tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47086700851724844082024-03-13T08:32:31.340-07:00Faded Reveriecarradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-74799052157686116352013-09-30T00:19:00.001-07:002013-09-30T00:19:49.561-07:00A Month? Really? A Month ...<div style="text-align: center;">
... since I posted here? I've been so busy and this computer is playing up like a spoilt child, so it's been a quick look at Facebook and my emails and that's that!</div>
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Even this is a quickie, just to say I'm still around. I've been making lots of duvet cover tea-dresses ready for the Vintage Revolution Fair at Grimsby Minster in November. I'll post piccies next time.</div>
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However, I just had to add my <a href="http://yarndale.co.uk/">Yarndale</a> collage. Lots of you will either know of it or have been to it. It was a fantastic day of woolly loveliness and great to actually see and speak to the lovely Lucy from <a href="http://www.attic24.typepad.com/">Attic 24</a>. My stash has now risen considerably!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyAePSPEvnA/UkklNcDhKDI/AAAAAAAACwU/dLQrOWFeJN4/s1600/Yarndale+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyAePSPEvnA/UkklNcDhKDI/AAAAAAAACwU/dLQrOWFeJN4/s400/Yarndale+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-47403705469916909012013-08-26T01:08:00.000-07:002013-08-26T01:08:07.772-07:00A Little Bit of England<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday I had the chance to use my new (antique shop) purchase - a £10 bargain of a huge picnic basket.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvMCChErsOU/UhsJuZ4T2UI/AAAAAAAACv8/tS47qU0VjaI/s1600/picnicbasket+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvMCChErsOU/UhsJuZ4T2UI/AAAAAAAACv8/tS47qU0VjaI/s320/picnicbasket+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdR-gvmlTmA/UhsJwDzz3QI/AAAAAAAACwI/TH_2bKjlgP4/s1600/picnicbasket+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdR-gvmlTmA/UhsJwDzz3QI/AAAAAAAACwI/TH_2bKjlgP4/s320/picnicbasket+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr C and I went to a little village in Lincolnshire called Cuxwold for an afternoon of cricket and an evening of rounders. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqJ8yebR1ns/UhsJXtJcBJI/AAAAAAAACvA/U7Eziebpz9c/s1600/cuxwold+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqJ8yebR1ns/UhsJXtJcBJI/AAAAAAAACvA/U7Eziebpz9c/s320/cuxwold+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, my part in this event was to sit and watch, while crocheting! Daughter 1 and Son-in-law were playing and doing the barbecue.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmJA5dGMCds/UhsJo_VB8eI/AAAAAAAACvw/h3dx0cjbtZw/s1600/cuxwold+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmJA5dGMCds/UhsJo_VB8eI/AAAAAAAACvw/h3dx0cjbtZw/s320/cuxwold+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr C and I went for a walk to look at the beautiful old church.</div>
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Many of the gravestones had been removed but a few remained</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNGI8PqTtUU/UhsJbncLYhI/AAAAAAAACvQ/PZKA-5yypv4/s1600/cuxwold+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNGI8PqTtUU/UhsJbncLYhI/AAAAAAAACvQ/PZKA-5yypv4/s320/cuxwold+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a secluded little grove behind the church which had clearly been a pets' graveyard.</div>
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This must have been a very special friend to someone.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g110QEV_Ws/UhsJaCvB0LI/AAAAAAAACvI/7HxNwCqasa8/s1600/cuxwold+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g110QEV_Ws/UhsJaCvB0LI/AAAAAAAACvI/7HxNwCqasa8/s320/cuxwold+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The old way to the church was via this beautiful rusty and lichen-covered iron gate.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLtrRN1SNrc/UhsJkLtvQ9I/AAAAAAAACvg/DI67dppAsLY/s1600/cuxwold+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLtrRN1SNrc/UhsJkLtvQ9I/AAAAAAAACvg/DI67dppAsLY/s320/cuxwold+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were some fine, handsome deer nearby. Sadly I think they were lined up for the menu as they were in a paddock.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jX8iTibN3g8/UhsJlggVRQI/AAAAAAAACvo/51mm76pbzec/s1600/cuxwold+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jX8iTibN3g8/UhsJlggVRQI/AAAAAAAACvo/51mm76pbzec/s320/cuxwold+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I do love a good weather vane.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyO5y5Wgt1U/UhsJjQEjsNI/AAAAAAAACvY/mlRbuaAGgPw/s1600/cuxwold+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyO5y5Wgt1U/UhsJjQEjsNI/AAAAAAAACvY/mlRbuaAGgPw/s320/cuxwold+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ah, here comes the sun! I hope you all have a wonderful bank holiday xxx </div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-82281836698414580912013-08-12T05:49:00.001-07:002013-08-12T05:49:32.892-07:00Frock Fun at Fab Fair!<div style="text-align: center;">
The Vintage and Retro Fair at Cleethorpes was a resounding success! Well done, you lovely ladies at Vintage Revolution! (Do "like" them on Facebook.)</div>
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<img alt="Vintage Revolution - Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, United Kingdom" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-prn1/c66.66.828.828/s160x160/540140_510263382352533_26520438_n.png" /></div>
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This was the day I introduced my duvet dresses to an unsuspecting world. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-And5f4Hdl5Y/UgittaL-omI/AAAAAAAACuU/i3iUCALO734/s1600/vintage+fair+stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-And5f4Hdl5Y/UgittaL-omI/AAAAAAAACuU/i3iUCALO734/s320/vintage+fair+stall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was chuffed to bits with the response. I sold quite a few and received some lovely feedback, mainly along the lines of "very well made" and "much too cheap". I put the ladies' dresses at £18 and the girls' dresses at £10. Next time I'll put them up a little and see how things go. In general, I had good sales and it seems the rest of the stalls did the same. The atmosphere was great with a vintage tea shop, dj playing rock'n'roll and even a jive competition.</div>
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Can't wait for the next one!</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-56552923250029940992013-08-06T00:09:00.000-07:002013-08-06T00:09:09.957-07:00Nearly Ready...<div style="text-align: center;">
... for the Vintage and Retro Fair on Sunday.</div>
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<img alt="Photo: I'll be having a stall here. Doesn't Miss Vintage Corner look lovely in the poster? :-)" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/p480x480/421663_655029144511850_1126030429_n.jpg" width="228" /></div>
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I've been making my duvet tea dresses and pricing up things and packing them (always a bit of a bore, these last two, aren't they?)</div>
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<img alt="Photo: All frocked up and ready for the Vintage Revolution Vintage and Retro Fair at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall, 11am to 4pm on Sunday 11th August!" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/59153_679805602034204_879493810_n.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<img alt="Photo: The final dresses for the August Vintage Fair - two ladies, S to M, and girls, one up to 3 yrs, one up to 5 yrs. Sizes are very variable, as are people's shapes so it will be "try on" time!" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/999152_679805112034253_844326890_n.jpg" width="186" /></div>
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<img alt="Photo: More duvet dresses for the clothes rack! These are medium to large." height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/1044966_671378132876951_1939574804_n.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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<img alt="Photo: Another medium to large duvet dress, plus a child's version. I would say up to five/six year old depending..." height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/1006283_671378662876898_2073738618_n.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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<img alt="Photo: Dresses made!" height="308" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/6987_649490751732356_1204989309_n.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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I had a last, happy little haul too - a small picnic basket, which I'm keeping, a hat box and a diary from 1941. </div>
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<img alt="Photo: Saturday's mini-haul. The 1941 diary has a few entries from a new war-bride - rather sweet." height="236" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/994554_683213291693435_846092677_n.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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The diary is clear from the beginning of February (aren't they all!) but it begins with the thoughts of a new war-bride...</div>
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<i>"Today I woke up a single girl and went to bed as a married woman"... </i></div>
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It's really sweet, sad too as "John" goes back to the war. It's a shame the lady hasn't put her name in it.</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-40105915780170171972013-07-30T03:03:00.000-07:002013-07-30T03:03:01.928-07:00Bits, Bobs and a Poorly Sewing Machine<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure you sewing lovelies out there will share my pain at finding my beloved sewing machine was missing stitches, failing to automatically thread the needle and generally pooping up buttonholes.</div>
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<img height="213" src="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/194817/sidr-19_large.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Obviously she's not as bad as this one, but she had to go the the sewing machine doctor. To my horror, the doctor had just started his summer hols and is away for a fortnight!!!</div>
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Even worse, I have four duvet dresses to make out of this fab charity shop find before the vintage fair on 11th August! </div>
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I've had to borrow my daughter-in-law's machine which is like a little toy one after mine but it does the job. I've recently run these up so hopefully when the new ones are finished there will be enough for the fair.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GbYl6p5gIg/UfeNNuD8sjI/AAAAAAAACtY/rFUjT1yQomM/s1600/duvet+dresses+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GbYl6p5gIg/UfeNNuD8sjI/AAAAAAAACtY/rFUjT1yQomM/s320/duvet+dresses+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbsn3Lm4Kd8/UfeNO2CoaSI/AAAAAAAACto/PYBYAj8L3Ao/s1600/duvet+dresses+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbsn3Lm4Kd8/UfeNO2CoaSI/AAAAAAAACto/PYBYAj8L3Ao/s320/duvet+dresses+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've finally finished my yarn stash blankie too. When the weather breaks I'll have something bright and cosy to snuggle into. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSGlcq6ZeJo/UfeNOOFuW-I/AAAAAAAACtc/X6cKGPtpmxc/s1600/Patchwork+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSGlcq6ZeJo/UfeNOOFuW-I/AAAAAAAACtc/X6cKGPtpmxc/s320/Patchwork+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile Miss Peach Pudding is enjoying the sun...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NY8HyPz6yw/UfeOdyP1TkI/AAAAAAAACt8/5M_O_qZHxLA/s1600/Eves+Summer+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NY8HyPz6yw/UfeOdyP1TkI/AAAAAAAACt8/5M_O_qZHxLA/s320/Eves+Summer+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... I haven't been making toddler punch - that's a tennis ball, not a lemon, honest!</div>
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and</div>
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NOM NOM NOM... Mr C has been making his fabulous crumbles with our homegrown raspberries!</div>
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Hope it's sunny where you are xxx</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-54004855076149495752013-07-16T02:03:00.001-07:002013-07-16T02:03:40.701-07:00My New (Completed) Project<div style="text-align: center;">
Whew, that didn't take long!</div>
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This lovely weather allowed me to tart up my charity shop crates in the garden.</div>
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Ta-daaaaa!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXYWEfwcyJ4/UeUMC0lIL9I/AAAAAAAACtE/F4H7xiB3SFw/s1600/boxes+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXYWEfwcyJ4/UeUMC0lIL9I/AAAAAAAACtE/F4H7xiB3SFw/s320/boxes+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Going to use them to display items on my next vintage stall.</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-73960733924870170512013-07-14T05:12:00.000-07:002013-07-14T05:12:08.577-07:00My New Project<div style="text-align: center;">
Two crates, £1.50 each from the local Care Shop </div>
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and a half-price tin of Farrow and Ball's "Green Ground"</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm4USsSCZ-o/UeKVdeIct6I/AAAAAAAACs0/7DsO2nuI5t8/s1600/project+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm4USsSCZ-o/UeKVdeIct6I/AAAAAAAACs0/7DsO2nuI5t8/s320/project+boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Watch this space...</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-60888047409032241822013-07-07T03:10:00.000-07:002013-07-07T03:10:57.838-07:00Attack of the Earth Mother!<div style="text-align: center;">
So, it's lovely, warm and sunny, the garden is growing like a jungle and I discovered an elderflower tree on a walk with Miss Peach Pudding. Having had a moment of earth-motherliness and back-to-nature-thriftiness earlier in the week (more in a minute) I filled my bag with elderflower heads. The tree was on no-one's property, by the way. I do try to keep to the Country Code!</div>
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I already had the lemons and sugar so free Elderflower Cordial was the order of the day. Having perused a number of recipes on the tinterweb it appeared to be a free for all regarding the number of flower heads to lemons ratio so I did my usual - made it up as I went along. I couldn't get citric acid anywhere so braved it without. I believe it's only for clarity and longevity but I was quite happy with cloudy and anyway, it's not fated to last long at our house!</div>
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Ta-daaaa....!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WHLqkpGJWI/Udk8ckBiroI/AAAAAAAACsM/tqtXHykuJZc/s1600/Elderflower+Cordial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WHLqkpGJWI/Udk8ckBiroI/AAAAAAAACsM/tqtXHykuJZc/s320/Elderflower+Cordial.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Delish with chilled white wine, but certainly good enough with icy water on a hot day.</div>
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Cooking our home-grown beetroot I was reminded of my natural dyeing escapades last year. I saved the beetroot water, strained it and added alum to half and ferrous oxide to the other. I then dyed some white craft cotton. They both ended up a similar soft grey-green, not the prettiest shade. To compensate I finished the craft cotton off in cranberry tea (pinkish) and rooibos tea (orange-ish). They're not stunning shades but do have a certain natural pleasant look.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbVtpTB5KFk/Udk9ytBQHAI/AAAAAAAACsc/2YytM74AJvw/s1600/nicetime+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbVtpTB5KFk/Udk9ytBQHAI/AAAAAAAACsc/2YytM74AJvw/s320/nicetime+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Once dried to paler shades I had a play with them while watching a very exciting Men's Semi-finals Day at Wimbledon and drinking freshly-brewed coffee. </div>
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Ah, this is the life!</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-80319798477085383352013-07-01T01:49:00.002-07:002013-07-01T01:50:58.817-07:00Knitting for Victory!<div style="text-align: center;">
Armed Forces Day dawned bright and sunny - Hurrah!</div>
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Our yarn shop, <a href="http://www.agoodyarn.co.uk/">A Good Yarn</a>, took part in a wonderful event to celebrate the day. Sea View Street, Cleethorpes is a fantastic little shopping area with individual specialist shops and cafes and the yarn shop is just around the corner. All the stores took part with the street decorated to the hilt, plus vintage stalls,ice cream van and music.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-S0y3tzDA/UdE_cF6s8RI/AAAAAAAACrM/y-7MlHrdDdA/s1600/ArmedForces+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-S0y3tzDA/UdE_cF6s8RI/AAAAAAAACrM/y-7MlHrdDdA/s400/ArmedForces+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were also wartime vehicles and lovely men in uniforms!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slC2Zq-BTEQ/UdFAT78bjpI/AAAAAAAACrc/p-tyr07R6A4/s1600/army+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slC2Zq-BTEQ/UdFAT78bjpI/AAAAAAAACrc/p-tyr07R6A4/s320/army+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The street was divided into three sectors - Britain, France and America. The lovely ladies at Tilletts (fab clothes shop!) were Land Girls</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RouadzSUZAc/UdFBOuL8KLI/AAAAAAAACr0/2INmjW6HBlE/s1600/ArmedForcesDay+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RouadzSUZAc/UdFBOuL8KLI/AAAAAAAACr0/2INmjW6HBlE/s320/ArmedForcesDay+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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La Flotte (shoes to die for) were Can Can Girls</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxrl42DIeSQ/UdFBOClbvMI/AAAAAAAACr4/zXpaul2s7TM/s1600/ArmedForcesDay+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxrl42DIeSQ/UdFBOClbvMI/AAAAAAAACr4/zXpaul2s7TM/s320/ArmedForcesDay+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and we were French ladies "Knitting for Victory"!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4jIJZfskyI/UdFBOgvffCI/AAAAAAAACr8/9GJCFmkqiRs/s1600/ArmedForcesDay+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4jIJZfskyI/UdFBOgvffCI/AAAAAAAACr8/9GJCFmkqiRs/s320/ArmedForcesDay+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The event was packed and the weather beautiful. Even many spectators dressed the part. </div>
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During the afternoon there was a magnificent air show, including Tornadoes, Vulcans, the new Euro Fighter and WWII vintage bombers. As the area is right next to the beach we saw (or mostly heard!) the whole thing. </div>
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A great day - and yes, there will be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover!</div>
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(Tomorrow, just you wait and see)</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-67620632458123180302013-06-28T11:02:00.000-07:002013-06-28T11:02:16.061-07:00Holida-ay...Celebra-ate...<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you, Madonna, for this post title. </div>
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We have just had a lovely holiday and also a special birthday to celebrate.</div>
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We didn't get a break at all last year, so made up for it with ten days in Ibiza this month. Our favourite resort is Santa Eulalia - not quite the foam party capital of the island but lovely and restful for our old bones (I'm not past a good boogie session but we really did need a bit of peace after a bad year!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUKG1dvWA2E/Uc3MrfswHmI/AAAAAAAACow/wexVOyK7ItU/s1600/Ibiza2013+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUKG1dvWA2E/Uc3MrfswHmI/AAAAAAAACow/wexVOyK7ItU/s320/Ibiza2013+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HjSZMFdTss/Uc3MsxksiXI/AAAAAAAACpE/-6LLZbpKlWo/s1600/Ibiza2013+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HjSZMFdTss/Uc3MsxksiXI/AAAAAAAACpE/-6LLZbpKlWo/s320/Ibiza2013+040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a fantastic night in Ibiza Town drinking San Miguel, listening to loud music and watching the parade of tourists, drag queens and generally wild and wonderful people wandering about. Other than this it was chilling, swimming, making full use of the hotel spa and ...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhumGZEs6hE/Uc3OKwH5a7I/AAAAAAAACpk/mz4IPOYbZMs/s1600/Ibiza2013+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhumGZEs6hE/Uc3OKwH5a7I/AAAAAAAACpk/mz4IPOYbZMs/s320/Ibiza2013+050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... eating!</div>
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Not to mention lots of knitting...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oy8MH-ZNKpY/Uc3Om6lOXvI/AAAAAAAACpw/xGYaw0TrKw4/s1600/pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oy8MH-ZNKpY/Uc3Om6lOXvI/AAAAAAAACpw/xGYaw0TrKw4/s320/pack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... this was my packing!</div>
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The celebration, by the way, was Miss Peach Pudding's 2nd birthday. How time flies!</div>
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1001822_674049115944454_1821808363_n.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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Happy Birthday, Sweetie! xxx</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-41573645965823001432013-06-26T01:22:00.003-07:002013-06-26T01:22:58.150-07:00Bittersweet...<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello, I'm back from my hols and will regale you with (brief) tales and photos soon but ...</div>
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... just today I hope you don't mind my wallowing in a little gloom.</div>
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One year ago today my beautiful Mum left us.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2mnQB-vs78/Ucqi5jsBVxI/AAAAAAAACoI/ZMq1dgFs-2c/s1600/Mum+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2mnQB-vs78/Ucqi5jsBVxI/AAAAAAAACoI/ZMq1dgFs-2c/s320/Mum+and+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Greta Kerridge: born 13 June 1925, died 26 June 2012</span></div>
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She was a truly lovely person, inside and out. One of those people about whom no-one has a bad word. She lived for 87 years, most of them happy with my Dad but he left us seven years ago and some of her world went with him. The last couple of years Mum had many health problems but was very brave about them all. At the last she had to go into a home to be looked after. She spent four weeks there, being cared for wonderfully well but she was ready to leave us and her spirit soared away into a beautiful sunrise early on a Tuesday morning with us by her side.</div>
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I hope many of you still have mums who you treasure and who treasure you. Give them a hug for me.</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-52071631579919330822013-06-04T03:32:00.000-07:002013-06-04T03:32:10.025-07:00A Frocky Sort of Update...<div style="text-align: center;">
Just couldn't let this £4.99 charity shop duvet set slip through my fingers.</div>
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Ta-daaa!</div>
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Frocks!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OumEpK4PDYU/Ua3B5woDG8I/AAAAAAAACn0/WrcQfsJfzmA/s1600/Pinkdresses+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OumEpK4PDYU/Ua3B5woDG8I/AAAAAAAACn0/WrcQfsJfzmA/s400/Pinkdresses+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-32648666870726501632013-06-01T11:50:00.000-07:002013-06-01T11:50:08.449-07:00It's Only Frock and Roll but I Like It!<div style="text-align: center;">
The lovely <a href="http://littlebluemouse.blogspot.co.uk/">Little Blue Mouse</a> asked if I had made the patterns myself for my recent tea dress and little girls dress on a previous post. Well...<br />
... sort of.<br />
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Here are the dresses again<br />
<img height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwD2cZ6QYJ8/UYYL3OGMeeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/CUvo7XYgqyc/s400/sundress+003.jpg" width="189" /><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKjAIiNWyE/UYYL3jaJg4I/AAAAAAAACmU/p5e8CU0cL3I/s400/sundress+004.jpg" width="266" /><br />
The yellow and blue tea dress is made from old curtains and the little dress from a pair of pillow cases. The girl's pattern is taken from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0007284799">"Homemade"</a> by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson. The tea dress, however, has a shoulder fastening design from "Simple Modern Sewing" by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha but the rest of it is my pattern.<br />
This is the simple fastening, which requires no zip or buttons...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCfYoQgGyTs/UapAExThOFI/AAAAAAAACnE/wXo7IJ8C-lQ/s1600/dresses+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCfYoQgGyTs/UapAExThOFI/AAAAAAAACnE/wXo7IJ8C-lQ/s320/dresses+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The pointed shoulder edges overlap and are stitched together on the sleeve side.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06xPJ57jE8U/UapBGuIb1ZI/AAAAAAAACnQ/94-RsuGDXWU/s1600/dresses+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06xPJ57jE8U/UapBGuIb1ZI/AAAAAAAACnQ/94-RsuGDXWU/s320/dresses+001.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
The little girl dress has a mama dress to look after it now, and I'm currently making more.<br />
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You can't beat a bit of reloving!<br />
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-39026970826238297332013-05-07T02:57:00.002-07:002013-05-07T02:57:45.686-07:00Soothing Sachets<div style="text-align: center;">
The Girl Genius, now four and a half, has always suffered from ezcema. When I was given a bundle of out of date comfrey leaf packs from the local value-for-money shop I didn't know what to do with them. I know the jury is out regarding internal use but, reading up in my herbal companion, I found that this herb is very good for wound healing and other conditions including ezcema.</div>
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Having turned The Girl Genius into The Girl Guinea Pig, we found that it IS quite soothing and helpful, so I made the sachets below. She loves the golden-green colour that the water goes, and if she believes it helps then it just might...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5ci77m2HxE/UYjP3PzFE0I/AAAAAAAACms/eqeIOO46EFc/s1600/Comfrey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5ci77m2HxE/UYjP3PzFE0I/AAAAAAAACms/eqeIOO46EFc/s400/Comfrey+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-83677906025433995722013-05-05T00:48:00.000-07:002013-05-05T00:48:29.258-07:00Take a Seat...<div style="text-align: center;">
Prowling round one of the local charity shops I found that elusive item ... the Real Bargain!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfnk8P0pW-4/UYYJlx8tn5I/AAAAAAAACmE/2wG_NCsmb3I/s1600/seat+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfnk8P0pW-4/UYYJlx8tn5I/AAAAAAAACmE/2wG_NCsmb3I/s320/seat+003.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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This director's chair was £3 with a label saying "In need of TLC". It was in a very poor state but a check showed that the wood was in good condition underneath the shabbiness.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRO_yhFfbjU/UYYJmdb7vgI/AAAAAAAACmI/tUWnrboVlEs/s1600/seat+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRO_yhFfbjU/UYYJmdb7vgI/AAAAAAAACmI/tUWnrboVlEs/s320/seat+004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I stripped it down to the bare bones, washed and sanded then painted. As lovely as paints such as Annie Sloane chalks are, I wanted to keep costs down to ... well, the £3 I paid, so I rummaged in the shed and undercoated in basic white emulsion then painted in Dulux satin white. I replaced the old faded red canvas with a double thickness curtain remnant.</div>
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Ta-daaah!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBNz6s3cGsA/UYYJj3fV_xI/AAAAAAAAClw/4LWaMt3PgvE/s1600/seat+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBNz6s3cGsA/UYYJj3fV_xI/AAAAAAAAClw/4LWaMt3PgvE/s320/seat+001.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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Posh chair for those lovely (?) summer days. We had a big family barbecue yesterday and you can guess where I sat!</div>
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I've also been experimenting with dress shapes in reloved old curtains and duvets. Here are the first two...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwD2cZ6QYJ8/UYYL3OGMeeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/CUvo7XYgqyc/s1600/sundress+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwD2cZ6QYJ8/UYYL3OGMeeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/CUvo7XYgqyc/s320/sundress+003.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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Yes, this ladies' tea dress is in the same curtain fabric as the chair. I could vanish for days wearing this and sitting in the chair - no-one would see me!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKjAIiNWyE/UYYL3jaJg4I/AAAAAAAACmU/p5e8CU0cL3I/s1600/sundress+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKjAIiNWyE/UYYL3jaJg4I/AAAAAAAACmU/p5e8CU0cL3I/s320/sundress+004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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This child's dress was a pillowcase. I'm making a tea dress in the same at the moment.</div>
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Have you discovered this fab new magazine yet?</div>
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<img alt="RL01.CoverHH.indd" src="http://www.foodheavenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RL01.CoverHH250px-230x300.jpg" /></div>
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I've been trying to find a good link for you, but hope <a href="http://www.foodheavenmag.com/2013/04/from-the-makers-of-food-heaven-comes-new-magazine-reloved/">this</a> will do for the moment.</div>
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Enoy the sun, lovelies xxx</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-44198249951998914482013-04-30T02:43:00.004-07:002013-04-30T02:46:19.750-07:00... and in the Blue Fleece ...<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr C and I had a little fun this weekend (no, not that sort of fun - what minds you have!).</div>
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We were invited to audition for BBC's "Bargain Hunt"! There's no guarantee that we will be on tv but they hold teams on standby or for later use, so it may happen. </div>
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Anyhoo ... on Saturday we fired up the Fiesta and drove off to The Olde Barn Hotel near Grantham where the auditions were taking place.</div>
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<img height="213" src="http://static.uk.groupon-content.net/07/49/1336639384907.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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There were around eight couples as well as us, all lovely people and up for the challenge. Sadly no Tim or experts but we had a little video first with Tim giving us a few tips and pointers then we were sent off in our couples to look at a selection of photos of antiques. We had to put them in order of value without looking at the prices on the back and chat about our reasons for the choices. Luckily they didn't have to be accurate, the researchers just needed to know if you could talk, interact and make decisions. You then had to pick out the three which you would take to auction.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhaFq69fULM/UX-OhmDmICI/AAAAAAAACks/o4ALZ-M2n-A/s1600/BH+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhaFq69fULM/UX-OhmDmICI/AAAAAAAACks/o4ALZ-M2n-A/s320/BH+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr C's shiny little head got in the way of this photo. You can see the picture selections on the tables. We were smugly pleased with ourselves that we chose the three most valuable items in our selection!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4HOPBY-PPM/UX-OjHdfQII/AAAAAAAACk0/qST1z9uhhCc/s1600/BH+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4HOPBY-PPM/UX-OjHdfQII/AAAAAAAACk0/qST1z9uhhCc/s320/BH+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous fleeces!</td></tr>
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Next the researchers unveiled a "bonus buy" which we had to discuss, ask questions and decide whether to accept or not. These were just ordinary items which the researchers waffled about as though they were valuable. Ours was a Caithness glass bottle - I quite liked it, Mr C didn't. Par for the course, as usual!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCwfMZd9Qvk/UX-OkeVGE3I/AAAAAAAACk8/S8wT81l7lGM/s1600/BH+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCwfMZd9Qvk/UX-OkeVGE3I/AAAAAAAACk8/S8wT81l7lGM/s320/BH+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr C looking confused and wondering why I had applied in the first place!</td></tr>
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Finally we all got a chance to wear the fleeces (we had blue) and be filmed while pretending to be interviewed by "Tim" (ie a researcher). Those fleeces are reeeeaaallly thick, very useful when contestants are tramping around a freezing, rain-soaked showground! Here are two of the teams having their interviews...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrEm0ASoXss/UX-OjwOP1QI/AAAAAAAAClE/55t5UaHvDOI/s1600/BH+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrEm0ASoXss/UX-OjwOP1QI/AAAAAAAAClE/55t5UaHvDOI/s320/BH+006.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Such fun! - as Miranda's mother would say.</div>
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Just thought I'd add a photo of my latest makes. One is a reversible little cotton jacket I made for Miss Peach Pudding...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twh93B1_CQM/UX-R33G6hGI/AAAAAAAAClU/LVIDmYFuRbg/s1600/Reverse+Jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twh93B1_CQM/UX-R33G6hGI/AAAAAAAAClU/LVIDmYFuRbg/s320/Reverse+Jacket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... the other is a blue wool jacket in the same pattern, with a reworked man's shirt lining for The Girl Genius.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9TF0zSUtWg/UX-R4q1OOlI/AAAAAAAAClY/_3uoou2XlFM/s1600/tangle+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9TF0zSUtWg/UX-R4q1OOlI/AAAAAAAAClY/_3uoou2XlFM/s320/tangle+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love to you all xxx</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-60678746389616575452013-04-15T02:57:00.000-07:002013-04-15T02:57:36.136-07:00Sunshine and Sewing - Super!<div style="text-align: center;">
The spare bedroom vanished again! This time under all the stuff I put together and labelled for my stall at the St Andrew's Hospice Vintage Fair yesterday. Isn't it a job and a half doing all the packing, unpacking, labelling, setting up and such? Forget the marathon, just do a fair if you want exercise!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma4zQytlqn4/UWvKXjvzEFI/AAAAAAAACjk/OU_toJNkUak/s1600/VintageFair+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma4zQytlqn4/UWvKXjvzEFI/AAAAAAAACjk/OU_toJNkUak/s320/VintageFair+Collage.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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This was my stall. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCCqPxgEKWs/UWvLSkRonXI/AAAAAAAACjw/DcLjnMF_SmQ/s1600/carradstall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCCqPxgEKWs/UWvLSkRonXI/AAAAAAAACjw/DcLjnMF_SmQ/s320/carradstall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was in a corner but not out of general footfall so it was quite pleasant. No-one had a huge sales day, perhaps due to the lovely sunshine and a couple of other fairs (wedding and record) in town. It was worth the day, however, and lovely to chat to the other stall holders.</div>
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Apart from this, what have I done? ...</div>
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I attended a Rowan workshop on fairisle and intarsia, which was fun and provided a couple of enlightening moments after all the years of tangling up yarns and knitting untidy reverses. I am now inspired to make another cushion for my workroom in my duck egg/teal and raspberry colours:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbiiDjs81bw/UWvMk6m8XkI/AAAAAAAACkA/jrc-9Qe3DvM/s1600/intarsia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbiiDjs81bw/UWvMk6m8XkI/AAAAAAAACkA/jrc-9Qe3DvM/s320/intarsia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carrying it all on a tray was one of the enlightened moments, so that when the door bell goes or there's a burning smell from the oven you can leap up and not get totally lost...</div>
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Have you been inspired by BBC's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0165nj8">Great British Sewing Bee</a>? And of course, the lovely Patrick? How I covet that workroom and all its contents (plus the lovely Patrick)!</div>
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<img height="320" src="http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/262x393/g_j/GreatBritishSewingBee_GQ_02Apr13_bbc_1280_262x393.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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I've made a couple more clothing items and also created a new Fashionista Sister, twice the size of the previous girls, with a "wooden dutch doll" twist. I'm thinking of doing another with striped fabric to give a Victorian swimsuit look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKC0H8C6X7Y/UWvOaQt0neI/AAAAAAAACkU/_Q5Wc2N1nWY/s1600/vintagefair+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKC0H8C6X7Y/UWvOaQt0neI/AAAAAAAACkU/_Q5Wc2N1nWY/s320/vintagefair+004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DA6YUzPYR8/UWvOalPElBI/AAAAAAAACkY/PjCc8RaU89E/s1600/vintagefair+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DA6YUzPYR8/UWvOalPElBI/AAAAAAAACkY/PjCc8RaU89E/s320/vintagefair+003.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Happy crafting, lovelies, and have a great week xxx</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-24663467813301124392013-04-07T00:13:00.000-07:002013-04-07T00:13:42.399-07:00The Joy of Stash<div style="text-align: center;">
An Easter Bunny called at my house last week.</div>
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<a href="http://lindaslilleverden.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/paaske-hare-med-egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://lindaslilleverden.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/paaske-hare-med-egg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Actually it was a lovely friend of mine, visiting family in the area. She couldn't stop but filled my porch with.... STASH!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2TNPWiwzAk/UWEagVXx5CI/AAAAAAAACi0/FtDyzKd6hlA/s1600/yarn+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2TNPWiwzAk/UWEagVXx5CI/AAAAAAAACi0/FtDyzKd6hlA/s320/yarn+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpXm20nTjW4/UWEagFjnvBI/AAAAAAAACis/WuzfbIj088k/s1600/yarn+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpXm20nTjW4/UWEagFjnvBI/AAAAAAAACis/WuzfbIj088k/s320/yarn+003.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZCQwfLFTk0/UWEagahcaNI/AAAAAAAACiw/HciU_xJMBnA/s1600/yarn+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZCQwfLFTk0/UWEagahcaNI/AAAAAAAACiw/HciU_xJMBnA/s320/yarn+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How kind (and exciting) is that?</div>
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So far I have made...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgUz4GV3Z9A/UWEau_WQjsI/AAAAAAAACjI/zNVgA4JPEqk/s1600/jumper+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgUz4GV3Z9A/UWEau_WQjsI/AAAAAAAACjI/zNVgA4JPEqk/s320/jumper+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A waistcoat from a felted woolly jumper and some hand-felting by my friend...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoTrX6EzZCQ/UWEavmQ_AXI/AAAAAAAACjY/ZADSPUwMTU8/s1600/waistcoat+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoTrX6EzZCQ/UWEavmQ_AXI/AAAAAAAACjY/ZADSPUwMTU8/s320/waistcoat+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A teacosy which looks oddly like a sheep...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAiKAno9CsU/UWEavBNuYGI/AAAAAAAACjU/n2iINdHxzVo/s1600/dress+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAiKAno9CsU/UWEavBNuYGI/AAAAAAAACjU/n2iINdHxzVo/s320/dress+002.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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...and a dress to wear at my stall at a vintage fair next week. The fabric itself is vintage - it belonged to my friend's Great Aunt Ella.</div>
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I've also made a scarf and am contemplating my next attack on the stash. I can't wait to make things with the lovely picture-based fabrics.</div>
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The sun is out and I'm going back to my workroom to enjoy the sunshine through the window and...make things! Hope you have a great making week too. xxx</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-22285845189608919162013-03-31T06:26:00.000-07:002013-03-31T06:26:37.825-07:00Making Stuff, Liking Stuff<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Easter!</div>
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Little crocheted circles have been wandering randomly all over the house as I progress through my 144 motif challenge. I'm now onto the hexagons so I decided to make use of the circles. I had four canvases on which, ages ago, I had attached some of my fabric weaving. The circles colour-matched perfectly so I sewed them on, adding a few buttons as well.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQpOGz0Noe8/UVg1gx4lc9I/AAAAAAAACiU/WQRz_DHmR-0/s1600/collageCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQpOGz0Noe8/UVg1gx4lc9I/AAAAAAAACiU/WQRz_DHmR-0/s320/collageCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also completed a woolly hat from my "Weekend Knitting" book<img height="232" src="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c574653ef01156ef6eef4970c-500wi" width="320" /></div>
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which is supposed to look like this in adult size...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/storage/wk-p135ps2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1360623793393" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="241" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Melanie Falick</td></tr>
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... however it actually looks like this!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTMTVLoTyA/UVg3dsAEHTI/AAAAAAAACic/51NZagfyHxI/s1600/000+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTMTVLoTyA/UVg3dsAEHTI/AAAAAAAACic/51NZagfyHxI/s320/000+002.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I'm currently knitting a smaller size!!!</div>
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***</div>
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I would just like to share with you, two companies I have just found and love. I'm not promoting for money or anything but I really like the stuff they produce:</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.pipii.co.uk/">Pipii </a> </div>
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<img alt="Welcome to the home of pipii….fantastic decoration, earth friendly eco tableware and beautiful garlands, scrumptious recipes…just about everything to create a unique festive occasion …" src="http://www.pipii.co.uk/skin/frontend/default/pipii/images/home-text.png" /></div>
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2.<a href="http://www.foreveramano.com/"> Foreveramano</a></div>
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<img height="206" src="http://www.foreveramano.com/images/newhomepage/Spring2013.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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I hope you have as much fun as I've had looking at these two lovely websites.<br />
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Have a great week xxx<br />
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-26044409927819001922013-03-24T01:15:00.000-07:002013-03-24T01:15:14.923-07:00Tarting Up The Workroom<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw a glimmer of sunshine the other day and felt spurred on to do the paint job I had been promising myself for ages. My workroom shelves have been plain old wood since they were built and I had loaded up lots of junk on them. The poor things are bowed and bent with the strain!</div>
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So off came everything...</div>
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... and into the spare bedroom it went. Yes, there is a bed in there somewhere!</div>
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It was amazing how much rubbish I had accumulated and I had a thoroughly good "getting rid" session.</div>
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I had hoped to paint the shelves in Ivory Tusk from Wilkos, but there was none to be found, so chose Calm White. </div>
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Et voila!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioNLmy78ND4/UU60SRhCJpI/AAAAAAAACiI/41CAz2zYp5E/s1600/shelving+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioNLmy78ND4/UU60SRhCJpI/AAAAAAAACiI/41CAz2zYp5E/s320/shelving+008.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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A place for everything and everything in its place...for now...</div>
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Happy crafting, lovelies! xxx</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-59198610568615085422013-03-18T06:06:00.000-07:002013-03-18T06:06:49.071-07:00Mauve Makings and a Bit of Home<div style="text-align: center;">
Mauve - the colour men don't understand.</div>
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I seem to have been making mauve stuff recently, including three bags. A friend gave me a lovely piece of velvet which I made into the two bags below. They're lined with some retro spotty-flowery fabric I bought at a vintage fair recently.</div>
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The stash bag below was an old jumper, reloved into a receptacle for my lovely balls of Rico Essentials cotton. I am 28 motifs into my 144 Motif Challenge, whew!</div>
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I've been thinking about how to incorporate my knitting and sewing loves together. (Have I already told you this? Sorry if so, aged brain failing to retain things these days!) I've started with this little cushion taking two of my lovely fat quarters and two patches from my Debbie Abrahams book.</div>
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The other week I was up early and at the railway station. Too early as the train was running later and I had half an hour to kill. As the station is by the beach I thought I would do a little collage of Cleethorpes sea front. It's not the Riviera but it's home.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dsYEPcRmzRk/UUcQ2hLCIGI/AAAAAAAAChc/uCZ9qciaZbY/s1600/Cleethorpes+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dsYEPcRmzRk/UUcQ2hLCIGI/AAAAAAAAChc/uCZ9qciaZbY/s400/Cleethorpes+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope you like it xxx</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-31720137081989459792013-03-11T01:15:00.000-07:002013-03-11T01:15:58.603-07:00A Good Day Chez Moi<div style="text-align: center;">
Other than the sad part, as yesterday's post, I had a lovely Mother's Day. Lots of flowers, Thornton's chocs, a reed diffuser, a Radley cotton carrier bag and a Radley mug. I have to admit on the blog that my surname is Radley so all family females have the bags and/or other accessories. Even The Girl Genius and Miss Peach Pudding received a Radley bag for their first birthdays. These are being put carefully away by their mums so that they will have pristine vintage bags when they are young women.</div>
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The Carrad minors either visited or sent loving phone messages. Everyone was super-kind, remembering it was my first without my mum. It was, however, not quite as sad as I thought it might be. I had many lovely memories of mum to think through and I know that had she still been alive she would have been suffering.</div>
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... and this was how I spent most of the day! I curled up on the chair in my comfy corner and started working through the 144 crochet motifs in my book with my ten new balls of Rico essential cottons. They are such wonderful colours!</div>
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I've only done eight so far and am disproportionately excited to get on with the rest!</div>
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Thank you to those lovely ladies who sent such nice comments to my post yesterday. Your words mean a lot. xxx </div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-31421894014835691732013-03-09T23:50:00.002-08:002013-03-09T23:50:45.130-08:00Happy Picture<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a quickie today. I don't usually show my face on my blog but, as it's Mothering Sunday, I wanted to share my favourite photo of me and my late mum. This is my first Mum's Day alone and I miss her so much.</div>
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May I wish all you blogging mums and grandmas out there a very special day xxx</div>
carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-53217708179315141452013-03-03T02:54:00.000-08:002013-03-03T02:54:37.779-08:00Fair, Fabric and Faffing About on Trains<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday I went to the Sheffield Vintage Fair</div>
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It was a beautiful, mild spring day and just to prove it there in the square was a wonderfully typical English folk dance festival in full swing.</div>
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The fair took place in the City Hall and was busy as usual. I wasn't staying quite as long as usual so didn't manage the tea and cupcake, sadly.</div>
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I didn't buy too much either, but couldn't resist the fabric stall!</div>
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The larger piece is true vintage tea-dyed and the smaller a fifties-style fabric by Next. Now what to do with them? Very exciting!</div>
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These lovely co-ordinating little fabric pieces are calling out to be fashioned into pretties. Again, I don't quite know what, but very much looking forward to using them.</div>
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The "faffing about" bit was the reason I spent less time in Sheffield. I don't know if you've picked it up on the news but a whole stretch of railway has collapsed at Hatfield colliery. As you will see below there's no hope of a train running over those rails! </div>
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This means a bus service has been laid on between Scunthorpe and Doncaster and makes the journey so much longer. Coming home the train should have arrived at Doncaster at 15.05, with the bus leaving at 15.15. The train arrived at 15.14 meaning an incredible sprint, worthy of Jess Ennis, for these little legs to get from the rail station to the far end of the bus station for the coach, but I managed it. That's my exercise for this year!</div>
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The weather's not so nice today so I'm having a stay in and stitch day in my workroom. Couldn't be better!</div>
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carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4708670085172484408.post-46825131017333726672013-02-22T07:40:00.000-08:002013-02-22T07:40:05.337-08:00An Aqua Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />carradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05654761214450747676noreply@blogger.com1