tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40527235139868425702024-02-07T04:42:48.193+00:00Lucy 'In the sky'Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.comBlogger545125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-38367131789720866602018-08-17T23:12:00.002+01:002018-08-17T23:12:34.909+01:00I am experimenting <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is just experimental after not posting for ages I am checking out the functionality of the blog after it has been abandoned for so long. I am also toying with the idea of starting a new blog. Things seem to have changed a lot with blogger, blogspot etc. What is everyone using these days? xx<br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-13658515030747313322014-11-06T20:32:00.000+00:002014-11-06T20:32:04.146+00:00Around The World Blog Hop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnyktnMzEP5paq-hNa1fyV9VYBYBkLpw6wlD_Ujeh2zK6a-T7rJwU8LiH0Vvr03BOPnKTsfZT0KcEB877oUehNjh08eLjOM-C8VtdmfI5u7fNNJ6m4yR_vgKHqGTRKFcvdUGPjUZe4A4/s1600/Earth-Pictures-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnyktnMzEP5paq-hNa1fyV9VYBYBkLpw6wlD_Ujeh2zK6a-T7rJwU8LiH0Vvr03BOPnKTsfZT0KcEB877oUehNjh08eLjOM-C8VtdmfI5u7fNNJ6m4yR_vgKHqGTRKFcvdUGPjUZe4A4/s1600/Earth-Pictures-19.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a while since I have done any kind of Blog Hop, I am trying to get used to blogging regularly again. (I know I am not exactly succeeding but it is all ok with me). Sometimes life gets in the way of such pleasures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steph at <a href="http://dollydollydaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/around-world-blog-hop.html">Show and Tell</a> Blog asked me if I wanted to take part in the 'Around The World Blog Hop'. She said some very nice things about me too, which made me blush a bit. I had to google the colour Octarine. You will enjoy Steph's Blog and her 'work', it always makes me smile.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNpq_NEX09jA1_8nL-hmU8rTF83PKoEHuhSzXrKxKPhmWp2ii7lN472iagl9wylMC6p2KGeqC_I_DBtpMxgxhEB9hh7RcMcp4L0zqI_OixBDFPGhxr0gmWhW9p1N2X_gmzZU69MeEgVk/s1600/100_9811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNpq_NEX09jA1_8nL-hmU8rTF83PKoEHuhSzXrKxKPhmWp2ii7lN472iagl9wylMC6p2KGeqC_I_DBtpMxgxhEB9hh7RcMcp4L0zqI_OixBDFPGhxr0gmWhW9p1N2X_gmzZU69MeEgVk/s1600/100_9811.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Steph is very clever and works on a wide variety of beautiful textile, art and craft projects. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFFsWunxUjOMZ4IGgoxch7lIqpVx3sp2MwRcuwvvgpt_Xm85rHbOd9advPmUAoPqdb2MPDqV-bex_DnbC3WBTWq3LU1FKGQ97JPfZnUR7Es-h9ZWv3NU56oPgR26hmUN5IQ-OnmTGCfo/s1600/100_8239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFFsWunxUjOMZ4IGgoxch7lIqpVx3sp2MwRcuwvvgpt_Xm85rHbOd9advPmUAoPqdb2MPDqV-bex_DnbC3WBTWq3LU1FKGQ97JPfZnUR7Es-h9ZWv3NU56oPgR26hmUN5IQ-OnmTGCfo/s1600/100_8239.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a page from a Fabric Book Steph is working on.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the Hop I have to 'tag' three other bloggers and then answer some questions. Let us see how we go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first stop is Israel. Over to Henya's Blog <a href="http://www.chickenstitches.com/blog/">Chicken Stitches</a>. Henya's life and work fascinates me. One of the wonderful things about blogging is we can literally 'hop' around the World and peek in at each others lives. Lives we would often remain ignorant to. Not only is Henya a busy mom to eight, by my standards she is a prolific, talented and adventurous knitter, crocheter and pattern designer. Recently she spotted a lady in a waiting room wearing a machine knit with an unfamiliar stitch she admired, Henya went home and spent a couple of hours getting that stitch right. She makes and sells beautiful stitch markers and very practical patterns.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E81Y5F1cM0E41p4U27jZYOUiv87TrXlyBb5-NJclGGmj0XlgjrOslDTFlqXZXKyMCsCk_I8arvyNB8KWtNIR5nAG_98imPsmFhxRcmkKG5v7Sgh_n5zT8uCU_kCgCJ6CzfL2V0N61gs/s1600/4370052354_2a96647bac_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E81Y5F1cM0E41p4U27jZYOUiv87TrXlyBb5-NJclGGmj0XlgjrOslDTFlqXZXKyMCsCk_I8arvyNB8KWtNIR5nAG_98imPsmFhxRcmkKG5v7Sgh_n5zT8uCU_kCgCJ6CzfL2V0N61gs/s1600/4370052354_2a96647bac_z.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You have time to order stitch markers for Christmas if you are quick and possibly to knit up a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amazing-siberian-slippers">Siberian Slippers</a> or two. (I wish I had a pair right now, it is cold. Brrrrr).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqophmYBiW_FoH35q8gslqjkuCOc-9mD9r6PaBn4aK-Vcyj2tcauO-Jyc28iBAk4nG8gCtSUYCe567scWeY07vNO3jhrjJfQH0Ud4y_yjynIgBDMs3Uo9TQ_-jsxKo_NfaxPRA9OtXP2o/s1600/7948248784_8dda85823e_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqophmYBiW_FoH35q8gslqjkuCOc-9mD9r6PaBn4aK-Vcyj2tcauO-Jyc28iBAk4nG8gCtSUYCe567scWeY07vNO3jhrjJfQH0Ud4y_yjynIgBDMs3Uo9TQ_-jsxKo_NfaxPRA9OtXP2o/s1600/7948248784_8dda85823e_m.jpg" height="400" width="386" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I hope you enjoy Henya's Blog as much as I do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next stop, we are going to 'The Land Down Under'. I am pretty sure I will only ever visit Australia by Blog. Never say never, I know but I am not the most seasoned of travelers and I flap quite a lot when I am away from home. As a child on the beach I used to think if I dug far enough I really could drop down into Australia. Next Blog is <a href="http://ruffs%20adventures/">Ruffs Adventures</a> written by my lovely blog buddy Wendy. Wendy and I seem to share a sense of humor across the miles. Her blog makes me smile and laugh. She travels about all over the place and has real adventures. Ask her the one about the blind Cockatoo. It makes me laugh every time I think about it. Wendy's crochet creations are usually beautiful gifts for her family or friends. Some mittens found their way across the globe to me and I love them. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H03kKTlmsnkEC7o2WfxVBPHEhKxztQEcSYtvsOhQzVrHveR3xrdcy7Sl_5QLaRcnsIyzrWHb_n46zn2iXRJvtgTm4TVQRTqWzvrKVr9KuLLMEM0SdNWrlgJEeJpeIFTt_TSuiz4_ORA/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H03kKTlmsnkEC7o2WfxVBPHEhKxztQEcSYtvsOhQzVrHveR3xrdcy7Sl_5QLaRcnsIyzrWHb_n46zn2iXRJvtgTm4TVQRTqWzvrKVr9KuLLMEM0SdNWrlgJEeJpeIFTt_TSuiz4_ORA/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wendy manages to craft on her adventures too</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My next <strike>victim</strike> I mean willing Blog Hopper is Sarah at <a href="http://knitsandcrosses.blogspot.co.uk/">Knits and Crosses</a>. Sarah is very busy at the moment, she has a 'Wee One' who is a cutie but a 'work stopper' and she is also moving house. Blogging and yarn maybe down her list of priorities at the moment. I really admire her work. I just love the style of what she makes. I am always fascinated by her work in progress and her use of colour and texture. Her knitting and weaving is in my opinion 'works of art'. Check out her blog and her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/193997865/upcycled-colourful-knitted-scarf?ref=hp_mod_rf">Etsy shop</a>. I am not shamelessly advertising for a friend, you will love her work and maybe you are looking for something special as a Christmas gift? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkAPP5ZyZbvbCMvCoDkhnxAgfvhCLWn2_nOlFfMHr04bIytj3DpwoAImdUo64Mr9pljRDi6_YuYvgix_UUdpzbTWtAESIOXRI2Ko7nYz3KPbXMaSSH1RAECnsXiGUmU_OS1YEXLTbaYE/s1600/il_570xN.618283732_o2ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkAPP5ZyZbvbCMvCoDkhnxAgfvhCLWn2_nOlFfMHr04bIytj3DpwoAImdUo64Mr9pljRDi6_YuYvgix_UUdpzbTWtAESIOXRI2Ko7nYz3KPbXMaSSH1RAECnsXiGUmU_OS1YEXLTbaYE/s1600/il_570xN.618283732_o2ad.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have to answer questions? I think I will make this as quick and painless as I can for us all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What am I working on?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't call any of it work. I play. I 'work' on several things at once and whatever catches my eye along the way. Whatever I do I like it to be for pleasure and not a chore. Recently I have enjoyed knitting, not tinking! I am still dabbling with 'free form' crochet and I am using ruffle yarn for the first time. Spinning and crochet are my first loves. I don't do enough of either and I get frustrated that life gets in the way. My favourite project so far this year has to be the 'Wool Against Weapons' panels. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUuSn9nAPuqum-SWg1olHLhnU_HKP_1yKySyw4hcZUl8lG1gd-wnidYpxhmQuECXLybvKNjZdjD5yb4lDyd5zqf5Du1QrAzWtA1Rps1MKZfE1aLKCxyv3DlANNRb_g3AbUkvUadwYAGQ/s1600/DSC00060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUuSn9nAPuqum-SWg1olHLhnU_HKP_1yKySyw4hcZUl8lG1gd-wnidYpxhmQuECXLybvKNjZdjD5yb4lDyd5zqf5Du1QrAzWtA1Rps1MKZfE1aLKCxyv3DlANNRb_g3AbUkvUadwYAGQ/s1600/DSC00060.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I did not get to the demonstration but I sent four panels, the one being pinned to the fence is one of mine. I am still proud of it! Craftivism is something I am starting to really enjoy and I love the concept of it. My next blog post will explain more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How does my work differ from others in it's genre?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Part of why I 'create' or make is to counterbalance my despair with mass production. We can't escape it. I see craft as life skills. spinning, weaving, making fabrics and then garments or utility pieces. There is something very organic and therapeutic about being able to produce and create your own unique stuff. The World seems to go too fast for my liking. Creating is 'Time Out' for me. I can't understand why everyone is not as enthusiastic about yarn and fluff as I am?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Why do I write or create what I do?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A friend recently stopped me in my tracks by asking me 'Why are you crocheting fungi?' 'Why'? Do I need a reason? Why doesn't everyone crochet fungi? Fungi are amazing and so is crochet putting the two together is my idea of fun. Seriously, there is no seriously. Why do anything other than for the reason it makes you 'happy'?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How does my writing/creating process work?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a very haphazard fashion. I write to 'discuss' things with like minded people. If you like what I write you keep coming back. As a child I had penfriends from all around the world, France, Italy, USA, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Brazil and more. I used airmail paper and postage stamps and sometimes it would take weeks for the letters to go on their travels and arrive at their destination. I have had my penfriend from Zimbabwe for nearly 35yrs. We have never met and we now communicate regularly in real time via facebook. It amazes me! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The internet is a great source of knowledge and inspiration. I have found other people who crochet fungi. I know, how cool is that? There really are others out there who crochet fungi. 'Creating' helps me to stop and 'smell the flowers' and to stop and admire natures creations and wonders. Inspiration and ideas are everywhere. It is a shame there is only 24hrs in a day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for hopping with me. xx</span><br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-90055528348570876582014-10-31T09:27:00.000+00:002014-10-31T11:03:34.925+00:00The Haunted Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am feeling so brave. My trusty ten year old Ghost Buster is feeling very brave too. This in an advertising poster for an 'event' that we went to last night. It was called 'The Haunting' and it took part in the gardens of Ragley Hall.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.hha.org.uk/Property/397/Ragley-Hall">You can read a bit more about Ragley here :) </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember the Ghost Train or the Haunted House, like that but outside, in the real dark! In a setting that quite possibly has real ghosts of its own. On the long, dark drive through the estate to get the house, my ten year old Ghost Buster no longer wanted to ghost bust at all. He wanted to go home. It felt like a real life Scooby Doo adventure. I told him we should face our fears and we could always escape if we needed to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> At the start of our adventure a leaf blew across the path, just a leaf, I thought it was a rat and it made me jump. There were about twenty people in our group. You had to be 10yrs or over. We walked down a dark path where we were greeted in an alarming fashion by 'Edward The Gardener'. When one member of our group screamed or shouted, we all screamed and shouted! It was absolutely hilarious but nerve wracking. I think Edward The Gardener is very lucky nobody struck him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We stumbled around the garden in the dark not knowing what to expect. I did not want to be at the back of the group and I certainly did not want to be at the front, I was not even happy at the sides. I knew there would be goofs jumping out! There were shrieks, growls, screams, cries for help and laughter resonating in the darkness and a bit of storytelling. There were statues than ran after you and a horrible little ghoul girl with a loud scream. The whole time we were trying to avoid Mildred, a murderous witch. At one point a member of our party wandered off, we all tried to warn him and we shouted 'Hey you, come back' but he went and got murdered noisily behind a large yew tree. Nobody lingered to check upon his welfare. I think we all assumed it was a pretty thorough job and he was a lost cause. I am not sure if they do that every show? They must get through a fair number of employees. I am not sure how they would get around the 'Health and Safety in the Workplace' regulations either. </span><br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Job duty description - Go behind the large Yew tree and get garrotted. </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You will understand the lack of my own photographs, no one in their right mind would hang about to take photographs. The gardens looked really other worldly with the lighting on the trees and plants, the shadows and the silhouettes mixed with the topiary really over fired your imagination. There were people running about in the shrubs in the dark, I think maybe some characters had more than one role and had to dart about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Edward the gardener offered us his last torch and left us to find our own way out. I did not trust his gesture and thought the torch would be a signal for a baddy to get you! I kind of wish I took the torch now. I decided the best way out was to jog. I could have sprinted at that point if I had to. It was uphill and I was shattered when we got back to the car. It really was ridiculously funny once you got safely locked into your car and it was over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Whoever had this idea is a genius. It was a great setting for such an adventure. Halloween is one of those things that you either do or don't celebrate for whatever reasons. I love this time of year. I do not like all the over dyed food and Haribo. Those are the true horrors of Halloween. I do like a nice baked potato and pumpkin soup though. I hope you are spending Halloween doing what makes you happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-16683425183747600022014-10-28T10:40:00.000+00:002014-10-28T10:40:21.473+00:00Local Produce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn3Iby93NAlY6u-6o29r5gASJdxtP1bXyM949b7Zk7pu1_fkvgz06D5rXFIFpMomOJAq7rkHGBNLhskWnsdETVPYT0rwXo3zB6tbhp4Sr2gK2RoIx0kPtgjAS0o-bV7l3f9jSJoF1Ttg/s1600/VB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn3Iby93NAlY6u-6o29r5gASJdxtP1bXyM949b7Zk7pu1_fkvgz06D5rXFIFpMomOJAq7rkHGBNLhskWnsdETVPYT0rwXo3zB6tbhp4Sr2gK2RoIx0kPtgjAS0o-bV7l3f9jSJoF1Ttg/s1600/VB.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once a fortnight we have a vegetable box delivery from a local farm. All of the produce is locally grown and seasonal. It has never made sense to me to be buying food out of season that has been flown sometimes thousands of miles, to hit our tables with its inferior quality. High cost to our pocket and high cost to the environment. I am not preaching. We all do what we can. There is a fair amount of 'junk' consumed in this house but we try to balance it out to make sure we eat a wide variety of natural foods. I also think it is important to support smaller local businesses that are being pushed out and stifled by the 'Global Giants'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Win win, we get great food and 'vegetable box delivery day' causes much excitement. To get children excited about growing and eating vegetables is quite an achievement. The youngest has loved the 'Rainbow Chard', I am not sure if the bright colour is the attraction. It steams super quick, is lovely and tender and a vitamin powerhouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This weeks box contained:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leeks</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Potatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An enormous cauliflower</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An enormous Savoy cabbage</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Very muddy carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Very muddy parsnips</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Swiss Chard</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Two very cute Butternut Squash</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Onions</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cavolo Nero</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Broccoli</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made a quick soup with the Butternut Squash and some carrots so it was ready for an after school snack. The whole pot of soup was gone within half an hour. The weather has turned, it has been a bit of a shock it has been cold, wet and windy, perfect soup weather.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Butternut and Carrot Soup</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some Butternut (I used two little cute ones, I would have happily used a big one)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some Muddy Carrots (I used two, washed and peeled)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">some onion (I used one small one)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A stick of celery (I used it because I had it)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One vegetable stock cube</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">salt/pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">herbs if you fancy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some water ( I think the amount of water depends on what you fancy)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I might fry all of the vegetables slowly first, or I might just chuck it all in the slow pot, when it is cooked I whizz it with the hand blender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is an interesting Blog Post here; <a href="http://becomingpeculiar.com/why-i-choose-to-spend-more-money-on-groceries/">5 Reasons I choose to spend more on my groceries.</a></span></div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-37176342445716014842014-10-21T07:35:00.000+01:002014-10-21T07:35:08.989+01:00Part 2: Art Gallery Ramblings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXYM13tSdE5bRICId5_XpJ_0Vy9nQNW8xFJwnyyEBpP80QT7sUljv5PNcNrGTgXpOuJ_1kg7KjWhVVih9KraaqO5s9JZlh1BNC4SDHFP_wbCYcB9Pn8fgFsFregMxh-tMgr-ocO-Mb_k/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXYM13tSdE5bRICId5_XpJ_0Vy9nQNW8xFJwnyyEBpP80QT7sUljv5PNcNrGTgXpOuJ_1kg7KjWhVVih9KraaqO5s9JZlh1BNC4SDHFP_wbCYcB9Pn8fgFsFregMxh-tMgr-ocO-Mb_k/s1600/043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This piece was created and completed in a day by the talented Birmingham artist 'Sweaty Eskimo'. It celebrates the cities culture and heritage.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I should explain the title of my last blog post? 'La de dah... I'm a lady'. Sitting in the Edwardian Tea Rooms at The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, gave me delusions of grandeur and instantly made me think of this character, Emily Howard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJ8e6UVpLNg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am actually not so much a fan of these shows or the sketches but the the characters are very well known here. She frequently reminds everyone 'I'm a lady'. I really need to do some research because I know the Birmingham Guild of Knitters and Crocheters used to meet once a month in the Tea Rooms for their 'Knitter Knatter'. Crochet and delusions of grandeur is my kind of day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I am really pleased reading comments under my last post that I am tempting some of you to possibly visit Birmingham. You could read my Blog Posts with a Brummie accent and you would get some idea of how I sound. I do not have a strong Brummie accent, but if I stray from the Midlands people ask if I am a Brummie. There are regional accents and dialects within the Midlands, in the Midlands I would not be classed as having a Brummie accent. We all speak English, but you have trouble understanding some of the regional twangs. From town to town the accent and dialects differ. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are some great videos on Youtube with examples of 'Black Country' dialect and accent. I don't want to bore you, if you are interested you can find them for yourself. The above video is a little old, the city is in the middle of some pretty big changes/improvements to the infrastructure. The main streets and squares in Birmingham I think are very clean for a big city. Obviously all major cities across the globe have social problems. Birmingham is beautifully multi-cultural. Last year I went to the city unknowingly on the day of a large, contentious demonstration by the British National Party. (I don't want to get political but personally I think the least said about them the better). I was in awe of how the Police managed the demonstration, the whole city seemed to be covered and it went off fairly peacefully. I am sure Birmingham is a safe as anywhere else. It is a very cultural place, great theatres, music halls, music heritage, bars and restaurants. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I wanted to share and ask you about some of the 'art' that I saw. I did ask which bits I could photograph, I don't like getting told off especially in public places!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEJQ5ayT9ShNO5kK9Ctz7GLSECdXQsqxFzq270n9c25xnRRrMZjBK6EKkOPK0awtYocxznjLJkp27wFhXvFt8vesi3-ObgvXfnq3P9NjrL3WPN0MP5UqE4U4cSz1V4SPnxtHW6IagMmE/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEJQ5ayT9ShNO5kK9Ctz7GLSECdXQsqxFzq270n9c25xnRRrMZjBK6EKkOPK0awtYocxznjLJkp27wFhXvFt8vesi3-ObgvXfnq3P9NjrL3WPN0MP5UqE4U4cSz1V4SPnxtHW6IagMmE/s1600/032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photographing paintings in a hurry is a bit rubbish, but you get the idea. This is my favourite painting ever. 'The Blind Girl' by John Everett Millais (1856). I think everything about this painting is beautiful. (Sorry the photograph does not do the painting justice at all). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XRvsP9Apm46WbbkKxTjkEnoBjA0VtjtyIKdvDpT0JbZ2lEyQpCSX-WHv4c_VlijgTZZEXKdkRtlfvnRwEltsVeWRGrSM-F1iAErQaD6QwgVZ8Yp8IM6PRCA2gMmJ7lcIQoz3AE8R-NQ/s1600/037-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XRvsP9Apm46WbbkKxTjkEnoBjA0VtjtyIKdvDpT0JbZ2lEyQpCSX-WHv4c_VlijgTZZEXKdkRtlfvnRwEltsVeWRGrSM-F1iAErQaD6QwgVZ8Yp8IM6PRCA2gMmJ7lcIQoz3AE8R-NQ/s1600/037-001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking at paintings by Lowry, remind me of this song released in 1977 in his memory. The song got to number 1, in the UK and I remember singing along to it as a child. (A small child, I would hasten to add)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like paintings that tell stories. I can cope with some 'Modern Art'. I like photography, patterns, colour, texture and geometric art. I just don't understand this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8FrGM0DhFl8wZvYHa5OABJkrsOpLJgqm1QBL-GaEq-QCXKYsUYeD2hWQxD5IVdznTvbp44FVqfXk-Ap8HEvMZNxJ-eO29cvezqEUQgHicNS_WgeRynJ0m59eyIcs1HJXi0yfHJ0m1cQ/s1600/039-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8FrGM0DhFl8wZvYHa5OABJkrsOpLJgqm1QBL-GaEq-QCXKYsUYeD2hWQxD5IVdznTvbp44FVqfXk-Ap8HEvMZNxJ-eO29cvezqEUQgHicNS_WgeRynJ0m59eyIcs1HJXi0yfHJ0m1cQ/s1600/039-001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">or this;</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2pzjjA74N1XjBNVpSdAUOHgg3XuvVJmzhlbPPajejCKiQH1vYmisUSeaRBoDhF6XtfuyrpuEOiMpm_A1g1vI2Z_bP2uJI9WdvFwkaMuXOFOII8BUy73fpJqnVFMvpRMB48C0Gj1u2to/s1600/040-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2pzjjA74N1XjBNVpSdAUOHgg3XuvVJmzhlbPPajejCKiQH1vYmisUSeaRBoDhF6XtfuyrpuEOiMpm_A1g1vI2Z_bP2uJI9WdvFwkaMuXOFOII8BUy73fpJqnVFMvpRMB48C0Gj1u2to/s1600/040-001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">or this one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09u2ObAQU3qJ7_9IwKDURlEFLPqNIHSDJUH5XW2-0Ww8kw2tYnIrJTwKDIv9ucUzDy4wKbWbGUsfpbua6h36TFPbVgr5B-p-1uBq2lF0qdYZXVRZmhxac9u5SJuG0XosDWiQSTNqu2OA/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09u2ObAQU3qJ7_9IwKDURlEFLPqNIHSDJUH5XW2-0Ww8kw2tYnIrJTwKDIv9ucUzDy4wKbWbGUsfpbua6h36TFPbVgr5B-p-1uBq2lF0qdYZXVRZmhxac9u5SJuG0XosDWiQSTNqu2OA/s1600/041.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not know the name of the artists for these pieces and I am worried I could cause offence with my ignorance, but come on now? What makes these masterpieces? Then you question the very basics, what is art? I think it would be quite funny to have a little hidden camera behind these pieces to capture people's puzzled expressions and to hear their opinions. I know my face must be a picture when I am standing in front of these trying to work them out. On the optimistic side, I am pretty sure I could churn out 'art' like this myself! Just a few splodges and squiggles... Bob's your uncle. The first time I took my youngest son to the gallery he stood in front of these and loudly exclaimed 'These are rubbish'! The makings of an art critic. The stupid thing is...since Saturday, I have been thinking about and pondering about these pieces and I think in spite of myself they may be growing on me. I am glad I photographed these to look at in the comfort of my own home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Two of the temporary exhibitions you could not photograph. 'True to Life?' New Photography from the Middle East, was fascinating and very moving, the portrayal of modern Middle Eastern women particularly struck a chord with me</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub7SEVq3f7zRAzZzYB2Zmd_sNk3DH0LayWurk5bpbLaXLKVF0fnOkJ-ypYwGSqiMpR_wLZZTa1tKPy7WxAwVDrhIcKfVyQA189CreF_na0rxZoYGFmt80zwzM1Ke5FVKJtpKBrvRhj8c/s1600/b226981d286dc20187151d100f3cfb72_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub7SEVq3f7zRAzZzYB2Zmd_sNk3DH0LayWurk5bpbLaXLKVF0fnOkJ-ypYwGSqiMpR_wLZZTa1tKPy7WxAwVDrhIcKfVyQA189CreF_na0rxZoYGFmt80zwzM1Ke5FVKJtpKBrvRhj8c/s1600/b226981d286dc20187151d100f3cfb72_0.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hassan Hajjjaj, Saida in Green 2000<br />
"The joyful. fashion conscious Moroccan woman in this image strikes a pose like models in magazines such as Elle or Vogue. Hajjaj presents her wearing traditional dress but in versions that are emblazoned with symbols of western culture.<br />
More broadly his images in their sculptural frames are a fusion of Arabic and Western worlds that challenge our perceptions of Morocco and the women who live there."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Then the exhibition 'Symmetry in Sculpture' by Zarah Hussain is amazing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz91VSJirxgy75Z2IO7ehReWlp80ZOfzfbyq9yQeC8WhAgKN3R-EDvHbihHaE0ZTdIB7VW5ANYFE63dsfVsMnDJkUjmv4DOH0G-WpmsnqBNdv5j-0dCCcRcZaHYzDUD9N0hQ9d96xToEg/s1600/DSC02520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz91VSJirxgy75Z2IO7ehReWlp80ZOfzfbyq9yQeC8WhAgKN3R-EDvHbihHaE0ZTdIB7VW5ANYFE63dsfVsMnDJkUjmv4DOH0G-WpmsnqBNdv5j-0dCCcRcZaHYzDUD9N0hQ9d96xToEg/s1600/DSC02520.JPG" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Search on Google images for 'Zarah Hussain' and you will get a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes. I would really like to play with yarn and crochet to explore Zarah Hussain's work. I am adding 'Geometric Crochet' to my list of things to do. A Zarah Hussain inspired Bedspread or wall hanging would be awesome. I maybe 112 years old, before I completed it though.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you as always for reading. Well done if you made it to the end of the post. Life resumes as normal again round these parts for a while. The delusions of grandeur bubble has burst, it was a lovely bit of escapism though. I will be back to writing about 'normal' stuff like 'crochet fungi' soon. xxx</span><br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-63213012656312884632014-10-19T15:30:00.001+01:002014-10-19T15:30:19.335+01:00La de dah...I'm a Lady...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city of Birmingham has to be one of my favourite places. Somebody has to love it. This is Chamberlain Square. The Building to the left is the Birmingham Museum and Gallery. That is where we headed yesterday bright and early. The museum received a multi million pound National Lottery grant to finance a new permanent gallery to house The Staffordshire Hoard. The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest hoard of Anglo Saxon Treasure ever to be found. It was practically stumbled upon by an amateur with a metal detector in a farmers field. Lucky find. It really is a story worth googling and googling it can do it more justice than I can. You are not allowed to photograph some of the exhibits or exhibitions in the gallery, so I have no pictures of the hoard. Awesome does not really come close to describing it. I have seen the hoard several times and I hope to see it many more times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Edwardian Tea Rooms have recently had a revamp within the museum. I think you would be hard pushed to find a more beautiful setting for a cuppa. It would be easy for 'one' to slip into the persona of an Edwardian Lady and get lost in delusions of grandeur. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We chose this comfortable little corner. I do not like anywhere if it is busy. We planned our journey to skip breakfast at home, catch the train and walk to the museum in time for opening. We were very ready for breakfast when we arrived and the tearoom was almost empty! I love it when something goes to plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The whole place is just eye candy. Can you see the beautiful floor?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to photograph the floor by my seat and I am glad I got the chair fabric in the shot too. The furniture is all mismatched and 'odd' but it works together beautifully, whoever designed the revamp is a real genius. If you are a coulour, pattern and texture fan you just can't stop looking everywhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the concept of framing part of the picture. The tea rooms started to fill up and I feel a bit silly going around with my camera but every wall has something different to look at. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not only can you get tea, you can get all kinds of tea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And coffee, I needed coffee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Small things please small minds and all that but that dinky milk bottle makes me smile. It is very nostalgic of the free school milk that we all used to receive daily. We would race our friends to drink our milk through little straws before we could go out to play. If you did not like milk, tough luck, you had to drink it anyway unless your parents sent a letter to explain you had allergies. Milk in the Winter was lovely and icy cold but in the Summer I used to hate my milk, it was warm and nasty. You had to hold your nose and drink it down quickly. I am sure many people have mixed memories about free school milk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How posh was my breakfast? It was so tasty and cooked beautifully. I am sure being hungry made it even nicer. The ten year old went for a Full English Breakfast, it is a regular feature of our weekends, we often cook a Full English Breakfast. Then you really don't need to eat again for quite some time. In fact it would be quite easy to consume double the recommended calorie intake just by breakfast alone. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8uYncYM6t4DmtcRE9IZBg3Vncstp6YTUC93evDmvkGtmN99RxskxGp1y-kD7vD8-jPuJ1pGCbddM5ExM1CCDwg2t9LsStEb_kO8qPeA1EocFrZ-aK0ZC2GhGv6rORPniTDmvYDqiRI4/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8uYncYM6t4DmtcRE9IZBg3Vncstp6YTUC93evDmvkGtmN99RxskxGp1y-kD7vD8-jPuJ1pGCbddM5ExM1CCDwg2t9LsStEb_kO8qPeA1EocFrZ-aK0ZC2GhGv6rORPniTDmvYDqiRI4/s1600/026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think this is a civilised Full English (sorry not for veggies). Do you get Black Pudding in other parts of the world? Black pudding is made by congealing pigs blood and mixing it with Oats Barley and seasoning. You buy it in rings or large sausage shapes. It is tasty if you don't think about what it actually is. I had a work colleague once who was brought up on a farm and his job as a child, after the pig had been slaughtered, was to keep stirring the bucket of blood so it congealed evenly. I could easily skip black pudding if I had to do that!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Because the museum are celebrating the opening of the new Staffordshire Hoard Gallery, they had some 'Anglo Saxon' specials on the board. I thought this was a nice idea especially for children. Food is a great way to secure some knowledge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They did add an Anglo Saxon veggie option of Barley and Vegetable Broth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Last week the Museum had another celebration. It was to commemorate 150yrs since the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/8-3XPL7dTim7Xpv39u8oXw">Sultanganj Buddha</a> statue arrived in Birmingham. It is the largest complete metal sculpture to come out of India and it was made and then buried for 700 yrs. It is a beautiful piece that is on display. If you click the link you can read a bit more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It is a work of art that you feel you haven't just looked at, he emits love and peace. The local Buddhist Community held blessings at the statue last week. I am so glad this piece found its way to Birmingham and it had quite an adventure getting here all those years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">People left origami lotus flowers at his feet. It is nice to know he is a much loved statue. He is in a little Buddha Gallery that is really worth a peek.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> This is a very photo heavy post. I think I should save the rest and get busy on another blog post. I would like to share some 'Modern Art' that I photographed because I just don't get it and you maybe able to enlighten me! Maybe modern art is like olives? You don't like it at first but you have to get accustomed to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> If you made it to the end of this post, well done you. I should include a little download for a certificate of achievement. Thanks for reading. It is nice to share happy days. :) xxx </span><br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-85890198597447304822014-10-13T17:47:00.000+01:002014-10-13T17:47:03.781+01:00Fungus Among Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_indusiatus">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_indusiatus</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am having a bit too much fun crocheting fungus. This week is the turn of Phallus Indusiatus or The Bamboo Mushroom which is much easier to say. If you have a mind to you can search Bamboo Mushroom on google images and you can see the variety of shapes and colours that they appear in. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=phallus+indusiatus&rlz=1C1ASAA_enGB428&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=624&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7P07VJOqAcaC7gbQ2oHYCw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ">Or click this link and I have searched it for you ;)</a> They are edible. I can't say I fancy them. I have never seen anything quite like it. I know when I have picked wild field mushrooms they have never made it to my plate as wild mushrooms seem full of grubs. I think the little skirt on a Bamboo Mushroom must offer it some protection from flying critters that would lay their eggs in the fungi, a bit like a built in mosquito net.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided straight away that Ruffle Yarn would be effective as the skirt. I had no ruffle yarn and I had never worked with it. I would be interested to know if you have worked with it how you got on. How did you find it to work with and what did you make? For freeform crochet effects ruffle yarn has great potential. It is pesky to work with though. I have seen Ruffle Yarn Scarf kits sold as suitable for beginners, I must be a bit challenged! I found it very frustrating to work with and control. I love my finished fungus though. I am keeping them in a shoe box. I am waiting for the weather to be nicer than it is today (it is nasty, windy and wet today) then I can take my fungi outside to photograph, (as you do). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used photographs and keep them in front of me while I crochet and I try and copy what I see. It is a bit like drawing or painting but with yarn and hooks. The caps of the mushrooms are crocheted using scrap singles of handspun yarn. I love being able to put the waste bits left on a bobbin to use. The stalks and skirts are commercial yarn. If you have never crocheted yourself some fungus, I really can't recommend it enough!</span><br />
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Thank you for reading and thank you very much for leaving your lovely comments. xx</div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-62121072500397709312014-10-09T22:04:00.000+01:002014-10-09T22:04:16.684+01:00Talking Turkey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://medicinal-mushrooms.net/turkey-tail-mushroom-extract-for-cancer-treatment/">Turkey Tail Mushrooms</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not know crocheting fungi could be so much fun. It does sound like a strange past time. I found it a little too absorbing and I am very proud of my 100% handspun fungal creation. It is for a Fall/Autumn challenge at the International Freeform Forum on Ravelry. Each week there is a different weird and wonderful shroom to recreate in knit or crochet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did the best I could with what I had. I had a rummage in my stash. The orange and green yarn was a gift from someone, it is handspun but I don't know what it is. I am guessing it is hand dyed too, I really like the subtle colours. The dark brown yarn is 100% alpaca. The colour is lovely. The bright green is some beaded Corriedale (I remember that name as it is a cross between Coronation Street and Emmerdale, two popular TV soaps in the UK). The yarn was plied with cotton thread with tiny, clear seed beads. The white is 100% silk. I have been working on more Turkey tails in lilacs, silver and purples to go with my other freeform crochet scrumbles. If it would stop being so cold and wet and stormy I would like to take my creation to photograph outdoors where it can pretend to be real. I would also like to walk in the woods to see if I can find any more <strike>fun guys </strike> fungi! xx</span></div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-79153794900285574232014-10-06T18:25:00.002+01:002014-10-06T18:25:56.214+01:00Scrumbling along nicely <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh please indulge me and let me bore you with crochet scrumbles for a while. I think this is complete now. I mean how do you know? If I could do a nice bullion stitch button I would, that is what it is lacking. I have tried bullion stitch and it is beating me for now, so I had to make do with puffy buttons that look like anemones to me. As soon as I master it, this scrumble is having a big one! I did not really like making a scrumble from one colour. It was for a challenge. It did make me look at how to add variety, shape and texture to the scrumble without colour. I tried different hook sizes and worked with multiple strands of yarn but not to any great effect. I loved adding the other shades of yarn. I really loved working with silver sparkly thread. I liberated the thread from a charity shop for 20p, it is a great big spool, I am sure the thrifty bargainousness of the thread makes it even lovelier to work with. In my opinion scrumbles cry out for sparkly thread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My friend who is not a crafter is completely baffled by my scrumble. I hope for any of you that are baffled, after this post you won't be. I have been busy working on other scrumbles too. (If you say you have been 'busy working on' it sounds more important than saying 'I have been having great fun playing with yarn'). Working 'freeform' without a pattern is very liberating and I can recommend it if you feel your skills have reached a plateau. You live and learn eh? For example my next scrumble will not be repeated. I liked lots of 'petals' but they were a labour of love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scrumbles do not have to be elaborate or complicated. Simple scrumbles have their place in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Playing with stripes, yarns and stitches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my first attempt at a 'block stitch'. I will keep practicing, I liked the bend though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have also played with circles and spirals. I am yet to master spirals too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is when you start to piece the scrumbles together that the magic happens. These two were 'made for each other'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You piece it together like patchwork into a single 'fabric'. None of the pieces are fixed yet, it is fun swapping them all around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then you have to decide what to do with it. If I made a hat I would sure get noticed. Some people make 'art' and 'wall art' with their scrumbles. You can pay hundreds for a freeform crochet coat. You can use the scrumbles to embellish plainer fabrics or garments. I think I am going to turn this one into a cushion. I am going to work on some pink scrumbles to decide if I would like two pink and purple cushions or one pink and one purple. Decisions decsions. I best get scrumbling. I do hope I have tempted at least a couple of you to have a go. Let me know eh? xx </span></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-21174319479545379292014-10-04T15:47:00.000+01:002014-10-04T15:47:39.021+01:00Some of these and one of them...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do have a life other than tinking my knitting mistakes you know. I just have to remind myself. I am afraid to mention the knitting. I fear it may be jinxed. We had a stand off for over a week, then I tinked my little heart out again to correct yet another mistake. I do love the yarn and the pattern and will show you more when there is more to show.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How clever am I? I can grow 'Yellow Benders'! I am yet to eat one but they are fun to look at. Their correct name is a Yellow Crook Necked Squash ( I think, but Yellow bender is what they are called in this house). We have also dug up potatoes. We are really living off the fat of the land again, if you like potatoes and yellow benders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am out of my comfort zone knitting a garment with a pattern. There is a certain amount of concentrating and counting, neither are my strong points. I often have multiple projects on the go at any one time. The opposite to counting and concentrating is to 'Freestyle'. I have crocheted without patterns before but I have never crocheted abstract freestyle. It is something I fancied having a go at. I have created my first 'scrumble'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The yarn is lilac with silver thread through it, in the photographs it is showing more as gun metal grey. A scrumble is one piece of knitting or crochet containing several elements. This is my first scrumble and it was for Challenge Number 1 in the Project Freeform Group on Ravelry, (you are not too late to join in). The challenge was to only use one yarn. I just made it all up as I went along and tried to add a variety of stitches and texture. Now it has been photographed I can't wait to add more colour to it. The beauty of freestyle is you can't go wrong. Anything goes. This 'scrumble' may not look much but I have high hopes for it. Watch this space. I have more scrumbles to show you just as soon as I have sewn some pesky ends in! Move over Granny Squares, make way for the Scrumbles.</span></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-29465804019154441702014-09-16T13:40:00.004+01:002014-09-16T13:40:34.431+01:00While I Continue To Tink...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Could you all just amuse yourselves please, while I continue to tink. Re 'tinking' see previous post. Tinking is a bit like taking one step forward and two steps back. Tinking is like trying to wade through treacle. Tinking is trying, to say the very least. I am not happy in my tinking and I am doing a lot of it! Maybe knitting is not for me for a while. My little mind wanders, oblivious to what the pattern tells me and before you know it I have 'freestyled' 1000 stitches! It is a wonder I have not knitted a granny square on auto pilot! At least I now know who the recipient of this jumper is going to be. I think it is for my grandson, for his eighteenth birthday. I am hoping by the time he is 18, he is a 'small' fella for those are the instructions I am following. There is no pressure for time as in fact my grandson has not even been conceived yet, let alone born! I do not like working to rapid deadlines, you have to take all the knitting and tinking into consideration with the time estimates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have nothing to show for my tinking, the progress is all spiritual! The patience of Job springs to mind. So in the absence of a 'newsy, crafty post' I will share this unscheduled post about goats. Why not? These are actually our holiday photos! My ten year old took a large quantity of goat photographs, I think the first one is great. I would like it on a T- Shirt with the slogan 'You gotta be kidding me!' </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The goat I tried to photograph kept being silly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goats are very playful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These lucky goats could play indoors or outdoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goat milk is good for making delicious cheese (I do not recommend a Goat Milk Latte, Bleurghh!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the 'Shop'. I wish I could shop here all the time instead of doing battle at the supermarket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These sausages cooked on a camp stove were great, well worth the very, very long wait to cook them. There was an empty pig pen and these are pork sausages. We did try goat sausages, but my ten year old found that upsetting! I am concerned with how meat gets to our table but when you have to look the meat that you eat in the eye, a vegan lifestyle seems appealing. The ten year old has concluded it is ok to eat animals you do not know, sadly I think it is the opposite. It is easier to eat animals we do not know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very nice sausages even if I do wrestle with my conscience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I better go. 'I tink therefore I am.' There is tinking to be done again before progress can be made. I wonder when/if I will learn?</span></div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-71207545225190629652014-09-07T08:06:00.000+01:002014-09-07T08:06:50.281+01:00Frog, Tink Or Leave?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a serious question. I am genuinely interested in your opinions. I have been knitting for the first time in ages. I had forgotten all about frogging and tinking. I do not like either which is probably why I have not done any knitting for ages. Frogging is when it is all off the needles and you are unraveling your knitting. I always imagine someone impatiently pulling the rows of stitches out and the yarn makes a soft 'ribbbit ribbit' sound, that is why it is called frogging! I am not sure if that is why it is called frogging or if I made that up. Tinking is to tink, to knit in reverse, to unknit. I really do not like frogging or tinking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the question to frog, tink or leave is dependent on several factors. Usually I leave! I am fine with imperfection. This knitting was cursed before it even got started. I bought some lovely Aran yarn, enough to knit both boys matching jumpers, well they both hate the yarn and the pattern I chose! I am sure they would have liked it they are just being difficult! The youngest has asked me, "Who are you knitting that for?" "Some grateful recipient!" I replied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like knitting, I like being able to knit and to crochet and to spin. I need to know how to rear sheep now. I hate tinking. I must have got distracted or carried away and out of almost one thousand stitches eight are wrong. Eight! Only eight. Eight, big, ugly stitches in the wrong place. I tried ignoring them so I would not have to frog or tink but they are shouting at me at every row turn. I can't carry on and ignore them. I am going to be tinking for most of today's craft time. Retreat can often be the best form of attack. Frogging is quicker but I would not get the stitches back on the needles. If I frog the lot I will not start again. Tinking it is.</span><br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-50188585893784439332014-09-04T16:43:00.000+01:002014-09-04T16:43:46.283+01:00Simple Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photograph is of a 'Juice Bar' in Glastonbury High Street this Summer. The simplicity appeals to me. It makes me think of Enid Blyton and the 'Folk Of The Faraway Tree' or 'Hobbiton'. We can all just throw our windows open and trade what we make. I can see it now, 'Lucy's Lemonade Stand'! I could probably throw in a Yard Sale too. It would not look pretty. I really like the way the windowsill is 'distressed' in this photograph. The effect does not look so rustic, front of house on my own place. This window is part of a 16th Century Coaching Inn. You can read more about it here at <a href="http://www.glastonburybackpackers.com/">Glastonbury Backpackers</a>. It has quite a history. If that window had just a little string of brightly coloured, crochet bunting running across it, it would be perfect. ;) xx</span></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-84241525058760722472014-09-01T14:48:00.000+01:002014-09-01T14:48:28.304+01:00Share A shirt In September...Go on, you know you want to.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://chalkygilbert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/share-shirt-in-september-idea-in-making.html">Share A Shirt In September</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I can hardly Adam and Eve it, it is September the 1st already. One son has started college the other is back to school on Wednesday. Shoes? Check. Trousers? Check. Blazer? Oh good grief he has grown, new blazer purchased today...check. Haircut? No way Jose! I have a full 24hrs for further arm twisting to get us to the Barbers. I think we are as ready as we will ever be. Now that brings us round to 'shirts', oh yes it does, nicely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over at 'Chalky's World' Linda has been having a very thoughtful think. If you click on the 'Share a shirt' link above she really does explain it all far more eloquently than I can. Basically you have a rummage in the back of your wardrobes and find an old cotton shirt. Any old shirt. You then post it to Linda and Linda will upcycle the shirt into something beautiful to be sold for charity. I don't think it gets much easier than that. I nearly found my way to Narnia in the back of our wardrobes and found one measly white shirt. Bah! I think it means actually we are all wearing our old ones! I didn't want to get shirty about it so I popped myself off to our local charity shop and found a shirt that was crying out to be upcycled. I was not spoiled for choice, I only saw two possible candidates, if in doubt 'pick the one with sparkles and beads' I always say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I cheated a bit but it is a win win situation for 'charity'. Eh just while we are on the topic, how hard is it to find 100% cotton these days? Pretty hard I think. While we follow Linda's blog we will be inspired with practical ideas for how we can re-purpose perfectly good material from clothes that have maybe seen better days. When Linda has a good idea it is a really good idea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are we supposed to say 'White rabbit, white rabbit, white rabbit' and turn around for good luck on the first of the month? I know in my school days it was a 'Pinch and a punch for the first of the month', some of them pinches and punches were delivered with too much gusto and could smart a bit. It was a hard knock life, with not many white rabbits worth chasing! Now I am off...humming original tunes from the old classic 1982 movie 'Annie'. I hope September is a good one and I hope you manage to find Linda a shirt. ;) xx </span></div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-66298828373180319402014-08-31T09:44:00.000+01:002014-08-31T09:44:09.263+01:00The Web Of Our Life Is Of A Mingled Yarn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at me with the new 'do' on my Blog. I felt brave enough to fiddle and faff in the settings section and behold...New Look Blog. I really didn't have a clue what I was doing and things have changed a bit since I last mooched in the settings. I could do with changing font style and size but that will have to wait it eludes me for now. They say 'a change is as good as a rest', well I have had both. I have no clue what direction my blogging is going in, but then I never really did. It is all ok. I like being here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the photograph, that I have used at the top of the Blog motivated me to have a Blog tidy up. I found it in old picture files on my computer. It is a photograph of singles that I have spun using 'scrap fibre'. The 'scrap' was generated by the wonders of cyber space and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/uk-spinners">UK Spinners group on Ravelry</a>. People 'pool' their scrap fibre, via some great volunteers and then it gets redistributed in a 'Scrap Swap'. I love how something beautiful can be made from 'scraps'. Last night I cropped the bobbin out of the photograph using a photo editor, just to focus on the spun yarn. It 'spun' me off into an arty farty, reflective 'frame' of mind full of metaphor and allusion. Yep, playing with yarn does that to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All's Well That Ends Well - William Shakespeare </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by and please do share any of your own arty farty thoughts with me. May all of your yarns be beautifully mingled. ;) xx</span></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-54815265766127336452014-08-10T23:07:00.001+01:002014-08-10T23:07:36.200+01:00More Pink Scarf and I Spot Granny Number 2 of 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I made four crochet panels for the peace scarf and I could not photograph them. I spotted another of my pieces in this video at 5.18. I feel like a proud parent. I am hoping to spot the remaining two bits now... I don't fancy my chances. I would have loved to see all this pink knitting and crochet.<br />
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<a href="http://actionawe.org/video-wool-against-weapons-7-mile-long-scarf-9th-august-2014/">http://actionawe.org/video-wool-against-weapons-7-mile-long-scarf-9th-august-2014/</a></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-1213540988302519332014-08-09T20:30:00.002+01:002014-08-09T20:30:40.282+01:00Pink Granny Square<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-WQKS7rmvzdk-5-tNg_S_LH2DQn2JjiAE8qYYrQmU_C0Gyh9xNzrdeC9L0l1d7xM4Pz8wA39zUZj84OyKjeaLwIcYiYNU6sxh84eem_B2FuTDTZD-W3a8cQQEfW9D6HyT_omR0btRMY/s1600/wool+against+weapons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-WQKS7rmvzdk-5-tNg_S_LH2DQn2JjiAE8qYYrQmU_C0Gyh9xNzrdeC9L0l1d7xM4Pz8wA39zUZj84OyKjeaLwIcYiYNU6sxh84eem_B2FuTDTZD-W3a8cQQEfW9D6HyT_omR0btRMY/s1600/wool+against+weapons.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
I really wanted to get to this demo. It is was over 100 miles from me and I have the stinking flu so I gave up on the idea! I made four Crochet Granny Square panels to go towards the seven mile peace scarf that was joined up today. I wanted to photograph them to share with you, but the flash broke on my camera and then the dog had an accident with the cable that links the camera to the computer. I need a new camera! I have been looking on social media for photographs of the day and I spotted my 'Granny'. It made me ridiculously happy to see it getting pinned to the fence!I would have loved to have seen seven miles of pink yarn loveliness. Never mind follow the yellow brick road, a seven mile pink scarf? Awesome.<br />
<a href="http://www.woolagainstweapons.co.uk/">http://www.woolagainstweapons.co.uk/</a></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-80151752460620556552014-08-08T12:49:00.001+01:002014-08-08T12:49:27.007+01:00Yarn Bombs Not Real Bombs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just love this:<br />
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<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/rebecca-johnson-and-jaine-rose/guerilla-woolfare-against-madness-of-mutually-assured-destructio#">https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/rebecca-johnson-and-jaine-rose/guerilla-woolfare-against-madness-of-mutually-assured-destructio#</a><br />
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xxx</div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-79815663173417611432013-10-07T22:45:00.000+01:002013-10-07T22:45:12.569+01:00Testing Testing...Ask Me What I am Knitting...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know...long time no see. I do think about Blogland but I just don't make time to write. I am not sure if I will or if I won't but it is all ok. I have wondered about moving Blogs...fresh starts are always, erm...refreshing? I do miss my Blog buddies but I know you are all still out there doing your thing. <br />
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If you ask me what I am knitting, I will gently correct you and say 'actually this is crochet'. I am currently working on a pink Granny stripe piece for this Peace scarf.<br />
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I absolutely love a peace protest, especially when it involves yarn...and so much the better if it is pink. As the mother of two boys, I like to work in pink! The more lurid the better. <a href="http://www.woolagainstweapons.co.uk/">If you click this link it will take you to the website 'Wool Against Weapons' and it will tell you all about it.</a> I am happy to have my crochet Mojo back. I can't photograph my bit yet, because my camera cable has disappeared. I still need to have a quiet word with the dog and ask her what my phone charger was doing in her basket, along with a stolen 'Apple and Cinnamon' muffin. She is a very clever dog, I never catch her in the act of being 'naughty'.<br />
I have finished making and collecting Premature Baby clothes for now, I have not forgot I need to update you with photographs of the lovely bundle of makes that I have to donate. We have a holiday in three weeks I will try and drop it off at the hospital then. Hospitals are always in need of these things...I guess my timing is not crucial.<br />
If anyone did feel particularly motivated to crochet or knit a square or two in a lurid shade of pink, I would be more than happy to piece them together and send them off to 'Wool Against Weapons'. You know how to get in touch with me. It would be great to hear from you. XXX<br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-74722942839088672572013-06-04T06:47:00.000+01:002013-06-04T06:53:21.754+01:00Things That Go Bump In The Night...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I had a bit of an exciting visitor to the garden last night. It was exciting for the dog who alerted me to it by non stop barking, late! I went outside to see if it was a cat or I half expected a rat. I hoped it was not a fox as the internal door from the chicken coop fell off in my hand on Sunday night so the girls are barricaded in at bedtime until I can repair the coop. (I will repair it asap! Jeesh, first the sewing machine, now I will be let loose with a hammer and nails).<br />
I had my camera at the ready, always a great form of protection I think when your 'guard dog' goes off in the night, yeah grab your camera and venture outside. I have the attitude that an intruder would have to be pretty brave or daft to choose our house. I had a bit of camera trouble in the pitch black. I took nine shots identical to the one above because it was too dark for me to see what all the buttons were on my camera and the flash kept being silly. The shade of black in each picture maybe slightly different. I couldn't see what I was pointing at in the dark. I thought that taking photographs of chickens and camera shy dogs is tricky. Taking photographs of nocturnal, wild creatures, late at night is in another realm altogether. I think this one may have been poorly. I also think the three times that the flash did decide to go off was not appreciated.<br />
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It is a shame the flash reflected in the Hedgehogs eye. It ran away and hid for a while and was very still. It didn't curl up in a ball though. It was a big Hedgehog. I wonder if 'it' was a 'she' and she is in the 'family way'. Usually Hedgehogs are pretty fast this one was slow. I put some water down and I put a small amount of raw beef down. It seemed interested but too frightened while I was out there.</div>
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Very cute. I don't know if they bite? My Mom told me when I was small that Hedgehogs have lots of fleas. It looks like it would be like picking up a cactus.</div>
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This is my third and final hedgehoggy shot, it is very similar to my first two hedgehoggy shots but I am proud three out of twelve photographs actually included the subject. The Hedgehog turned around and ran to the wall by the garden shed. It jumped off the wall with about a half meter drop. I did not know Hedgehogs could jump, perhaps blinded by the flash, it fell! It made a lot of snuffly, snorty noises, maybe it bumped its nose in the fall and then I heard it scamper off and rustle in some leaves. Lots of slugs and snails used to live by the shed and I only thought the other day that they have all gone. I think this hedgehog may be in residence rather than just passing by. Maybe we could have hoglets in the garden. The dog will love that. I love the word hoglet. </div>
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XXX</div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-28262548234850797342013-05-31T11:26:00.000+01:002013-05-31T11:26:52.767+01:00Colourful Crochet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Things have not gone to plan this week. We have had a wet Half Term week. It means cabin fever creeps in and the floors get muddy. We have been quite happily housebound. When we have popped out we have got soaked for our efforts. Today it is sunny with blue sky. The chickens are on the lawn as even they have been cooped up for a few days.<br />
'Every cloud has a silver lining' they say. While I was tidying, ahem, well attempting to tidy but there are too many distractions. I found the thimble, it was in the vicinity of the sewing box. We like thimbles back in their rightful place.<br />
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I also found a whole pack of 'Rico Creative Cotton' that had fallen behind a cupboard and been long forgotten. So the housework got forgotten too and I played with colourful yarn instead. It was a nice, neat new pack but I forgot to photograph it. I still have plenty left to play with.<br />
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I have wanted to explore crochet mandalas and had a go at <a href="http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/ornamental-pot-holders/">Crochet with Raymond's free pattern for the 'African Flower Mandala'</a>. I think my colour choices were adventurous to say the least. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjVcPtiLu3WaoEW5_tbMFet4FlVAr1SHlU0AAcjMB__J-1_g5B0gwRxyIDNIlC308ZyUgtvAIsEzX7E2R1QNuSZqYH0YBI82jKnt8SbXwUxBDiBbkdvFfOh5fZe5hWXwKGD5RZnYXUa0/s1600/mandala+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjVcPtiLu3WaoEW5_tbMFet4FlVAr1SHlU0AAcjMB__J-1_g5B0gwRxyIDNIlC308ZyUgtvAIsEzX7E2R1QNuSZqYH0YBI82jKnt8SbXwUxBDiBbkdvFfOh5fZe5hWXwKGD5RZnYXUa0/s400/mandala+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I followed <a href="http://beckycafe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/i-recently-saw-similar-mandala-from_18.html">this tutorial from 'Beckycafe' the other Mandala.</a> Mandalas are the perfect procrastination project. They are quick, cheerful and if you use 100% cotton they make functional pot holders. I think there is something kaleidoscopic about them, as I was unsure what effect the next round of colour and stitches were going to have. ( I still have all the ends to sew in but shhh don't tell anyone). If you search Google images for crochet Mandalas there are some amazing ones out there. You can get lost for quite a while just looking. <br />
The following collage should probably carry a health warning. Due to the shocking colours, the mismatched stripes and the not very round Mandalas, it seems to be triggering motion sickness for myself if I stare at it for too long. I don't recommend scrolling up and down. The 'stripes' are washcloths, you can't beat a 100% cotton, crochet wash cloth in my humble opinion. <br />
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Wet holidays are not all bad. I really should go, too much yarn and too little time and a laundry mountain to tackle. XXX</div>
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-10378541171115458892013-05-29T10:32:00.000+01:002013-05-29T10:32:04.840+01:00Nemesis and Hunt The Thimble<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhqbJIyJ7SkKyGncJsK488ObG1ZlP40gbb7NJhRMKT3kIEjjLZjR61XhQRqoB4Z0b3TilToocoH5iA__HNVZHMc5nyzK8pEeuLfNtzVE1kMi4Lccvuz6CCKxfzpnRsPXdQvaRCoVVW4A/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhqbJIyJ7SkKyGncJsK488ObG1ZlP40gbb7NJhRMKT3kIEjjLZjR61XhQRqoB4Z0b3TilToocoH5iA__HNVZHMc5nyzK8pEeuLfNtzVE1kMi4Lccvuz6CCKxfzpnRsPXdQvaRCoVVW4A/s640/015.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> This photograph makes me laugh with it's unlikelihood. The kitchen table. The Iron and the Sewing Machine together in one shot, (and a Basil plant). I got the ironing board out today and the dog ran away. That is how accustomed she is to me ironing. I think the ironing board is older than me though and it does open with an ominous creak and clatter. I can count on my fingers how many times I have used the sewing machine and I have managed to break a needle already. I have decided this machine has to be called 'Nemesis'.</span></div>
I had the brainwave that 'Napkins' for my trusty 'Picnic Basket' would be a good beginners project to teach myself how to sew. With the help of the foolproof diagram that is actually printed and numbered in sequence on the machine, I can 'remember' how to thread her up. Sometimes I could just lie down and quit at this stage though. Threading a machine/needle can be as lucky as a 'hole in one' and then there are times when you really would think it would be easier to get 'a camel through the eye of the needle'. I think I may need an eye test, threading a needle is getting increasingly challenging over the years. <i><b>NB: I have found the light! On the sewing machine. It makes threading the needle a lot easier! Tut!</b></i><br />
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These fat quarter bundles found their way into my basket. I thought sewing 'napkins' would be 'a breeze'. The penny has finally dropped about 'sewing'. Measuring and ironing can outweigh the actual sewing part in time consumption. Nobody told me that! I spent hours measuring, pinning and pressing a 1/4 inch double hem on each napkin. (I don't even know what quarter of an inch is as I am fully decimalised). Ironing can be quite good fun when it is in preparation for sewing and the material is pretty. Work clothes and school uniforms are almost impossible to iron. Nemesis is allegedly capable of sixty different stitches, I am still at the stage of praying for mastery over just one of those stitches.<br />
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I would like to be able to show you six completed napkins, I really would. This 'simple little napkin project' is dragging on a bit now. I am not brave enough to machine sew the trim on each napkin. It would be futile to try as I cannot even sew in a straight line. The trim is to hide the 'bad bits' on some of the napkins on the others the 'bad bits' are already sufficiently disguised. I decided Napkin No. 1, needed to be 'double trimmed' with ribbon and ric rac. The ribbon has the white stitching already on it which kind of gives the illusion of some straight lines to the napkin. Hand sewing never entered into the plan at the the start of this simple 'learn to use the sewing machine' project. I really needed to use a thimble to help me sew through a double layer of trim and a double hem. (Ouch, one finger is still recovering). I found my silver thimble that was my grandmother's 21st Birthday present. In fact it is my only thimble. It makes sewing a lot less painful but much more awkward. I think my grandmother was born in 1902, so it is an old and much loved thimble. I last saw it a couple of days ago! I found Euan wearing it. I took it off him and told him it was very old and I would not be happy if he lost it. I have not seen it since. We are on Half Term break here for the week and today will include housework, a 'game' of 'Hunt The Thimble' and hopefully some more sewing later. . .<br />
XXX<br />
<br /></div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-46253061995822747522013-05-16T15:47:00.000+01:002013-05-16T15:47:25.244+01:00Too Eggciting!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was not really expecting an egg any time soon although Euan and I have noticed the 'girls' have suddenly grown up in the last week. Instead of being nervous they have been coming out of the coop with a 'swag on', hens with attitude. Their combs have really grown and are bright red. I also heard their first proper 'cluck' this week and it was rather noisy and assertive. I went up the garden last night with a torch to say goodnight and fox proof the coop for the night. These girls have high security living conditions! I shone the torch into the nest box to complete the head count...yep both chickens present and correct and an egg! It is very exciting to find the first egg, well I think so anyway. It was a very small egg but none the less an egg. 'The Egg' is the one on the left next to a commercial egg, Euan couldn't quite believe me this morning when I woke him up and showed it to him. He shot out of bed, donned his dressing gown and wellies (rather a good look) and ran up the garden. He was delighted to find two more eggs. Chickens are the perfect pets with benefits. <br />
XXX </div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-57179374629865835902013-05-11T15:25:00.000+01:002013-05-11T17:03:51.792+01:00A Ramble About Bluebells And Blossom (and maybe some other stuff thrown in for good measure). <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last weekend we enjoyed a scorcher of a Bank Holiday. Very unusual for the UK. We are usually washed out ( a bit like this weekend). I got up nice and early to walk the dog. I was rewarded by seeing my first Bluebells of the year. I do love Bluebells. I used to pick great big bunches of them when I was a little girl and give them to my Nana. She would patiently tell me that she preferred to see wild flowers growing and not in a jar but I was a one for picking flowers. <br />
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I have no idea what this flower is but I like it, what a deep colour. I have some Merino fibre dyed this colour somewhere. It is left over from one of my first handspun projects. I blended Natural Grey Gotland fleece with dyed Merino and crocheted a very warm shawl.<br />
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I have used 'Wild Flowers' as inspiration for creating handspun yarns, Daffodil, Beaded Flower Meadow and a Beaded Cherry Blossom yarns. I will write a separate blog post about them. I would like to spin a 'Bluebell yarn' one day but I have too many projects to get on with for now.<br />
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The dog loves the meadows and so do I. We know about the wildlife down here, especially the fox! I have seriously gone off foxes. Lacey likes to chase the rabbits, squirrels and birds. She never comes close to catching anything but it does not stop her from trying.<br />
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This May blossom stretched right around the meadows. Today one week later this blossom has all gone. <br />
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Lacey simply will not pose for a photograph, but I worked out the best way to photograph her is not to want her in the shot, then she will pop up all over the place in front of the camera. I wanted to photograph the Horse Chestnut trees, or Conker Twees as they are commonly referred to in our house. I have seriously lost count of the amount of times Euan has got stuck in these very trees. It never seems to stop him from climbing them again and I always know what is coming next. 'Never work with children or animals' they say.<br />
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My Mom used to walk to this church for Sunday School, from about the age of four, with her older brothers and her friends. My family have been walking around here for decades. Times have changed, Euan will soon be nine and I would not let him go so far from home. <br />
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I really was pleased to see my first lone clump of Bluebells for the year but nothing beats a woodland carpet of Bluebells in my opinion. They have a really lovely fragrance too.<br />
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Wild Garlic in contrast to the Bluebells don't arf pong. It seems to be having a great year this year and is growing in abundance. I harvested some, finely chopped it and sprinkled it over tomatoes, aubergine and courgettes, drizzled with olive oil it was delicious roasted. Henry made the mistake of picking it and putting it in his coat pocket once when he was little and the smell seemed to intensify, it was rather aromatic!<br />
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I usually pause on the bridge over the river and see if I can spot a Kingfisher. I have seen one a couple of times here, but not for a long time. I would love to see the flash of bright, electric blue again one day. For the whole walk the birds were busy singing.<br />
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Back home I am greeted by this llittle apple tree. My Mom gave it to me about five years ago for my birthday. The variety is 'Greensleeves'.<br />
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My Mom is a 'musician' although I have not heard her play for years. When she was younger she played the piano and clarinet in an orchestra and performed in concerts. She worked as a music teacher in a school and we would also have students come to the house. I can remember her playing 'Greensleeves' on an old piano that used to be in our living room. She would hum 'Greensleeves' as a lullaby to me when I was small. This may be too much information but she actually hummed it to me when I was in the throws of labour having Henry. I am not sure it did much to calm me down but I can remember her trying. It is one of my favourite pieces of music.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnKgon2R6ylMeIGFxJbFTk8AsL47eBolKbGZPoy2PRes_IYi5mRrXi4PMkis2FWrO7QyPcXIZegbnG7xF1vEIWbrH-Auv5sUPId5b_UP1TgKU8ugyeGs1Sa2_1ZYFLm-SAivk4Nb1z6BQ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnKgon2R6ylMeIGFxJbFTk8AsL47eBolKbGZPoy2PRes_IYi5mRrXi4PMkis2FWrO7QyPcXIZegbnG7xF1vEIWbrH-Auv5sUPId5b_UP1TgKU8ugyeGs1Sa2_1ZYFLm-SAivk4Nb1z6BQ/s640/004.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a> I have never seen so much blossom on one little tree. My Neighbour has two apples trees and they have hardly any blossom. Apple trees are a bit like that, you have to make the most of the good years.<br />
Most of the buds are now open and the petals will soon fall like confetti. I am glad I remembered to photograph the blossom before it is gone. I will be sorry to see it go but after a patient wait for a few months the apples will be delicious. I am rather getting my hopes up there will be loads of them. I have plans for those apples. To the left of the apple tree is a plum tree. I was really disappointed as it has only had two flowers this year. You can't win em all. I am going to have a very long wait for some plum jam.<br />
I really should give you a quick update on my other 'Bluebell and Blossom'. I am pleased to report they have settled into the coop happily. They are no longer terrified and they are more than happy to oblige me in some 'chicken chat'. They seem to be growing well and I am not surprised as they are packing away enough food. I can pick both of them up and they do not mind at all. I have not let them 'free range' yet because I think they are still too young and flighty (yes contrary to popular belief chickens can be flighty). I don't want to lose anymore chickens. I think we are still a long way off any eggs as they are so young. They were sold as at 'point of lay' but I think I was a bit naive. These girls can't even cluck in a grown up fashion let alone lay an egg. They do make the garden feel like a happier place though. <br />
XXX<br />
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Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052723513986842570.post-51530564171430331502013-05-08T19:08:00.000+01:002013-05-08T19:08:22.242+01:00Care Instructions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAWz6qfFn41fLL50y7XFbA1PXlH1-i8I-89k8ldWNRfxsXxAdDbVLRFAKL9iJFd2GejFlqwU0FUxk5jsObyUxnnjZEuSXNBkmzRBznt-JD5AMcDC0ZZ12SXAWquxwxQ6IOvmZW34hvwtf/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAWz6qfFn41fLL50y7XFbA1PXlH1-i8I-89k8ldWNRfxsXxAdDbVLRFAKL9iJFd2GejFlqwU0FUxk5jsObyUxnnjZEuSXNBkmzRBznt-JD5AMcDC0ZZ12SXAWquxwxQ6IOvmZW34hvwtf/s640/030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I spotted these labels and had the 'wantsies' very badly. I ordered them from <a href="http://www.leafcutterdesigns.com/projects/changingclothes.html">Leafcutter Designs</a> and they arrived today. I think they are very cute. I just need to work on acquiring the woodstove. If you follow the link you can read about some very interesting projects for environmentally friendly clothes. Sadly the large majority of my clothes are mass produced. If I could only wear hand made clothes I would look like a sack of rags as my sewing skills are non existent. I made one skirt at school, many moons ago and it was not even wearable. I used a rather nice herring bone tweed. I miscalculated the waistband somehow and had great trouble sewing the 'darts'. I also hit my finger a few times with the machine needle and that hurts. My machine sewing days were over before they even began. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOIT6-1jw7DsW6Yh27oq5cMmYvZTYoF32aqzhVBVwhYIkxwLiJpOA4JHlHUTKTItmtsJGXv9RSaHK4Sxky42dus31vMhCfNG89848cgdyQ7Rj_toxZAKJFam6mRtRXXT41A_QoQpetwT8/s1600/crochet_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOIT6-1jw7DsW6Yh27oq5cMmYvZTYoF32aqzhVBVwhYIkxwLiJpOA4JHlHUTKTItmtsJGXv9RSaHK4Sxky42dus31vMhCfNG89848cgdyQ7Rj_toxZAKJFam6mRtRXXT41A_QoQpetwT8/s640/crochet_man.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I saw this photograph over at <a href="http://www.palomatextiles.com/knitting_notes.php">Paloma Textiles</a>, I think I could rustle up this sassy little crochet number. I have always had a secret yearning for a pair of Granny Square trousers.<br />
I also love the work of <a href="http://onemancrochet.blogspot.co.uk/2012_01_01_archive.html">One Man Crochet</a>, you should really check this blog out. Matthew is obsessive about crochet, by his own confession. He runs a social crochet group in Cardiff and used to teach crochet lessons.<br />
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I think you either love or hate this look, personally I love it and wish everybody dressed like this. I am sure it would go down a bomb in my home town if I stepped out wearing a Crochet Ripple tunic with Granny Stripe trousers. The odd flip flops and the yarn bombed staff do it for me too. <br />
XXX</div>
Intheskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872933009509406305noreply@blogger.com9