I Can See!

The op on Tuesday went extremely well and I could notice the improvement almost immedately.  My vision hasn't been this good in years and years - I can see the topmost twigs on trees, colours are vivid (a jumper I thought was dark blue turns out to be purple!) and without my varifocals, I can negotiate uneven ground when walking the dog without stumbling.  It's miraculous!

I have to wear reading glasses still - but generic off-the-rack ones until I have my final 6 week check up and a new prescription.  I spent the day sewing yesterday - no more headaches!  Now today let's try painting...

Second Eye...

I've been waiting since September to hear when my second eye operation will be and finally got the phone call straight after New Year's Day.  I'll be going into hospital at the crack of dawn on Tuesday for cataract removal and lens replacement on my right eye.  Now that I know it's just fifteen minutes of discomfort followed by a miraculous improvement in vision, I am so impatient for it to be done.  The past five months have been manageable with the help of a magnifying lens, altering my painting position, and various other small changes, but for the past few weeks it's been getting more and more difficult to paint.  The one remaining lens in my glasses is getting scratched and blurry and it is a varifocal so not supposed to be used for close work.  As a result, I paint for about three quarters of an hour then start to feel an ache in my 'good' eye and a headache follows.

I've managed to complete most outstanding commissioned work this month - the one remaining painting is not a rush job so I will hold off until I can see it properly!  I've cut out and sewn the seams to 11 stuffed bears, but only completed two - again, no rush for the others.  I've also managed to get any pending doctor/dentist/hairdresser/groomer appointments over and done with this month as I know I won't be able to drive for a while and am supposed to stay away from dirt and antyhig that might cause an infection.

So it's all systems go for Tuesday - see you on the other side!

Orla

The latest commission completed - Orla, using Derwent Drawing and Coloursoft Pencils on pastel paper.

Fergie

Here is the first commission of 2020, a little dog called Fergie who sadly passed away just before Christmas.  Apparently this was her favourite sitting spot - reminds me of our little Jasper who used to spend most of his time looking out of the patio door at the squirrels and birds.  Even with the door open he would sit there!

Painted in watercolour on paper.  Next up, pencil portrait of another deceased dog...

I Made A Moomin...

 Over the Christmas period I crocheted this Moomin from a pattern that I got from the Simply Crochet magazine.  The pattern called for DK yarn but the finished measurements seemed quite large for my tastes.

 So of course I chose the thinnest yarn I had in my stash, used a very small crochet hook, and the darn thing took far longer than it should because everything was so small.

However, it was worth the effort - I really like him (especially his 'jazz hands') and he is about half the size quoted in the pattern.  Not sure what to do with him now - stand him next to the knitted Grommit I made last month I guess...

After 3 months of waiting, I finally got the phone call I've been hoping for - my second eye surgery is scheduled for the 28th January.  I cannot wait!  I have to admit, it has been very difficult since August trying to paint and craft with one lens in my glasses and that one a varifocal lens to boot.  The 'new' eye really needs glasses for painting, reading and sewing but there has been nothing I can do about it until the other eye has been operated on.  So I have been doing my best, painting at arm's length in order to focus as best I can, and crafting in the evenings using the headset magnifiyer.  It's not been easy.  So the prospect of it all being sorted out makes me very happy!  In the meantime, I have a long list of commissions to get done before my op...

Finally Finished Flamingo...

At last!  With all the hoopla surrounding Christmas and New Year over, I actually had a morning free yesterday to complete this painting.  There are a couple of things I would have done differently, but over all I am happy with it.  Daniel Smith watercolour paint on watercolour paper.  For sale now in my Etsy shop and also as prints on Society 6.

Now it is back to the stack of commissioned work that has been waiting for me!