tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136869752024-03-08T03:35:57.270+00:00 Once Upon a Time... A Journey to the North of England Knitting and crafting in YorkshireIrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-26547453460682348382022-05-10T09:24:00.004+00:002022-05-10T09:24:23.962+00:00Oh this neglected blog...<p> I keep thinking I need to revive it. </p><p>But how? </p><p>I used to get so much joy from posting and interacting, and I do love the blogging community so so much, but life is busy and only appears to get more so.</p><p>I am still crafting, very much so, but it's the posting that seems to be the problem, the taking pictures, the editing, the thinking about composing posts. </p><p>It doesn't even take that long, really, but it's the doing that I seem to struggle with!</p><p><br /></p><p>I do have plans, though. </p><p>I have been thinking about making art, recently. I've had a few new ventures, an Etsy shop for my pottery and my lino prints, and together with the teenager I invested in a mug printer so we've been making mugs to sell on Etsy too. </p><p>It's been quite a bit of fun, and it's made me think about how important it is for me to do something creative every day. </p><p>Sometimes that means knitting, and crochet (and I still do both, all the time!!), sometimes it's pottery, though it's been hard recently to find the time, and often it's drawing and lino printing too, both of which I've enjoyed so much in recent months. </p><p>Yesterday, while browsing, I came across a book on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1784881112/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=c39a987391018b3b69e60f4024e0c3ab&hsa_cr_id=3604706630202&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=d3b7d7f5-8c53-4a74-ba7b-04ef3c2e93e7&pd_rd_w=eBkcz&pd_rd_wg=F4OmM&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_title" target="_blank">365 Days of Art</a>, by Lorna Scobie. I'm ordering a copy. </p><p>I'm intrigued by the idea of structuring my creative endeavours a bit, by giving them a framework. Once the book arrives I'm going to have a look to see if I can find my way back to blogging. The idea is crying out for a link-up, isn't it? And it would be so nice to engage in the blogging community again too. </p><p>We'll see...</p><p>For now, here are some examples - some mugs that I have printed recently, and a lino print I've done recently - it's my dad's library, made for his 80th birthday. It's A3 so my biggest lino cut to date. Had fun with this one, though I do also enjoy my smaller-sized cuts which are so satisfying. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIVmXsh-SktSLYliLl9ZXi23-ILGS05fEZElsLcO67rbm9tFn-QjgNnBlswk-xiigEdLrfbPmlMbRSwsuJtO777tqybFoGqQbJp1yPsflkl0GPWm779zz-QiRqer2Dd5qemoC_vchf4xMTcXzqbXsh5JFCbPWa6-QwhjmB97Gx8YO_GtDkPk/s1024/0C11C66B-F09B-4084-961D-BA0BB0C45F61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIVmXsh-SktSLYliLl9ZXi23-ILGS05fEZElsLcO67rbm9tFn-QjgNnBlswk-xiigEdLrfbPmlMbRSwsuJtO777tqybFoGqQbJp1yPsflkl0GPWm779zz-QiRqer2Dd5qemoC_vchf4xMTcXzqbXsh5JFCbPWa6-QwhjmB97Gx8YO_GtDkPk/w640-h640/0C11C66B-F09B-4084-961D-BA0BB0C45F61.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH3Q3IFWoPq47CwCCj0pyOVAnaFPuLTpf7ED8NvG-tQ8GBZriqmxW613wMPb3hN329jI2X46X85_IwqZ_GqWZnhdWj22YPM4Ah_iTOcnhr8pNU4ijydc-b5w-n-x2GO9lXZPYTx9hgZYp7mqaIWCEwwwQgNZbbc2f6m-9N1I7bOwkSykLE2Y/s2469/IMG_0076a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="2469" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH3Q3IFWoPq47CwCCj0pyOVAnaFPuLTpf7ED8NvG-tQ8GBZriqmxW613wMPb3hN329jI2X46X85_IwqZ_GqWZnhdWj22YPM4Ah_iTOcnhr8pNU4ijydc-b5w-n-x2GO9lXZPYTx9hgZYp7mqaIWCEwwwQgNZbbc2f6m-9N1I7bOwkSykLE2Y/w640-h640/IMG_0076a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Kq2JYtXMkt8nWZTx_oc6GHXPFWaDG25_EfT3A7yuAwNeekQfguBcb7GPJxG-NPg6xTEyOyoGr2XBeCzfptcBQACI_vmckGtt1y6SvUPGIhkgY7j_1UhFP1DDU-K-zRlNt8iXaQCmLMfPk4fmfCz4J9fOmx3qwZMMEOBsvu-gOdrp01GznjA/s4032/Photo%2025-04-2022,%2012%2057%2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Kq2JYtXMkt8nWZTx_oc6GHXPFWaDG25_EfT3A7yuAwNeekQfguBcb7GPJxG-NPg6xTEyOyoGr2XBeCzfptcBQACI_vmckGtt1y6SvUPGIhkgY7j_1UhFP1DDU-K-zRlNt8iXaQCmLMfPk4fmfCz4J9fOmx3qwZMMEOBsvu-gOdrp01GznjA/w480-h640/Photo%2025-04-2022,%2012%2057%2007.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-88439302469495833952020-10-30T08:44:00.001+00:002020-10-30T08:44:21.444+00:00What strange times we are living in...<p style="text-align: center;"> ... it looks like we are going into Tier 2 again, so no more meeting with anyone indoors. I can't say that at this point it makes much difference since with the Rule of 6 it was virtually impossible for us to meet anyone anyway - we are, after all, already 5 in the house, so meeting up with another family was impossible.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4yBoWxXWuN_lUUOYmY298dEZgKxDRp3Geahe2qTCZ4QtBAAfnNUewbVHGvhJW8veIEpaWDYOR9ahA5bIJJxPXVmFoWkXUmPaI4uhCtdbcgFrsZtffVAGMcrWRhSzpTssgCZtVQ/s1442/119888316_10157051001475378_8731495499500851649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1442" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4yBoWxXWuN_lUUOYmY298dEZgKxDRp3Geahe2qTCZ4QtBAAfnNUewbVHGvhJW8veIEpaWDYOR9ahA5bIJJxPXVmFoWkXUmPaI4uhCtdbcgFrsZtffVAGMcrWRhSzpTssgCZtVQ/w640-h426/119888316_10157051001475378_8731495499500851649_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">We are coping, but it's been a sad kind of a year, really. I feel for the kids too. The teenager in particular is struggling since all this has come just at the time when he was starting to spread his wings a bit. After 4 years of CFS he's finally back at school and making friends, and you can see there is so much he'd like to do, when right now so little is possible. </p><p style="text-align: center;">But enough moaning, I do realise we are lucky, really. We have each other, we are healthy, and we even have a big enough place that we don't feel too crowded and, most importantly, an outside space. I really felt for people living in flats when we were in proper lockdown, that must have been so difficult. I've lived in plenty of flats over the years, and being able to get out is so important. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I've been crafting. Nothing too sustained, since live has only become more busy since Covid, and even though I'm supposed to be part-time I've found myself almost working full-time in recent months, but as ever the crafting has kept me sane and happy. I've not had a chance to photograph a lot of the things I've done in recent months, but in no particular order here are a few:</p><p style="text-align: center;">A circular needle holder - I was getting sick of having to dig through a big bag of tangled up needles. Just have to label them so I know what's in each.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZy8ci0DCeVsr8dVRefCODYv4rEYNLxO6c0fVL6UTpE7zrpxwQPAQ7gsMZ8RHUYe42MirxGVPpNaSLrRUdV1IVxsFJ3Q1mYk8TleN17VYiWb7snati0roGoxXTECe8O5b1TeyNQ/s2048/IMG_2677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZy8ci0DCeVsr8dVRefCODYv4rEYNLxO6c0fVL6UTpE7zrpxwQPAQ7gsMZ8RHUYe42MirxGVPpNaSLrRUdV1IVxsFJ3Q1mYk8TleN17VYiWb7snati0roGoxXTECe8O5b1TeyNQ/w480-h640/IMG_2677.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAia0wMvzByUS1uxjEFTrWeUwBLphqRkZrR8rhXKcWe_KHHVzgVcWT2D5UDgZueg091r-AjVA6pusvgNBTrTwEUfdBA5TmAnDh2q14SN_QTBxgnRYKAauFwB-1hGarR18Ry2_PA/s2048/IMG_2675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAia0wMvzByUS1uxjEFTrWeUwBLphqRkZrR8rhXKcWe_KHHVzgVcWT2D5UDgZueg091r-AjVA6pusvgNBTrTwEUfdBA5TmAnDh2q14SN_QTBxgnRYKAauFwB-1hGarR18Ry2_PA/w480-h640/IMG_2675.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The obligatory face masks. These are made with vintage Amy butler fabric, mainly. I was glad to find a use for all those little bits of fabric.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA-G2bgZupST8paPKQcWZoSMJcaYpJWYjDsbfeQ4I51J0aC2KOe3O1NbjRPxOWcIFlEfI6GSuFekMl1cuyyIdyB7GeJJB4zcreY7gfbprjUFojY2FsQYIsKBGEJOg3EVxddT5mw/s2048/IMG_2379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA-G2bgZupST8paPKQcWZoSMJcaYpJWYjDsbfeQ4I51J0aC2KOe3O1NbjRPxOWcIFlEfI6GSuFekMl1cuyyIdyB7GeJJB4zcreY7gfbprjUFojY2FsQYIsKBGEJOg3EVxddT5mw/w480-h640/IMG_2379.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gzhyphenhyphenqoHeoSRn_bNA6v0vgQX4Ir9ofc2rxHAnr04AkY3LxHMMlm0KKh58NzpvaqmA_WmqKrG1moBTlKJykp1b3n1m_KQI64pZLhFT4zVNulCHdca3rk0SZnp32psHDhUWHSzZFQ/s2048/IMG_2380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gzhyphenhyphenqoHeoSRn_bNA6v0vgQX4Ir9ofc2rxHAnr04AkY3LxHMMlm0KKh58NzpvaqmA_WmqKrG1moBTlKJykp1b3n1m_KQI64pZLhFT4zVNulCHdca3rk0SZnp32psHDhUWHSzZFQ/w480-h640/IMG_2380.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYT6NFjQRjGnSeV5nuFmulQ3lO-j1BYNeZqBr4OSO95OETqsl_y4zy_WRNaAuqlCcEKG5XFn656GrlBBUxSe8aJOV-MjIVww7_Z0TQd8tCvzFL5oQ4J42z6vpqPmUqQfZoOq1W3w/s2048/IMG_2381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYT6NFjQRjGnSeV5nuFmulQ3lO-j1BYNeZqBr4OSO95OETqsl_y4zy_WRNaAuqlCcEKG5XFn656GrlBBUxSe8aJOV-MjIVww7_Z0TQd8tCvzFL5oQ4J42z6vpqPmUqQfZoOq1W3w/w480-h640/IMG_2381.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Throwback Cardigan. I'm so in love with this. I opted for cheaper yarn, as I really can't justify spending something like £150 on yarn for a single garment (no matter how gorgeous the proposed yarn might be). I opted for slightly cheaper yarns, but still quality, and the main colour is a Rowan yarn so this is such a pleasure to wear. I just have to figure out some sort of button arrangement so I can close the cardi. The original pattern seems to just leave it open but I'd like the option to button it up.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPiYhQq1sZuKF6KqXcfBmYNRjcufypmp9Uhn1anz0vj33tfXTnsnxU3LP2dnU2vWnRAQOTaxXslEBDHT2Hsy-mjoOLnU2VuSNz0zxIUpgcpM5K31DigTPoY-zf_LnycAWw6kLCQ/s2048/IMG_2670+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2048" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPiYhQq1sZuKF6KqXcfBmYNRjcufypmp9Uhn1anz0vj33tfXTnsnxU3LP2dnU2vWnRAQOTaxXslEBDHT2Hsy-mjoOLnU2VuSNz0zxIUpgcpM5K31DigTPoY-zf_LnycAWw6kLCQ/w640-h496/IMG_2670+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ85RkqqI3r-7Q86WuYIAJaMnjf5A604nvGMH65rbbkbM9ohiBw2U7iOfaAWnASji-v2AF9tvTfDLnHI5EQsxe8iiWvfXII0fl1gVvRBd6rKTzbTeKU3Mc8ufEQ-9ZO9qpnkMTOQ/s1776/IMG_2657+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1776" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ85RkqqI3r-7Q86WuYIAJaMnjf5A604nvGMH65rbbkbM9ohiBw2U7iOfaAWnASji-v2AF9tvTfDLnHI5EQsxe8iiWvfXII0fl1gVvRBd6rKTzbTeKU3Mc8ufEQ-9ZO9qpnkMTOQ/w640-h484/IMG_2657+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR_AxxS9EHMrVhGRGUrdQNxuaGM6ICrPYycxd_tA694B5EyJpCCqdSDtxRQsEEQCje6-FBz2DnYi4svZUO_0ne2XuGoyLuBiI69PHu0RlTRd4xX8dkUrXyzma_e4Q1IG0aMJQZA/s2048/IMG_2647+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR_AxxS9EHMrVhGRGUrdQNxuaGM6ICrPYycxd_tA694B5EyJpCCqdSDtxRQsEEQCje6-FBz2DnYi4svZUO_0ne2XuGoyLuBiI69PHu0RlTRd4xX8dkUrXyzma_e4Q1IG0aMJQZA/w640-h430/IMG_2647+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Audrey in Unst. Again, this is been a real success. It came out too large so I've been ruthless and have sewn and cut it on both sides. Initially it came out a bit wonky but I've fixed it and it's now neat and absolutely lovely. I'm getting a lot of wear out of this one. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzu7VbKdMiSRKVudbxYZz09QxfKm1y3204KQnh0BrJ9DVBi4NMuYY8eHxMmHMX-5EAE0w7G4cNH16i1vb5DjrfW_zcuqxLg9FP89rTjtkx9ru6L8UpgQPcUBKzX8TwTqBrPkoog/s2048/IMG_1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzu7VbKdMiSRKVudbxYZz09QxfKm1y3204KQnh0BrJ9DVBi4NMuYY8eHxMmHMX-5EAE0w7G4cNH16i1vb5DjrfW_zcuqxLg9FP89rTjtkx9ru6L8UpgQPcUBKzX8TwTqBrPkoog/w480-h640/IMG_1646.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm currently working on Engi. The last couple of years seem to have been mainly about colourwork and Icelandic-inspired knitting for me. I love colourwork, it's such a joy to see a pattern emerge while you are slowly working on it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-31642743252769612402020-06-19T13:30:00.002+00:002020-06-19T13:30:07.700+00:00Look what I finished!!<div style="text-align: center;">
I still can't believe I've actually done it, but I've finished the braided rag rug! </div>
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Seriously, this was such a massive effort, my finger tips ache, my back aches, I'm so glad this is done. I started this rug ages ago, I can't even quite remember when, then got bored after I had done around 15" of sewing and the project was banned into the attic. I found it recently, together with a huge stack of fabric for braiding, when I was looking for something totally unrelated. I brought it down with the vague idea that I was going to work on it a bit to see where it was going.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_W9iEejI6iQe2jQdMiqeTevaNF6UgJYj9o7c32aL_xj2NUUB4kwYeWe_yCWLVFahJh-aqNwqOfbm4VoTRpI2uQ-QH_C1eA9r6OQgI9b32BseVWXNbuQRoxA3jNJfU9WuBu9OiA/s1600/IMG_1050.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_W9iEejI6iQe2jQdMiqeTevaNF6UgJYj9o7c32aL_xj2NUUB4kwYeWe_yCWLVFahJh-aqNwqOfbm4VoTRpI2uQ-QH_C1eA9r6OQgI9b32BseVWXNbuQRoxA3jNJfU9WuBu9OiA/s640/IMG_1050.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, something happened then and I got the bit between my teeth. I just kept going, and going, and when I had used up the huge stack of fabric I went through my stash and found some more... seriously the amout of fabric that has gone into this rug is insane.</div>
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I developed a routine - braiding in the evening while watching TV, sewing in in short sessions throughout the day whenever I had a few minutes to spare. That seemed to work quite well and the rug grew and grew. It outgrew the tatty old rug that we had in the living room and after several discussions with the kids it was decided that it should be a bit bigger still.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCs11zupw6RSQUlmJf3ynOJPwxYFVZTl3NCOOITAq3NWo8BkiYEGGTmb60qSGw32F_iljNtcXzg7uAgt-HKJNaSGvc8TzvcvROe5-ZDYqCX-lqCI1fqUnGAq3J0v4YWCzLA0-cg/s1600/IMG_1055.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCs11zupw6RSQUlmJf3ynOJPwxYFVZTl3NCOOITAq3NWo8BkiYEGGTmb60qSGw32F_iljNtcXzg7uAgt-HKJNaSGvc8TzvcvROe5-ZDYqCX-lqCI1fqUnGAq3J0v4YWCzLA0-cg/s640/IMG_1055.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Once it finally reached a size that we were all happy with it became apparent that the very middle of the rug, the bit that I'd done ages ago, wasn't very good - it had a different tension and it was kind of baggy. I'd got better at adjusting my tension as I went along so the rug would lie flat. Even knowing that I would sew on a rubber backing I was not convinced that I could get that middle to behave, so I made the decision to undo it. I got away without having to re-do the whole lot, but I did unravel perhaps 10 rows or so and added another few hours tightening the centre of the rug. I'm glad I did, it's so much better now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd3bZCsnoN5HijgJ2p8qmbj82NO9I_fWIB5gNcYn7t4BGMuKsdaqo3FFG3ANwJ_kbMUX4f7DI_ADMh9p_AewthS5_DomyhcWyOvHxUvs4IJYnGWneyjUmgyr678RzTQehTm5lKQ/s1600/IMG_1049.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd3bZCsnoN5HijgJ2p8qmbj82NO9I_fWIB5gNcYn7t4BGMuKsdaqo3FFG3ANwJ_kbMUX4f7DI_ADMh9p_AewthS5_DomyhcWyOvHxUvs4IJYnGWneyjUmgyr678RzTQehTm5lKQ/s640/IMG_1049.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used some rubber matting that D had in the shed left-over from another project (I think it was mats for the boot of the car) that I loosely stitched on because without some kind of backing the rug was sliding around rather dangerously - between the kids sliding around on it and the dog digging on it it was never lying flat for more than 5 minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61svFD-q-6gbRpkkvL0vsC0TKFeC5q18_Yrpye64eyrDJ5FvqRo315TxEBm6vhw12pkz0aEUlvPvd5Bsm_J7SwWLXFXzbiKDU_me0sjc3aaw6rPYvy1AGvcBTIvAYmFjZrzQCA/s1600/IMG_1060.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61svFD-q-6gbRpkkvL0vsC0TKFeC5q18_Yrpye64eyrDJ5FvqRo315TxEBm6vhw12pkz0aEUlvPvd5Bsm_J7SwWLXFXzbiKDU_me0sjc3aaw6rPYvy1AGvcBTIvAYmFjZrzQCA/s640/IMG_1060.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-6457241077230401072020-06-03T14:51:00.003+00:002020-06-03T14:51:28.680+00:00I have been crafting, I promise...<div style="text-align: center;">
... I've just not been blogging. As usual.</div>
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We are OK. The days are busy and full with three boys at home, and having to school them, and the new puppy, and all the other normal things as well, like my actual paying work for example!</div>
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Crafting fits around the family. It always has done, but now perhaps more than ever. I knit in the evening on the sofa while we are watching a film. also brought my long-neglected braided rug project out again. I work in small bursts, also to protect my back - braiding in the evening on the sofa, then sewing in 10 minute sessions throughout the day whenever I find time. Initially I couldn't see the progress but by now it's grown and I think in a few weeks I'll have the size that I'm after. Really loving how it looks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJxpX0bIoZvn6c6NZ_a5GnktW4mQM08d_TJ6hcd6UGgG_PI-fJ1EUhfOOh5NjM9pO6Kekk9C04UPHT1vmdH_vf-zjvcjqc4k0TBWtl51asCSSMDapeZf7MzRSNASmFnLdwu81-g/s1600/IMG_0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJxpX0bIoZvn6c6NZ_a5GnktW4mQM08d_TJ6hcd6UGgG_PI-fJ1EUhfOOh5NjM9pO6Kekk9C04UPHT1vmdH_vf-zjvcjqc4k0TBWtl51asCSSMDapeZf7MzRSNASmFnLdwu81-g/s640/IMG_0785.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've been knitting Audrey in Unst, which is such a cute little cardi, but I've stalled on it recently because it turns out that short-row sleaves are really not my friend. I did one, hated the look of it, tried it on to find it unshapely and baggy, and ripped the whole thing out again. I will try again, possibly with German Short Rows, which are supposed to have a neater finish, but I'm a bit fed up right now. I do want to wear the cardi this summer, though, so I think I'll give myself a few days off then cast on for that sleave again.</div>
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Today I snuck off to the attic for an hour and made a little bag for my dog walks. I'd bought one, but with all the paraphenalia that I tend to bring, such as poop bags, treats, the whistle and clicker, the weird rabbit skin tug-toy that Stanley loves, and my phone I found it a bit small. </div>
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I didn't use a pattern, just made it up as I went along, and I'm so pleased with it. I used denim for the outside and lined it with some ancient Amy Butler fabric I still had lying around. I think it's turned out really cute! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZOeRwggP_Q_c2uA3qclLB0YiUihD_e_KDZu1osfqkJSHhjgkKjO7W8xKaH61VDUiQB5bmhKOsU6tFe_v3NFQBSTOOCHZm7Y6rUMxWuWDHoYBF-1scg0UTLJPGAFJ-2PMD99Jgg/s1600/dogbag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZOeRwggP_Q_c2uA3qclLB0YiUihD_e_KDZu1osfqkJSHhjgkKjO7W8xKaH61VDUiQB5bmhKOsU6tFe_v3NFQBSTOOCHZm7Y6rUMxWuWDHoYBF-1scg0UTLJPGAFJ-2PMD99Jgg/s640/dogbag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5V-JMGH5NRiMCYqg13lpw-PgTiBbHmJ_0dfaULbJ6foivG04y4nbUk8EFc1j8c-vaE8QI3FJQPcbHCR-RefOGs45YTdldBfZXbExP_c578l7Yzmlvb-URDvXsFg6pYtaJqj8MA/s1600/dogbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5V-JMGH5NRiMCYqg13lpw-PgTiBbHmJ_0dfaULbJ6foivG04y4nbUk8EFc1j8c-vaE8QI3FJQPcbHCR-RefOGs45YTdldBfZXbExP_c578l7Yzmlvb-URDvXsFg6pYtaJqj8MA/s640/dogbag2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8apCW9UNac2JiAv3ZIvYydtXldzWiKFxwOYQewRrihffcUly3FM55sB22ODRSIPD5ME2owZssSIeeLx8mRY1kprKO0wk0RJ2dlR40clpq3exqwVG0VQaHrgrK6J5r0Qvzcns3IQ/s1600/dogbag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8apCW9UNac2JiAv3ZIvYydtXldzWiKFxwOYQewRrihffcUly3FM55sB22ODRSIPD5ME2owZssSIeeLx8mRY1kprKO0wk0RJ2dlR40clpq3exqwVG0VQaHrgrK6J5r0Qvzcns3IQ/s640/dogbag3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfeTx84OHFPEognSivq82D60ZVmoeYmnKoaRZ4LVcXmoygYcUt03EFLl9hGQKPfjRhJRtvwsO_bRn5ed3vrWCvTCdMG56MM8eatm6i6kdJMiXlcLeM5ugZpdugHAbBe1t_vpKMg/s1600/dogbag4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfeTx84OHFPEognSivq82D60ZVmoeYmnKoaRZ4LVcXmoygYcUt03EFLl9hGQKPfjRhJRtvwsO_bRn5ed3vrWCvTCdMG56MM8eatm6i6kdJMiXlcLeM5ugZpdugHAbBe1t_vpKMg/s640/dogbag4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-62195390567963851892020-02-01T20:53:00.001+00:002020-02-01T20:53:14.067+00:00Well, we did a thing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBLOBc3RvSAFMTUc2GQ61RDLLwjUS0dNvcjTcbm_N3g2qSt6AUmsUqD3qEF4gbAEdEdUz-VfwQTy2pOrqS4nvznYZfkXQpKs6XMI35phmA5pJYwLJhEQ9yjRZDfjlD1qcaE2MUw/s1600/DSC09433+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBLOBc3RvSAFMTUc2GQ61RDLLwjUS0dNvcjTcbm_N3g2qSt6AUmsUqD3qEF4gbAEdEdUz-VfwQTy2pOrqS4nvznYZfkXQpKs6XMI35phmA5pJYwLJhEQ9yjRZDfjlD1qcaE2MUw/s640/DSC09433+%25282%2529.JPG" width="514" /></a></div>
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Meet Stanley the Whippet.</div>
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He arrived just before Christmas after many weeks of anxious waiting by all of us.</div>
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He's pretty much turned this house upside down but we love him to bits. </div>
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He's also a willing new knitting model so it's all good.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTSjgM8PVYdQHANOFEhjZzdQMSFpC_eGYIKkUm7gRDhVDveMDuXZsbnB7NslONWX37vzg6Wm5nRtu0hkPnnUS_Jx8WurAFK0-hBYcDOjMqAqgJTkOvWPvavR52mF_MBxuwLWqNg/s1600/DSC09454+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTSjgM8PVYdQHANOFEhjZzdQMSFpC_eGYIKkUm7gRDhVDveMDuXZsbnB7NslONWX37vzg6Wm5nRtu0hkPnnUS_Jx8WurAFK0-hBYcDOjMqAqgJTkOvWPvavR52mF_MBxuwLWqNg/s640/DSC09454+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hoping I'll manage a more regular blogging schedule this year, starting with some FOs (the list is sooo long, not blogging does not mean I've not been knitting!!). But then, I've had hopes of that sort before so I'm not holding my breath...</div>
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Fingers crossed I'll manage to actually succeed this time!</div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-41925999979709169752019-06-16T20:11:00.005+00:002019-06-18T11:20:21.304+00:00Happy Father's Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello, how are you all? </div>
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It's been a long time again so I thought I'd report back with some updates on kitting, crocheting and other crafts.</div>
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I've got a few FOs to report!!</div>
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First of all, I've finally, FINALLY finished <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Iris/acer-cardigan">Black Acer</a>. Seriously, there were moments when I thought it would never happen. A few weeks ago after I finished another project and was itching to start something new but didn't have the right yarn I thought to myself - I really want to finish this, I want to be able to wear it this summer! It coincided with the boys wanting to do a Marvel movie marathon so I needed some knitting while that was happening. I don't mind Marvel, but it doesn't keep my interest massively well, and it was just perfect to watch and knit at the same time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP60s0WFpXP_dOzBB3v5Hll4j1KuJbJAJRjmIOakax8NjZWkNJ6ULffXOlgkS-0hPjcElFghNMlS2-sdZdTEVe52AjzABkK5z9smzWAv2I-R9wwGA9b3bNU0AUBeMt9DNuj2gRQ/s1600/BlackAcer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP60s0WFpXP_dOzBB3v5Hll4j1KuJbJAJRjmIOakax8NjZWkNJ6ULffXOlgkS-0hPjcElFghNMlS2-sdZdTEVe52AjzABkK5z9smzWAv2I-R9wwGA9b3bNU0AUBeMt9DNuj2gRQ/s640/BlackAcer1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Seriously, after procrastinating with this cardi for literally YEARS I finished it in a couple of weeks or so. I even sewed the buttons on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNDVduTH1nU8Vs9Hc9qyz-FoP031dpOsVZUU1ZX2Y5qrrzJHUPnoPH7pTTK-6SSolYv2-ASwA0Vy7XBl1_CNEelQSZz6TP3qfKR844SRzVaZOoUZ8JgLHWS-e4jgBTI3jWwr6Q/s1600/BlackAcer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNDVduTH1nU8Vs9Hc9qyz-FoP031dpOsVZUU1ZX2Y5qrrzJHUPnoPH7pTTK-6SSolYv2-ASwA0Vy7XBl1_CNEelQSZz6TP3qfKR844SRzVaZOoUZ8JgLHWS-e4jgBTI3jWwr6Q/s640/BlackAcer2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've not washed it and the weather has been so bad that I've not managed to get a few good shots of me wearing it yet, so I've got to remember to get that done. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSYrVdcACityyHgU9BzQmeNZ1CiBa2WSKY9_yHS8GQxGDhFgBTuP-rf0BvkxX_L23Vq97q_CKSAT0kQpWER-7uhw03ynP0vW2geRD4tz1dWYBsIXD3p-jp9cs31Kfk-AAPl3K6g/s1600/BlackAcer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSYrVdcACityyHgU9BzQmeNZ1CiBa2WSKY9_yHS8GQxGDhFgBTuP-rf0BvkxX_L23Vq97q_CKSAT0kQpWER-7uhw03ynP0vW2geRD4tz1dWYBsIXD3p-jp9cs31Kfk-AAPl3K6g/s640/BlackAcer3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm really pleased with it and I'm so excited that I finally get to wear it!!</div>
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Second FO - my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Iris/20-cowl-neck-sweater">Mohair Cowl</a>. This hasn't been on the needles for quite as long, but it's been long enough that I'm happy to be done with it. Again, no pictures of me wearing it yet, as I haven't got round to it, but it fits and I've actually already given it an outing or two. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OLNREm3cJcn9sRDKAGtnZiSq2KEXkFmroBpnauAq6rJuJGWAfaaARrN1ou5v_yAIEAXMMciEn3VrbSK1bF6KPCGvuzfn6rdUxTrbF0GNNMDI8gz1ec9LFre3dn5MexQS9THwNg/s1600/Cowl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OLNREm3cJcn9sRDKAGtnZiSq2KEXkFmroBpnauAq6rJuJGWAfaaARrN1ou5v_yAIEAXMMciEn3VrbSK1bF6KPCGvuzfn6rdUxTrbF0GNNMDI8gz1ec9LFre3dn5MexQS9THwNg/s640/Cowl1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing to note about this pattern - the sleeves are way too long! I knitted it just as the pattern asked me to and I could have omitted at least 3-4 inches from the upper sleeves. I was thinking about unravelling, but then I'd lose some of the ribbing, which is supposed to go up to the elbow, and I'm certainly not going to unravel and knit both sleeves again. It's a bit annoying to have to pull them up all the time (which I think is intentional, it's what you are supposed to do), but it's fine, it'll have to do.</div>
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Third FO - in an attempt to finally get rid of the scatchy never-ending olive no-name yarn that I bought years ago on ebay I decided to <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-good-basket">crochet a basket</a>. I made it extra large (so did more increases than demanded) but I managed to completely use up the yarn and even a little bit of leftover burgundy yarn. I'm using it to store the multitude of gaming paraphenalia the boys have (cables, xbox controllers, headphones...). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypYotsqtdiKCFxH6g0eEhtNhikrqPovzI5RMC5msXr7t8fauee5Lhed1ljPsRcrEAkdIjjRip_68WIh1xVjPElGDrt0-yeLEp5qWlV4afEq_yy2sNUQL1_lp0N8T4I3bVd4Vdrg/s1600/crochet_basket2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypYotsqtdiKCFxH6g0eEhtNhikrqPovzI5RMC5msXr7t8fauee5Lhed1ljPsRcrEAkdIjjRip_68WIh1xVjPElGDrt0-yeLEp5qWlV4afEq_yy2sNUQL1_lp0N8T4I3bVd4Vdrg/s640/crochet_basket2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And guess what, yesterday was my birthday and this is what I got from D:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68kf4c5fPCUhKY53otuRTQnQgwVKinuwvsnubDZj3AGMJEHjri96x8S8eDwaBTX35YE6K0Xz1Ad72mAvwom9TFEXpC5TOzuHZeNBNvo08UB7HOBtwjLC2wamMzfdjZsj6bnmSBw/s1600/2019-06-15-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68kf4c5fPCUhKY53otuRTQnQgwVKinuwvsnubDZj3AGMJEHjri96x8S8eDwaBTX35YE6K0Xz1Ad72mAvwom9TFEXpC5TOzuHZeNBNvo08UB7HOBtwjLC2wamMzfdjZsj6bnmSBw/s640/2019-06-15-b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a full kit for the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-yellow-queen-sweater">Yellow Queen Sweater</a>!</div>
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I'm so excited to finally knit something that isn't from stash. I wound all that Cascade 220 into yarn cakes yesterday and I can't wait to cast on! </div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-year-of-projects">A Year of Projects</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/">Crafting On</a><br />
<a href="https://www.gsheller.com/2019/06/yarn-along-june-2.html">Yarn Along</a></div>
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Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-2593297753759489572019-04-24T20:33:00.004+00:002019-04-24T20:33:31.659+00:00Glaze testing...<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been testing pottery glazes these past few months. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Initially I mixed up small amounts, tested them, then narrowed it down to the examples that seemed to show the best results. I mixed a large tub of a white that looked promising, but now I'm not so sure... It's a rather fickle glaze I think. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JoxlGUzd2S7yRHmQAPRWYaQbl8qRabvguk1G8xj2wgwQ4d0R99oULfLwAaosQgpbX6OpaSxlCeDKH_RFz7lDLUgNIbkXBfPsympAza8G6SnywnqMSSrIfoZycMbl225sJoiVdA/s1600/IMG_4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JoxlGUzd2S7yRHmQAPRWYaQbl8qRabvguk1G8xj2wgwQ4d0R99oULfLwAaosQgpbX6OpaSxlCeDKH_RFz7lDLUgNIbkXBfPsympAza8G6SnywnqMSSrIfoZycMbl225sJoiVdA/s640/IMG_4255.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lovely smooth finish on this - no pit holes, even, and good coverage:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">By contrast, a pretty rubbish finish on this house with the same glaze - small pit holes and overall uneven coverage. Why??</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tSKdqV23yVq-7bM7L2jddjoI4yDJyMRBa7uWyID7nMjrsEU_WWTLnn5nqggOoCOasGw3fasrw0ye1euhL5w9_sGtLMAjp1_3CyfciDWz5ZSceIuBU7887IWGZr3stCrlnvIvPQ/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tSKdqV23yVq-7bM7L2jddjoI4yDJyMRBa7uWyID7nMjrsEU_WWTLnn5nqggOoCOasGw3fasrw0ye1euhL5w9_sGtLMAjp1_3CyfciDWz5ZSceIuBU7887IWGZr3stCrlnvIvPQ/s640/IMG_4257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Better, but still pretty average. The coating is more even, but there are still signs of pin holes and some unattractive breaking over the edges. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTsagsgYyrYZA9Q3LfkBUJ52ZnSVMzsexxQuHmdG8DvUgCTgQAtxLQJrB7OhOXeFb9wEc6dDzNQugdGMP3UV9SwNJUPBvdbxyjVzvJ54DerAOyTCngbYYVrBSglronJb1wR3Qzw/s1600/IMG_4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTsagsgYyrYZA9Q3LfkBUJ52ZnSVMzsexxQuHmdG8DvUgCTgQAtxLQJrB7OhOXeFb9wEc6dDzNQugdGMP3UV9SwNJUPBvdbxyjVzvJ54DerAOyTCngbYYVrBSglronJb1wR3Qzw/s640/IMG_4258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The white glaze continues to misbehave. I was so excited to see how it looked on the uneven little pot, it was as close to my perfect while as I've ever come! But then it came out so average on everything else: too thin on the large pot, but it might be that I should have just dipped it twice, but also slightly rough, with tiny pin holes. Same on the 'onion' pot, and perhaps worse on the little house, which felt quite rough to the touch. More testing needed I think...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also tested a couple of transparents and a dark blue. Really liked how the blue came out:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6Nm9jApLhZkBeez6sg2flkE2FeIDq6ZiYNuPVoNBp0WRacb3JPBtmOMS-Bq5hr39Nd7gOp_OTdz7mZ75d_wske7JhxxEAMB7rBup6MYKgFk-x7bGQ6nDcDLECAcPRHrImnG8iA/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6Nm9jApLhZkBeez6sg2flkE2FeIDq6ZiYNuPVoNBp0WRacb3JPBtmOMS-Bq5hr39Nd7gOp_OTdz7mZ75d_wske7JhxxEAMB7rBup6MYKgFk-x7bGQ6nDcDLECAcPRHrImnG8iA/s640/IMG_4252.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm also really happy with the G3 transparent, though, which has come out very even, smooth, and without pin holes. Less so with the G0001 on the small vessel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMdJETSWjk1Exu31HoAVv369z2UnKuK2JjlyErl3bA-nD4vNx6K3GqbnCPhfWvs3ORsMuvZecxKyuHRo-EQ3XtzjOEklwFd5DvZsagH9c5T3URW7bbg0ktJyEFi8ajFKEXPdK_A/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMdJETSWjk1Exu31HoAVv369z2UnKuK2JjlyErl3bA-nD4vNx6K3GqbnCPhfWvs3ORsMuvZecxKyuHRo-EQ3XtzjOEklwFd5DvZsagH9c5T3URW7bbg0ktJyEFi8ajFKEXPdK_A/s640/IMG_4253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtToS5cyk7qkA39mY2Nve7O3SwmriuOUFT2Ttttw9H-Hu98lNqSXqOqbyNlb3bdauOs_hsVLfV_H_xGK13I4hyphenhyphenH9c-NT3kdm5-mLVMGUN-eRMdVONZqunQpx5Ur-TLf8DJSpqKA/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtToS5cyk7qkA39mY2Nve7O3SwmriuOUFT2Ttttw9H-Hu98lNqSXqOqbyNlb3bdauOs_hsVLfV_H_xGK13I4hyphenhyphenH9c-NT3kdm5-mLVMGUN-eRMdVONZqunQpx5Ur-TLf8DJSpqKA/s640/IMG_4254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-5501209073203861442019-02-04T18:25:00.001+00:002019-02-04T18:35:32.050+00:00It's an ant infestation!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Soooo....</div>
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we've been pretty into ants these past few weeks. </div>
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It was boy #2 who started it. He found this youtube channel, called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AntsCanada">AntsCanada</a>, which is run by some completely ant-mad guy who is presumably Canadian but lives in the Philippines. Let me tell you, he's got some serious ant-geeking going on! It's kind of mesmerising to watch. He has huge colonies of different types of ants, in different set-ups, some natural, with plants and even running water, and some more 'artificial' if you like, with a formicarium where you can lift a lid to watch the colony in their nest. He's really rather entertaining to watch because he's good at spinning a yarn - he makes you care for these ants the way he clearly does. He has made me care for a colony of probably well over a million fire ants. Me! Fire ants! (I swell up like a balloon animal when an ordinary red ant bites me). </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SK0lrbg0Tw0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SK0lrbg0Tw0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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And look at this gorgeous set-up!</div>
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The kids and I have been watching this channel so much these past few weeks, it's bordering on obsessive. And obviously it was only a matter of time before the boys decided that they clearly needed to keep ants too. </div>
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It's not the first time they've done this. A couple of years ago we had one of those flimsy plastic ant farms that they sell for kids, so we caught a few ants in the garden and they dutifully made some tunnels and lived in there. It seemed kind of wrong, though, because we didn't have a queen, and they seemed sort of ... lacking in purpose. It didn't seem far-fetched to think of them as forlorn and sad, because for an ant the primary purpose is the colony and the queen - remove those two things and there really isn't a lot left for them. We eventually released them back into the garden near their old nest and judging from the way the guy at AntsCanada explains it the chances are pretty good that they made their way home and, due to the pheromones that ants communicate with, were accepted back into the nest.</div>
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This time, inspired by the AntsCanada guy, we are doing things differently. First it was boy #2 who decided that with the money he had left over from his birthday he would invest in a proper expandable ant formicarium. Boy #3, always eager not to be left behind, quickly followed suit. So we researched it and ant formicariums were ordered from <a href="https://antkit.uk/">AntKit UK</a>. Look at them, don't they look great? There are extra exits that can be connected to extensions of the habitat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJySHquiicLeJTDDntASXDdhFgL71sAgVYxEy3SYqhUu7W6lnMgIv-d4CRNdZ_uooFO_2NFm4bEh1Pb05RSTYClu-RrZ3LMkmk0JvzdWidBObP6BfC8AHnG0-m-hpjGwMLKVLOQ/s1600/antkit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJySHquiicLeJTDDntASXDdhFgL71sAgVYxEy3SYqhUu7W6lnMgIv-d4CRNdZ_uooFO_2NFm4bEh1Pb05RSTYClu-RrZ3LMkmk0JvzdWidBObP6BfC8AHnG0-m-hpjGwMLKVLOQ/s640/antkit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUG34Su_QrMxZt4hmuXys61kifGzU_wApOVESMe0lK0Afwzgp7w_AkCZ9UVrhdaghYG2dcLKbty0K6pcW5inf6b3O5bWIkEzn9yaDaDTqUTdd-FcANG0wah65vJREzgkYuS8srw/s1600/antkit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUG34Su_QrMxZt4hmuXys61kifGzU_wApOVESMe0lK0Afwzgp7w_AkCZ9UVrhdaghYG2dcLKbty0K6pcW5inf6b3O5bWIkEzn9yaDaDTqUTdd-FcANG0wah65vJREzgkYuS8srw/s640/antkit2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also ordered two mated Lasius Niger (that's the common black garden ant) queens in their own test tubes. They are basically sandwiched between two cotton wool wads with a water reservoir at the end that will allow them to drink and also to keep their eggs moist.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBuoc7dYrhXElh3GUfICuNRoildGWMbhzJOibYyuPG_O118pPGLVWhslTtzmV-UW-3IgRO7ySTPLvdrLxyd4WoWlwdzQhSgRIcKYGG2h6m3RKJlnhFQVdVBYXcsCpGxtq9ujHvw/s1600/antkit_queens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBuoc7dYrhXElh3GUfICuNRoildGWMbhzJOibYyuPG_O118pPGLVWhslTtzmV-UW-3IgRO7ySTPLvdrLxyd4WoWlwdzQhSgRIcKYGG2h6m3RKJlnhFQVdVBYXcsCpGxtq9ujHvw/s640/antkit_queens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was initially a bit iffy about the test tubes - wouldn't that be cruel? But it turns out that actually they like it because it's very close to how a mated queen would sequester herself to start a colony. They make a closed-off dark chamber and they basically stay there until they have enough workers with them to get going on actually making a nest. </div>
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Our two ant queens currently live on my bedside table in a cozy dark cardboard box and I've told the boys they are not allowed to check on them more often than every other day because they don't like to be disturbed too often.</div>
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Once they have around 15 workers they can move into their new homes.</div>
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Obviously now that the formicariums and ants are here, boy #1 has decided that he wants ants too. Unfortunately he has hardly any birthday money left because he's spent it all on his scooter, so D went into the shed and they found a clear plastic box that they drilled a few holes into for future expansion. I found an <a href="https://6legs2many.wordpress.com/techniques/homemade-ant-farm/">online tutorial</a> of how to make an ant hill out of clay and plaster of Paris so he can observe them in a nest through the clear plastic. </div>
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<a href="https://6legs2many.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ant_colony_habitat_side_view.jpg?w=490&h=392" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="490" height="510" src="https://6legs2many.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ant_colony_habitat_side_view.jpg?w=490&h=392" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-good-random-fun-v-5.html">The Good, the Random, the Fun</a><br />
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Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-48161402040874155992019-01-25T10:30:00.005+00:002019-01-25T10:46:49.424+00:00Sourdough bread making...<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not much of a baker, usually.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclww0KKx3qLUT-LK7o3HUQyZnWM4Qd5bOoJvjIlmlFr7VetW-p1spc7A3BGrf4jLT0VIK40v52Iff4hNCc2By7EcNWus6GASKjFHpQEm-gUT7r_R44yFytvElXDLJdO_F8Z683g/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclww0KKx3qLUT-LK7o3HUQyZnWM4Qd5bOoJvjIlmlFr7VetW-p1spc7A3BGrf4jLT0VIK40v52Iff4hNCc2By7EcNWus6GASKjFHpQEm-gUT7r_R44yFytvElXDLJdO_F8Z683g/s640/IMG_3831.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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It's not that I don't like cake - after all, who doesn't like cake?! I'm just not that much of a domestic goddess and while I enjoy eating (a lot), I don't really enjoy the process of cooking and baking all that much. I can do the occasional thing, sure, but the routine task of putting food on the table is not something I particularly relish and I don't usually strive to spend any more time in the kitchen than I absolutely have to.</div>
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That said, there are certain things I just miss, and one thing that I have missed ever since I left Germany and settled in the UK nearly 20 years ago now is a good loaf of sourdough bread. Whenever family or friends come to visit from Germany I ask them to bring some, and they usually oblige, but it's not quite the same, because they obviously have to buy the bread in advance, and by the time it gets here it's already not that fresh anymore. Still good, sure, and one of the fabulous things about sourdough bread is that it keeps much better than a normal yeast loaf, but I miss that taste of crusty fresh bread with butter on, baked that day, and dug into as soon as I get it home. </div>
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I'm a bit of a bread snob I think.</div>
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A while ago a friend of mine gave me a bit of her sourdough starter and I proceeded to occasionally bake with it. All was well, but the recipe I had was quite time-consuming - sourdough, it turns out, needs a fair bit of hand-holding. It's not at all like the bread maker loaves that are so easy to just put in the machine. Instead you are talking about kneading, rising, more kneading, in a seemingly endless cycle. I did a few loaves, then gave up. And because I forgot to feed the starter regularly it eventually died. </div>
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At Christmas I wished for another starter. I'd seen one on Amazon of all places, and thought I'd give it another go. D got the starter for me and I have been feeding it, more or less once a week. This seems little (a lot of recipes insist on you feeding your starter once a day at roughly the same time), but it turns out that a well-established starter can live in the fridge and, if kept cold like that, only needs feeding once a week. I take the starter out and feed it, then leave it on the worktop for a good 12 hours so it can warm up and get going. Then back in the fridge it goes.</div>
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Up until yesterday that's all I did with it. Christmas is busy, and to be honest, I felt a bit daunted by attempting another sourdough loaf. </div>
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Then I found a recipe on Pinterest that I thought I should try. It is simple in terms of ingredients (but then, all basic bread recipes are - you are just talking about starter, bread flour, water, and salt after all), but it asked you to mix up a fairly liquid dough at first, then cover it and let it do its magic in a warm place in the kitchen overnight, for 12-17 hours. That's easy, I thought.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKtddOfLPyxYgYKw-NQ99ezb3Wr79Z_T6HwVbN83KIVP5g47eRk52Z_74EegkVR_kw3vI_rU1CkLsyhIz3ioW9kewn_g_0s5P0oPAo5Uzbrs0trfQQZnqIrYYtXTCj64sMcJMsA/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKtddOfLPyxYgYKw-NQ99ezb3Wr79Z_T6HwVbN83KIVP5g47eRk52Z_74EegkVR_kw3vI_rU1CkLsyhIz3ioW9kewn_g_0s5P0oPAo5Uzbrs0trfQQZnqIrYYtXTCj64sMcJMsA/s640/IMG_3826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After that point you end up with a sort of sour-smelling bubbly thin dough. You then start mixing and kneading, adding as much flour as it takes to produce a stiff dough that isn't sticky on the outside anymore. The whole thing goes in a floured proving basket for another 1 - 1 1/2 hours and then it goes straight in the oven at around 230 degrees C. for around 50 minutes. The recipe suggests baking in a Dutch oven, but I don't have any such thing, and it turns out a normal baking tray works just as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCadU56R_4Y5PvlFGuZxc3ZXCj76KRj1Y4DzzV3llCf4SiigVUhTYeB9A5fh1PEQlmveGc6L67Gfl0Tv2GS_WOYxm9oDNmsltAjKBgePZmehT0jbwyKsJCQSL4ZqhCGDKtMJvg/s1600/IMG_3829+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoCadU56R_4Y5PvlFGuZxc3ZXCj76KRj1Y4DzzV3llCf4SiigVUhTYeB9A5fh1PEQlmveGc6L67Gfl0Tv2GS_WOYxm9oDNmsltAjKBgePZmehT0jbwyKsJCQSL4ZqhCGDKtMJvg/s640/IMG_3829+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I can tell you, the result is awesome! I'm so pleased with my loaf! It's crispy outside and fluffy and soft and aromatic, with a sour tang on the inside. It's delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTwX5N4eeTsIEXM2UvJHlNfzYx_5CoWszQidffHmoeCxHB34HQAHCg49tpxR-rSNUOcdUFv07_oldV_SaSVZmZx8htuYBjMUa3BPbxiURy86R91ZoBe1RgvXsZgSeogIBaZjM4A/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTwX5N4eeTsIEXM2UvJHlNfzYx_5CoWszQidffHmoeCxHB34HQAHCg49tpxR-rSNUOcdUFv07_oldV_SaSVZmZx8htuYBjMUa3BPbxiURy86R91ZoBe1RgvXsZgSeogIBaZjM4A/s640/IMG_3830.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I can see a lot of sourdough loaves in our future!<br />
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b><br />
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-5763647548195549612019-01-24T14:57:00.002+00:002019-01-25T10:48:39.006+00:00yet another blanket...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another (very old) FO - I made another blanket!</div>
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This was some time ago, but somehow I never managed to take pictures and blog about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUWUHpug1VmTwA919l1v3ekxDmB5J8NWUcKK-fvU7BBOXmGbuE9HgueZH9au253jNK1IGSE7zmLjRk_O4eKsUi2ee0rnQicEJwgghXsLf6SRG3P3p3oXr75pojVClW1FNCdWSXg/s1600/DSC04950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUWUHpug1VmTwA919l1v3ekxDmB5J8NWUcKK-fvU7BBOXmGbuE9HgueZH9au253jNK1IGSE7zmLjRk_O4eKsUi2ee0rnQicEJwgghXsLf6SRG3P3p3oXr75pojVClW1FNCdWSXg/s640/DSC04950.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made this one in thin strips, with alternating colours, then edged each strip with dark blue and finally sewed all the strips together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwqfbAO0ItmcWNlbO3pUooIhQhYFCCwMJUO2U61uFks99Bm19f0IkHch3WMr8ZYPxrzXZcEGnfv9mysispnO9fVolKV4Vbq9oMumeJhKCm3pT4SL9oxMemhPwcwIcXCswN5Rtgg/s1600/DSC04951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwqfbAO0ItmcWNlbO3pUooIhQhYFCCwMJUO2U61uFks99Bm19f0IkHch3WMr8ZYPxrzXZcEGnfv9mysispnO9fVolKV4Vbq9oMumeJhKCm3pT4SL9oxMemhPwcwIcXCswN5Rtgg/s640/DSC04951.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a stash-buster project because I'm still sort of drowning in acrylic and I don't use it for anything other than blankets (they do work best with acrylic yarn because they need to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear and also get washed frequently). </div>
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It's not a favourite and I don't consider it a particularly good-looking blanket. The strips were awkward, there was far too much sewing in of yarn ends, and the sewing together creates ridges that never look quite as good as you hope they will. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO7iSAmihCvPOmgWhiMJcexBeZASocvkrwJVrvWXyu13_gwz9nI6DAZf0FKomtjL60tYWcZcqXiiWCPusAbkj_aRIqT-DRGen-gE7bS__GESToN8caRT4Pq_aX2mLHAGMlOx9tg/s1600/DSC04952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO7iSAmihCvPOmgWhiMJcexBeZASocvkrwJVrvWXyu13_gwz9nI6DAZf0FKomtjL60tYWcZcqXiiWCPusAbkj_aRIqT-DRGen-gE7bS__GESToN8caRT4Pq_aX2mLHAGMlOx9tg/s640/DSC04952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's OK, though, because it's soft and warm, and it's on rotation with all the other crochet blankets in the living room so it gets used all the time. All is well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIfLxEClkIRh7wCi0nTav6U2NcGatPSvx8hc2xQj1HxZruCDZFjgwvVJQUOtY2Obd6uUhDCXsjFMvribgMVAzmQ9SlBM_0jJZrLdFSAAYPOH78EuE1UiKbbzHxnXkXb8yMSSGFQ/s1600/yetanotherblanket1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIfLxEClkIRh7wCi0nTav6U2NcGatPSvx8hc2xQj1HxZruCDZFjgwvVJQUOtY2Obd6uUhDCXsjFMvribgMVAzmQ9SlBM_0jJZrLdFSAAYPOH78EuE1UiKbbzHxnXkXb8yMSSGFQ/s640/yetanotherblanket1.JPG" width="486" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-year-of-projects">A Year of Projects</a></div>
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<a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/">Little Things Thursday</a></div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-45770939494942603042019-01-20T16:27:00.003+00:002019-01-20T16:27:35.400+00:00Studio time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE5zErWrVU24z9IjQsZfzt1HetK0Mi6f217B6MJ3VyQzI8zFalJvjPvnMsN2ogbxoq_fySbe1ZfL3gE-Yb3BZ9UW_30G6RVphFlxcBxy3q-r9qNPUri3LkFRRjZUhRRw_ljc0nw/s1600/DSC06835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE5zErWrVU24z9IjQsZfzt1HetK0Mi6f217B6MJ3VyQzI8zFalJvjPvnMsN2ogbxoq_fySbe1ZfL3gE-Yb3BZ9UW_30G6RVphFlxcBxy3q-r9qNPUri3LkFRRjZUhRRw_ljc0nw/s640/DSC06835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've had a busy past few months, and our fair share of ups and downs, but just this past couple of weeks or so, since Christmas and the school holidays, things seem to tentatively be looking up. It's still too early, too fragile, to think much of this in the long term, because we've been here before, and this is bug season, and the school term has only just begun, but we are feeling hopeful and just a little lighter, so we are trying to just enjoy this for now.</div>
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In the spirit of this uplift I've clocked some much-needed pottery studio time. I've been dreadfully slow with this, because I knew my next task was glaze testing, and there always seemed to be some reason or other to delay - it was too cold (but my new heater is in now, so this is not an excuse anymore), I didn't have enough time to get started (mixing glazes is time-consuming), I am still waiting for some glaze component or other to arrive in the mail (it's amazing how much stuff you need if you are testing, because there are so many different ways of putting together a working glaze), my studio is too chaotic (this was a bit of an issue for a while, because stuff had migrated in there on a temporary basis, but it's mostly sorted now)... So many excuses!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE0zVgldbYwqNqUWrmGD5Z_L7Fe3dd5YmnqAGr5t7eKH04pb9dPmym9pIWA0ebXskfxh6dY0G4eLC8Kfmr4xApAZGzBrxlq8ineWkrxi4l95yT-EsTeR08LhqNsJyg-MX-9amOQ/s1600/DSC06833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE0zVgldbYwqNqUWrmGD5Z_L7Fe3dd5YmnqAGr5t7eKH04pb9dPmym9pIWA0ebXskfxh6dY0G4eLC8Kfmr4xApAZGzBrxlq8ineWkrxi4l95yT-EsTeR08LhqNsJyg-MX-9amOQ/s640/DSC06833.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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There are still fairly important things to sort out to make my little studio space work - I don't have a source of running water, so that is an issue, because I don't like the idea of bringing potentially toxic pottery materials into the house via brushes or buckets. We are now considering installing a washing-up sink outside with a trap to catch heavy particles that I don't want going down the drain. Hopefully this summer... I also need to repaint the concrete floor in my pottery space, because it's crumbling and therefore generating dust. This also does not allow me to mop the floor, meaning that any spillages will also dry and generate dust, which is a potential health hazard, particularly long-term. I also want to paint the brick-work on the walls because I get so much dirt falling down and contaminating my work space.</div>
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That said, it's a good little studio by now. My lighting is sorted out, and I have my awesome little heater, which means I feel less like an extra from La Boheme when I'm working in there at any time other than high summer.</div>
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I've even managed to get some of the dreaded test glazes mixed up the other day and I managed to pour only half a bucket of glaze over myself. I call that a win!</div>
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Now hopefully one of these testers will generate the glaze that I'm after, because I'm still struggling with that. I want a pure white glossy glaze that covers well and doesn't break over the edges of the little houses that I make. Once I've achieved that I want to make a big badge of glaze and create enough houses to put on Etsy or Folksy to sell so my pottery endeavours become a bit more cost-neutral at least.</div>
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I even managed to motivate boy #2 to help me paint the planters that he got for his birthday so they can be moved out of my studio onto the patio. Boy#2 is our green-fingered child, and he loves planting things, so we are hoping to grow some vegetables in his new boxes.</div>
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Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-23768465602246796152019-01-17T13:56:00.001+00:002019-01-17T13:56:42.163+00:00Knitting Wishlist...<div style="text-align: center;">
We all have one, don't we? A list of patterns that we would love to try out and make. And a list of yarns to match it. </div>
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Pretty high on my wishlist at the moment are those Icelandic sweaters with the lovely patterns around the yoke. I would love to make one, and look how pretty they all are.</div>
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-yellow-queen-sweater">The Yellow Queen Sweater</a></div>
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This one is highest on my list, and I just love the colour combination, but look at all the other pretties...<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/afmli---20-year-anniversary-sweater">Afmæli</a><br />
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<a href="https://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/annamargret5/392733568/L32_26_Anniversary_4_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="235" height="640" src="https://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/annamargret5/392733568/L32_26_Anniversary_4_small2.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-fluffy-feather-sweater">The Fluffy Feather Sweater</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vintersol">Vintersol</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/chomolhari/birki">Birki</a></div>
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I love them all!! </div>
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It's all so tempting, but I've promised myself that I wouldn't add more WIPs to my list before I've finished at least two of my current projects. </div>
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I'm not on track...</div>
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Knitting and crocheting has been pretty slow recently, and if I continue at my current pace I may get to my pretty Icelandic sweater when I'm ready to retire. </div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-63253816586907816412018-09-22T19:57:00.002+00:002018-09-22T19:57:32.066+00:00100 of 10 - Day 26 - Leeds Urban Bikepark again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-v57gOkhl5YHwaMSyWRkn4SnKC7muF6DKw-l6rVcDZqZJPbYJc5qovPzkzOjQgfbSyumCv0AY-Jq8GDHgynI4342xde8ff5eDKGYq2lpISs9V5hnFfwsabYoSjtxOqQF50proA/s1600/Leeds_Urban_Bike_Park_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1600" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-v57gOkhl5YHwaMSyWRkn4SnKC7muF6DKw-l6rVcDZqZJPbYJc5qovPzkzOjQgfbSyumCv0AY-Jq8GDHgynI4342xde8ff5eDKGYq2lpISs9V5hnFfwsabYoSjtxOqQF50proA/s640/Leeds_Urban_Bike_Park_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had another trip to the Leeds Urban Bike Track today - it's such a fun place, and the cafe isn't shabby either! ;) </div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-52484211287242368832018-09-14T09:43:00.003+00:002018-09-14T09:44:34.444+00:00100 of 10 - Day 25 - Anemone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETpXmWyji_jxPzQbk4q6vZ-ErQDdxf-wuLhZW6-YnAxLeJbQQqAH2SMCKxJWnH9mGZe83ry8hRE9uKgtyCAQuVESd39C7pJ2Kj5GheZm-t2sRpN449WqEq8FTMXudrkYaL-mA1g/s1600/Anemone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETpXmWyji_jxPzQbk4q6vZ-ErQDdxf-wuLhZW6-YnAxLeJbQQqAH2SMCKxJWnH9mGZe83ry8hRE9uKgtyCAQuVESd39C7pJ2Kj5GheZm-t2sRpN449WqEq8FTMXudrkYaL-mA1g/s640/Anemone1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another shot from yesterday's impromptu photoshoot. Anemones are probably one of my favourite flowers. I have a weakness for that daisy-shape anyway, the simplicity of it appeals to me, but Anemones in particular have such a delicate beauty, and they come so late in the year, when a lot of the other perennials are already starting to die back. </div>
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I never actually planted these Anemones. When we moved into our house, the garden was a huge wilderness of brambles and nettles, with just one narrow path through it, from the back door to the orchard at the end, flanked by brambles that came to over head-height. It took a long time to make sense of the garden and to reclaim it from all the weeds, but when we did, there they were - a few big, well-established clumps of Anemones and a few rose bushes, all of which somehow survived underneath all those brambles. They've come back every year since, and have even spread. </div>
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<a href="http://www.serendipityissweet.com/2018/09/friday-photo-journal-september-14-2018.html">Friday Photo Journal</a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-17359844461733821602018-09-13T15:08:00.003+00:002018-09-13T15:08:40.086+00:00100 of 10 - Day 24 - Hello Ladybird!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBalv8dWiS02MILezWsmVk3S1tcHaInVYmoRD5rw7RatKcPRP0re7WUDrXFFr2Tj2f-R0cUKcyZsq5K0M0akBbj3NaLlG-_Yacqwx4ys1Mfy8wrITgEWChQUXiDvqK6kFtUgRIA/s1600/ladybird1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBalv8dWiS02MILezWsmVk3S1tcHaInVYmoRD5rw7RatKcPRP0re7WUDrXFFr2Tj2f-R0cUKcyZsq5K0M0akBbj3NaLlG-_Yacqwx4ys1Mfy8wrITgEWChQUXiDvqK6kFtUgRIA/s640/ladybird1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Boy #1 and I had a mini photo expedition in the garden yesterday to try out different manual settings on the camera and I found this little guy, having a rest. This is such a late-summer image for me, the dying perennials, but there is warmth and sunshine, and the garden is still very much alive and buzzing with life. </div>
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<a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2018/09/glow-neon-lights.html">Little Things Thursday</a></div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-75175209105900799312018-09-12T13:45:00.005+00:002018-09-12T14:06:19.291+00:00Glaze Firing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a long time since I've done a glaze firing. I did a couple of biscuit firings but that meant that things were really piling up in the workshop and I was pretty much running out of space to even put things down. I needed to get on with it and glaze some things so I could make some room, you know? </div>
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Glazing is not my favourite task. I obviously love the look of nicely glazed ceramics, but it's such a fiddly job, and so prone to going wrong, that I dread it just a little, because the danger of ruining a much-loved item is so very real. </div>
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Take that, and add to it that glazing materials are hazardous and best not used around children, and you've got the perfect playground for some heavy procrastination. ;) It's taken me months to get to the point where I could shut the heavy kiln door and programme my controller.</div>
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That said, once it's done and everything is loaded, it's all very exciting. A kiln firing takes a good 12 hours, and after that it takes another 48 hours or so for the kiln to cool down to ambient so it can be opened safely and without danger of cracking any pottery or glazes due to thermal shock. That's a whole lot of nervous waiting, because you never quite know what you are going to find once you crack that kiln door open - is it all going to be shattered, or will it have worked?!</div>
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This firing was to stoneware,1220 degrees C. I switched the kiln on at around 8am in the morning and because Betty is quite an old kiln I checked on her several times that day to see if she was doing her job. She was, and by the afternoon when I checked once more, there was the tell-tale glow from the air hole at the top where I'd removed the bung to help the kiln breathe. Can you see it? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3nBRyudpJ3iPsyOX_YorH4gR_v4HWV8bjySR3knISInIn4H9YdpYlfwvhvy6Rwkqjoy2k_IYFFy1T2-6YIJt5pR_q1-opIgnkGBNiOFwWSL9A0Y7j9ckmJcTlpMqfa8-qGINPg/s1600/DSC05518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3nBRyudpJ3iPsyOX_YorH4gR_v4HWV8bjySR3knISInIn4H9YdpYlfwvhvy6Rwkqjoy2k_IYFFy1T2-6YIJt5pR_q1-opIgnkGBNiOFwWSL9A0Y7j9ckmJcTlpMqfa8-qGINPg/s640/DSC05518.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Closer look...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZC7EPqfqUsHmVyniwYr0SytlMPSwLI0SaQuXvEJBiAwBj2mhUW_IGRSvOjVudruCHHHMWbAWxZGDN5eimBH9xZNk_UePScGqEyNKmnJE8FbCu3WKzm8j2dxSn_KPSLnJdG2nSw/s1600/pottery_kiln1_firing09-09-18_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZC7EPqfqUsHmVyniwYr0SytlMPSwLI0SaQuXvEJBiAwBj2mhUW_IGRSvOjVudruCHHHMWbAWxZGDN5eimBH9xZNk_UePScGqEyNKmnJE8FbCu3WKzm8j2dxSn_KPSLnJdG2nSw/s640/pottery_kiln1_firing09-09-18_1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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The temperature at that point was 1147 degrees and rising.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYyJKQy13azX_Yk9JIunRAr8Yscz7t7oGs8x35LhCchUNmUioeO0mOj8Ek-CQ90YvYPvJTzm7ROnV-vgffaRdXjX75jNDYYbQEZL4hUxFsy8U9r_BF3fHu9zyB5Fo38XUONy1WQ/s1600/DSC05512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYyJKQy13azX_Yk9JIunRAr8Yscz7t7oGs8x35LhCchUNmUioeO0mOj8Ek-CQ90YvYPvJTzm7ROnV-vgffaRdXjX75jNDYYbQEZL4hUxFsy8U9r_BF3fHu9zyB5Fo38XUONy1WQ/s640/DSC05512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's always fascinating to me how the inside of the kiln starts to glow once it gets to the really high temperatures. This is the glow through one of the ceramic bungs in the door, which, by the way, are not normally transparent. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj7IMa3F7E_5kMw8b-owqx815FFt7wB7x0NHpK4QjmMkTzwxwxEfUN8oRCIbSC2i1rGs1fClDjV-kAuin1d0vqBooJGfkbNUlQYAUM4HoTqr8YE62laEdqfwXKo68ZltHvx6sjg/s1600/DSC05513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj7IMa3F7E_5kMw8b-owqx815FFt7wB7x0NHpK4QjmMkTzwxwxEfUN8oRCIbSC2i1rGs1fClDjV-kAuin1d0vqBooJGfkbNUlQYAUM4HoTqr8YE62laEdqfwXKo68ZltHvx6sjg/s640/DSC05513.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Betty reached temperature at around 8pm that evening and then started to cool down. It was a loooong wait, because after the initial fairly quick drop in temperature down to around 600 degrees, which she managed overnight, things slowed down and it took a further day and a half to get to around 45 degrees, at which point I couldn't take it anymore and cracked the kiln door open. It was still a little early, and there were a few ominous pings (that's the glaze cracking...), but nothing too dramatic happened, and I don't have anything in there where a few minor cracks in the glaze should matter in the least. </div>
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I forgot to take a shot of the kiln right when it was opened, so in this picture a few items have already been moved. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqkNjCKSOV3N8a4cDY_FvE3A8yWB0fWKr3zstXlQe2c-C-8HK0WlrBw_lppREd9md1oH0p-SpbFdx9xOCkmjIHFm-PAyzAL6ukpcc53lqZ_tYvSMdjEB-7T7mxubI6oLfg-aQww/s1600/DSC05537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqkNjCKSOV3N8a4cDY_FvE3A8yWB0fWKr3zstXlQe2c-C-8HK0WlrBw_lppREd9md1oH0p-SpbFdx9xOCkmjIHFm-PAyzAL6ukpcc53lqZ_tYvSMdjEB-7T7mxubI6oLfg-aQww/s640/DSC05537.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Overall it was a very successful firing, but a few things did go wrong - right on the top shelf I had a big plate that I had glazed in white, with small chips of blue glass to melt in all the little indentations in the plate. That part went well, but apparently I had not taken off enough glaze at the bottom of the plate and the whole thing got stuck to the kiln shelf and, because it couldn't expand and contract the way it needed to during firing, cracked in several places...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPaEfiwhv39wFTlBvsmXtljCCPvfxzEsWxXfrlce-nv-EsyBsgB5g3mSLIHTJaKgNXDUqmeUyMcImxFMS4pfSG7vuBg-IySCuanWjILs4UJSfbFJbaJh93epR2dzibMrN1PyWgw/s1600/DSC05538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPaEfiwhv39wFTlBvsmXtljCCPvfxzEsWxXfrlce-nv-EsyBsgB5g3mSLIHTJaKgNXDUqmeUyMcImxFMS4pfSG7vuBg-IySCuanWjILs4UJSfbFJbaJh93epR2dzibMrN1PyWgw/s640/DSC05538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNuGB2-CB1Aq7fM4CqiuRZcBg0ZLHUG6sG4JVZOAvP0S0PcRWhVDwjQ7eZSyDgiWDPbOgAB_ZXyhKqmlH6w3ynrTvdp3o59Yld1VTBnRmwES9w1wH7vpv_JKFf2gNxfG1iGa7dA/s1600/DSC05539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNuGB2-CB1Aq7fM4CqiuRZcBg0ZLHUG6sG4JVZOAvP0S0PcRWhVDwjQ7eZSyDgiWDPbOgAB_ZXyhKqmlH6w3ynrTvdp3o59Yld1VTBnRmwES9w1wH7vpv_JKFf2gNxfG1iGa7dA/s640/DSC05539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ah well, you win some, you lose some...</div>
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On the other hand I had a few things that turned out quite lovely:</div>
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I think, overall, I'm pretty pleased with this glaze firing! </div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2018/09/walking-dogs-and-spring-flowers-with.html">Wordless Wednesday</a></div>
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<a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/2018/09/crafting-on_11.html">Crafting On</a></div>
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<a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2018/09/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-294.html">Wonderful Wednesday</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.clairejustineoxox.com/2018/09/flowers-butterflies-and-bees.html">Wednesday Link-Up</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2018/09/wow-me-wednesday-368.html">Wow Me Wednesday</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/the-linky-ladies-party-141/">The Linky Ladies</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2018/09/your-whims-wednesday-372-and-features.html">Your Whims Wednesday</a></div>
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<a href="http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/">Imag-in-ing</a></div>
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<a href="http://bethere2day.com/wwoat-pizza/">WW on a Tuesday</a></div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-10285188074488806392018-09-09T09:47:00.003+00:002018-09-09T09:51:14.397+00:00Old FO - my Casual Orange Jumper<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually finished this jumper a little while ago but then never got round to blogging about it. </div>
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<a href="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738034/orangejumper1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="640" src="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738034/orangejumper1.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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It was one of my stash-busting projects and I pretty much used up every tiny scrap of this yarn to finish it. Originally I'd hoped that this would be a cowl, but cowls take a lot of yarn and I had only three skeins of Jaeger Shetland to work with. </div>
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<a href="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738032/orangejumper3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="640" src="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738032/orangejumper3.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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This is knitted bottom-up and when I got towards the neck I made a quick decision, scrapped the cowl, and went with a simple scooped raglan neckline instead. I had kept a bit of yarn aside for the sleeves and I basically knitted them bit by bit, together, so I could figure out how far the yarn would go. </div>
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I'm actually pretty happy with this project - I've not worn it much yet because I finished it in July and it's been so hot since, but I'm anticipating getting quite a bit of wear out of it this autumn and possibly even in winter if I layer it with a long-sleeved top. </div>
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<a href="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738040/orangejumper2_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://images4-e.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Iris/533738040/orangejumper2_medium2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-year-of-projects">A Year of Projects</a><br />
<a href="https://www.craftingafamily.com/happiness-is-homemade-link-party-237/">Happiness is Homemade</a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-51490292202235445712018-09-08T13:56:00.003+00:002018-09-08T13:56:36.482+00:00100 of 10 - Day 23 - Skye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBH5U4oLujXWjnlonoZ-TFoh6G8g1jSm-DKyxS0LRd5FnSWAVPPEOrIEvxMIOSVsNlCdVmJ3H_HIkl1uYyXSSy-xLzQaLF7VnKBCpdBfH5F6zzZO4UEVzp3niRAvZP9ywFofaZQ/s1600/Calendar_Skye_3+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBH5U4oLujXWjnlonoZ-TFoh6G8g1jSm-DKyxS0LRd5FnSWAVPPEOrIEvxMIOSVsNlCdVmJ3H_HIkl1uYyXSSy-xLzQaLF7VnKBCpdBfH5F6zzZO4UEVzp3niRAvZP9ywFofaZQ/s640/Calendar_Skye_3+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather is dreary and the light is bad, so I'll have to leave you with a slightly older shot of pretty little Skye, surveying the land from the balcony of her rat castle. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/">The Weekend in Black and White</a></div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-61858014461232788832018-09-07T11:43:00.001+00:002018-09-07T11:43:21.933+00:00100 of 10 - Day 22 - Hobbit Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ja1Lp2otKHVfJ-GSZRdOJVhkCCFZ_xqVyONMeudl1Ri4mCE5NGva6jVNk4R-YWT0g8WH0uTbg_PrOZ4zeoDp6BgaZDFFbvPz1S1MrgDYXX3yhlE8-vYGvz4lv2gVCwyuj0RYIw/s1600/DSC05322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ja1Lp2otKHVfJ-GSZRdOJVhkCCFZ_xqVyONMeudl1Ri4mCE5NGva6jVNk4R-YWT0g8WH0uTbg_PrOZ4zeoDp6BgaZDFFbvPz1S1MrgDYXX3yhlE8-vYGvz4lv2gVCwyuj0RYIw/s640/DSC05322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took this shot during a recent bikeride in the moors. It's a rabbit hole, but it reminded me so much of a Hobbit hole, with it's perfect circular opening and the grass and heather above it. :) </div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.serendipityissweet.com/2018/09/friday-photo-journal-september-7-2.html">Friday Photo Journal</a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-48412872959840416952018-09-05T13:40:00.004+00:002018-09-05T13:40:24.436+00:00A Year of Projects - Red Riding Hood<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah well, it's only... wait... three days late? Hardly anything!</div>
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In any case, here is my contribution to A Year of Projects for this week. It's been a bit of a step side-ways, it has to be said. I suddenly fell in love with hooded scarves on Ravelry and just had to make one. I ordered yarn, bought a pattern (which is really not necessary - they are the simplest thing to make! If only I'd known!), and off I went.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCFmUR5hm7-up6crAHaV6ufP0bn0lbjscaZBSUm9Ub8uZPfHJJUd4IcF8O-nY__E1B0E6xxoaNdKwF4QgGRB4YZhh_hU06x170gd1We7jWdT1Ad3RZAjJoiwi6he8CAbBTIVdUQ/s1600/DSC05485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCFmUR5hm7-up6crAHaV6ufP0bn0lbjscaZBSUm9Ub8uZPfHJJUd4IcF8O-nY__E1B0E6xxoaNdKwF4QgGRB4YZhh_hU06x170gd1We7jWdT1Ad3RZAjJoiwi6he8CAbBTIVdUQ/s640/DSC05485.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
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It was a very very quick project. With super-bulky yarn and a huge 10mm crochet hook this one was finished in 2 days. I did mess around with it a bit afterwards, but that was because it came out a tad small - clearly I should have gone up another hook size or two - but overall this was so very quick that I don't think I'll be able to resist making another one at some point. And boy #3 has already announced that he'd like one, so there is that...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzuAPNw40kzYtBzJ79ygB4lPMgv4XEk5sgd-w8W0IW7zACkaPiHppXUydb9LWMBCgEYy4s1xFJGMTZadWzXDyURQ13pPL_rOkHqglWNA66EE2o0vVP2U1RgadDimY1mNaZCtYg/s1600/DSC05489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzuAPNw40kzYtBzJ79ygB4lPMgv4XEk5sgd-w8W0IW7zACkaPiHppXUydb9LWMBCgEYy4s1xFJGMTZadWzXDyURQ13pPL_rOkHqglWNA66EE2o0vVP2U1RgadDimY1mNaZCtYg/s640/DSC05489.jpg" width="606" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20pjJoQ8Ppkga5pHl-A-HHn2ScWP-jtUCNZbzz2KKjLd9_6AvlNN1X66YZxkwMe4LLxztUkEf9kbh4DTAMepn56BVEE8r2dOpAJFNNnXeXs1CXGm9XWJ_EUVbGNZxSMIUnh0SBQ/s1600/DSC05486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20pjJoQ8Ppkga5pHl-A-HHn2ScWP-jtUCNZbzz2KKjLd9_6AvlNN1X66YZxkwMe4LLxztUkEf9kbh4DTAMepn56BVEE8r2dOpAJFNNnXeXs1CXGm9XWJ_EUVbGNZxSMIUnh0SBQ/s640/DSC05486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As it was, although I followed the basic pattern I added quite a few rows to the hood and scarf and even lengthened both ends of the scarf by about 20 stitches on each side. The seams are visible, but since it's all wound round and round it's not particularly noticeable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIJNaIJMQfFCdbGQo3_EjVCyKqUV5ub1GM4ECAf7VQZBxV5Uz3FVd1kHzRatLZU5RU2psLCoAly6RkbkM3Ihk8IKp_M9AJtrAFKb3UsuIv8z9yjc83UKlOICuU_3rH8AD0OnIAw/s1600/DSC05488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIJNaIJMQfFCdbGQo3_EjVCyKqUV5ub1GM4ECAf7VQZBxV5Uz3FVd1kHzRatLZU5RU2psLCoAly6RkbkM3Ihk8IKp_M9AJtrAFKb3UsuIv8z9yjc83UKlOICuU_3rH8AD0OnIAw/s640/DSC05488.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
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I think if anyone were to make this, it's probably better to go by length rather than stitch count, because the pattern (being a scarf with an attached rectangle) is so simple and it would avoid any of the issues with gauge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe84cVTwhL4bq6pHxOVxTz6qZbVAjXTTq1oOx0_y2ys1DwEUQfctU8Ly_PaklkFvhGTHAUn37COByJX77kilYgw65XJ5zEptAaPx03OlsqB0bR8_Ti4Xr2hN8zC7a0n9XnhFTHA/s1600/DSC05492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe84cVTwhL4bq6pHxOVxTz6qZbVAjXTTq1oOx0_y2ys1DwEUQfctU8Ly_PaklkFvhGTHAUn37COByJX77kilYgw65XJ5zEptAaPx03OlsqB0bR8_Ti4Xr2hN8zC7a0n9XnhFTHA/s640/DSC05492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-year-of-projects">A Year of Projects</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/2018/09/crafting-on.html">Crafting On</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.gsheller.com/2018/09/yarn-along-september.html">Yarn Along</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2018/09/wow-me-wednesday-367.html">Wow Me Wednesday</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2018/08/fiber-tuesday-171.html">Fiber Tuesday</a></div>
Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-47225899450020905012018-09-03T18:58:00.001+00:002018-09-03T18:58:44.657+00:00100 of 10 - Day 22 - Yorkshire Moors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVo3ze12hMdyHl_fXI1Z0Ol1hK86RaP0f1OJecXbznDAKDPVLROUaJSf97BNOFtYhg7L0qPTfS1VKEcsqqHEvJa9FZcB4vG5AfrlnoGj4v3nfI-8Rj8dLcPOeofKXZTJGdq8Egw/s1600/D_Moors_Aug2018_1_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVo3ze12hMdyHl_fXI1Z0Ol1hK86RaP0f1OJecXbznDAKDPVLROUaJSf97BNOFtYhg7L0qPTfS1VKEcsqqHEvJa9FZcB4vG5AfrlnoGj4v3nfI-8Rj8dLcPOeofKXZTJGdq8Egw/s640/D_Moors_Aug2018_1_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Had a little break from the 100 of 10 series (as well as all other blogging), so to start it up again, this was taken during a bikeride across the Yorkshire Moors. Beautiful wild moors, we love you so. :) </div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-68607161171476934742018-08-19T07:10:00.000+00:002018-08-19T07:10:10.574+00:00A Year of Projects Update Post<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't upload anything last week, but hey, better every other week than never, right?</div>
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As usual, I'm finding it a little tricky to stick to a timetable. Will I ever learn? I'm in my mid-40s now so the chances that I'm going to completely change into an ultra-organised person are not so good I feel... But I have got better. I used to be notoriously late for everything, always apologising, always rushing, and my organisational skills have improved over the years. It's mainly down to having to balance kids and work I think...</div>
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Enough of that, though. Let's get to the main topic of this post - my Year of Projects update. I've not been terribly productive this past couple of weeks. Obviously I'm in Germany right now (though about to head to the airport), so there is that, but also, I suppose it's part of the whole summer holiday thing - the days stretch out and by now we are all thoroughly used to not doing very much at all (not D, though, he's back at work, poor thing). We get up late, have breakfast even later, tinker around the place, play a bit, perhaps see some friends, loll around on the sofa, and the boys have alternated between quite a bit of gaming but also quite a bit of biking. As I mentioned a few days ago, D has built a mini bike track in the back garden and boy #3 in particular has been going round and round on his little mountain bike.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCStECxloxTkbplglYExFkHo9PCL7nw1-ZyxwpJbp3epuRSoI0mfX68MyQRswRmgIMKV2a3b8_rwHWUebuM-obbx5RvQe1kWY973Cj7-33MIjfITNL8O2BS7q8Ye1s_ju_ZdNM3A/s1600/IMG_2737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCStECxloxTkbplglYExFkHo9PCL7nw1-ZyxwpJbp3epuRSoI0mfX68MyQRswRmgIMKV2a3b8_rwHWUebuM-obbx5RvQe1kWY973Cj7-33MIjfITNL8O2BS7q8Ye1s_ju_ZdNM3A/s640/IMG_2737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I did get a few rows in on my mohair cowl, so I'm up to the armhole decreases now, and it's the only project I've brought with me to Germany so it's received at least a bit of attention. The yarn knits up pretty well, and considering how much this project has been carted around it also seems to wear fairly well.</div>
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Other than that, I've been thinking about projects rather than actually working on projects. I still have all this stash yarn, you see, and I think I've finally found a few projects that might work. Look at this, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mohair-cowl-pullover">Mohair Cowl Pullover</a>. I think it will do really well for this yarn:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDas4SAeQeY517z12WBbovvzrXiaIYnY1zVuSs73DOvHqQYOjbh0jKuhpwU7xLEmq5GemV_1tA1d9qtJnkmceogFmdP7b7g6GYb_QZrmPfK2D7z9_KIT4wK6d3upg3ZxwGMI8szQ/s1600/red_mohair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDas4SAeQeY517z12WBbovvzrXiaIYnY1zVuSs73DOvHqQYOjbh0jKuhpwU7xLEmq5GemV_1tA1d9qtJnkmceogFmdP7b7g6GYb_QZrmPfK2D7z9_KIT4wK6d3upg3ZxwGMI8szQ/s640/red_mohair.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And this, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grocery--produce-string-bag">Grocery and Produce String Bag</a> - I'd love to make a few, which will deplete my cotton stash a bit.</div>
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The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chunky-sunday-jumper">Sunday Chunky Jumper</a> might be just the ticket for the remainder of this rather scratchy bulky yarn that I still have lying around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcGQ1O8h_2E8o7rbHyhtGZEYUruL21OAmlv5FSn5ZtFVv4WJuNaFHnQzueFX1_FIdmlBqKtbPnT05iHwgM9mIKWXyRMoqYa1t4VaC6qkLK3byadgZTnSG8ETE-IHda8NHLijlvw/s1600/olive_yarn2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcGQ1O8h_2E8o7rbHyhtGZEYUruL21OAmlv5FSn5ZtFVv4WJuNaFHnQzueFX1_FIdmlBqKtbPnT05iHwgM9mIKWXyRMoqYa1t4VaC6qkLK3byadgZTnSG8ETE-IHda8NHLijlvw/s640/olive_yarn2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But then I also really fancy this <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/womans-curvy-crochet-cowl-pullover">Curvy Crochet Cowl</a>? And I've never crocheted a jumper, so that makes it quite tempting too! Perhaps I have enough of this yarn left for it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB7V_e7wwv1Lh4yyDfKS2ulJ60sVFe3uSFKsdeNXVYXdqjYTdvrS68WJQSV45TexvV9fggLKffuJL2t2gWuBly93JTpi6jJGFlRa6eK7Uc-GthE574muqsVeU4vPQtO0DYNDuYw/s1600/Jaeger_Shetland_sage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB7V_e7wwv1Lh4yyDfKS2ulJ60sVFe3uSFKsdeNXVYXdqjYTdvrS68WJQSV45TexvV9fggLKffuJL2t2gWuBly93JTpi6jJGFlRa6eK7Uc-GthE574muqsVeU4vPQtO0DYNDuYw/s640/Jaeger_Shetland_sage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And what do you think of either the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frosting-pullover">Frosting Pullover</a> or <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maria-12">Maria </a>for this Fleece Artist single-spun mohair yarn?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3QoFtjNK1T9h0YeIuJ_5jagrNp4eVcbY6CNUjR0B4mK11GVWVQGfO5zUVAjW0Q3VSBU0pjEtM-Id6majanj2P8uDKKlXEQvAjR_5cCSXFHCQsKqeBk6VfyZhaNfamCr5Ywmcbg/s1600/blue_FleeceArtist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3QoFtjNK1T9h0YeIuJ_5jagrNp4eVcbY6CNUjR0B4mK11GVWVQGfO5zUVAjW0Q3VSBU0pjEtM-Id6majanj2P8uDKKlXEQvAjR_5cCSXFHCQsKqeBk6VfyZhaNfamCr5Ywmcbg/s640/blue_FleeceArtist.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm also contemplating another crochet blanket - perhaps another wavy one - because of this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB4GNffhVwdWDmEcfi2p48yoOAl05BqIgMIBX1ALrYCZ6fPqk_wD8A4dp3amrUI6uLHKMa63E3T6wWHCOHMm0pmfrUNWiCjinsNFOeuO15ZR0pd1eCXB_S-fs4wra85EvXUI18A/s1600/IMG_2795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB4GNffhVwdWDmEcfi2p48yoOAl05BqIgMIBX1ALrYCZ6fPqk_wD8A4dp3amrUI6uLHKMa63E3T6wWHCOHMm0pmfrUNWiCjinsNFOeuO15ZR0pd1eCXB_S-fs4wra85EvXUI18A/s640/IMG_2795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think there are just enough left-overs for a blanket - though I'm just as likely to run out at the crucial moment so I have to emergency-buy more yarn that I then have to use up in turn...<br />
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And there you go, I think you can see my problem. There are just too many potential projects! I'm obviously sticking with the blue Mohair Cowl that I'm working on right now because I want to see it finished in time to actually wear it in the autumn, but I think I could perhaps add one more WIP to my current list - which one is it to be?!<br />
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-year-of-projects">A Year of Projects</a><br />
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Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-19923741867780417682018-08-18T12:47:00.003+00:002018-08-18T12:47:57.446+00:00100 of 10 - Day 21 - Familiar Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SuEdFya9O0_UMilHHK2MLCml8qA-4QcV1FaULuVOgUvoIBCw5-Ca-B7T6Ql2AunY2_GxP_b0j3HiFtun4LEcXWa5tCuMVwKcE32y_QW1raWSSYfNLbLKj5DTuHJwcbNtWG1OtQ/s1600/100of10_GreekChapel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SuEdFya9O0_UMilHHK2MLCml8qA-4QcV1FaULuVOgUvoIBCw5-Ca-B7T6Ql2AunY2_GxP_b0j3HiFtun4LEcXWa5tCuMVwKcE32y_QW1raWSSYfNLbLKj5DTuHJwcbNtWG1OtQ/s640/100of10_GreekChapel.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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A familiar sight from my childhood - the view out of the window from my dad's house of the Greek chapel at the top of the hill. It's quite a romantic story that is behind it - apparently it was built as a monument to a <a href="https://www.wiesbaden.de/en/culture/cultural-heritage/content/100-examples/russian-orthodox-church.php">Russian princess </a>who died very young, in childbirth, while living in Wiesbaden (which was a a popular 19th century destination for Russian nobility because of its medicinal hot springs.<a href="https://russianlandmarks.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/fyodor-dostoevsky-plaque-wiesbaden-germany/"> The old casino in Wiesbaden was one of the places Dostoevski frequented </a>and Wiesbaden later served as one of the inspirations for his famous novel 'The Gambler'.</div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-8254774434978385082018-08-17T22:16:00.001+00:002018-08-18T11:49:08.085+00:00100 of 10 - Day 20 - Above the Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhfWaLZYsWMxxKEAaiZLpxtBm-Q5EDPolhjdwVOn-h4TslcJqMo2RnefK69GrSRcYs5s5mb_946946jctRnIWsgEenSWcTeLYj3P7302HyO3e5-oQoCNkwmW3ATt_k8UFO8S1Aw/s1600/100of10_AboveTheClouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhfWaLZYsWMxxKEAaiZLpxtBm-Q5EDPolhjdwVOn-h4TslcJqMo2RnefK69GrSRcYs5s5mb_946946jctRnIWsgEenSWcTeLYj3P7302HyO3e5-oQoCNkwmW3ATt_k8UFO8S1Aw/s640/100of10_AboveTheClouds.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm in Germany right now, to visit my family there. Arrived last night, so had no chance to upload anything, so here you go - my view from above the clouds. I've not been on a plane for a long time, since the boys we usually tend to drive everywhere, so it all felt very strange. It also feels very strange to be here, in the house I grew up in, by myself, without any kids. It's a bit too quiet, and I'm not used to all this down-time. I (almost) felt bored for a while there, earlier, so I went to chat to my dad. Because of all the chatting we forgot to start cooking early enough for all the people we had coming tonight, so there was a lot of rushing around and frantically chopping vegetables so it all felt a lot more normal then. ;) </div>
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Clearly I've forgotten how to relax and do nothing!</div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.serendipityissweet.com/">Friday Photo Journal</a></div>
<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13686975.post-81660497583401027652018-08-15T20:11:00.001+00:002018-08-15T20:11:28.104+00:00100 of 10 - Day 19 - Biking #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjbOow4UKXevLSGhmkvaknGK7pIZCg9SE64zsQMgl4sd_VGqXr9b_mYQ4wxjqJgjjVCcaPfYU0idAP2GA1grPkuxQrGfue4bv7wOaYBJEBQTt_7zIygVfuYfX3XSzbudZq9MWxg/s1600/100of10_garden_biketrack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjbOow4UKXevLSGhmkvaknGK7pIZCg9SE64zsQMgl4sd_VGqXr9b_mYQ4wxjqJgjjVCcaPfYU0idAP2GA1grPkuxQrGfue4bv7wOaYBJEBQTt_7zIygVfuYfX3XSzbudZq9MWxg/s640/100of10_garden_biketrack.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
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The boys, with the help of some D and one of his biking mates, extended the mini-bike track in the back garden. Hey, who needs lawn anyway? </div>
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<b><u>Shared with:</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.clairejustineoxox.com/2018/08/royal-robin-redbreast-hoodwinked2018-linkup.html">Wordless or not so Wordless Wednesda</a>y</div>
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<a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2018/08/sheela-cat-and-linky.html">Picture Perfect Party Linky</a></div>
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<br />Irishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278566548355871221noreply@blogger.com1