to carry on, or maybe not. We can only do our best.

One thing I have noticed is that because gym's are closed there are more people out and about, running, walking, and cycling. This makes it difficult to keep the safe recommended distance between each other. Personally I don't want to be near random people that I don't know, ever again, so it's been a case of giving them a wide berth. Crossing the road when I can see someone ahead of me. Stopping dead for a few minutes to let them move on out of my way. Being careful when approaching a junction, when you can't see what's coming around it. Looking for an escape route if it is clear there might be a distance problem. Making a diversion and taking a different route.

You have to assess the area in which you live. What open spaces are available for walking. Are they popular in which case should be avoided, or do you know any quiet places where hardly anyone else goes. We have a lovely walk here, high up, good views, but I have stopped using it because the path is narrow and you meet too many people. We have quiet tarmac roads out in the countryside which seem a better bet because there are fewer cars moving about.

The target for the first four months of the year is 333 miles. I have managed to pass that by 20 miles, so I'm pleased with that. Such a relief to get a bit ahead.

Now your turn, how are you all doing? Please report in with a comment whatever your situation is. If you are having difficulty adding to your walking mileage, are you doing anything else to keep fit? Don't just slump in a chair and give up, fight back by exercising in another way. Jump up and down on the spot a hundred times a day if you like, just keep MOVING.

Let's find a picture in the archives to remind us what is out there to look forward to when we eventually get the go ahead to go further afield. St Ives in Cornwall is a long way from North Lincolnshire. I was there a year ago, fabulous holiday. I hope I can go back sometime in the future.

Now it's breakfast time. My artwork is nearing completion, I'll post pictures soon. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona