tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72224808873641963242024-02-19T04:34:52.028-08:00LotusenFrustrated creative & part-time fashionistaLotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-5121506013220971062016-12-10T07:46:00.002-08:002016-12-10T07:46:33.925-08:00Wooligans on tour - Oslo Strikke Festival 2016So a bit of back blogging going on here due to a period of various illnesses for both me and the toddler. Still, better late than never right?<br />
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Back at the beginning of November I had the opportunity to leave husband and child at home and indulge in the pure pleasure of yarn tourism together with some lovely like-minded ladies. And in Oslo no less, somewhere I'd always wanted to visit.<br />
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Held mainly in the Oslo public library, the proceedings kicked off with a evening of music and cabaret. The music of course being in some way or another knitting/sewing/fibre related and the cabaret billed as a sort of knit burlesque. A great way to start our trip, although I think there might have been a slight flaw in the plan as the bar only opened AFTER the burlesque show and judging by some of the audience reactions, they could probably have done with a stiff drink beforehand..<br />
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The next morning we had signed up to a 'giant knitted clutch bags' class which saw us wield enormous knitting needles (think sharpened rolling pins) and tame huge chunky yarn into something resembling a bag. Lots of fun, although possibly not the most practical knitted item I've ever produced.<br />
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After a break knitting in the wonderful children's department in the library, we hit up the yarn market and I picked up a couple of choice items that I just couldn't resist. I may also have recruited P to pick me up a tiny mitten kit on her way to the library...<br />
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So what do you do in the afternoon of a kitting festival? Watch a film about yarn of course! We packed into the little library cinema and knitted our way through '<a href="http://www.yarnfilm.com/#synopsis">Yarn</a>'. Actually very entertaining.<br />
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After that there *may* have been some cheeky school-girl behaviour in sneaking gin and tonic into the library for some surreptitious drinks out of disposable coffee mugs. Because that's how we roll.<br />
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The next day we ventured a little further into Oslo to the last leg of the knitting festival which had moved to the another, smaller library in the hipster area of Grunerlokka. It was also conveniently within walking distance of <a href="https://www.pickles.no/en/garn">Pickles</a> yarn shop, where of course more essential purchases were had.<br />
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We also found some interesting yarn samples chosen to complement different eye-colours.<br />
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Fortuitously we also found a flea market nearby which offered some vintage knit bargains, as well as more modern knitted socks in retro designs. Unfortunately the cold was somewhat getting to us by then, so we had to quickly decamp to the library again to warm up.<br />
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And all too soon we found ourselves heading back to the airport for a short jaunt back to London. All in all a wonderful weekend - thanks for the memories ladies!Lottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070673554297053089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-66363717414851418592016-11-01T03:23:00.000-07:002016-11-01T03:23:39.270-07:00Noodolled up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This shopping extravaganza was actually brought to my attention through Instagram. Being rather an Insta-noob I was pleasantly surprised by a nice message from a friend suggesting I might go along to <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/noodoll-pound-town">Noodoll Pound Town</a>. Said friend is actually in Sweden so I felt it was only right for me to go along so that she might experience the sale vicariously. Totally selfless right?</div>
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I'm actually not too familiar with <a href="https://noodoll.com/">Noodoll</a>, although I did recognise some of the characters, especially Ricepapa who is the dapper moustacheoed hamster. They are cute! They are colourful! Right up my street.</div>
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The sale took place at their teeny tiny creative studio which I totally managed to walk past, despite the obvious signage.</div>
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Right-ho then..<br />
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Cute mini shop by the lift:<br />
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So maybe I did go a *little* crazy with my purchases, but most of them will be Christmas gifts (promise).<br />
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Below is the loot: Cuddly Ricepapa, some notebooks, zippy cases and wide masking tape.<br />
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I also got a couple of posters for P's room:<br />
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I actually bought enough stuff to qualify for a free tote - bonus!</div>
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Phew, quite impressed with myself for starting Christmas shopping early. Although when there are cute bargain on offer it's really not that hard.<br />
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<br />Lottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070673554297053089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-55915740116973683012016-10-24T06:54:00.000-07:002016-10-24T06:54:17.456-07:00Princess Sparkle Horn, Princess Tassel Toes & Gary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once in a while you stumble across something so <a href="http://www.1dogwoof.com/rainbow-crochet-unicorn-pattern/">special</a> that you just can't help yourself. That was the case with Gary. </div>
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I mean, just look at him. How could I resist:</div>
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Although I was still something of a crochet rookie, I simply *had* to have a go at making him. Mainly under the pretence that my son would love a unicorn toy. In reality poor Gary has mainly taken a lot of abuse from my spirited toddler, but he does get the odd cuddle so I like to think that this kind of makes up for it.</div>
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As I was happily <strike>showing off</strike> introducing Gary to a friend of mine a while ago, she asked very nicely if I might consider making a couple of additional unicorns for her daughters - well of course!</div>
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It took a little longer than planned, but behold Princess Sparkle Horn and Princess Tassel Toes:</div>
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The lady-corns were handed over last weekend and I think it's safe to say that they were well received with lots of squeals and thank yous.<br />
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Last I heard, they were happily tucked up in bed with their new owners. Just don't tell Gary, he might be jealous..Lottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070673554297053089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-92014879096143063682016-10-12T02:46:00.002-07:002016-10-12T02:46:52.120-07:00The TwitsLast Friday we had the pleasure of attending a fantastically disgusting dinner at The Vaults near Waterloo, hosted by the gruesome twosome <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twits">Mr and Mrs Twit</a>. <div>
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If you an unfamiliar with the Roald Dahl characters, I would recommend reading up on them. They really are quite vile, so as soon as I heard about this experiential dinner/theatre mash-up AND that Bompas & Parr were to be involved, I was sold. The Bompas & Parr '<a href="http://bompasandparr.com/projects/view/complete-history-of-food/">History of Food</a>' is still one of my favourite experiential things that we have done in London.</div>
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So we arrived at The Vaults, and it's fair to say that expectations were pretty high.</div>
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On check-in we were handed a small plastic bag with a (fake) worm inside. This was to be redeemed in the bar for a cocktail of your choice - although, as it turned out NOT the prosecco cocktail complete with tube of 'Hugtite Glue' in cherry or peach flavour to be squeezed into the bubbly. Either way we were happy with our Aperol based drink (apparently used by Mrs Twit to clean her glass eye - yum).</div>
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Next we were shown into the 'ghastly garden' and invited to forage for our canapes amongst compost, in bird feeders, inside potting sheds and plucked off nails hammered into large branches.</div>
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We were also offered such delights as 'burnt' sausages (covered in poppy seeds) and chicken's hearts in bloody Mary sauce by the vintage circus styled monkey servants. </div>
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I did give it all a go, but slightly regretted the chicken heart as soon as it passed my lips. Tasted a bit like how it smells in the meat section of supermarkets.. *gag* Oh well, it's all part of the experience. </div>
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Having amused our bouches for long enough we were shown through to the dining room to begin the feasting in earnest. It started earlier than expected for M, who was forced to down a glass of wine by Mr Twit and then fed coleslaw sprinkled with dried mealworms and crickets by Mrs Twit. He did say that the unexpected alcohol kick did help him to get in the mood for the whole event though..</div>
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The main course emerged dramatically in a cloud of smoke aboard an impressive trolley, and the monkey staff busily set about serving up the piece de resistance: bird pie complete with foot sticking out of the top. Actually very tasty! Especially when paired with the bubbling green slime (parsley sauce) from a mini cauldron on the table.</div>
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From then on the scene turned more sinister as the servants confided in us that they were not real monkeys, but humans kidnapped and made to perform to satisfy the terrible and bloody-thirsty whims of the Twits. And worse still, we were next! Oh no!!</div>
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So through various deceptive tactics involving presents, pheromones and giant puppets the Twits ultimately saw their demise at the beak of the enormous and slightly malevolent-looking Roly Poly Bird.</div>
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Once the dinner and performance were over, we were escorted to another bar where we could once again enjoy some cocktails. My one tasted of bubble gum and came complete with tiny helium balloons - just how I like it!</div>
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Some could argue that the whole thing was a bit pricey, but considering that you do get both an experiential show and an interesting dinner I thought it was well worth it. Read more about the event <a href="https://www.twitsdinner.com/">here</a>.</div>
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Only problem is that now I'll be very disappointed when future cocktails arrive without a mini balloon garnish.</div>
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Lottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070673554297053089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-58491389820903186082016-10-10T14:11:00.003-07:002016-10-10T14:11:32.300-07:00So it's been a while..<br />
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Two years and a toddler later I feel, for various reasons, that it's time to put on my blogging hat again. Rest assured that I have not been idle on the creative front these last couple of years. In fact I am proud of the fact that I can now add crochet to my list of craft skills, mainly thanks to <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Kitty-Crochet-Mei-Lee/dp/1594747083">this</a> book. I can make amigurumis!!<br />
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So how better to kick off than a round up of my creative output since September 2014?<br />
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First the knits:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPdinTCBzeCZTgUpW3rNzK2qP76ZoNyTVKN6QtUFif_OEktNdzvSZjVkzNJcwIJVEMmwexYeBfto3reWF7eNiPshSqoMqdI9BQydKQW9W2JbBr8_V7Gbsy3kunyfkUQtijRXXDNY0Gw7S/s1600/dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPdinTCBzeCZTgUpW3rNzK2qP76ZoNyTVKN6QtUFif_OEktNdzvSZjVkzNJcwIJVEMmwexYeBfto3reWF7eNiPshSqoMqdI9BQydKQW9W2JbBr8_V7Gbsy3kunyfkUQtijRXXDNY0Gw7S/s320/dragon.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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This toasty <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Monster-Knits-Little-Monsters-Animal-Themed/dp/125002983X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476130693&sr=1-2&keywords=monster+knits+for+little+monsters">hat</a> wasn't actually for my own little dragon, but I managed to convince him to model it for the purpose of checking fit (not at all for fun. At all.)<br />
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Mittens for all the NCT kittens! I believe I used a pattern from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Monster-Knits-Little-Monsters-Animal-Themed/dp/125002983X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476130693&sr=1-2&keywords=monster+knits+for+little+monsters">this</a> book and just played with the colour variations.<br />
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I couldn't resist this <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Monster-Knits-Little-Monsters-Animal-Themed/dp/125002983X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476130693&sr=1-2&keywords=monster+knits+for+little+monsters">hat</a> for my own little one - although the dorsal shark fin was a little floppy..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6x6RON7OkAy0B9Q3tKlvobxKD0skVaVC3WmIEqlu9Y5VqzfpCxAkc0YmUrQdLhCmFHfpywuAbV9yegiaX2GqNN2gJtGvUVG40VIZLVNLOoR8qaouuYnBm6DOqUGNeM410RvYVe5oNJrL/s1600/monster.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6x6RON7OkAy0B9Q3tKlvobxKD0skVaVC3WmIEqlu9Y5VqzfpCxAkc0YmUrQdLhCmFHfpywuAbV9yegiaX2GqNN2gJtGvUVG40VIZLVNLOoR8qaouuYnBm6DOqUGNeM410RvYVe5oNJrL/s320/monster.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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One of my fave <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daphne-and-delilah-the-momma-and-baby-monster">Rebecca Danger</a> patterns of all time! This one was for me and my little monster.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6znTa4OUGW8PZyqtGEM2ucLY2Kl2e0bGwoo6RqDGAgbKRE_Hyyc4V7f3mnqPb5FW3krrluC70I3jj0vlH-scWYEl24olDcaOe1ylX91JeR-JUzyzZzlNbEC_pQ_zrH6YGMfkWwh1dO4R/s1600/heart2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WU1m5DGoDT5_Hb7vR_yg5b2RMcQ7ANHEB9ERF3C6X9IxQnzdDxrvWKBUGdxrHdI34-NCA4UsJiEcO8QInBsIFIkWq29ZMTRSu-2zyWCjl4Pd0UezGNLq6_lbsjR1B_EiBSYBR7n3QVCd/s1600/heart1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WU1m5DGoDT5_Hb7vR_yg5b2RMcQ7ANHEB9ERF3C6X9IxQnzdDxrvWKBUGdxrHdI34-NCA4UsJiEcO8QInBsIFIkWq29ZMTRSu-2zyWCjl4Pd0UezGNLq6_lbsjR1B_EiBSYBR7n3QVCd/s320/heart1.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6znTa4OUGW8PZyqtGEM2ucLY2Kl2e0bGwoo6RqDGAgbKRE_Hyyc4V7f3mnqPb5FW3krrluC70I3jj0vlH-scWYEl24olDcaOe1ylX91JeR-JUzyzZzlNbEC_pQ_zrH6YGMfkWwh1dO4R/s320/heart2.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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Emotional, but without the sap. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-7">This</a> was a recent Birthday present for my other half.<br />
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Then the crochets:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XU-Hy6uTBjFx26Fw_jxJfIG4SdbvnOgCvUaSccquafVf1P8KP_X8udc74bh69gZrryWS_ezqYMluSxGPAcUecuHChlzfm8tqlSvJu36KV3Lbibf5tm9ZmbMK9qcPTkr39q-7tSHQtV-h/s1600/fox.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XU-Hy6uTBjFx26Fw_jxJfIG4SdbvnOgCvUaSccquafVf1P8KP_X8udc74bh69gZrryWS_ezqYMluSxGPAcUecuHChlzfm8tqlSvJu36KV3Lbibf5tm9ZmbMK9qcPTkr39q-7tSHQtV-h/s320/fox.jpg" width="248" /></a><br />
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Foxy! My first proper crochet project. Unfortunately in all the excitement I forgot which pattern this is. Will update if I find it in my pile of pattern print-outs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCOFwFclM4TosaMJk-Ax95uuRzQOrPt51eb4xlYq7WEv0YLe8WYzH4r-DubmFvlWcEsUj0FqsxT4ZAjo8t48W99ZiSEprbvjm_U9QjjlyDEHqPTGJlO7kxyaCAjJx7_n9_qzAbjBxMFOz/s1600/monkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCOFwFclM4TosaMJk-Ax95uuRzQOrPt51eb4xlYq7WEv0YLe8WYzH4r-DubmFvlWcEsUj0FqsxT4ZAjo8t48W99ZiSEprbvjm_U9QjjlyDEHqPTGJlO7kxyaCAjJx7_n9_qzAbjBxMFOz/s320/monkey.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEENDDqooTcQItO6Jscq08_cWLr__XcbN_5BjWDDugjYAKOZ8cpIe6yezcZf_8c0COsAdXnMeZ5ZbsnLO23Hs6URmKPNB6AMeAB2QTw8BPBVSuUtCYyW7i3hX-sAhyvCZ4Tw4WP6EThQo/s320/dog.jpg" width="260" /><br />
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Monkichi and Pochacco from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Kitty-Crochet-Mei-Lee/dp/1594747083">Hello Kitty Crochet</a>. Words cannot quite describe how much I love this book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BgVni0WSOFbUwiwxXQe8ip9fjYGqVvtgndJXZbXdk3ISQWRdCQcLznlTjF8nPTzV4R4dYfNSoL31NUDdYYxpwA22ojs8zjL8QAlZ6mURtPwU8A28nKcX-LkDNzc_tu0EXEB7qRYzAuVd/s1600/dino.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BgVni0WSOFbUwiwxXQe8ip9fjYGqVvtgndJXZbXdk3ISQWRdCQcLznlTjF8nPTzV4R4dYfNSoL31NUDdYYxpwA22ojs8zjL8QAlZ6mURtPwU8A28nKcX-LkDNzc_tu0EXEB7qRYzAuVd/s320/dino.jpg" width="262" /></a><br />
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Getting a bit more adventurous and created <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tyrannosaurus-rex-dinosaur-4">this</a> beastie for a friend's little one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHrIASe0WIG5xUbd9YCb88RTrnrlLxHHgmSA1V20pnxMOGzMYGpBcp56coZ7Rh5rWxNz6KZuna2NoQru6gMDKQ52kpFr7figq7XGAkhdRVjUn7BJcQxx-qxQDzDt1FS7Vx0rnPM0TlfJE/s1600/frog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHrIASe0WIG5xUbd9YCb88RTrnrlLxHHgmSA1V20pnxMOGzMYGpBcp56coZ7Rh5rWxNz6KZuna2NoQru6gMDKQ52kpFr7figq7XGAkhdRVjUn7BJcQxx-qxQDzDt1FS7Vx0rnPM0TlfJE/s320/frog.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.hopefulhoney.com/2015/02/frog-baby-booties-crochet-pattern.html">Frog</a> feet for a new baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF26MpQ_LwxNx2c0Cltyf9AbbwxwB17K8IuStKkWbnbM9csy22ZRnE0WaL2y3sz2kFZ0WknXG_6A6SGEicY2jSR1in3hzomIHxgagcEx59ZMqAhrGHDGylNc5_SSg7l7pRsHUfXIlVGKdg/s1600/kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF26MpQ_LwxNx2c0Cltyf9AbbwxwB17K8IuStKkWbnbM9csy22ZRnE0WaL2y3sz2kFZ0WknXG_6A6SGEicY2jSR1in3hzomIHxgagcEx59ZMqAhrGHDGylNc5_SSg7l7pRsHUfXIlVGKdg/s320/kitty.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Some crochet <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Kitty-Crochet-Mei-Lee/dp/1594747083">Hello Kittys</a> created in time for a visit to the Cutter & Squidge Hello Kitty afternoon tea pop-up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHA1YfcBp2GlEAIw2RpJa0jaOmQVqsc3vQsxqMscfbP_3a_v3w5IoLbd-1_9mIhRhGr3UitbfQTKpNiaSK9U2WguL8PowYCpDO7zPCk5eTjmKPLSEUtBR-hiRNaHt8TxVYSww-moNE_-r/s1600/rabbit.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHA1YfcBp2GlEAIw2RpJa0jaOmQVqsc3vQsxqMscfbP_3a_v3w5IoLbd-1_9mIhRhGr3UitbfQTKpNiaSK9U2WguL8PowYCpDO7zPCk5eTjmKPLSEUtBR-hiRNaHt8TxVYSww-moNE_-r/s320/rabbit.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Frenchie <a href="http://www.molliemakes.com/craft-2/mollie-makes-issue-38-out-now/">bunny</a> for a friend's baby shower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWny7qCZHHDv9d1S2cpyEcVufULZL2P42eIQ1uUb8ajydelGfcafp_GoNiuNbv2ugHocqkNzg2f19fuD44S5DURxFFWhJky_kVWTxiNqzxe4hABU2TYgVdlN5GWz6IJWXHpVf-DPvQdVK/s1600/deer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWny7qCZHHDv9d1S2cpyEcVufULZL2P42eIQ1uUb8ajydelGfcafp_GoNiuNbv2ugHocqkNzg2f19fuD44S5DURxFFWhJky_kVWTxiNqzxe4hABU2TYgVdlN5GWz6IJWXHpVf-DPvQdVK/s320/deer.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk3tvRhnXZkQ6xEVVuzsYtFjdIgTfKk8DAGAWUcV2ndR4Ln9NCVLfckEMauIU470AkivkaZ7bqOunTzNtcthkoI5nV8w9f6Wc7ssydtU-ByVuHIjmYr8GipMaVQTKdpsN8iZAhhNKm1bm/s1600/frog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk3tvRhnXZkQ6xEVVuzsYtFjdIgTfKk8DAGAWUcV2ndR4Ln9NCVLfckEMauIU470AkivkaZ7bqOunTzNtcthkoI5nV8w9f6Wc7ssydtU-ByVuHIjmYr8GipMaVQTKdpsN8iZAhhNKm1bm/s320/frog2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Kitty-Crochet-Mei-Lee/dp/1594747083">Deery-Lou</a> and Keroppi for M's nephew and niece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyD6MPQCIG86D44cIUQiZeDmS6Raqh8QKUrdRWJi-VGcDlRBOuh3PpbYqMoISqqiG2_-p7OuT7RklnHNWNf2yoPCJkcUsUBE560KWqdWnn9AJ42D-oRmLB5qGpomiiSe343s8r8Hd3D6n/s1600/norman.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyD6MPQCIG86D44cIUQiZeDmS6Raqh8QKUrdRWJi-VGcDlRBOuh3PpbYqMoISqqiG2_-p7OuT7RklnHNWNf2yoPCJkcUsUBE560KWqdWnn9AJ42D-oRmLB5qGpomiiSe343s8r8Hd3D6n/s320/norman.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Norman the <a href="http://www.molliemakes.com/craft-2/mollie-makes-issue-68/">narhahl</a> for a friend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3oOvJbL1K5O1Na1qwY4TZZ2a791NY-iSGmRh62B_2nK-wSVQ9eFulvsiv108DIC0QQ09veImXsCUWu5SIDdCXZ1qF3Qi6nrrhI5uWnzuPuQGMdCBjsPJqxsnbEE67O8q2YeJHlrXT7TS/s1600/batman.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3oOvJbL1K5O1Na1qwY4TZZ2a791NY-iSGmRh62B_2nK-wSVQ9eFulvsiv108DIC0QQ09veImXsCUWu5SIDdCXZ1qF3Qi6nrrhI5uWnzuPuQGMdCBjsPJqxsnbEE67O8q2YeJHlrXT7TS/s320/batman.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Oh and one of my faves; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/batman-amigurumi-2">Batman</a>! And yes, you can remove his super-pants incase you were wondering..<br />
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So there you go. That's a quick recap of (most) stuff I've been up to creatively. Hoping that more posts will follow soon..<br />
<br />Lottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070673554297053089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-7270587129878256402014-09-06T06:06:00.000-07:002014-09-06T06:06:20.255-07:00Tiny knittingSince learning that I was expecting a little one of my own, I may have gone a *little* to excess on the knitting front. So far booties and tops have been the order of the day, although I do hope to add some random cuddly toys to the mix too.<br />
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Now t<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saartjes-bootees" target="_blank">hese</a> actually are winging their way to P in the US for her new little boy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWyVBRSmcj-NUiN6t849cf8z296A54bhN-O4-AiwfaKjE52W_DkFWWHE9eW46iZYyMXR6YZzOdk3dix5tog8f-Hm2EoWk_mVavPtsg6Jc7uGdJpV7_rAUDFrxnozpLqxEsL5YXS_9ENBm/s1600/booties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWyVBRSmcj-NUiN6t849cf8z296A54bhN-O4-AiwfaKjE52W_DkFWWHE9eW46iZYyMXR6YZzOdk3dix5tog8f-Hm2EoWk_mVavPtsg6Jc7uGdJpV7_rAUDFrxnozpLqxEsL5YXS_9ENBm/s1600/booties.JPG" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tiny-shoes" target="_blank">This</a> was really just an excuse to use some pretty butterfly buttons which had been hanging around:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbZOZIUqbGdS5_CGpb7ZZ2eOVLrPX1eqqTFN3Fm_6Zrh8s1TSgWWYMG9rmEMtQVki2zLGruBmsJwZQ4QQxsCnO0uWfaE8_p3EFAlMfpvk73RzOz7aWUaMaMutOpjs9J5naAGBsNrn31Mr/s1600/IMG_3777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbZOZIUqbGdS5_CGpb7ZZ2eOVLrPX1eqqTFN3Fm_6Zrh8s1TSgWWYMG9rmEMtQVki2zLGruBmsJwZQ4QQxsCnO0uWfaE8_p3EFAlMfpvk73RzOz7aWUaMaMutOpjs9J5naAGBsNrn31Mr/s1600/IMG_3777.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok, so <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/2014/01/02/easy-pullover-for-babies-toddlers-kids-now-in-three-new-size/" target="_blank">this</a> came out a little large.. Still, should fit by the time he's, um, 3 or so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKeEIAtZbhj99wPS2gVzAAdDRjpaGKCPko1EgOB_WJOGQGLBKNbyLGvuVWY-DqsnAlq_Vqf8Ly0mj2GCjYO_GlrZ_UX7b6VBfhqMtREn9zpz6iMltR14W5tVxfLgi7s4imOcb-J8Q5OIz/s1600/tunic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKeEIAtZbhj99wPS2gVzAAdDRjpaGKCPko1EgOB_WJOGQGLBKNbyLGvuVWY-DqsnAlq_Vqf8Ly0mj2GCjYO_GlrZ_UX7b6VBfhqMtREn9zpz6iMltR14W5tVxfLgi7s4imOcb-J8Q5OIz/s1600/tunic.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hardly the most <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/puerperium-cardigan" target="_blank">practical</a> with all those buttons, but hopefully the sheer cuteness will prevail, at least for a couple of wears.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTHmNRhBG2eqYSmYFa_p8mRCaeYT6yXYjHFUfRktI6eMvm4lQteozE76WLoCl0YBRu4r0-vsEa7FlTDMdpHSyya8JlL1M_GH7GOlfXD_fFDAOXX2OVC-VtmYnjN6QeFj5fdlaOymZWGjC/s1600/photo-251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTHmNRhBG2eqYSmYFa_p8mRCaeYT6yXYjHFUfRktI6eMvm4lQteozE76WLoCl0YBRu4r0-vsEa7FlTDMdpHSyya8JlL1M_GH7GOlfXD_fFDAOXX2OVC-VtmYnjN6QeFj5fdlaOymZWGjC/s1600/photo-251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh and this fabulous baby blanket and even more fabulous octopus is from the very talented G:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUYucwLuVUKuqCmZZUf858V5HMa5O5OElCtUR_ih4afBtwPTrf-NFP-vM3YZ7HeXGM65lQ5bzIkudTH4tWhx_M4x-hoJRDx5kvJC4WDXsuve3ggFmyEaK_JvMKa9aSakQRVqhEPg7RpE-/s1600/photo-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUYucwLuVUKuqCmZZUf858V5HMa5O5OElCtUR_ih4afBtwPTrf-NFP-vM3YZ7HeXGM65lQ5bzIkudTH4tWhx_M4x-hoJRDx5kvJC4WDXsuve3ggFmyEaK_JvMKa9aSakQRVqhEPg7RpE-/s1600/photo-25.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Octavia (the octopus) will hopefully be joined by a couple of buddies soon. Currently I'm particularly keen on a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/three-toed-sloth" target="_blank">three-toed sloth</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/napoleon-the-nervous-narwhal" target="_blank">narwhal</a>. </div>
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Also in the pipeline is the endless quilt which has been going for just a little bit too long. Only downside is the at the %(^&*$&^%* sewing machine has just chosen to give up, despite all coaxing. At some point I will just have to accept that it won't fix itself and make an effort to sort..</div>
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<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-15614576868877389202014-07-14T10:22:00.001-07:002014-07-14T10:22:42.375-07:00Time to Unwind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Brighton! It's been such as long time since I was there. It holds some particularly fond memories for me, so really I don't need much of a reason to visit - especially as I've now discovered that it's only about 45 minutes train journey from Clapham Junction! Only 45 minutes to a mini seaside holiday..</div>
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And the only thing better than a mini seaside holiday? A mini seaside holiday with YARN!</div>
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<a href="http://unwindbrighton.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Unwind</a> Brighton featured masses of the stuff, along with informative talks and lessons on all manner of knitterly topics. They also sold very pretty bags:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOsA2xJbomxLpU7HPxRqnMajlKxuG2p324zMdRaqXaMCJglmgufE-zwJfE4gL7G2I1DYjVERq4rql-UBmKCY5f6ws1OJJ_CRSsNI1g3c5NK6-Nwx7QSyLuUmfmQ6GuBbuJKGm-onfBrof/s1600/unwind+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOsA2xJbomxLpU7HPxRqnMajlKxuG2p324zMdRaqXaMCJglmgufE-zwJfE4gL7G2I1DYjVERq4rql-UBmKCY5f6ws1OJJ_CRSsNI1g3c5NK6-Nwx7QSyLuUmfmQ6GuBbuJKGm-onfBrof/s1600/unwind+bag.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="259" /></a></div>
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Being something of an Iceland-o-phile, I chose a talk by the inspiring <a href="http://raggaknits.com/" target="_blank">Ragga</a> on Icelandic knitting. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but even with technical challenges (screen was not Mac friendly) Ragga proved a true professional and wowed us all with her knitting passion as well as dropping in some unusual snippets to keep us entertained. For example: did you know that she's also Iceland's premier sex educator and has a book coming out on the subject? The woman has many talents..</div>
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After a quick visit to the 'marketplace' I'm pleased to say that I managed to keep to my pre-planned list of requirements, rather than going crazy on random pretty yarn (this may have happened in the past).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA74dDmVSG120JE_gOJhKBUk5vljCn4iS04oiS-Nh7aa4LLqxD1qr1zYc92IkM3QeaNiaxvZkE4G0HBfmxwy-XVn2XOBcjXVO5xH3a5ahH5z-qlqAtTORxEVvgDh9MIbojyykJT3FjO9Uk/s1600/unwind2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA74dDmVSG120JE_gOJhKBUk5vljCn4iS04oiS-Nh7aa4LLqxD1qr1zYc92IkM3QeaNiaxvZkE4G0HBfmxwy-XVn2XOBcjXVO5xH3a5ahH5z-qlqAtTORxEVvgDh9MIbojyykJT3FjO9Uk/s1600/unwind2.jpg" height="246" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only stall I allowed myself to go a little greedy on was buttons. Yes, I love buttons. Especially when they are as cute as these:</div>
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Here's the rest of the haul which will in turn become a couple of baby cardigans and baby scarf/hat set. Note the magazine which was a freebie bonus - always worth hanging around until the very end ;)</div>
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Also worth a big mention is Helen's winning shawl design Pebble Beach, modelled here by yours truly (thanks for the pic Helen!):</div>
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In addition to the honour and a small prize, Pebble Beach was also featured in the Unwind programme:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQWPXhu-hxPw5QTp-5_ABs0iHJxd0vLKamvdnFbPO_MkVl60dAUTZTvpcbMIXHvtHMhetYPSuJMTvA_sOBgysNWOHUh7_qMeKnjPMfdbRrikjLk2UM08PPCxvg8A0i11vHp9U3N4wAFzT/s1600/unwind+pebble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQWPXhu-hxPw5QTp-5_ABs0iHJxd0vLKamvdnFbPO_MkVl60dAUTZTvpcbMIXHvtHMhetYPSuJMTvA_sOBgysNWOHUh7_qMeKnjPMfdbRrikjLk2UM08PPCxvg8A0i11vHp9U3N4wAFzT/s1600/unwind+pebble.jpg" height="240" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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A worthy winner indeed! Read more on <a href="http://www.curioushandmade.com/" target="_blank">Curious Handmade</a> or nab the pattern on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pebble-beach-shawlette" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> from today!</div>
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Ah Brighton, we may be seeing each other again very soon..</div>
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<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-53141054151072816372014-07-04T12:06:00.000-07:002014-07-04T12:06:21.211-07:00By the pricking of my thumbs..<br />
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So how do you like to spend your <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_943349366" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> night? How about in a foreboding council block in the East End, surrounded by witches, power-hungry usurpers and borscht? No? Ok, you might want to stop reading now.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We were lucky enough to nab some tickets to <a href="http://macbeth.in/" target="_blank">RIFT’s</a> epic production of ‘Macbeth’, set within the monolith that is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfron_Tower" target="_blank">Balfron Tower</a>. We are also lucky enough to have friends who are willing to join us on such daft adventures, so at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_943349367" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8pm</span></span> sharp our motley crew of 9 assembled on a patch of astro-turf in the shadow of the Tower. </div>
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We happily signed our lives away, exchanged some pounds sterling to ‘Bordurian Rand’ (in order to purchase beverages within the building) and waited in anticipated for our guide Uri to check that our visas were in order.<u></u><u></u></div>
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After some banter with Uri, he lead us down to the entrance into the bowels of the building. I think we were all feeling a little nervous at that point – this is the building they used when filming ’28 Days Later’ after all! As our eyes adjusted to the darkness of the underground carpark, witches seemed to materialise out of the gloom and stalk a couple of the more unfortunate members of our party. Assembling around a burning oil drum, Macbeth and Banquo soon joined us and the action began in earnest.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Some six hours later we emerged from the same building shiny-eyed and drunk on adrenaline. So what happened in between?!<u></u><u></u></div>
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It’s tempting to say: 'well go and see for yourself' but I guess that would be a bit mean seeing as the tickets are now broadly sold out. And anyway, I wouldn’t want to give too much away. Although I will say that we were mainly based in ‘our flat’ with action going on around us, in a couple of ‘bar’ areas and a few other flats around the building.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I think it may suffice to give you a couple of glimpses into scenes from the evening:</div>
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<li>Flattening myself into a dowdy armchair in our tiny living room while two men fight with knives approximately half a metre away (ok, don’t panic, they were realistic-looking plastic knives!).</li>
<li>Being singled out and pulled into bed with a pleading Lady Macbeth. Having to be prised away from her convulsive sobbing by one of the guides.</li>
<li>Feasting on borscht, rosti, cabbage and chocolate trifle at the banquet scene, before having a large pot with a severed head placed on our table to be incorporated into the action.</li>
<li>M falling off an armchair and almost kicking Lady Macbeth in the face as she burst in through a door unexpectedly.</li>
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Ok so the last point wasn’t exactly planned, but was none-the-less most entertaining.</div>
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The acting was amazing - on the verge of making you feel a little bit like you were actually experiencing some real council estate drama at some points. The fact that the setting and costumes had a 70s theme definitely definitely enhanced this - and strangely didn't seem to clash with the Shakespearean English script.</div>
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We could have stayed over in 'our flat' if we would have wanted to (bunks and blankets provided), but we decided to head for the comforts of home at around 2am and forego the breakfast that would otherwise have been served the next morning.</div>
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The only problem is, what could we possibly do next to top this?</div>
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Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-38383609096644577392014-06-28T04:31:00.000-07:002014-06-28T04:33:13.313-07:00Making GoodSounds a little like the opposite of Breaking Bad right? Well, you wouldn't be far off. I don't think you could get further from dodgy meth dealings than to entrepreneurial crafts fairs - although I suppose the 'entrepreneurial' part could be a slight overlap.. Anyway, enough musings.<br />
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A few weeks ago I had the good fortune not just to attend the <a href="http://www.makegoodfestival.com/" target="_blank">MakeGood</a> festival, but also help out Helen on her wonderful <a href="http://www.curioushandmade.com/" target="_blank">Curious Handmade</a> stall. Helen has been a busy bee building up her knitting empire, founded on sheer passion, bucket fulls of talent and just a pinch of tireless determination.<br />
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So we found ourselves not only able to wander the other crafty stalls to our hearts content, but also help to sell Helen's beautiful pattern designs and generally natter with customers about knitting. It's a hard life.<br />
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Also worth noting that Helen won <a href="http://unwindbrighton.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Unwind Brighton</a>'s prestigious award for best knitting pattern, as voted for by the fickle knitting masses. I'm currently working my way through '<a href="http://unwindbrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/pebble-beach-shawlette-winner-of-unwind.html" target="_blank">Pebble Beach</a>' so that I can wear it with pride to the Unwind event itself in just a couple of weeks.<br />
It's been a while since I did any good yarn tourism, so Unwind seemed the perfect excuse. I won't be attending any of the classes, but will be listening to Ragga talk about <a href="http://unwindbrighton.bigcartel.com/product/icelandic-knitting-with-ragga-eiriksdottir" target="_blank">Icelandic knitting</a> which I'm rather looking forward to - oh and then there's the market place to check out of course..<br />
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Because making things really is good for the soul!<br />
<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-61128877522152233432014-01-18T10:55:00.002-08:002014-01-18T10:55:57.238-08:00Food for thought<br />
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So I've always been a granola fiend, but always saw it as a bit of a questionably ally when it came to health. After all, there was SO MUCH SUGAR in most of it. No wonder it was tasty. But then it also had oats and nuts and other, much more healthy stuff.. Oh the conundrum.<br />
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For some reason I had never really considered making my own, until a newsletter handily plonked a recipe directly in my lap: Sarah Wilson's <a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/everywhere/article/162933/Sarah-Wilsons-Coco-Nutty-Granola-Recipe" target="_blank">coco-nutty granola</a>, without sugar.<br />
But surely it's only health freaks and those on restricted diets who make their own cereal? Meh, well I was curious. Mainly because it sounded really good!<br />
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So I tracked down my local supply of coconut flakes (Holland & Barrett), assorted nuts and other bits and pieces. The only substitution I had to make was to get agave nectar instead of brown rice syrup, which even the shop assistant hadn't heard of.<br />
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So to the chopping:<br />
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Here's the final mixture chillaxing on a baking tray:</div>
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And the final result! The batch on the left contains cocoa powder, so makes the granola just a little bit chocolatey.</div>
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What can I say, it was gooood. So good in fact that I had to make a second, larger batch a couple of days later because the previous supply had gone!</div>
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And the health doesn't end there, oh no.. All hail the kale!<br />
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Spurred on by my granola success, I decided the time was right for more oven-related experimentation: kale chips!<br />
I actually first thought about these some months ago, but then kale was difficult to come by as it was the wrong season - apparently kale needs frost? So now it was all over the place so it just seemed natural to give it a go.<br />
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I actually followed the instructions in a magazine, but really it's very simple:<br />
- Set the oven to 120 degrees C<br />
- Pour your kale onto a large, lined baking tray and spread out evenly - removing any large stalky bits<br />
- Sprinkle some olive oil over your kale and massage in slightly to get good coverage. Some people also recommend a little salt.<br />
- Toast the kale in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until all crisp<br />
- Scoff and be amazed how great they taste<br />
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To me they taste a bit like popcorn which I realise is weird, but I don't care because they are so tasty!<br />
A word of warning though, kale chips don't keep very well if left overnight in a non-airtight container. I decided to be sensible and leave some for the next day, but sadly by then they had lost some of their magic crispness and were a little disappointing.<br />
So DON'T be sensible, scoff while at the peak or crunchy goodness.<br />
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<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-6156843864563005052014-01-18T10:30:00.002-08:002014-01-18T10:30:37.810-08:00Jumper roundYes it is time to celebrate as I have finally finished my first jumper! Even though I'll admit that it will only fit a seven year old - and yes that was the intention.<br />
The <a href="http://www.pickles.no/happy-sweater/2013/7/22/happy-sweater.html" target="_blank">Happy Sweater</a> is yet another creation by prolific Norwegian knitter and knit store owner Pickles who has made so many delightful designs, especially for children. I like the way that the patterns are uncomplicated and the results look wonderfully textured and just a little bit old fashioned. These are clothes for kids, not little adults.<br />
So this little jumper went to M's nephew for Christmas and I believe it has found a good home.<br />
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However, M also has a niece so what better than to send her a similar gift but make it in the form of a knitted <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-sweater-dress" target="_blank">dress</a>.<br />
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This pattern had me slightly riled as it was supposed to be for a 2 year old, but although I followed the instructions for this sizing it somehow ended up humongous. Thankfully I had the bright idea to add the little 'belt' to gather the dress a little and give it a bit more shape. You'll also note that I decided to add buttons the front incase the size was a little too big still, so that the shoulder straps could be crossed at the back if necessary and buttoned in place.<br />
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Anyway, it seems it was all worth the effort, and as a bonus I can say that I have officially finished a jumper :)Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-35079565412641100282013-12-08T14:44:00.000-08:002013-12-08T14:44:50.735-08:00Rainbow with a twist a.k.a CMYKakeHave you noticed all the rainbow cakes that have been doing the rounds on the interweb? Like <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/rainbow-layer-cake/4969fed8-141e-45f5-9a04-e03addd20fbb" target="_blank">this</a> one, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/07/colorful-rainbow-cakes/" target="_blank">this</a> one and <a href="http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/teeny-tiny-rainbow-cakes/40d8c4a6-b3ff-426d-b0fd-c7b2d39c3455" target="_blank">this</a> one? Well, I was just looking for an excuse to create one for myself so of course an opportunity had to arise sooner or later.<br />
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Earlier this year I did some work with a colleague on our new colour palette at work - a task that nearly put us both off colours for life. But we got there in the end, so I thought it only apt to produce something of a tribute to this for his recent Birthday.<br />
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So a full on seven-tiered rainbow cake would have been a bit over the top so I settled for something a bit more geeky: a four-tiered CMYK cake (CMYKake for short). For those of you who don't get the joke, see me after class or consult <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMYK_color_model" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>.<br />
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It started harmlessly enough: four tiers, four bowls of sponge mixture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9vupwNZeXzMNwxruklnPvQRDJXtONfJuzduQjeGh6l0SgTUwqK5Rtq6Tcd9i9807vtkTP12WJ1R_VRtKgMiQiHP5ygValeNBHWPIM6H6plonTAXq4NLd3GIgvtBYpk_9kR0xdGEiGnUa/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9vupwNZeXzMNwxruklnPvQRDJXtONfJuzduQjeGh6l0SgTUwqK5Rtq6Tcd9i9807vtkTP12WJ1R_VRtKgMiQiHP5ygValeNBHWPIM6H6plonTAXq4NLd3GIgvtBYpk_9kR0xdGEiGnUa/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oo now this is where the fun started! Chuck in the colouring and voila:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2PEQBKAUnuvIxWam8Uz-syJlqrxzXxnoelPLAMCh6uoS-2caszCn-tpJFgbf3igKXsM9c6zwnMfutoSIhMfJVNb_fXZ7cjQhyphenhyphenoi2xzlktJKLPiJxfS_12fmw5lJHhf3uuuJ1I2KDN0PF/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2PEQBKAUnuvIxWam8Uz-syJlqrxzXxnoelPLAMCh6uoS-2caszCn-tpJFgbf3igKXsM9c6zwnMfutoSIhMfJVNb_fXZ7cjQhyphenhyphenoi2xzlktJKLPiJxfS_12fmw5lJHhf3uuuJ1I2KDN0PF/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sadly the finished sponges were less vibrant, but still:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil80j069MggVLLmYSv9E4gjKOLzPZ91qlHJePSyMlqCFtmWaqL2Y7_cLAcBWv5hF9Ez29DnbOXa-SsHuzSGTWFd940-uqjqeOyzMlA4YpLcuo_2_VkFqMnLdT_vlWlm8x7vlC3hvutcOdG/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil80j069MggVLLmYSv9E4gjKOLzPZ91qlHJePSyMlqCFtmWaqL2Y7_cLAcBWv5hF9Ez29DnbOXa-SsHuzSGTWFd940-uqjqeOyzMlA4YpLcuo_2_VkFqMnLdT_vlWlm8x7vlC3hvutcOdG/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's the finished article:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpknuaBt2ldQA-7NmEbaZx5_FdZK0LVtNaGYnHXjP_pnEJ7Hv-ECINWAV2jO6ef4QsxZdCcuPDRi9CpSW-hCvq0Ogp1Mr_okpRpsJ9ZqY4uqYBsShL0SPbPc-e-RSS1UYnnjo12mv-6Q0K/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpknuaBt2ldQA-7NmEbaZx5_FdZK0LVtNaGYnHXjP_pnEJ7Hv-ECINWAV2jO6ef4QsxZdCcuPDRi9CpSW-hCvq0Ogp1Mr_okpRpsJ9ZqY4uqYBsShL0SPbPc-e-RSS1UYnnjo12mv-6Q0K/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cream cheese icing was a little runny, but thankfully it wasn't a complete triumph of style over substance and actually tasted pretty good!</div>
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Hm, maybe seven tiers isn't completely out of the question after all.</div>
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P.S. I was very smug at having come up with the CMYKake idea all by myself, but sadly some geeky baker had actually already done <a href="http://hersixthcircle.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/making-goals-to-keep/cmykake/" target="_blank">this</a> - doh! Oh well, I guess there is nothing new under the sun after all..</div>
Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-40209762676726785162013-10-31T14:34:00.001-07:002013-10-31T14:34:27.055-07:00Whoopie it's Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It all started with a fairly innocuous workplace challenge: every team gets a pumpkin, and gets to do with it what they will. Judging takes place at 2pm, this spooky Halloween Thursday.</div>
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By Tuesday our pumpkin was still in tact. Something had to be done.</div>
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Earlier in the week, someone sent around an email about food waste. This got me thinking. All those Halloween pumpkins are bought, carved and essentially thrown away. How's that for food waste?!</div>
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What if you could make something a bit different (and useful) out of pumpkin flesh?</div>
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What if you made whoopie pies?</div>
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So after Martha Stuart (controversial I know) supplied <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f" target="_blank">this</a> recipe, it was really just a matter of using some tricks to turn this pumpkin into a treat.</div>
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Before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ANJmCr4kGOxm1QBgKan0854uf5R7yee-fG6Q0hB9Y_daaKTAqoFpPGJnaABAksTy1QmEjRUi3OO56mUjhxDJgXPpwZT-TTSuBAWwCU29OpFf39nMRlyi981lBAiJOx8dMSMn-hl6JriT/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ANJmCr4kGOxm1QBgKan0854uf5R7yee-fG6Q0hB9Y_daaKTAqoFpPGJnaABAksTy1QmEjRUi3OO56mUjhxDJgXPpwZT-TTSuBAWwCU29OpFf39nMRlyi981lBAiJOx8dMSMn-hl6JriT/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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During (Part 1):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTYY7S4VCfcsjupOOvP75pmv2-sDQxX7SmcFP9ar28PUEoUSUJ5Lhl1AMljBZRoiG-7fS78_eD1qRnxducD794immh0EF-Kt5EQRC1jf75bsaiiJmHlOshyphenhyphenTnzyd7FITaGfJrsqekt4HP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTYY7S4VCfcsjupOOvP75pmv2-sDQxX7SmcFP9ar28PUEoUSUJ5Lhl1AMljBZRoiG-7fS78_eD1qRnxducD794immh0EF-Kt5EQRC1jf75bsaiiJmHlOshyphenhyphenTnzyd7FITaGfJrsqekt4HP/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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During (Part 2):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DWT9hzDfvgkycJTu4hqIL6djLiJUh01_6_uSu7KhTykhDG9ZywDnN1LvVL7fQmBqcew2_WSfm36snan01jMcz5DEMvDf0Nz7L8dUsawREETy4S6cv3cUma8zTRYh6GbkeaZ5xBMbSkto/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DWT9hzDfvgkycJTu4hqIL6djLiJUh01_6_uSu7KhTykhDG9ZywDnN1LvVL7fQmBqcew2_WSfm36snan01jMcz5DEMvDf0Nz7L8dUsawREETy4S6cv3cUma8zTRYh6GbkeaZ5xBMbSkto/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After! Complete with clip art mash-up and patronising note about food waste :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHxBPjBiC8bEaAR5HdQLwne9O5sDgoYJKIwiTT8lsnOteJVziMZ_PCKXCWut-KXlikfytbiXazmCfkUezSJTpf2Qz3yoylayso2Z1HoUFw9xUcypL3FCXhV7rbf0UA7KfOPEgxPUlp6I8/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHxBPjBiC8bEaAR5HdQLwne9O5sDgoYJKIwiTT8lsnOteJVziMZ_PCKXCWut-KXlikfytbiXazmCfkUezSJTpf2Qz3yoylayso2Z1HoUFw9xUcypL3FCXhV7rbf0UA7KfOPEgxPUlp6I8/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok, so we didn't win any of the awards but the pies went down a treat and everyone was most appreciative - which to be honest, was the most important thing anyway!</div>
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Happy Halloween!</div>
<span id="goog_82631951"></span><span id="goog_82631952"></span><br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-43364974014628104542013-10-29T14:46:00.001-07:002013-10-29T14:46:06.246-07:00Let me smoke my (knitted) pipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I needed something cute, but not overly fussy for my colleague's new baby. Mainly because her other half did not seem kindly disposed to the usual 'novelty' baby-wear.</div>
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So...sophisticated but not boring, that would be a challenge. Until I found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-sophisticate---free" target="_blank">this</a> pattern. A quick knit AND I had just the buttons to go with it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv-e8FuMAuJRCQODKrFlSdbshEZndQAJDLhn7le2qOkmVXgDhrOWNBwEXg9I6fqEo0RIX1SV2-5wAqnTIdI3PUukopuUlvh7lWOULZH9zNNWJgqtRsqXPTuYVZHitpFvasBX5Th8d5KB7/s1600/cardi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv-e8FuMAuJRCQODKrFlSdbshEZndQAJDLhn7le2qOkmVXgDhrOWNBwEXg9I6fqEo0RIX1SV2-5wAqnTIdI3PUukopuUlvh7lWOULZH9zNNWJgqtRsqXPTuYVZHitpFvasBX5Th8d5KB7/s320/cardi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only thing missing is a tiny knitted pipe to go with it.<br />
For anyone who doesn't get the title of this post, it's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx9PD8cSwSU" target="_blank">song</a> by Mr B, the Gentleman Rhymer who I've had the pleasure of seeing live a couple of times.<br />
<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-56471049381306371812013-10-02T14:34:00.001-07:002013-10-02T14:34:26.294-07:00Ain't that the toofOne of my favourite blogs of all time has to be <a href="http://mymilktoof.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">My Milk Toof</a>. The adventures of two little tooth-shaped characters named Ickle and Lardee, each scene painstakingly set up and photographed are as original as they are cute.<br />
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So having been a devoted follower for many years, I finally decided to treat myself to one of the limited edition books available for a short time directly through the blog. And today it arrived - whoo!<br />
Note the bonus badges and post-cards :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06hfllfJ4rPIcYcr1ckztfI7TAJN_zHdTLfx5IA1vPD787VOzj8-tcoY-YIuPyV7AjsITPUDFiJ1Lwe22MK3duDg-kVOR0fF6QvkxMaGIpFg3SL8LF3NBT1ePJTLkNcK7KJFr5Am6zx4r/s1600/toof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06hfllfJ4rPIcYcr1ckztfI7TAJN_zHdTLfx5IA1vPD787VOzj8-tcoY-YIuPyV7AjsITPUDFiJ1Lwe22MK3duDg-kVOR0fF6QvkxMaGIpFg3SL8LF3NBT1ePJTLkNcK7KJFr5Am6zx4r/s320/toof.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So good to see how a quirky idea combined with sheer passionate talent can really get the recognition it deserves. Keep up the good work Inhae!<br />
<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-42819324526813168302013-09-22T09:54:00.003-07:002013-09-22T09:54:44.286-07:00Poundshop flopUrgh, two months without internet has been painful to say the least. The recent move has also meant that any spare time has mainly been spent playing cardboard box Tetris in the living room or trying not to kill people in IKEA. Thankfully creativity hasn't ground to a complete halt however.<br />
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You may have heard of the <a href="http://thepoundshop.org/" target="_blank">Poundshop</a> initiative at Selfridges? Well a couple of months ago they were asking for submissions for items to sell, so I scratched my head and considered the possibilities. As the items were going to retail at only £1, it was essential that the product itself cost much less than this to create. Not an easy task when it comes to hand-crafting something that should actually be desirable.<br />
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In the end I got some inspiration from the ever productive and <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/3/24/mollys-sketchbook-bobby-pin-butterflies.html" target="_blank">Purl Bee</a> and decided to tweak the concept slightly by using leather of contrasting colours rather than felt fabric.<br />
After some faffing and experimentation, I had my prototype made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF9uJGyGbZ7zRBJJ5dsT82kD5o49HjxwTtiXfBXlZajkLubrszA8aRGOLUmNuW3Y_W-VlBgdxLbG1nUBg56UDIc93aOI0OkMmGcICTAF2l3ACC3qnLEfPe24MYRzxFM62D3p-Tlbe6kg4/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF9uJGyGbZ7zRBJJ5dsT82kD5o49HjxwTtiXfBXlZajkLubrszA8aRGOLUmNuW3Y_W-VlBgdxLbG1nUBg56UDIc93aOI0OkMmGcICTAF2l3ACC3qnLEfPe24MYRzxFM62D3p-Tlbe6kg4/s320/IMG_2273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaWdOiEUNW8oaxjReq1zWGX4ieAoHRtPjFGM-RNqOTbikpyxar7PcgAsTPNo3BXMfBEQkfSY1tPgfSTBvQq3hTGiXvIjXgm-DYZrilgP6gK7sWNdNaPd8m_VkecaGns6L9dU4qD_RFGjW/s1600/IMG_2339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaWdOiEUNW8oaxjReq1zWGX4ieAoHRtPjFGM-RNqOTbikpyxar7PcgAsTPNo3BXMfBEQkfSY1tPgfSTBvQq3hTGiXvIjXgm-DYZrilgP6gK7sWNdNaPd8m_VkecaGns6L9dU4qD_RFGjW/s320/IMG_2339.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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So off it went.<br />
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A couple of weeks later, I unfortunately got the note that my item had not been chosen for the Poundshop. A bit disappointing I suppose, but to be honest I was happy just to have been able to think of something vaguely suitable and submit it before the deadline!<br />
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PS: Now you're all getting hair accessories for Christmas ;)Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-56455344504293807342013-06-28T15:51:00.001-07:002013-06-28T15:51:18.866-07:00Going Japanese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not going to go on and on about how great it was to visit Tokyo. Suffice to say that we had a fabulous time. Although I did spend a ridiculous amount of time drooling over pretty fabrics and craft stuff, I could happily have spent twice as long exploring floor after floor of prettiness.</div>
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One particularly memorable morning was spent in Fabric Town. Yes FABRIC TOWN!! In order to have enough energy to make it through Fabric Town in a satisfactory way, I very much recommend starting the day as we did: with a fat stack of pancakes. Oh and a 'healthy' smoothie to balance out all that jam and cream. Yum.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34sMweBaqr3wYEyxIH6qyPFh7iX2-M2NK9yKPIHQnOAU9I94dwLvdAPXB8FUz6X91kjb2nwsgtMkoUeZBimRwN1HKqMw2TwxEovM5TkGs4yZiSGawjKpmLfnLWQhHvpCLc8XlVJ5KIUT7/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34sMweBaqr3wYEyxIH6qyPFh7iX2-M2NK9yKPIHQnOAU9I94dwLvdAPXB8FUz6X91kjb2nwsgtMkoUeZBimRwN1HKqMw2TwxEovM5TkGs4yZiSGawjKpmLfnLWQhHvpCLc8XlVJ5KIUT7/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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To prove that I'm not making this up, here is a sign for Fabric Street in Fabric Town:</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuEhnuPGyAGlGiiw5qWpKl_jc5LAcqk4AlbYj6coqt4RFyA_7r6BlkxkJR3TqCMKZ9107kOkMhgRX63YnGOrR-OKhIHPPkr3-0RmJ-kdS2_KzhnXXBtY-KQ8c8XP_INrgbwW_dIB12Xv1/s1600/CIMG3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuEhnuPGyAGlGiiw5qWpKl_jc5LAcqk4AlbYj6coqt4RFyA_7r6BlkxkJR3TqCMKZ9107kOkMhgRX63YnGOrR-OKhIHPPkr3-0RmJ-kdS2_KzhnXXBtY-KQ8c8XP_INrgbwW_dIB12Xv1/s320/CIMG3822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tomato was recommended in all the craft blogs as THE place to go for fabrics galore. After a couple of stops on the way, we eventually found the main attraction.</div>
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Ok, so I think there were about 5 floors of every imaginable fabric type. I have to say that my fave was the top floor, which had a massive section of colour co-ordinated 'fat quarters' for your delectation. I was so overwhelmed that I think I just stopped and stared openmouthed for about a minute. Wow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg2q2-dH3-HnmKo8bZZkqROmQcTb6fgR7D9-uRYfARC21nYbK-xNpC0_PzUI3pxprwh43LAXDkt8VMK5lfnBP1180DkqU5WuurG1-Y6Qq5R5bWY6EAcBZbg9sIH4MVegbEniIjz6Obzwh/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg2q2-dH3-HnmKo8bZZkqROmQcTb6fgR7D9-uRYfARC21nYbK-xNpC0_PzUI3pxprwh43LAXDkt8VMK5lfnBP1180DkqU5WuurG1-Y6Qq5R5bWY6EAcBZbg9sIH4MVegbEniIjz6Obzwh/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was inevitable that I would leave the store with a silly amount of stuff BUT miraculously it all managed to not break the bank too badly.<br />
This is what I came away with:<br />
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A pretty selection of fat quarters:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAts7-wSoK3C_5GDpYqLUMz9wI2jXES5NgYe-Re7K4U7_9j_Zkrf2NB2YMxy_vqteFWS8gXn04gqn72bmg9csMiiH-R87QqM2J1tDJNTghcvKl8O9-wDMYB9j-PVPDTNFvyCmCWTq94cF/s1600/IMG_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAts7-wSoK3C_5GDpYqLUMz9wI2jXES5NgYe-Re7K4U7_9j_Zkrf2NB2YMxy_vqteFWS8gXn04gqn72bmg9csMiiH-R87QqM2J1tDJNTghcvKl8O9-wDMYB9j-PVPDTNFvyCmCWTq94cF/s320/IMG_2205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A 'surprise' pack of fabrics, so cheap that is was impossible to resist even though it was bit of pot luck what you got (I really like the camera fabric).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x7CbdMETy8BMoyhuX0H5v-MpJFlG2_hbco4AsNg65o2YNHQTaSSCthgLKzBWXi74G6mZZF1Q4hy7qFGnThyARYXHkTQ42Y5LmE2S40PJr_5X6QzNlPNvx5MVKTgXTTTPB9WvoOEBAkkk/s1600/IMG_2206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x7CbdMETy8BMoyhuX0H5v-MpJFlG2_hbco4AsNg65o2YNHQTaSSCthgLKzBWXi74G6mZZF1Q4hy7qFGnThyARYXHkTQ42Y5LmE2S40PJr_5X6QzNlPNvx5MVKTgXTTTPB9WvoOEBAkkk/s320/IMG_2206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple of metres of misc. fabrics I liked the look of, especially the flowery one with pandas on :)</div>
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I also managed to wangle a trip to the legendary Tokyu Hands which is just lovely. About 7 floors of all things crafts and home. Of course I managed to pick up just a couple more fabric samples..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHKrOnz2wIK0UENFwCnYIeEPNdqMcx9FVquf5uvNwBQd-obMgs0CAdQ76AQ-gjfl46-xBf7Sd-M_1cpIp96-RVa_951xRZB28n23-iAet4_C5JY4BlFBD6e2BIQXgH1QoxmlPNGg_Qk-k/s1600/IMG_2207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHKrOnz2wIK0UENFwCnYIeEPNdqMcx9FVquf5uvNwBQd-obMgs0CAdQ76AQ-gjfl46-xBf7Sd-M_1cpIp96-RVa_951xRZB28n23-iAet4_C5JY4BlFBD6e2BIQXgH1QoxmlPNGg_Qk-k/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below are some assorted pretty tapes I picked up from Tokyo Hands and Itoya.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm-HOhzOZr_KthC5PCpc1EijvJO-QrsZg1kEV1uO-57xHpVC4VnbzpFsSSR_RBcRbngZ_UoZeZgBGlMQCWQLBdIt6foYaC7f-nLZfSx1gTzr8phTvddmW4KDJNdRf2tL1P11pvhErpvjg/s1600/IMG_2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm-HOhzOZr_KthC5PCpc1EijvJO-QrsZg1kEV1uO-57xHpVC4VnbzpFsSSR_RBcRbngZ_UoZeZgBGlMQCWQLBdIt6foYaC7f-nLZfSx1gTzr8phTvddmW4KDJNdRf2tL1P11pvhErpvjg/s320/IMG_2211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And some cute bunny stickers I just couldn't resist:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO46xBdnPQ4cxcIXDWPtuTB9w230eVlR-ij6ER7z-lxS5NKbnQ4VxmQH8ZL8VWXz4zhl80jOwspqTpjUFGALwlGR-CDswBbvRcBEJKSaZR8oWpMXViYvOBrJAplnI9xcrVL7jZ0YFAwlQ/s1600/IMG_2213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO46xBdnPQ4cxcIXDWPtuTB9w230eVlR-ij6ER7z-lxS5NKbnQ4VxmQH8ZL8VWXz4zhl80jOwspqTpjUFGALwlGR-CDswBbvRcBEJKSaZR8oWpMXViYvOBrJAplnI9xcrVL7jZ0YFAwlQ/s320/IMG_2213.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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So the point of getting all this stuff is actually to USE it. Behold my first application. Pretty from the front..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi267fnfH_I8jUAANyqcWubnHEIt_Sbx8K2pcIU2JG6BG-fKpxE3MYYlBf9QEkzHx6zVDv7ANpfnn0iwkwPQB7g70FL12_iFart-Ft25UiIVueFD7URStVCVp9J65WIcCFEHhHkIvYck4DT/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi267fnfH_I8jUAANyqcWubnHEIt_Sbx8K2pcIU2JG6BG-fKpxE3MYYlBf9QEkzHx6zVDv7ANpfnn0iwkwPQB7g70FL12_iFart-Ft25UiIVueFD7URStVCVp9J65WIcCFEHhHkIvYck4DT/s320/IMG_2275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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..and the back!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNarpUO4fwV5nWNPfaqNIoFnJS_Ahsah7hFMgGE4x3HhpC-MRq6CrDlp3oFpjuBVmRDyuJ3mbgsbdYDgFfgY7LLfUmcrXLxOgbRdt_kxzmIYngDgyKhJY0mEYzKnS0ybGsTwAK2_D8mCp/s1600/IMG_2276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNarpUO4fwV5nWNPfaqNIoFnJS_Ahsah7hFMgGE4x3HhpC-MRq6CrDlp3oFpjuBVmRDyuJ3mbgsbdYDgFfgY7LLfUmcrXLxOgbRdt_kxzmIYngDgyKhJY0mEYzKnS0ybGsTwAK2_D8mCp/s320/IMG_2276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm currently trying my best to keep up the inspiration and looking up bag patterns from <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/" target="_blank">Cut Out and Keep</a> to convert some of those lovely fabrics into something useable. I'm also hoping that our imminent move will mean that there just *might* be more space for crafts in my life!</div>
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<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-32182264645650984232013-06-18T13:09:00.000-07:002013-06-18T13:09:01.277-07:00White lace and promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So I decided rather late in the day that I needed a shawl for my wedding. Yup, this pretty much exemplifies my approach to the entire event. As such, I decided to keep it simple and go with a (relatively) easy peasy number - which also happened to go with our beach wedding theme, being called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-shells" target="_blank">Little Shells</a>.<br />
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A dream to knit up in Debbie Bliss pure silk:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq_EnKCgdw-YW4vXOCqudsJr5akgfOsOOGJFpLTLVZT5Ibqk_H5fk_EIBq5PHUu5YDSaMecgMD3_1F6qlfeVpcqRaFoaYHK2mPqhmLOybSuJFOtBfZVWhLr4KVFptgaGs1qZya82CLHBG/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq_EnKCgdw-YW4vXOCqudsJr5akgfOsOOGJFpLTLVZT5Ibqk_H5fk_EIBq5PHUu5YDSaMecgMD3_1F6qlfeVpcqRaFoaYHK2mPqhmLOybSuJFOtBfZVWhLr4KVFptgaGs1qZya82CLHBG/s320/IMG_2176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq_EnKCgdw-YW4vXOCqudsJr5akgfOsOOGJFpLTLVZT5Ibqk_H5fk_EIBq5PHUu5YDSaMecgMD3_1F6qlfeVpcqRaFoaYHK2mPqhmLOybSuJFOtBfZVWhLr4KVFptgaGs1qZya82CLHBG/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
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And it matched the dress quite nicely if I do say so myself!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt9eoiC_dEXAH06aPGHQM8fzqonyv5S7JRIcUmmygN7IOYXM3yFPl3NCYCrdlYhDbletir3211LQTDUyl3yQvhvgS0ZKx-IknXBu7xL5jWzVLd9rCgPI_cM5VM5jeBwHpj8k5plHFWI9d/s1600/0achyBY78d-YpoDamo260kCZf7XnfVNQoR2s6Md2Yiw+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt9eoiC_dEXAH06aPGHQM8fzqonyv5S7JRIcUmmygN7IOYXM3yFPl3NCYCrdlYhDbletir3211LQTDUyl3yQvhvgS0ZKx-IknXBu7xL5jWzVLd9rCgPI_cM5VM5jeBwHpj8k5plHFWI9d/s320/0achyBY78d-YpoDamo260kCZf7XnfVNQoR2s6Md2Yiw+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The silk ensured that it was nice and light, while also protecting me from being frazzled during the ceremony. Here elegantly draped over a chair at our communal dining table:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8r20QdzVsJ5XbyuZz6WS_lr6mSbTNIHls-AuPNe5HYgKUvMh2xM0Ld-O694PdoBJwt8AA7HFD_1B8pF9HtdaNUM4WyM_5iCK4fN3VA6_6MSK4cZV0U0dCWT-EDKgWxpg-T_SMPjqJVDD/s1600/sdff1k8UQpQwNcj0SU6NnBuhTdlbL_KUdYYdpa5h6a8,MkD34pNusI4eWWipl3Gl5O35ullXABsBDx0Dzz6bi6Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8r20QdzVsJ5XbyuZz6WS_lr6mSbTNIHls-AuPNe5HYgKUvMh2xM0Ld-O694PdoBJwt8AA7HFD_1B8pF9HtdaNUM4WyM_5iCK4fN3VA6_6MSK4cZV0U0dCWT-EDKgWxpg-T_SMPjqJVDD/s320/sdff1k8UQpQwNcj0SU6NnBuhTdlbL_KUdYYdpa5h6a8,MkD34pNusI4eWWipl3Gl5O35ullXABsBDx0Dzz6bi6Y.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All in all rather perfect despite the lack of planning, a bit like the actual wedding itself then :)Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-78811783457119175382013-05-08T13:06:00.003-07:002013-05-08T13:06:36.295-07:00Spot of colour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's the time of year when I start craving a bit of colour in my life. Out come the colourful vests and day-glo nail polish - at least for as long as I can be bothered. Colour makes me happy though, and that's a fact. What I really wanted was a colourful necklace, but was somewhat put off by the neon pink skulls that seemed to be on pretty much all colourful jewellery in the shops. Maybe I'm just getting old.</div>
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Anyway, it's also a fact that I had completely forgotten about that 'must make' necklace i saw last year on <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-anthropologies-perched-harmonies-necklace" target="_blank">Cut Out and Keep</a>.. It was time to get cracking, especially as I've not done any jewellery making for simply ages.</div>
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After a quick trip to the lovely <a href="http://www.beadworks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Beadworks</a> in Covent Garden, I got stringing:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxws-we9ZgZ_hyphenhyphennGodv2P_06WrPsEkpgcW12J6o-t5idKKv6kG0xOm_HAFMKorOKTx_i5WyBOSgIFr3CmiKyWcrCcTuHznrDpWoZeooDsP2zkvTU2xG6Ip8L6SpFadf47ndKESDmwuCvE/s1600/IMG_2143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxws-we9ZgZ_hyphenhyphennGodv2P_06WrPsEkpgcW12J6o-t5idKKv6kG0xOm_HAFMKorOKTx_i5WyBOSgIFr3CmiKyWcrCcTuHznrDpWoZeooDsP2zkvTU2xG6Ip8L6SpFadf47ndKESDmwuCvE/s320/IMG_2143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Actually the hardest part was getting a hole in the other end of the piece of metal I was attaching the glass beads to. Thankfully M came to the rescue with steady hands and a slightly-too-big-but-we'll-make-it-work drill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheOxHYwnj5I4D7CiTXEMg5GMBoy1PwuNGKIvddV3BOCmS4wFJLrEy-iACtuDVgR1zvF5TwEAnbqfmHfJeiCjQ0Kpkhyphenhyphen332JonWU40-W19RRUvwt_FpGiwIYS9CALSfUmY-WL3UxJpQyrm/s1600/IMG_2144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheOxHYwnj5I4D7CiTXEMg5GMBoy1PwuNGKIvddV3BOCmS4wFJLrEy-iACtuDVgR1zvF5TwEAnbqfmHfJeiCjQ0Kpkhyphenhyphen332JonWU40-W19RRUvwt_FpGiwIYS9CALSfUmY-WL3UxJpQyrm/s320/IMG_2144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ta dah!<br />
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And while I was on a roll, why not continue?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzG1H0qD7PVov1WEE2gzyEsGEOnHcBGGt0T0v42CS7ZV6ysuns0DYaWFIYE-BgiQwdRvGyqKevE1wc6LM0mbESE3yr0ifx6xxlSW3CbZdClnZFIB7nATFeZVms-_dIytyjdIVLdxhdO9y/s1600/IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzG1H0qD7PVov1WEE2gzyEsGEOnHcBGGt0T0v42CS7ZV6ysuns0DYaWFIYE-BgiQwdRvGyqKevE1wc6LM0mbESE3yr0ifx6xxlSW3CbZdClnZFIB7nATFeZVms-_dIytyjdIVLdxhdO9y/s320/IMG_2145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All prepped:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsk-CRdfeIEHSHLT8PdxT1CDhx-uuOVPly7Yw-8u4sH-LiIlpRNMvw4RHe6f3iJNVnC0Hfb8AAOTqKKLkEJ4hp4E80hVwXE1mXtr_t9crA3wngR_BV77neYK2WFoaKNJGDjkqhy15Jbcr/s1600/IMG_2146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsk-CRdfeIEHSHLT8PdxT1CDhx-uuOVPly7Yw-8u4sH-LiIlpRNMvw4RHe6f3iJNVnC0Hfb8AAOTqKKLkEJ4hp4E80hVwXE1mXtr_t9crA3wngR_BV77neYK2WFoaKNJGDjkqhy15Jbcr/s320/IMG_2146.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Finished result:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xJ2HogVD5fms9w-9R0IR9zBpMlFw645Q29jUBQh3Igz3DiQy-3eyJFW1yIU6Gqu_mQ6wVOfoUm-IzWPEaaGf_sILmdPfmRDRsXkYvnSKvXqeyMimol9lt6OC2eqNZuHLMSx41zzUIhEA/s1600/IMG_2170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xJ2HogVD5fms9w-9R0IR9zBpMlFw645Q29jUBQh3Igz3DiQy-3eyJFW1yIU6Gqu_mQ6wVOfoUm-IzWPEaaGf_sILmdPfmRDRsXkYvnSKvXqeyMimol9lt6OC2eqNZuHLMSx41zzUIhEA/s320/IMG_2170.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh, and both came in at under what one of those hideous pink neon skull and spike necklaces would cost. I'll be wearing these with smugness.Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-58235883611339651902013-04-21T07:40:00.001-07:002013-04-21T07:40:57.983-07:00Swift hat<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snatch" target="_blank">This</a> was a bit of an impulse project really. I saw it, liked it, bought the pattern and knitted it up over Easter. Quick, satisfying and super soft result using more of my leftover <a href="http://www.touchyarns.com/yarns/possumYarn.asp" target="_blank">possum</a> yarn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIezxNPBA3RsG6it1cIXkwjMihlMswFvNthcXxl-2wh7220oby0eizWV4LB0JxVQxMNKAgjhEMNPJ2Ex_WXtusI2YVGqJU62wan6t9rV0zouHrznsTZpBDaNYTiWMgeP9smIv9WvtP0Lp3/s1600/hat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIezxNPBA3RsG6it1cIXkwjMihlMswFvNthcXxl-2wh7220oby0eizWV4LB0JxVQxMNKAgjhEMNPJ2Ex_WXtusI2YVGqJU62wan6t9rV0zouHrznsTZpBDaNYTiWMgeP9smIv9WvtP0Lp3/s320/hat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Absurdly, wearing it makes me feel somewhat like a <a href="http://taylorswift.com/" target="_blank">Taylor Swift</a> wannabe - those cool kids with their slouchy hats, worn far back on the head and hair all over the place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mip8W6rhD_sp74M02GUDKzabQKzaPjnlGA8WhmwSdoR2PbjTmOZQNko6NSd0LVEKtZUSRdaMHyDg0Vp9HuZdYvGGiGqhxKJ2vYuNZVof_uwM-U1TMeVYs29Bcj8Zji9EJaQGB0flnVAv/s1600/hat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mip8W6rhD_sp74M02GUDKzabQKzaPjnlGA8WhmwSdoR2PbjTmOZQNko6NSd0LVEKtZUSRdaMHyDg0Vp9HuZdYvGGiGqhxKJ2vYuNZVof_uwM-U1TMeVYs29Bcj8Zji9EJaQGB0flnVAv/s320/hat2.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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I think that the <a href="http://youtu.be/YSnDJ7exSO0" target="_blank">parody version</a> of Swift's '<a href="http://youtu.be/AgFeZr5ptV8" target="_blank">22</a>' suits me better than the original though! Oh yes, 32..Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-25133156399672606922013-04-03T12:45:00.000-07:002013-04-03T12:45:32.319-07:00One present, two gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow, I wish it was like this all the time! I recently made the lovely A a beanie for her Birthday, a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cataleya-hat" target="_blank">Cataleya</a> hat in fact - a pattern by the talented <a href="http://www.curioushandmade.com/" target="_blank">H</a>. A very beautiful pattern in a rather zingy shade of Wollmeise I might add. Just the thing to perk up the seemingly endless winter that appears to be upon us in the UK.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuBu10umjARLsbtSEsuAAxYjC1Ye_Ozauru_dXqTSwCcwKpIlBpPwrsPM5HnCkZZJvicX3PTghsK1ouegiex2M490-SZBQMSzoaFIRbE7-DDb8Zeys8_Ivb_w665LPwXO1JbTgty08pV0/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuBu10umjARLsbtSEsuAAxYjC1Ye_Ozauru_dXqTSwCcwKpIlBpPwrsPM5HnCkZZJvicX3PTghsK1ouegiex2M490-SZBQMSzoaFIRbE7-DDb8Zeys8_Ivb_w665LPwXO1JbTgty08pV0/s320/IMG_2102.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
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Only a couple of days later I was in for a treat from <a href="http://knitterrooney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">T</a>, who gave me a beautiful <a href="http://www.thegartergirl.com/2009/12/04/free-knitting-pattern-burberry-inspired-cowl-neck-scarf/" target="_blank">cowl</a> which is wonderfully snug and warm:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB07KKG_ecAbQQX90LVs3m2P19wR6MEYfPlcaVwzAuaLEOwDiMRVkni3u9G5lwbSMWl3_SxJOPIPxReOTR9R8Nh6uLQjo6w2sQmDRZbCZiOdAigjig1WvhM0eL7bpic6xYpgdM_H2ikKN/s1600/IMG_2066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB07KKG_ecAbQQX90LVs3m2P19wR6MEYfPlcaVwzAuaLEOwDiMRVkni3u9G5lwbSMWl3_SxJOPIPxReOTR9R8Nh6uLQjo6w2sQmDRZbCZiOdAigjig1WvhM0eL7bpic6xYpgdM_H2ikKN/s320/IMG_2066.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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And only a few days after that M's mother gave me some very squishy and pretty hand knit socks as an Easter gift!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GG8sKeMRUdXAQuwF4W_E1NEhlu7Mc08ZzXjmv2m95seIUZXtLLvSWLD79nuagRX9_ww6xfq59UxcsLSS2-ClxVY8Et_EQ5WUcVojjDMbB086WhVNuRLiY_sas-UIZVCcFWKvuvCk79Og/s1600/IMG_2103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GG8sKeMRUdXAQuwF4W_E1NEhlu7Mc08ZzXjmv2m95seIUZXtLLvSWLD79nuagRX9_ww6xfq59UxcsLSS2-ClxVY8Et_EQ5WUcVojjDMbB086WhVNuRLiY_sas-UIZVCcFWKvuvCk79Og/s320/IMG_2103.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Wonderful to have so many people in my life who love the art of knitting :)Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-55066723695205343602013-03-11T13:22:00.001-07:002013-03-11T13:23:14.401-07:00Headcase<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other day I realised I hadn't made biscuits in ages. This happily co-incided with M stating that he really fancied some 'sand cookies', which it turns out, are happily much like the sort of biscuits I used to make with my mum when I was little. And it was Mother's Day in the UK, so everything was aligned to create the perfect biscuit-making opportunity.</div>
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I ended up using <a href="http://germanfood.about.com/od/baking/r/checkerboards.htm" target="_blank">this</a> recipe, mainly because there were no eggs in the fridge. Anyhow, the dough began as lumpy worms:</div>
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Which later became lumpy, clingfilm-wrapped worm clusters chilling in the fridge:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-ONx8Av1ouG47S3R9gXtOt-71OxxEEdO1FVnHq7jsoGDKPDU22x6clrIrwda1tKPTZ3SK5kmxL2v0EV1HUa-kKhyVt1SFE0iYNdvwr46dpX580L3v9P0QGF-tFicxgF1pmnoYL7t61H5/s1600/IMG_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-ONx8Av1ouG47S3R9gXtOt-71OxxEEdO1FVnHq7jsoGDKPDU22x6clrIrwda1tKPTZ3SK5kmxL2v0EV1HUa-kKhyVt1SFE0iYNdvwr46dpX580L3v9P0QGF-tFicxgF1pmnoYL7t61H5/s320/IMG_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From there on it was easy peasy chopping them into 1/2 cm slices and toasting them in the oven for 10mins.<br />
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Ah, I had forgotten the 1st Law of Biscuits: volumes can be overwhelming:<br />
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Oh well. Anyone fancy a cup of tea and a biccy or 10? In any case they went down well both at home and at work.</div>
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In more knitting related news, I had been looking for a decent knitted ear-warmer/headband to make for a friend's Birthday for ages when I stumbled across <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69190548/knitting-pattern-parisian-twist-headband?" target="_blank">this</a> one. </div>
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It was pretty straightforward, but just a touch more challenging than it appeared. Enough to keep it interesting for sure. </div>
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My NZ possum yarn rose to the occasion:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgUHk8I2Z3KT_yCFdTBH_EulrEyaOlrgicGElcQaLNR8j8PO8OGSNbCNNBWtBqPdUh1hl2dXuL4NwyN0y1SIiHDdVZximCzdPsxVr65IJkuGlvO0laFaPpwkLvm0iWIUWCM8pfx_SGWxT/s1600/IMG_2032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgUHk8I2Z3KT_yCFdTBH_EulrEyaOlrgicGElcQaLNR8j8PO8OGSNbCNNBWtBqPdUh1hl2dXuL4NwyN0y1SIiHDdVZximCzdPsxVr65IJkuGlvO0laFaPpwkLvm0iWIUWCM8pfx_SGWxT/s320/IMG_2032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think this will look better on the recipient, but obviously I had to try it just in case:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY_iZEPCHls6yS1RYy9dnbtnpYHfvKn1DWxr9iwO9Gbgbw8Tcb7Cvm7kqAvZSFX4GBFQcxaKkWJmK0R3BzB1DsC4IjWgPEOPRbYxaU0Pes4CJd-0tJwUC7jEFnb3rtiZVG5CbiJXw6qVh/s1600/IMG_2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY_iZEPCHls6yS1RYy9dnbtnpYHfvKn1DWxr9iwO9Gbgbw8Tcb7Cvm7kqAvZSFX4GBFQcxaKkWJmK0R3BzB1DsC4IjWgPEOPRbYxaU0Pes4CJd-0tJwUC7jEFnb3rtiZVG5CbiJXw6qVh/s320/IMG_2020.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="252" /></a> </div>
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There's also neon pink lacy beret in the pipeline for another of the March Birthday kids. More of that next time.<br />
<br />Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-32920246367628052942013-01-27T12:24:00.001-08:002013-01-27T12:24:05.788-08:00Monkey 2.0<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a new monkey in the household! Yes, I had to relent and make another one.</div>
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Here he is:</div>
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Here hanging out with his big bro:</div>
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And getting up to no good of course.<br />
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It's funny, although it's exactly the same pattern he still came out a little smaller than the first. But then again, he is the little brother after all.<br />
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That's enough monkeys for the foreseeable future, those loooong limbs have taken their toll..Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-90321063011686650882013-01-13T08:16:00.001-08:002013-01-13T08:16:25.292-08:00Menagerie a trois<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once upon a time, there was a duck-billed platypus, a blue-footed booby and a monkey.. sound good so far? That's the story that's currently being played out in my flat as a result of my feverish pre and post Christmas knitting.</div>
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You may remember the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hot-water-platypus" target="_blank">platypus hot water bottle cover</a> knitted the previous Christmas? Well, I decided that our household needed on of it's own. This time in more natural colours:</div>
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He's already had one test-run and it's now proven that nothing makes you feel better quicker than a hot platypus on your tummy.<br />
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After spotting <a href="http://rebeccadanger.typepad.com/rebecca_danger/2012/08/meet-my-newest-pattern-bob-the-blue-footed-booby.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a>, how could I resist making this for a friend's Christmas present? This is Bob the blue-footed booby:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0eJB1xSB6SZEO9aCwJa6WHZ2jRA0bhM4eVtR-P843ToAbGRhZ_2fEOf91CJbfrOkGEchaDKapjryKvUewV-hAURDDSY3L6yYcIHjynpCCflXV1_546NyK2JpA0VlH66kmE-DAc_DG9-O/s1600/IMG_1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0eJB1xSB6SZEO9aCwJa6WHZ2jRA0bhM4eVtR-P843ToAbGRhZ_2fEOf91CJbfrOkGEchaDKapjryKvUewV-hAURDDSY3L6yYcIHjynpCCflXV1_546NyK2JpA0VlH66kmE-DAc_DG9-O/s320/IMG_1939.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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Booby moon walk:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpTbkSiOzlIAOmz-xNzzayEcgk7hRgBtDmQXLeWsZu-E5hWXiI6shw89dcI2bOWHp7BAZaRa-JuafAcDoYmb707DLv85_1IHkDojb6mk4WsF-of9wlMXGoixnk3Jw2M4dIzxRN9piD_Pm/s1600/IMG_1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpTbkSiOzlIAOmz-xNzzayEcgk7hRgBtDmQXLeWsZu-E5hWXiI6shw89dcI2bOWHp7BAZaRa-JuafAcDoYmb707DLv85_1IHkDojb6mk4WsF-of9wlMXGoixnk3Jw2M4dIzxRN9piD_Pm/s320/IMG_1940.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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He will be handed over to his new home shortly.<br />
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And then there's the <a href="http://rebeccadanger.typepad.com/rebecca_danger/2011/03/hey-hey-its-a-monkey.html" target="_blank">monkey</a>. His looong limbs make it impossible not to want to bend him into comedy poses:<br />
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Hm, can I bear to part with him? Well, we will see. In the meantime, here's the gang hanging out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-D7ZhjPBQoXDBa2BZahyphenhyphenSZpttQsRl5JiXJv3DVROU4aaP7r1NWhpXnYf_j3ESLmDsug9CIjmnpB44EZM7wyQpIM12m7ffg8PyF9GZv48Q9NaJ49VfTbKI6Ze5MYE_eVN_q3xESbDMdLy/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-D7ZhjPBQoXDBa2BZahyphenhyphenSZpttQsRl5JiXJv3DVROU4aaP7r1NWhpXnYf_j3ESLmDsug9CIjmnpB44EZM7wyQpIM12m7ffg8PyF9GZv48Q9NaJ49VfTbKI6Ze5MYE_eVN_q3xESbDMdLy/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and I did decide to make a little something for myself also. I was lucky enough to receive a Kindle for Christmas, so of course I couldn't leave it exposed to the elements. Thanks to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cozy-fire-kindle-cover" target="_blank">this</a> handy patten, it now resides in it's own little 'flame-lace' (Kindle, flame - get it??) cosy.</div>
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Well, that's it for now but I can exclusively reveal that I have another project on the way which could be very exciting (for me at least) indeed. Will keep you posted..Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7222480887364196324.post-89686146171220563392012-12-12T13:16:00.001-08:002012-12-12T13:19:45.557-08:00Booties, socks and a dose of ChristmasYes MORE <a href="http://www.saartjeknits.nl/archives/2007/05/pattern_for_boo.html" target="_blank">booties</a>! This time for little A who was born not long ago in (from what I hear) a very snowy Sweden. I tried my best to make them a bit more gender neutral, with the orange buttons adding just a touch of colour.<br />
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And then it was back to the Christmas knitting.. May I present my first pair of top-down socks?<br />
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Taken from the book '<a href="http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/knitted-socks-east-and-west/" target="_blank">Knitted Socks East and West</a>' these Japanese inspired numbers are probably the most intricate socks I have created. Somewhat depressingly they are called the 'easiest' in the book, which I should probably bear in mind if I ever decide to attempt any of the other pretty patterns.<br />
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Anyway, the description was clear enough and although complex, it was pretty satisfying to see the cables and twists starting to branch out and entwine. It was also fun to use my <a href="http://www.touchyarns.com/yarns/possum.asp" target="_blank">Possum</a> blend yarn from New Zealand for this - very squooshy and super-warm! Perfect for bed-socks. Let's just hope that the recipient agrees..<br />
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To round off, my Swedish colleague persuaded me that we should mark this year's Lucia by providing our work colleagues with a taste of Swedish Christmas. She will bring the gingerbread biscuits, Julmust drink and sweets while I bring the <a href="http://www.recept.nu/recept-nu/kakor-och-tartor/mjol/annas-saftiga-lussebullar/" target="_blank">lussekatter</a>. So most of yesterday was spent covering my kitchen in flour. Thankfully it was worth it:<br />
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It had been a while since I did any baking with yeast and to be honest I was slightly dreading it. BUT it actually turned out to be pretty easy and while the yeast was rising I could get on with essential tasks like sewing buttons onto booties. Perfect!Lotta Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11290075070860584129noreply@blogger.com0