badly_knitted&#39;s Fluff Emporium

Thank you! I thought the pony ended up looking a bit worried... Didn't switch to a sharp needle to do the French knot eyes and they... I don't know, just gave him a slightly apprehensive expression.

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smallhobbit

He looks happy to me,perhaps a little mischievous!

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I think he looks different in real life than in the photos. Maybe he was smiling for the photo...

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mrs_sweetpeach

They are all very cute!

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Thank you! I like Margaret Sherry's designs, but a lot of them have fractional stitches which my brain can't handle. These are all whole stitches though.

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those are so cute

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Thank you! They were fun to stitch. Except the pig, which was SO MANY long rows of white on white...

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Pigs, always a problem

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I like pigs, but apparently not so much stitching them...

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ha. I can see why they could be an issue to stitch

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Thankfully, I stitched while listening to great music I'd taped off the radio back in the 80s and 90s, so I got to warble along (very badly) to many old favourites, and it made the boring parts of the stitching easier to deal with.

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well that's great I'm a huge fan of music on in the background for most things

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I have dug out SO MANY old tapes. Started listening to them while working on a Stonehenge design for a friend (I will post a pic eventually), and it's so great to be reminded of favourite songs I haven't heard in years. My mum and I used to spend Tuesday, Thursday, and I think it was Friday evenings listening to the country radio shows on our local radio station and on Radio 2 (I even sat in on the local show one time, which was fun) so on these tapes I'm forever hearing my name or mum's being mentioned. It's a sweet reminder, and I don't know why we stopped listening. Maybe the shows stopped. Country Club was 2 hours on a Thursday, the other two were 3-hour shows. I miss those days. And the music! So many great artists and songs. I have over 200 tapes of stuff from the radio, and that's not including the concerts that were broadcast.

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that is so cool. There are devices (relatively cheap too) that can digitize all of that for you. Might be worth looking into at least for the ones with your mom on it

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Yes, it might. We were casual friends with the local DJ, through meeting him at various live events, and we often sent in requests for songs to be played for birthdays.

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that is cool. (heck I'm in the process of digitizing my cds to get rid of the ones I don't listen to much any more)

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I have most of my CDs on my laptop, but I'm hampered by the fact that laptops now don't have disc drives. Not that I plan on getting rid of my CDs, except for a couple I don't like, but I'd like to have the rest of mine on my computer so I can listen to them more easily.

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in America you can get a cd drive for like 12$ on Amazon. I've decided for my own sanity that if I'm not actively listening to the cds they're getting digitally archived and moving on (ditto with my books)

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I'll have to look into that. It would mean I could digitise all my Cajun CDs and the Various Artist ones I never got around to.

Books... I'm trying to thin them out a bit, but ereaders never took off with me. I like paper books. There's something about turning pages by hand that soothes me.

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I mean if I listen to them often I'll keep them but I have so many I bought for 2 songs and the rest I didn't like, no sense in keeping that.

I love cajun music. I have a few signed CDs by Beausoliel (naturally autographed ones stay)

I do more ebooks now than I did (as publishers are now winging books at me to review for arcs) but yeah I prefer physical books. My new rule is if it is not autographed or a series I can't let go of, it's out the door. I am not a rereader

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Yeah, some CDs are like that, but I seem to enjoy them more the more I listen to them, even some I wasn't all that taken with at first.

Beausoleil are brilliant! I even have a couple of CDs by a British Cajun band, which is a weird concept, but... Lucky you to have autographed copies! Things like that definitely have to stay. I have some autographed LPs. I think I have an autographed Randy Travis, won in a radio competition. I think it's Randy anyway. I have a LOT of LPs still.

I do re-read occasionally (re-reading the original Dorsai trilogy atm), but not often.

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that is true and some you think you'll love you're like yeah...no

that's cool about the British cajun band (yes something I wouldn't expect)

I reread when I was young (I reread my manga) but I swear I now own more books than I have years left to read the all

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R. Cajun and the Zydeco Brothers, I've got three CDs of theirs. Five of Beausoleil, and some various artist CDs, probably about 25 Cajun and Zydeco CDs.

I re-read manga (especially FAKE), not novels so often because like you, I have more books than I'll ever get through, but someone said something recently about Soldier Ask Not, and I wanted to re-read it, got it out, and it's the second volume of the original trilogy, so... They're only short volumes, if I could just stay awake long enough at night to get through a few pages...

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That might be more Cajun than even I own. ha.

Oh I hear you about that. I usually read at n ight but since I'm working around my parents so every night everything is pushed back and I nod off before I can read

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I blame cheap CDs in ebay 10, 15 years ago. I bought everything that interested me. Now everything's so expensive, even old, used CDs, I almost never buy one.

I can't sleep if I don't read, but all too often I start reading and fall asleep too fast =/

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ha yeah or going back further, not sure if yinz had this or if it was American only Columbia House records. You got like 12 cds for the initial dollar and then they were so cheap I was buying things based strictly on title and description. Who are they? I dunno but it's like 2.99

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One way to check out a lot of music by different artists, maybe find some new favourites.

Made a quick count of my Cajun and Zydeco collection - 33 CDs Heee!

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it was and honestly that's what I love youtube for now for free and then buy what I love (ditto bandcamp and spotify)

wow that is a lot.

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Yes, I have youtube playing a mix at the moment. The ads are annoying, but I'm not paying to listen to music.

It is. I know one is a bit crap, kind of Cajun lite, for people who don't know or don't like Cajun, but the rest are good.

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yeah neither am I and I know how LITTLE Spotify pays the artist so no to them

many of mine were on cassette tape so that music is lost to me

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That sucks for you. I'm glad I still have my cassette tapes and something to play them on. But having all that doesn't mean I can find all the songs I want to listen to on youtube. Ran into a brick wall trying to locate Still Around by Jerry Jeff Walker. I know I have the title right, I even know which album it's on (Cow Jazz, which is one I don't own in any format), but I've drawn a complete blank trying to locate it on youtube. It's frustrating as hell.

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to be fair I HAVE them and you can get things that will digitize them too but for the most part the sound quality isn't going to be good.

that's too bad.yeah some stuff just hasn't made it onto YT

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I spent half the afternoon trying to repair an audiocassette where one end had come adrift from the reel inside. There was a little clip that held it in place that had broken. Five screws removed, a tape that kept trying to unravel, bits falling out... I haven't tried playing it yet, but I've bodged it so the tape is attached... I know, I'm mad.

I have, miraculously, managed to find Ethel and the Shameless Hussies' version of Mickey Gilley's I'm the One Mama Warned You About on youtube. Couldn't find it last time I looked, so I guess there's hope the JJW one will eventually show up.

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oh dear to that. I remember trying stuff like that before CDs

that's cool about that find.

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I might have to go back in for a second attempt. My 'clip' is catching so the reel isn't turning properly.

I was so psyched! I think they only had one album, but they were fun. One of the members co-wrote the song.

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oops to that

oh that is cool then

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Yeah, I'll try again in a few days. I need smaller screwdrivers but I can't find mine.

Sadly, doesn't look like it was released on CD. There are more tracks on youtube though, so I'll give them a listen, see if there are any other fun gems on the album.

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not too surprising if it was a one off. Good luck

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Thanks.

Stuck another tape in today and surprised myself with a live concert by a local singer my mum and I were huge fans of, and who we saw several times in live shows. I have photos of me with him somewhere. Lovely man, with a great, deep voice. He passed away the year after my mum. Brought back a lot of memories, and some tears.

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what a bittersweet find

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Yeah, it was good. I have a bunch of signed LPs tucked a way. Stu always had time for his fans.

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very cool

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I'll have to dig some pre-recorded cassettes out and listen to them, and I've found another concert on tape. More bittersweet memories.

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You're finding all kinds of treasure (all I'm finding is dust that wants me to choke to death)

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Oh, I have a lot of dust too. I should clean, but disturbing the dust sets my allergies off so badly I don't want to.

Found my mum's 60th birthday announcement yesterday. Tim played a Bobby Bare track for her, Jennifer Johnson and Me. Haven't heard that one forever. A really sweet nostalgic song.

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I usually end up with bronchitis thanks to my dust allergies (even if I wear my mask)

Ah, that sounds nice

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I just get so clogged up I can't breathe, despite daily antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray. Still better than bronchitis, I would imagine.

I love Bare's funny songs (many written by Shel Silverstein, I think), but he used to do some really great heart-tuggers too. Sad to think most of the artists I grew up listening to have passed away, even Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff. I don't know all that many of the most recent country singers and bands, I'm out of step since all the country radio shows seem to have vanished. I AM watching Opry Live on Friday nights though. Only one hour, but Midland are on this week, and they're a favourite right now, so I have that to look forward to.

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Yeah I am so severely allergic to dust I need to clean in a mask, goggles and gloves

I don't know Bare so I'll have to go listen.

I'll be honest I only really liked a brief period of country music (90s-2005) but yeah we're at an age where the entertainers we grew up loving are dying off.

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That sounds awful. =(

Yeah, Bobby Bare was big in the 70s, 80s. Might not be to your taste. I love the funny stuff like The Winner, and The Jogger, but he did more serious stuff too. Dollar Pool Fool is on my playlists these days, and Keeping Rosie Proud of Me. I'm finding more on the tapes all the time.

I've been deep into country music since I was a kid. I grew up listening to mum's Jim Reeves records, and it grew from there. Boy, did I get picked on in school over my taste in music. But it's always been where my heart is. I liked some pop and rock, but I guess country just clicked with something in my head.

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thanks I'll do looking for that on YT when i get a chance

yeah my parents were not into country so I didn't grow up on it. And lately in America it's become a bastian of ideas I do not care for (mostly racist and anti LGBT)

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Yeah, the newer country I'm mostly avoiding. Well, obviously not Ty Herndon, he's the opposite, openly gay, and a great singer. And I haven't noticed anything racist or anti-LGBT in Midland's songs. Willie Nelson is of course always positivity, and has some truly great songs. Not a racist or anti- bone in his body. Just got to know who to listen to, I guess.

Maybe I should start linking to some of my favourites on my journal. Some of the tracks off Ty Herndon's CD House on Fire. I listen to that one all the time.

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I think being American MAGA puts it in our faces how many country singers are on their side. Jason ALdean is one of them. I liked his music until he started using his babies in the anti-vax movement. I liked Toby Keith until he used his place to smash down The Dixie Chicks and other female performers. Sigh.

But yeah as with anything it's all in who you chose to listen to. I DO love Ty's music.

Music shares are always welcome. I do mine on Mondays if you want to drop in

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Yeah, the whole MAGA movement is so bad. I liked Jason Aldean early on, still like a couple of his songs. I didn't know that about Toby, I always liked his music, but I love the Chicks and a lot of other female artists (got Emmylou Harris on right now). Some of my favourites are women. (Quick Bobby Bare rec: Beer Drinking Christians, a duet with Lacy J Dalton. I love the lyrics. It was from a movie soundtrack).

House on Fire is one of the best albums ever.

I've seen yours, and I've been trying to gather some tracks to do my own, but there are SO MANY, and listening to the cassettes, the number keeps going up. I like a lot of ballads, but also a lot of rockier stuff, and Bluegrass. Been in Bluegrass instrumental heaven recently. So many talented musicians.

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ysabetwordsmith

The horse is my favorite.

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I think it's a toss up between the horse and the cow for me. Thanks!

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apachefirecat

Adorable! I think the cow and chicken are my favorite!

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Thank you!

I like the cow and pony.

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how cute! I am not crafty at all so I admire people who are 😊

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Thank you!

I've been doing various crafts since I was a kid, but I didn't start cross stitch until I was in my 40s. It's easy, just following a chart. A lot easier than things like knitting and crochet. I love it.

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Oh maybe that is something for when I retire, and don't have to strain my eyes peering at the screen all day. Although I'm sure I'll continue writing fics 😋

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It's always nice to have options!

I can't stop writing either, lol!

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Oh yes I can't imagine either of us stopping our writing, it's natural for us isn't it 😊

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Really and truly. I haven't missed a day of writing in over 10 years. Not writing would make me feel weird =/

It's such a great escape from the less enjoyable aspects of life.

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It is definitely great escapism.

I went on a counselling course once and I said to two students "I love writing!" when we had to write notes. They gaped at me and said, "What? You like...writing?" as if I'd said I was a serial killer 😂

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Hah! Some people just don't get it!

Then again, some people don't read books either! 😧

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The horror. I can't imagine a world like that! 😱😅

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It's unreal!

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very much so. It all spewed out of the Chicks saying Bush wasn't their president (in later videos, Toby started with some very exploitive stuff for women which made me sad. I liked him, saw him in person)

there's always more music that's why I try to find ways of breaking it into smaller chunks

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People should be able to say stuff like that without other people condemning them for it. I don't understand people.

I'm trying to divide into female vocalists, male vocalists, bands, duets, instrumentals, each one done alphabetically, but some letters are coming up with 10 or more tacks, while others there's only 2. Doing my best to gather and sort, but the gathering is going better than the sorting.

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agreed. An off hand comment shouldn't have destroyed their careers

ha, good luck.

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I shall need it. There will no doubt be a couple of Chicks tracks in there somewhere. I love them.

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I have their Fly cd somewhere

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I think I have three of theirs, not sure which ones, but they are so good.

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