tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19859232610243794982023-11-16T12:23:09.720+00:00a crafty lifeGemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-23211566500750889642015-11-13T14:12:00.000+00:002015-11-13T14:12:00.560+00:00Fifth Stallaversary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Today marks the huge milestone of five years in my little stall. From humble beginnings with a </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">little bit of stock in a </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">tiny corner of my counter, to the point now where I have very little room for anything new, this stall has been my world for the last five years. I have made friends, had more neighbours than I can remember, and lost and found my creativity more times than I can count. I've seen so much change, both inside and outside my stall. I've had so many good times, and some pretty rough ones too, but this little place will always be in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I will be closing my stall doors (ok, putting up wooden shutters)for the last time on Christmas Eve. The decision has not been an easy one, in fact there have been sleepless nights and moments of terrible uncertainty, but the time has come to think about the future, where I want to be in another five years, and to be honest, I don't see myself making progress if I stay here. I need flexibility to take my work out into the world, and structured opening hours just won't allow that. And I need new eyes to see my work, because I just can't keep waiting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are people I will miss. I will miss my little stall and all of it's quirks. I will miss the familiar faces that pass by every single market day, hearing about their families, the relief when I see them again after unusual absences. I will miss the stories. I will miss the gossip. I will miss visitors - the dear sweet lady that brings me a mice pie every Christmas, the Christmas cards and well-wishes. So much to miss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I make it sound like it's perfect. It's not. But the things I will miss will outweigh the bad stuff. I hope I will always think fondly of this place - the first home of gemmipop designs, my first toe in the pond of self-employment and the place that has given me the confidence to try. </span></div>
Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-75191404345556858592015-11-13T13:04:00.000+00:002015-11-13T13:04:12.610+00:00Brooch Workshop<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An evening of crafting is not really unusual for me, but last night I opened up my studio for a crafty brooch making evening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was joined by two lovely ladies, and we had a jolly productive evening making fabric puff brooches. We had a lovely time picking fabrics, drinking tea and admiring our finished brooches - we each finished three! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I'm so excited to be able to offer these evenings, I genuinely enjoy sharing skills and ideas and I am always so happy to know that my visitors enjoy it as much as I do. My next evening session is a second Crochet Christmas evening, I'm already looking forward to it!</span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-19815719703080195042015-11-08T14:41:00.000+00:002015-11-08T14:41:00.270+00:00Crochet Cowl... or The Tale of the Rescue from the "Never Going to Happen" pile...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">These lovely granny squares were made in a fit of enthusiastic crocheting, and sadly ended up moving from the "work in progress" pile to the "I'll come back to it" pile and eventually landed in the "never going to happen" pile... me being me, I never made a note of hook size, and the yarn I used ended up sucked into another project, so all I had left was a sad looking bundle of unused squares, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">waiting patiently for re-discovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ten little squares were never really going to be very useful, and so they were picked up and put back in the "never going to happen" pile repeatedly, until a couple of weeks ago when I looked at them with fresh eyes and inspiration struck - cowl...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And so, I began stitching them together, a nice little invisible join, and when they were all joined to each other in a nice long strip, I put the ends together and they became A THING. I worked around it with a nice simple double crochet edge, and now it is ready to begin it's life as a cosy winter-woollen, just at the right time of year. And so I have hope again for the "never going to happen" pile, because it would seem that it has treasure lurking below the surface, waiting for a good idea to come along...</span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-11157061354104149182015-11-07T12:57:00.000+00:002015-11-07T12:57:40.241+00:00Christmas Crochet Evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last night I hosted a Christmas Crochet evening up at my lovely new studio. We made tree and star decorations, using patterns that I've adapted from <a href="http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.co.uk/">the Royal Sisters blog</a>. I really love teaching crochet, this was the first time that I've had such a large group, and they all did wonderfully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I picked out my best Christmassy coloured yarns, including some rather splendid sparkly stuff, and unpacked my loveliest tea cups and saucers, and we had a fabulous crafty time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have a head full of ideas for seasonal makes for next year, I'm hoping that these little group sessions can be a regular thing. </span></div>
Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-53045163030055568142015-11-02T16:06:00.000+00:002015-11-02T16:06:27.998+00:00A Crocheted October...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In October I joined in with the <a href="https://instagram.com/lazydaisyjones/">Lazy Daisy Jones</a> Crochet Hook Up on instagram, a daily photo to go alongside the theme for each day. I am proud to have managed to actually post something every day, and thought I would share the month here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day One - Hello </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- me, obviously...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day Two - Work In Progress - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my 2015 blanket</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day three - Colour combination - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">several of my favourites</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day four - Blanket - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my first ever blanket</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day five - Chunky or lace - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">brooch with tiny doilies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day six - favourite hook - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my 'go-to' hooks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day seven - square or circle - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">squares, always!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day eight - future project - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/crochet-apache-tears-free-pattern/">Sarah London</a> pattern</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day nine - Fave Stitch - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">puffs and popcorns</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day ten - cushion </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- sunburst with Brian modelling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day eleven - border - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I like a scallop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twelve - fave book - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">200 crochet blocks by Jan Eaton</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day thirteen - scarf </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- chevron scarf from last winter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day fourteen - fave make </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- bundles of blankets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day fifteen - storage</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b> </b>- cupboard in my studio </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ACkjAsiwDpiDHQzTHGmzls50_zGYrgYMklNQE0IQKVPKOfaxe849YqXNI3W5Pny4PEjyoWzdiGgivuxWDHs3Mo-jbXVMBMdsmUp2qzCR2ZaujUP8O_MTglv2iuZlWxeC5t8OPo_VDn8/s1600/ldj+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ACkjAsiwDpiDHQzTHGmzls50_zGYrgYMklNQE0IQKVPKOfaxe849YqXNI3W5Pny4PEjyoWzdiGgivuxWDHs3Mo-jbXVMBMdsmUp2qzCR2ZaujUP8O_MTglv2iuZlWxeC5t8OPo_VDn8/s1600/ldj+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day sixteen - where? </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- my cosy spot on the sofa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day Seventeen - Fave yarn </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- cotton in lovely colours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day Eighteen - Christmas Crochet - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">glass baubles made last year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day Nineteen - Who taught you? - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my first ever square, made with the help of a fellow student at uni</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty - Vintage pattern - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my great grandmother's crochet book</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty one - pastel or bright? </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- always bright</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty two - amigurumi </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- unicorn from Simply Crochet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty three - crochet blog -<a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/"> </a></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/">Meet Me At Mike's</a>, <a href="http://www.emmallamb.com/">Emma Lamb</a>, <a href="http://www.twinkiechan.com/">Twinkie Chan</a> and <a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.co.uk/">Dottie Angel</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty four - Flowers - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my rosebud brooches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty five - yarn stash </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- my sock yarn, the neatest of my stashes...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty six - gift - </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">teacosy from the pattern on the <a href="https://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/"><span id="goog_1618895158"></span>Crochet With Raymond blog<span id="goog_1618895159"></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty seven - stitch markers - </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yummy Doughnuts </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty eight - inspiration - </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">galleries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day twenty nine - local yarn shop </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- RKM in Oswestry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day thirty - crochet toy - </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Groot from <a href="http://blog.twinkiechan.com/2014/08/13/baby-groot/">Twinkie Chan's pattern</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day thirty one - Halloween Crochet - </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my 2015 blanket square</span><br />
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-18323363591444158012015-11-01T12:28:00.000+00:002015-11-01T12:28:00.262+00:00Books... October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">October has passed me by in a blur of adventures and busy-ness, and I only managed to finish two books. Unusually for me, I am also in the middle of three others, I don't really know how that happened...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">October Books - </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Posy Simmonds - Gemma Bovery </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Robert Newman - The Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution</span></li>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-16858884799625822832015-10-31T12:14:00.000+00:002015-10-31T12:14:28.684+00:00My Week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Such a fabulous week. It started with a visit to see Lucy Rose, supported by Billie Marten and Jake Isaac. They were all really very talented and had such pretty songs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Monday was our trip to London, to deliver the Big Knit hats, followed by a whistle stop highlight tour of the British Museum and the National Gallery and a couple of cake stops! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YoD639rqNkMsSye0fKGCEBEg2GroPPT2GuwGbFoEIg6UZWdBGuRWADcxi7CHQD2cXB7TZ5WWPoMh-dv_Pha7meEfL8IaVYZ8nmQD-y94iuxZbuu-k8IAv2hXxagujrLpk_oAVMbhUcw/s1600/week+oct+last.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YoD639rqNkMsSye0fKGCEBEg2GroPPT2GuwGbFoEIg6UZWdBGuRWADcxi7CHQD2cXB7TZ5WWPoMh-dv_Pha7meEfL8IaVYZ8nmQD-y94iuxZbuu-k8IAv2hXxagujrLpk_oAVMbhUcw/s1600/week+oct+last.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Aside from the big adventures, there was a Christmas shopping trip to Liverpool, and lots of lovely time spent at home. The cosy dark evenings are bringing out my usual need to make blankets and read books in front of the fire, the typical late autumn/early winter hibernation thrill that will no doubt quickly descend into cabin fever. For now though, I'm enjoying it. </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-20449214027425866762015-10-31T11:11:00.001+00:002015-10-31T11:35:44.849+00:00Month in Makes - October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">October has been such a busy month, full of hat making and pompoms for the Big Knit, as well as a bit of Christmas Robin making, but I've managed to find some time to experiment with some cross-stitch jewellery, first playing with some Cath Kidston patterns, and progressing onto my own little bee design! I like the frame brooch, but I think the necklace maybe needs a little more work... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNVYMaGdzuNM6pH2ScyyLjqCLSYVtgR-dr6mcorQ4sANILFnFUDMzPp8qCK2WHoYPFMk0h7tI2R3YrNtIe53WN4Wc0KLadML8IcLpXOmeq6ppp3RxVoQ54Ecz1kbFPD-xJvgtfVvXpwg/s1600/month+in+makes+oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNVYMaGdzuNM6pH2ScyyLjqCLSYVtgR-dr6mcorQ4sANILFnFUDMzPp8qCK2WHoYPFMk0h7tI2R3YrNtIe53WN4Wc0KLadML8IcLpXOmeq6ppp3RxVoQ54Ecz1kbFPD-xJvgtfVvXpwg/s1600/month+in+makes+oct.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Of course I have continued with my Granny a Day blanket squares, I've just passed the 300 mark, and my favourite make of the month - my special Halloween Pumpkin Brooch!</span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-14527576187651152202015-10-28T11:00:00.000+00:002015-10-28T11:00:03.811+00:00Hat Delivery Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On Monday, we woke up early and packed up 5830 little tiny hats and went on an Adventure to the big city! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZRfGT9iYD9x-zOJdzED5FR6yOr1eoPnNAKBrGDhJZEVINg9hYLLx6xrRvOfa2JeemVGMYGac39pn_n5AFmf2L5hz81-7RcJLFATzJSjaLpXE0JpSIufYCb-vmKGkzsopomy0g5COZu0/s1600/innocent2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZRfGT9iYD9x-zOJdzED5FR6yOr1eoPnNAKBrGDhJZEVINg9hYLLx6xrRvOfa2JeemVGMYGac39pn_n5AFmf2L5hz81-7RcJLFATzJSjaLpXE0JpSIufYCb-vmKGkzsopomy0g5COZu0/s320/innocent2.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">We were made to feel so welcome at Fruit Towers, and I was so pleased to be able to take my lovely mum along! We were shown the pen where all the hats will be kept, and had photos taken, and we were loaded down with lovely juice for the journey home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzTQJn3Xf18CGDcapxBnu5I8WZ9CD3ovP3qsQJE9QiG7c7JR0E4cSw1sB13xVu9Lue3QY3DGO9zNegmKbgYcDVdyK8XuqosEWggNht4X_OfpBt-yoB_h_I834m4IPwUxKT654HnEvoyo/s1600/hat+pen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzTQJn3Xf18CGDcapxBnu5I8WZ9CD3ovP3qsQJE9QiG7c7JR0E4cSw1sB13xVu9Lue3QY3DGO9zNegmKbgYcDVdyK8XuqosEWggNht4X_OfpBt-yoB_h_I834m4IPwUxKT654HnEvoyo/s320/hat+pen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> (The hat pen - Before and after our hats were added...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We also had a little mooch around London. It was just a lovely day.</span></div>
<br />Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-50909937137128755492015-10-27T16:07:00.000+00:002015-10-27T16:07:12.787+00:00My Week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last week was dominated by one thing - going to see Jack Off Jill. I have loved them since I was about fourteen years old and it was the most amazing experience to see them live on their final tour. I still just don't have the words to explain it properly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The other highlight was my lovely dad's birthday, a splendid afternoon spent with my dear family, chatting and laughing and munching. It was just lovely. </span></div>
Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-31322913106900181892015-10-21T06:47:00.000+01:002015-10-21T06:48:19.990+01:00Taking Stock<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thanks as always to lovely Pip at <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/">Meet Me at Mike's</a> for this bit of inspiration every month, it's been good to stop and think in a month that has been so very busy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Making : </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">jewellery, little robins, granny squares and my 2015 blanket</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Cooking : </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">autumn comfort food</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Drinking :</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> tea</span><span style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif;"> - </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">regular and Twinings Strawberry and Mango</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Reading:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Nick Frost's Autobiography "Truths, Half-truths and Little White Lies"</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Wanting:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> to go and see Jack Off Jill again every night for the rest of my life...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Looking: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at my diary and seeing how alarmingly little time there is between now and Christmas!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Playing: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Jack Off Jill constantly</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Deciding: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what to put on my lovely board in my studio</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Wishing:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> I could be in two places at once</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Enjoying: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My lovely dad's birthday and spending time with my family</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Waiting: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">to go to London to deliver over 5000 Big Knit hats!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Liking: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my lovely yellow PlayPurse</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Wondering: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what to read next</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Loving: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">cross-stitching</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Pondering:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> "Back to the Future" day!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Considering: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">planting wallflowers in my lovely raised beds</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Buying: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">mini <a href="http://www.sunjellies.com/">Sunjellies</a> bags</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Watching:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", "Heroes", "Big Bang Theory", "Agents of SHIELD" and "The Blacklist"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Hoping:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> everything works out...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Marvelling: </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">at how much a tiny cut on my finger hurts!</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Cringing:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> at people...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Needing: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">quite a lot of sleep</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Questioning: </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Smelling: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Autumn</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Wearing: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">wintery-woollens and cosy tights</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Following: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">every opportunity!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Noticing: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that photography is harder than it seems!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Knowing:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> that things are ok</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Thinking: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that I'm going to try out the new Italian Bakery in town very soon</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Admiring: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">polka-dot fabric for Christmas Robins</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Sorting: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">out the arrangements for Christmas Crochet Crafternoons</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Getting: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">excited about the future</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Bookmarking: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Lazy Daisy Jones Crochet Hookup on instagram (#ldjcrochethookup)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Coveting: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Beautiful Cath Kidston dresses and skirts</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Disliking:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> the dark evenings</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Opening: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my studio door for visitors!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Giggling: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at silly things that I see</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Feeling: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">a bit of pressure about the festive season, but excited too!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Snacking:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> all the time, I'm hopeless...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Helping: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">where I can as always</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">Hearing:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> the sound of Jack Off Jill ringing in my ears...</span></span></span>Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-74719292238505606182015-10-20T10:30:00.000+01:002015-10-20T10:30:01.208+01:00Little Lessons<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My favourite part of being a full-time crafter is sharing skills with lovely people. I know I've said it before, but I get so much from seeing people start their crochet adventure. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I had a visit from Sharon on Wednesday, she came along to try out some new stitches, we had a go at crocheting rows, and varying with front and back loops, and we did a mitred square. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sXB_VnQRC5L5o_xofTI4LAXaKMVJoBXrlGRrocnFP_r37kfreVcutFKWVXMp9BLVsi0LyxDYX-hr6pxSab70xs_fX7BI2ROFcxqW6ihYF7K6YRMJPCxvEyIn7Y37xbBH8RHZXU4vh24/s1600/2015-10-14+10.56.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sXB_VnQRC5L5o_xofTI4LAXaKMVJoBXrlGRrocnFP_r37kfreVcutFKWVXMp9BLVsi0LyxDYX-hr6pxSab70xs_fX7BI2ROFcxqW6ihYF7K6YRMJPCxvEyIn7Y37xbBH8RHZXU4vh24/s320/2015-10-14+10.56.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rita came popped up with her lovely daughter Jess, and we went over granny squares, then onto Sunburst squares. They are both naturals!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciw3kd4VV3g_AviceZOWxv8BoZSculPwebMsAUs-GFIYCoqUkL3hM08QYMUDEZ0SBc9S11mxbMQE_oekvnPdyR754j04qxTzy06UWXnkKUlYWrVzcGTYANXDXDnPOdMYMCkQb1TO7ZUc/s1600/crochet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciw3kd4VV3g_AviceZOWxv8BoZSculPwebMsAUs-GFIYCoqUkL3hM08QYMUDEZ0SBc9S11mxbMQE_oekvnPdyR754j04qxTzy06UWXnkKUlYWrVzcGTYANXDXDnPOdMYMCkQb1TO7ZUc/s1600/crochet+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was thrilled to hear that they'd spent the afternoon practising...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw_gEb2gkuqtDPanKnI8yPmUWNImiXuFtR05TMmz03jcXNoJpzh9VNgH99oK8OWb9eY3b8ztTd9q6meiifJtZkp9rNc99xiZFboKIdDB8gEECIO8_hf6MWFGvv1WzGkFgweH1vVceW9M/s1600/crochet+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw_gEb2gkuqtDPanKnI8yPmUWNImiXuFtR05TMmz03jcXNoJpzh9VNgH99oK8OWb9eY3b8ztTd9q6meiifJtZkp9rNc99xiZFboKIdDB8gEECIO8_hf6MWFGvv1WzGkFgweH1vVceW9M/s1600/crochet+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And on Saturday Tarloke visited for a beginner lesson, and made his very first square. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoo_YsJp37zTEK9YzKDqimhmRB3uFuLnHl5NhiCvPxQaTc1nQaEtXd8WYLkNZl34AVoz20jon73EO1wKZpR9WnHkyI_uHt54Jtfy2z4IbWRbSQASxN7BtJkxiB0L5bX6bne2RL6Yk4cA/s1600/crochet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoo_YsJp37zTEK9YzKDqimhmRB3uFuLnHl5NhiCvPxQaTc1nQaEtXd8WYLkNZl34AVoz20jon73EO1wKZpR9WnHkyI_uHt54Jtfy2z4IbWRbSQASxN7BtJkxiB0L5bX6bne2RL6Yk4cA/s1600/crochet+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l5EZg9U7Kan6s0o4smnPnPD25VxcMKB6JuTL9O4r94jVxV00gw2lZq5dCZUQAL24umfUHmGn-ackst3ZVfRiJaCttntqbHciLxNZSnWfdvVhq7D2xSGuJLWMNByzQh5Ld1sRMUAwbNw/s1600/crochet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l5EZg9U7Kan6s0o4smnPnPD25VxcMKB6JuTL9O4r94jVxV00gw2lZq5dCZUQAL24umfUHmGn-ackst3ZVfRiJaCttntqbHciLxNZSnWfdvVhq7D2xSGuJLWMNByzQh5Ld1sRMUAwbNw/s1600/crochet+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The days fly by when I have such lovely company. </span><br />
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-87776859016243861072015-10-19T10:00:00.000+01:002015-10-19T10:00:04.912+01:00My Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My beautiful little studio is taking shape, starting to feel like a work space, wearing a little of my personality and becoming comfortable and homely. My name is on the door, my work is on the walls, my lovely magazine bits and bobs are framed and my desk is starting to look busy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNz8228Rg8xqxf1NOnWu-gWM0qMOSdShKVPy7WvC7a8xu2mZdZn18mddIZjpC8-9uajwszyKS8npL-7UXXsW_t98tgLHCPhbXiwphfdgyPV4jGQUwrJOoEtxjXeSUkyoIxoMMRBUZUqM/s1600/studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNz8228Rg8xqxf1NOnWu-gWM0qMOSdShKVPy7WvC7a8xu2mZdZn18mddIZjpC8-9uajwszyKS8npL-7UXXsW_t98tgLHCPhbXiwphfdgyPV4jGQUwrJOoEtxjXeSUkyoIxoMMRBUZUqM/s320/studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My little corner is full of pretty pictures, postcards, colour samplers, and jewellery bits that I've been working on. It is bright and inspiring, I have my notebooks and crochet and my head is full of ideas. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gumaC7tGYQC1leRwkdbWflzawcaT4ZIt09cLwyYl21hG6MkbAREC8odfG3ox4EVMEDSnuHUUWXp6uadNKyQliQ8cpn1I-X9M0DL2QPdaFPvRKtifRcBFtpwcNhX8MGcKmePJ9wQcn_o/s1600/2015-10-06+13.43.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gumaC7tGYQC1leRwkdbWflzawcaT4ZIt09cLwyYl21hG6MkbAREC8odfG3ox4EVMEDSnuHUUWXp6uadNKyQliQ8cpn1I-X9M0DL2QPdaFPvRKtifRcBFtpwcNhX8MGcKmePJ9wQcn_o/s320/2015-10-06+13.43.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevslvUyoT5OP2SWuqiJaGmJ7iLyLz_An01yViXh3QlN_wNyOXFZ1hPN71IgGhru7a8YCYqbIFph2xxbxQDc-2w4hLCCd_iboyfQh-oDLBeHjB7Wehz2XllHdCqD9n9-WhcgKHc6dNOjI/s1600/2015-10-15+13.57.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevslvUyoT5OP2SWuqiJaGmJ7iLyLz_An01yViXh3QlN_wNyOXFZ1hPN71IgGhru7a8YCYqbIFph2xxbxQDc-2w4hLCCd_iboyfQh-oDLBeHjB7Wehz2XllHdCqD9n9-WhcgKHc6dNOjI/s320/2015-10-15+13.57.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I introduced the first visitors this week - I hope they will be the first of many. </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-16487102053959447042015-10-18T21:35:00.000+01:002015-10-18T21:35:01.929+01:00My Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As weeks go, this one was pretty memorable - Wonderful Wool Day, meeting Nick Frost and the preview evening of the lovely Vintage Magpie shop, the neighbour to my little studio. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_zfM9DtakAu8k1xulbj2pXS79U9rkovLr3qRXK4V4Pbojs2ohN-RqqfpQJmwJAPEFqOu2v-dhC3T42vvRKqNYrT-o56TdwNJAf1J9ydEWbv5-EpU6r8qTEXz0sQBu3NNeHoEI_JnZfU/s1600/week+oct+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_zfM9DtakAu8k1xulbj2pXS79U9rkovLr3qRXK4V4Pbojs2ohN-RqqfpQJmwJAPEFqOu2v-dhC3T42vvRKqNYrT-o56TdwNJAf1J9ydEWbv5-EpU6r8qTEXz0sQBu3NNeHoEI_JnZfU/s1600/week+oct+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I caught up with friends, walked in the autumn air as much as I could and taught lots of crochet lessons. Life is pretty sweet. </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-48586625174049440612015-10-13T10:00:00.000+01:002015-10-13T10:00:03.371+01:00Oswestry Makes 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Oswestry Makes is a crafty festival that has been held for the last three years in our little town. I help where I can in the organisational stages, and as always offer crochet lessons over the weekend up in my little stall. This year it ran from Friday to Sunday, culminating in the Wonderful Wool Day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Friday was pretty quiet, but I had a visit from lovely Kitty, who is new to crochet and wanted to give crocheting in the round a try. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFEuhYYL-OIpMXLTDIS4ipO2kSBo3KBsQn-T1H8rYqIJm8leQ1djQq3Cxp3V_u5qx8YV1QKjkWn-OuD8oFu3XXZYuWtcB8jPmVhb4LnoNvL3X620ms_jeu9jJRKdvYSIwGSbZcWJKZCQ/s1600/os+makes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFEuhYYL-OIpMXLTDIS4ipO2kSBo3KBsQn-T1H8rYqIJm8leQ1djQq3Cxp3V_u5qx8YV1QKjkWn-OuD8oFu3XXZYuWtcB8jPmVhb4LnoNvL3X620ms_jeu9jJRKdvYSIwGSbZcWJKZCQ/s320/os+makes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I think she did rather well...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof3-27IinBEMA8cURU1mjkXT2Uou7-_wfnHR7j95u_hX3czTo6iLsuWA8CikG4ZfvfMSAGqPWglIYg6RNmSIWu1nqX5iFtPBG__9zZeoZp_5EC6nbsCrzqCxzsPbzY3eoPkIgpCJpV-s/s1600/kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof3-27IinBEMA8cURU1mjkXT2Uou7-_wfnHR7j95u_hX3czTo6iLsuWA8CikG4ZfvfMSAGqPWglIYg6RNmSIWu1nqX5iFtPBG__9zZeoZp_5EC6nbsCrzqCxzsPbzY3eoPkIgpCJpV-s/s320/kitty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Saturday was very busy, starting with a visit from Rita, Jodie, Natalie and Kathryn. Rita and Jodie could already crochet so I only really helped them out with some pointers, but mum and daughter Kathryn and Natalie were completely new to it, so we started at basic chains and then moved on to granny squares. Everyone did really well and left with a little square and a smile! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Then I was joined by Hannah and Freya, who is ten years old - she was an absolute natural, and was working on the second round of her granny square by the time she left. So proud! I'm hoping we have some new crochet addicts in the making!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lkjstGx4-atiRgF8GmritCv92oNvti16HTrlKhQFao9etzP4hb0FwyiolVXYn2q8WlclYUrNPqMDvH2RjQshV8doHX_BwI2dkKBRwm6OpY10hYDvywsN_W-uzkfCyqH7DWmilYsza0A/s1600/os+makes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lkjstGx4-atiRgF8GmritCv92oNvti16HTrlKhQFao9etzP4hb0FwyiolVXYn2q8WlclYUrNPqMDvH2RjQshV8doHX_BwI2dkKBRwm6OpY10hYDvywsN_W-uzkfCyqH7DWmilYsza0A/s320/os+makes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sunday was Wonderful Wool Day, </span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">where there were stalls, things to learn and try out, lots and lots of tea and cake, and a Back-to-Back, where a fleece went through all of the various processes and stages to make it in to yarn, which was then knitted into a hat and a child's cardigan. It was amazing to see a row of spinning wheels all lined up and and everyone working away! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_F1x2GfqGrlBzDmlPuD1zmn_apffLSJa_ATpeL2dkDiXoFsPFWiIA-L_58FljW8v9qs5JkjGZhTpiwPpg3cSzAKGBf1PQNlZ5hZCwtQa1NEsDQDDBeXesaCcwtMkh0-4Y84T2RVDL2Y/s1600/wool+day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_F1x2GfqGrlBzDmlPuD1zmn_apffLSJa_ATpeL2dkDiXoFsPFWiIA-L_58FljW8v9qs5JkjGZhTpiwPpg3cSzAKGBf1PQNlZ5hZCwtQa1NEsDQDDBeXesaCcwtMkh0-4Y84T2RVDL2Y/s320/wool+day2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I had a little stall selling a some of my jewellery and handmade bits and bobs, as well as kits, hooks and needles and supplies for people to take away. I think it went pretty well, I met so many lovely people, all so excited to be there and enjoying bonding over mutual interests. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjNWcO2DpEUxDHPhZJM4Lj4qpz6YDofhyv99MjX2y0cU70BqtrbLsX_iFMp5GDTaJAL_jNkIQ-bB_YjudNYy9Jk8PgtIMI2Dk3eTkIL1RcvKwMwziY-oSAwf3gIO3dvdQu_tBDzmRFzU/s1600/wool+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjNWcO2DpEUxDHPhZJM4Lj4qpz6YDofhyv99MjX2y0cU70BqtrbLsX_iFMp5GDTaJAL_jNkIQ-bB_YjudNYy9Jk8PgtIMI2Dk3eTkIL1RcvKwMwziY-oSAwf3gIO3dvdQu_tBDzmRFzU/s320/wool+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I even managed to find a moment to have a little look at the Orphan Lamb table, where I found some mermaid coloured Shetland wool, and also some cream Aran weight wool, a 15mm crochet hook (I met the man who made them - he finds bits of branches in the woods to make them from) and some vintage metal sock needles. A Wonderful Wool Day indeed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAeMtNml-N-3A6GyWSvy6vjJgM-ogRPtrN3DKdnsUKjVE68RyR81o_pICAtUUJAOKAAiP2_lWgdnGXqvB1u8Ubvd3rCKRBPdqfs9p_cvckpQG54xIBnMbcU56Vs7aDSYe_HQFnGEznuw/s1600/2015-10-11+15.14.31-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAeMtNml-N-3A6GyWSvy6vjJgM-ogRPtrN3DKdnsUKjVE68RyR81o_pICAtUUJAOKAAiP2_lWgdnGXqvB1u8Ubvd3rCKRBPdqfs9p_cvckpQG54xIBnMbcU56Vs7aDSYe_HQFnGEznuw/s320/2015-10-11+15.14.31-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-20399212485415331822015-10-12T17:04:00.000+01:002015-10-12T17:04:16.963+01:00My Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Wowee, this week has passed in a blur! I've had lots of work things on - teaching crochet, visiting the Loudwater Studio in Ludlow, Make on Monday in a lovely cafe with fabulous cake, a day in my studio making everything pretty, and my usual days in my little stall. This time of year is always so busy, but I managed to have a little bit of time off too - we had a night out in Manchester, at an </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Anti-Austerity gig and saw Public Service Broadcasting,</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> who were ace. Their new song "Go!" is just amazing. The highlight of the week was that we had a little visitor, a little hedgehog, he was so cute. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtJ2KyoVt0YnQvHQujLq7xaSaOG-fU6us6Yh0SXO8p6jzB6ehhF-8PAAPz7li2UzUccVebhLz2fnKqxqS-4E-abb_ZNc5KT4xaxqZpT0MZ8KpW7GicnqGu3Wn2MmWej6562ZCUCWcg8U/s1600/week+oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtJ2KyoVt0YnQvHQujLq7xaSaOG-fU6us6Yh0SXO8p6jzB6ehhF-8PAAPz7li2UzUccVebhLz2fnKqxqS-4E-abb_ZNc5KT4xaxqZpT0MZ8KpW7GicnqGu3Wn2MmWej6562ZCUCWcg8U/s1600/week+oct.jpg" /></a></div>
Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-37013068892340411432015-10-04T20:00:00.000+01:002015-10-04T20:00:12.039+01:00Jam Making...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqiWA9LMd9jmS2NOIJ7wQb_jEqtWKBWgOI6jfa0LM6C0Z381v2NoLGXLVdBMt54G2sfzgJ1HOCgOuhJJ6lVgq1rtZFUhHdKQQcVTeYHUdFTaM-JcW1IgXbdP6ZPZbCYLBXgGpcZE-ekA/s640/blogger-image-1098789123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of the highlights of last week was making Jam with my mum. The fruit was all hand-picked - the plums and apples were from our garden, and the Blackberries were from the hedgerows local to my parents. I must confess that I'm not really much of a baker, it's not something that really comes naturally, but I really rather enjoy making jam, especially because it means I get to spend lovely time with my mum and dad. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenjHpI1hNLnhIxGy41oYvZUpXDb5uWEM359E4smqouHchVNyuab7NDxLNciYlvew3G5_4zo2LAcwRQta7LdaEO9Tey8Hg7qli_0pNQcIipLZMIWhHDkGO11-1gdH00paMPwzqUDFEP4g/s1600/plum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenjHpI1hNLnhIxGy41oYvZUpXDb5uWEM359E4smqouHchVNyuab7NDxLNciYlvew3G5_4zo2LAcwRQta7LdaEO9Tey8Hg7qli_0pNQcIipLZMIWhHDkGO11-1gdH00paMPwzqUDFEP4g/s1600/plum.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We made Plum Jam first, in two batches, this was the recipe from mum's old cook book "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1860194850/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">the Dairy Book of Home Cookery</a>"...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ingredients</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1.4kg (3lb) washed plums</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">450ml (3/4 pint) water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1.4kg (3lb) granulated sugar</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(It also says to add 15g of butter - apparently it's to remove the "scum" from the top, but we did't really have any so we left it out)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Method</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Put Plums into saucepan and add water - we had already cut them up and removed the stones</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bring to the boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer gently until fruit is tender (about 15-20 mins, but I think we gave it a little bit longer than that)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Add sugar and stir until dissolved</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bring to the boil, and boil briskly or 10-15 mins (again I think we gave it a little bit longer) until setting point (we did the saucer test here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Remove from heat (this is the point where you'd add your butter if you were going to)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pot and cover - we did the usual sterilising thing here, wash the jars, pop in the oven to warm for about 20minutes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7k9ADV3KnJgyA41kz2IYxW8ubwKm11LkjlyG6ZcwtGQUIthzVfKbtMuND9esCx9Axhu3CvrqGHuyRN-_6I6gcRqJclZNkjgdQX1HZIDiJVxMTB_qESnIw11FoidUPMicWK7M01rRiD8/s1600/bramble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7k9ADV3KnJgyA41kz2IYxW8ubwKm11LkjlyG6ZcwtGQUIthzVfKbtMuND9esCx9Axhu3CvrqGHuyRN-_6I6gcRqJclZNkjgdQX1HZIDiJVxMTB_qESnIw11FoidUPMicWK7M01rRiD8/s1600/bramble.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Next we made Blackberry and Apple Jam, this time from mum's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/372/dp/1405329548/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Jam and Chutney book</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1kg (2.2lbs) Blackberries (we were a tiny bit short of that, but it didn't make any difference)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">750g apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1.5kg caster sugar (we used granulated and it was fine)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">125ml water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 tsp cinnamon (we left these out, and it's still yummy!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Method</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Place the apples and blackberries in the pan, add the water (it doesn't look like much but don't add any more, it's plenty) and simmer for 10mins until fruit is soft</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. (Add the cinnamon and nutmeg now if you're going to) and boil for 20 minutes, stirring often until set (again, the saucer test works here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Remove from heat, take off any scum and jar up. </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-38557025697198145282015-10-03T10:52:00.001+01:002015-10-03T10:52:49.374+01:00My Week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My week started somewhat sadly, with the sudden departure of my dear budgies. They were about a year old when we adopted them, they came as a pair, they used to smooch and cuddle up together, so it seems fitting that they </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">they passed within hours of each other, Kate first in the morning, and William in the afternoon (we didn't name them, but they came to live with us at the height of Royal Wedding fever...)after he had apparently sat over her little body all day and refused to let my poor husband take her away. It was so sad, and although they were really rather vocal and loved to spread their feathers everywhere, we miss them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhjg4XtsE0cNLdpWwcgZH1yq33yf_YI0eOIVGM81fi-1OTyrEb1237Ewee3_tR5lAPns3flzasfhniEdhyphenhyphenIljwkDBq5PENBkyZkezom0afI6zyCIGTK10IBV4L6Q7ilNItkKd3QlcwyQ/s1600/week+oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhjg4XtsE0cNLdpWwcgZH1yq33yf_YI0eOIVGM81fi-1OTyrEb1237Ewee3_tR5lAPns3flzasfhniEdhyphenhyphenIljwkDBq5PENBkyZkezom0afI6zyCIGTK10IBV4L6Q7ilNItkKd3QlcwyQ/s1600/week+oct.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The rest of the week improved somewhat, we picked Plums and Apples from our garden, and my dad and I went Brambling and found a huge hoard of Blackberries, so there's been jam making, which is one of my favourite Autumn activities! I love the idea of squirrelling things away to last through the long winter months. We had a little city adventure last night, popping along to Home in Manchester to Robert Newman's book launch. He's one of our all-time favourite comedians, and it was lovely to hear him read bits from his book "The Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution" and to have a little chat with him afterwards, such a thoroughly nice man. He even signed our books. Such a splendid evening, can't wait to read the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(The puppy isn't ours by the way, his name is Ozzy and he belongs to my dear friends, he is the most gorgeous little chap)</span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-5089037026540004912015-10-02T11:37:00.001+01:002015-10-02T11:37:39.108+01:00Crochet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of my favourite things about knowing how to crochet is helping other people learn. I love seeing people go from the first tentative swoop-through-the-loop, the first saggy-looking chain, the first treble, to the first finished round, the next round, the quiet concentration as they slowly start doing it all by themselves, the moment where this odd jumble of knots begins to look like SOMETHING. I always begin with Granny Squares - my all-time favourite thing to make and, in my humble opinion, the best place to start. They are perfect for beginners for lots of reasons - they have the basic stitches, which you repeat over and over again so it stays put in the grey matter, and they grow ever so quickly so there is a tangible *thing* to take away at the end of the session. It's a proud moment when there is an exclamation of "it looks like a square" or "I did it!" or "I'm going to the wool shop RIGHT NOW to get more colours". I love the 'ping' on my phone when an email full of photos arrives, so much pride and hard work. It is a joy. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This was a square from a session yesterday - when I left it was only three rounds, so it was pure happiness to see the forth!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4HpFJWPdMk10TSuexXFHU07rF1-yWKYdUlLM5d7elWC5UbCT2n8UY6LDiloLR9ZQOlM3fgi_qkTI9N1kxtzAv6jrtHo0vlypm7J4qqxm581TTOI9xq-X07vdXAu5SjSy7oEZz_DdS38/s1600/square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4HpFJWPdMk10TSuexXFHU07rF1-yWKYdUlLM5d7elWC5UbCT2n8UY6LDiloLR9ZQOlM3fgi_qkTI9N1kxtzAv6jrtHo0vlypm7J4qqxm581TTOI9xq-X07vdXAu5SjSy7oEZz_DdS38/s320/square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have so enjoyed starting people on their crochet adventure - this is my lovely friend with her very first bit of crochet... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXJyjXS5NEfqencT_I3e2s4iDFOtfwwMcxA-F39DTr_9EUxpmaRBWQtXV3oKpdVtKtwHrjrTw0D2yB2vG5unCsa33Cfa9Y9FirDawRjXHgYsSgpMxBLmxqvyigM9KnKlqBDIs9T3aeCA/s1600/gail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXJyjXS5NEfqencT_I3e2s4iDFOtfwwMcxA-F39DTr_9EUxpmaRBWQtXV3oKpdVtKtwHrjrTw0D2yB2vG5unCsa33Cfa9Y9FirDawRjXHgYsSgpMxBLmxqvyigM9KnKlqBDIs9T3aeCA/s320/gail+1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">which looked like this less than a week later...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJDFWtt-lbED_xB0C16JBLutEqJB2m3qXHYKFRqtVSYup3Eu4icm6ZYXYhQqgbYdiFbqD0ZS58aDTBPdAD2bukJfHy6r5miGupzWsVf_eVLviGw_838OwfqBpEYw5edObud4BBdRl1Xw/s1600/gail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJDFWtt-lbED_xB0C16JBLutEqJB2m3qXHYKFRqtVSYup3Eu4icm6ZYXYhQqgbYdiFbqD0ZS58aDTBPdAD2bukJfHy6r5miGupzWsVf_eVLviGw_838OwfqBpEYw5edObud4BBdRl1Xw/s320/gail2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So proud!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is Gemma with her first square...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6zLTYS6Ei-yamqQ2niX6uyH6UWyro6BMXOJP3E-wcVd8F1meDkR133IoRNnXrdfjWb1nq4RDntKbSYSTMjgY8amvNCkPTvKSJpHTp1BKCTBfU-qwkJRjv6G1KhUvCINXv5ih_aQYGec/s1600/gemma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6zLTYS6Ei-yamqQ2niX6uyH6UWyro6BMXOJP3E-wcVd8F1meDkR133IoRNnXrdfjWb1nq4RDntKbSYSTMjgY8amvNCkPTvKSJpHTp1BKCTBfU-qwkJRjv6G1KhUvCINXv5ih_aQYGec/s320/gemma.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And lots of lovely folks with their squares at the Wonderful Wool day last November...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlZGbSQVAZ9t0hRhcrRqFLQPF-xOAiEZ4zH5hRFfZdjtLvpIJ2kGYUygS8mi-1ty5RvXmhBVEn9pGG40poXgjQQ6Pb0C89TgE1VP0kR_SPj-w91G9eIWBDYpIoP-0RhAzoWMaP-G5H_8/s1600/wool+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlZGbSQVAZ9t0hRhcrRqFLQPF-xOAiEZ4zH5hRFfZdjtLvpIJ2kGYUygS8mi-1ty5RvXmhBVEn9pGG40poXgjQQ6Pb0C89TgE1VP0kR_SPj-w91G9eIWBDYpIoP-0RhAzoWMaP-G5H_8/s320/wool+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And lovely Louise at her first lesson.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SqQARUcnQ9xaUkGfJPYWiC1ZTGpPTUn2Pkls4PdV0eSN0e-KP58k8EHr3idLGiZ57lQvQZsMdxhPOBVjIajoTr8twJVyM26rxVVm3MmB-gvvqi0scs92Os1om2ktnsrFTOYEj9MFZW4/s1600/less.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SqQARUcnQ9xaUkGfJPYWiC1ZTGpPTUn2Pkls4PdV0eSN0e-KP58k8EHr3idLGiZ57lQvQZsMdxhPOBVjIajoTr8twJVyM26rxVVm3MmB-gvvqi0scs92Os1om2ktnsrFTOYEj9MFZW4/s320/less.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I really hope that at least some of the people that I have taught will continue, and will remember me fondly as the person that got them started. I so worry that these amazing skills will be lost, and I hope my enthusiasm will be contagious and help in some small way to encourage people to give it a go! </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-75067756548620411712015-10-01T11:56:00.000+01:002015-10-01T11:56:00.159+01:00Reading... September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am a self confessed creature of habit, and although I try to always read things that I've never read before, I am always drawn back to the Harry Potter books. I read books five to seven earlier this year, in preparation for our visit to the Studio Tour, but I've started the series again. It's like coming home to visit old friends. I also read the short story "The Collectors" from Philip Pullman, and as much as I enjoyed "The Dark Materials" trilogy, I don't feel the same emotional attachment that I do to Harry Potter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have followed "Fine Little Day" on Instagram for some time now, and was thrilled to find that Elisabeth's book has been translated to English. It's a lovely, lovely book, inspiring and filled with beautiful images and words. It's pure happiness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScHA3d2TanvpvVGjrJiwYnZ3Q0L-LdimaLi0BEkGKK-jWP7wMBR5b84xO31jPXvYGQlHSmOGqpPOcnYQrZqk4nTnDRBjyDMBWL6LM-oqk9ir1RQ3RUSgCIVMo1RJvxGVLvohcph3BxDg/s1600/books+sept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScHA3d2TanvpvVGjrJiwYnZ3Q0L-LdimaLi0BEkGKK-jWP7wMBR5b84xO31jPXvYGQlHSmOGqpPOcnYQrZqk4nTnDRBjyDMBWL6LM-oqk9ir1RQ3RUSgCIVMo1RJvxGVLvohcph3BxDg/s1600/books+sept.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So my September reads were...</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">JK Rowling - "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Elisabeth Dunker - "Fine Little Day"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Philip Pullman - "The Collectors"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">JK Rowling - "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"</span></li>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-75414753392806830602015-09-30T11:46:00.003+01:002015-09-30T11:46:59.957+01:00My Month in Makes... September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I've had a very busy month of making, I think encouraged by my excitement for my new studio, I feel renewed making-enthusiasm! I'm still plodding along with my 2015 blanket, my squares are up to date but I have fallen behind somewhat with my joining... I'm sure I'll soon catch up though. I've managed to find a little bit of time to make some things for me too, I knitted a tiny gnome from the pattern from <a href="http://mochimochiland.com/">Mochimochi Land</a>, and I've been cross-stitching roses from the Cath Kidston "Stitch" book on to a gingham tote bag. For my little shop I've been making Christmas Robins, lots of new jewellery and spent lots of time playing with my lovely new badgemaker! I've been using vintage sewing patterns to make letter badges, and some with sewing instructions, and illustrations from the cover envelopes, as well as some with vintage floral fabrics and embroidered linens. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR00J8wGC9n54ZEwCBf1HOwhW3wE6QCUZQr0WxEW9ZW49AKA_xxU8X6WXyiY5KDhiK4Kjo9ZkmOqFzbEdZ5K61en2hj3C5NoZcTEv14v3UZgD6M78QuHbGXcBcF3Cwr5h6ZJyPM0nKDI4/s1600/makes+sept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR00J8wGC9n54ZEwCBf1HOwhW3wE6QCUZQr0WxEW9ZW49AKA_xxU8X6WXyiY5KDhiK4Kjo9ZkmOqFzbEdZ5K61en2hj3C5NoZcTEv14v3UZgD6M78QuHbGXcBcF3Cwr5h6ZJyPM0nKDI4/s1600/makes+sept.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's been a jolly productive month! </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-60387608297905786172015-09-27T10:30:00.000+01:002015-09-27T10:30:01.278+01:00Taking Stock...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: #999999;">My Taking Stock list for September (how is it September already?! I don't understand...), thanks as always to lovely Pip at <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/taking-stock-2/">Meet Me At Mike's</a> for the inspiration!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Making : </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Little hats, millions of pompoms, my 2015 blanket, and shiny new jewellery!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Cooking : </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Junk food for healing power after two weeks of head-cold-lurgy in the household</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Drinking : </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tea, both regular English Breakfast, and Mango and Strawberry!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Reading: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">he Harry Potter books, again.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Wanting: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">to spend more time in my lovely studio</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Looking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at the Plums at the top of our tree, and wondering how we'll get them down...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Playing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">mix tapes from my husband, and vinyl from my collection!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Deciding: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">to finally purchase a <a href="http://playpurse.com/">Play Purse</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Wishing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">for days out</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Enjoying: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the autumn chill in the air</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Waiting:</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> to make plum jam</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Liking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my new-to-me Dr Marten boots</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Wondering: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">about the world</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Loving: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the increasingly large bundle of Big Knit Hats in my stall!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Pondering: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my future and my new studio</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Considering: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what my next project will be when the Big Knit is over.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Buying: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">l</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">ots of things for my studio, mostly paint and screws but also pretty frames and huge mugs for tea</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Watching:</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> "Agents of SHIELD", "The Simpsons", "Jurassic Park"...</span></span><a href="http://www.branchshop.com/" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Hoping:</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> I won't burst with excitement before we see Jack Off Jill next month.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Marvelling: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at the changing seasons</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Cringing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at things that happen</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Needing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">more hours in the day</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Questioning: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">everything...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Smelling: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">lovely flowers</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Wearing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">pretty dresses and skirts, converse, boots...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Following: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the progress of the plants in my raised beds</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Noticing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the change in the air as Autumn arrives</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Knowing: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that things will be better soon</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Thinking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">about having a sofa day with my book and a cat and a big cup of tea</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Admiring: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">lots of patterns for winter woollens</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Sorting:</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> through years of accumulated designs, postcards, bits of paper and fabric and knitting, deciding what will live in my studio</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Getting: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">tired easily as I try to fight the last of my cold</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Bookmarking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">patterns to try and shops to buy from</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Coveting: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">lots of lovely crafty books and pretty yarn</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Disliking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the short days and dark evenings</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Opening: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">bags of screws, tubs of paint...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Giggling: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at the things that people do.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Feeling:</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> like I need a day out...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Snacking: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on cereal. I feel like I'm about eight years old...</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Helping: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as best I can as always</span></span></span>Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-42092010350628582092015-09-26T10:24:00.000+01:002015-09-26T10:24:23.727+01:00My Week... mostly a studio update...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This week has been totally focussed on my lovely new studio. I've made it pretty and I have tried to find snazzy ways to display my work, and in turn been inspired to make new jewellery to display. It's wonderful to feel so creative, I think I've been distracted for a little while now, but I think I'm back on track now. I read something somewhere about staying creative, how you never run out of creativity and how being creative leads to more creativity (that's a lot of "creative" in one sentence, my apologies) and it's something that has stayed with me, and I'm trying to live by that idea. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKvrXkTGrfiAHD49u9f_RSn3N4WgyQ2klSgpEzW7xkfAWDydOYVQAcCIFxJirrL36wSPfcfZciewboJECtV55IZ0QPNys4MqKzfGpRuIrQjaMGsT722xExRxY2zfS8c02SItJWHmoFI/s1600/week+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKvrXkTGrfiAHD49u9f_RSn3N4WgyQ2klSgpEzW7xkfAWDydOYVQAcCIFxJirrL36wSPfcfZciewboJECtV55IZ0QPNys4MqKzfGpRuIrQjaMGsT722xExRxY2zfS8c02SItJWHmoFI/s320/week+studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My next job in the studio is one that I'm very excited about - I will be putting up my peg board above my desk. It's so exciting because I've never really been able to put all of my bits of paper, postcards, jewellery experiments, fabric samples, knitting swatches etc in one place before. It will be a place for all of my inspiration, and I'm so excited - when I was at uni, the Fine Art students all had their own allotted wall space, but over in Applied Art we were much more nomadic, we couldn't really leave things around the place, and these days I have my stall, but it's not really private enough for me to feel comfortable with customers coming and going, so this will be a first for me. </span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-84558466195198315982015-09-23T10:30:00.000+01:002015-09-23T10:30:00.589+01:00My Pretty Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I've been busy working away on my pretty studio, and it is starting to feel like home. I've added some vintage embroidery in hoops, and a happy string of pompoms, I've filled my vintage cabinet with crochet cotton, and added some chintzy floral curtains. It is so cosy, I think I could happily be there every single day, making pretty things and enjoying the cosiness. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57k7sn7vVr7nwWSWaIQZFFY3yYEWVFrVhlWg3huIt4IgXVrNwFnRwEkivJuFztADVDBf8K32opQMNrIsLvNmWtyAXZWqYSzLXL-c9EKrTKegLR0DqJzcrvzaz6Rk9YMZO5V0zbSn2Iro/s1600/studio+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57k7sn7vVr7nwWSWaIQZFFY3yYEWVFrVhlWg3huIt4IgXVrNwFnRwEkivJuFztADVDBf8K32opQMNrIsLvNmWtyAXZWqYSzLXL-c9EKrTKegLR0DqJzcrvzaz6Rk9YMZO5V0zbSn2Iro/s1600/studio+progress.jpg" /></a></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985923261024379498.post-74104570803325319252015-09-22T18:10:00.000+01:002015-09-22T18:10:36.559+01:00My Week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last week was quiet and spent mostly at home. I did visit the local Antiques Emporium, and enjoyed the magnificent hybrid-taxidermy and looking through bundles of random bits and bobs. I also went along for a meeting with my crafty co-conspirator, and we plotted yarny world-domination over tea in pretty china. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4tW-t_IPXYDiQS5e19dJGFyxvSsFJ3Iobs-vnKNoyGVk851XSvKyFwSTChym5DwooZH9xlNbpBMS2DRFnMZWK4dIs8HB3KeSv3A0LGK_UkuXarhavzHTZcaxISepCCfvWN_2MFZymDE/s1600/week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4tW-t_IPXYDiQS5e19dJGFyxvSsFJ3Iobs-vnKNoyGVk851XSvKyFwSTChym5DwooZH9xlNbpBMS2DRFnMZWK4dIs8HB3KeSv3A0LGK_UkuXarhavzHTZcaxISepCCfvWN_2MFZymDE/s1600/week.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Unfortunately the rest of the week involved getting over a rather unpleasant head cold, but I did manage to fancy-up a gingham tote bag with some pretty cross-stitch roses.</span></div>
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Gemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05822762967514380332noreply@blogger.com0