tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79609934085323820292024-03-14T06:31:43.689+00:00SnipsnaphappyA blog about crafting and motherhood, money-saving, family, cooking, sewing, crochet and making the craftiness fit in with life and work.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-29958551776005425142013-08-14T21:17:00.000+01:002013-08-14T21:17:04.500+01:00Making bath bombs with kids!This post is titled "making bath bombs with kids" but to be honest it should be called "making bath bombs with my eldest, who's 7, because god knows what would happen if I let 2-year-old Phoebe near citric acid powder". You get my point.<br />
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Lillia has been angling to make bath bombs at home ever since she went to her friend's birthday party at <a href="https://www.lush.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lush</a> and got to make their "space girl" bomb with glitter, purple dye and the works. And to be honest I've been pretty keen on the idea ever since I was given James Wong's book <em>Grow Your Own Medicine</em> a few years ago. So I finally ordered some citric acid powder from Amazon and bought up several pots of bicarbonate of soda and we were pretty much good to go.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhpXdIqCSyE/UgvfK1DA7YI/AAAAAAAACrQ/7Wee9znYTKU/s1600/DSC_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhpXdIqCSyE/UgvfK1DA7YI/AAAAAAAACrQ/7Wee9znYTKU/s640/DSC_0445.JPG" width="640" /></a>We mixed up our bath bomb ingredients according to the recipe - citric acid powder, bicarb, olive oil and lavender oil and worked it into a dryish mix that could be pressed together in our moulds (unwilling to splash out on proper bath bomb moulds I used silicone baking cases which worked a treat.) Lillia loved adding all the ingredients and measuring out the powders, though bear in mind we were clad in aprons and latex gloves! Lillia found the citric acid powder made her a little sneezey if we were too quick with our getting it into the bowl, but as long as we went slowly we found she was fine as we weren't creating too much "cloud".<br />
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Then we added dried lavender leaves that I had <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/sun-sea-and-sewing-week-in-france.html" target="_blank">kept in a hand sewn pouch since I picked them in June 2009</a>. Four years ago! FOUR!!<br />
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It still smells divine, and mixed with the lavender oil it smells even more so. The first bomb we used in the girls' bath near enough knocked them unconscious with the sheer amount of relaxing aromas that exploded around the bathroom.<br />
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Lillia spent some time pressing the mix into the cases and making sure they were neat. We made lemon and lavender ones too by using the same bowl we had mixed our 100% lavender ones in and adding lemon oil in place of lavender oil - this produced a lovely citrus bomb with a hint of lavender. Lovely.<br />
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The best part though of course is the moment they are ready to be dropped in a warm bath and release their oils and their fragrance in a fizzy explosion. Lillia can't get enough of these fizzling delights. She is already planning her next range of flavours...watch out Lush! :)Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-65050747511244399832013-08-04T21:46:00.000+01:002013-08-04T21:46:51.379+01:00A day at the seasideI am taking a little holiday from Instagram in August. It may turn into a permanent break. This is not for any sinister reasons at all. I bloody love Instagram, I love it so much that I can barely keep up with the hundreds that I follow! But I feel it has started to distract me too much from daily life so I just want to step back and slow down on the social media front, a little blog post now and then after the girls are in bed feels much less consuming.<br />
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But there's another reason for my Instagram break. I feel I have started to be too influenced by the trends that come and go. One day everyone's posting pictures of friendship bracelets and beaded crochet necklaces, the next it's overnight oats and pretty filofax pages, or toadstool lamps and bunny ornaments. I love it all, I love to gawk at other people's lives and homes and interests and creative talents but I feel I am really losing sight of what *I* am truly into. I feel it's all too much some days and I get utterly exhausted. I know this sounds completely doolally, but bear with me and I shall explain myself, and the photos have relevance too, I will get to that in a minute.<br />
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I recently read an <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/how-to-live-with-introverts/" target="_blank">absolutely brilliant comic strip explanation of how to live with an introvert</a>. I am an introvert and there is a bit of this article that explains the way I feel most of the time so utterly accurately I nearly cried with relief that somebody had hit the nail on the head so perfectly:<br />
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<em>"Extroverted people gather their energy from their surroundings. They absorb the 'good vibes' of the people around them...Introverted people make their own energy and....'give' it on social contact. This means that they naturally find most interaction exhausting and need time to recharge." </em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(For the full version click on the link, thanks to the author/artist Schroeder Jones for this.)</span> </div>
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So for me the social side of Instagram is both wonderful (great online friends, contact with a range of fabulous like-minded people all over the world) and terrifyingly exhausting (can't keep up with conversations, difficulty keeping up with ever changing feed, requires a lot of 'energy'.)<br />
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In addition I have begun to find that I sometimes take photos thinking of how they will be received by the audience rather than what I think. I do that here on this blog too sometimes. I am not sure at what point I started to stop trusting my own instincts and sharing what I thought of as good and started to try and create photos with only others' approval in mind. I don't do this all the time, but Instagram has made me more inclined to do it. <br />
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All the photos in this post were taken by me* over the last few weeks in the garden and on a day out in Margate. I never had any intention of sharing them anywhere but on the annual DVD of photos-to-music I do at the end of every year for the family. I haven't edited them or spent hours choosing them, I just picked the ones I like best and stuck them in.<br />
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And you know what? I feel better already. This blog should reflect my own voice and my own likes and I think this post does. So maybe this little break is working already? <br />
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* <span style="font-size: x-small;">Obviously I didn't take the last picture with me <em>in</em> it, hubby took that one, but well done if you questioned my attempt at taking credit for all of them.</span><br />
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Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-87148123181293687282013-07-30T23:07:00.000+01:002013-07-30T23:07:58.722+01:00Home Improvement Hero: Patio revampI like a challenge me. Which is pretty handy considering <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-whole-or-not-whole-new-me.html" target="_blank">the challenges life tends to keep throwing at me</a>. So entering <a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/" target="_blank">Moneysupermarket</a>'s Home Improvement Hero challenge was right up my street. The challenge? "Improve the appearance or functionality of a room of your choice" in my home. The catch? You've can only spend £50 to do it.<br />
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The hardest part was deciding which part of my home would get the improvement. Then the heatwave arrived and hubby got a new BBQ and I realised our patio was...well...a little neglected...<br />
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Hmmm. As you can see it was somewhat lacking in...anything at all. Just a load of old pots, a wonky table and a disused parasol holder (out of a job since a hardy gust of wind dealt with the flimsy parasol that once existed). A quick scan of eBay revealed that £50 wasn't going to solve my wonky table problem, though hubby will deal with that once he's finished with all the other jobs in the garden. But £50 does go a long way...<br />
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Ta da! A far cry from the bleak corner it once was don't you think? Although unfortunately money cannot change the weather and it was raining by the time I took these "after" shots. Ah well, I feel the bright pink parasol and the pretty candles more than make up for the lack of sun, not to mention the all-important bunting :)<br />
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So how does it all add up? This home improvement cost me £51.54. And here's the lowdown on where to get all the bits and bobs pictured:<br />
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The parasol was £30 from B&Q, which I think is quite a bargain. It comes with it's own storage bag in matching pink too so it's easy to store away without it becoming filthy in the shed, or spiders setting up home over winter and falling on your head when you open it up in the spring *shudder*<br />
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The storm lantern was a particular bargain from Sainsbury's for just £6! It was half price in the sale and it's pretty big actually. It's VERY sturdy and very smart. I am extremely pleased with this as I can pop it on my hearth indoors in the winter months.</div>
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The candle in the storm lantern is a must for all crochet/knit/yarn geeks like me. It has a cable-knit texture. It was £5 from Amazon. You can get <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=knit+effect+candle" target="_blank">all manner of knit effect candles</a> if you search on Amazon, and plenty of other online shops too.<br />
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The jar candle holders were basically free, unless you count the ribbon of course but I had that lying about in my ribbon box. I tied ribbon and lace around the jars in order to get all rustic and shabby chic, and I think it worked quite well. I really love the lace one especially. The crochet one was made by crocheting with crochet thread over a Gu dessert jar. <br />
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The pattern I used as a base for this was <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocheted-jar-cover-1" target="_blank">on Ravelry here</a> and I modified it to fit a short wide jar and added a little shell border to the top. (A little tip with these crochet jar covers: I always dab some superglue around the top rim to stick the cover in place and make sure it doesn't slip down.)<br />
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The plant is fake (fooled you!) from Ikea, as is the white pot (from Ikea, not fake). The plant was £6.50, the pot was £2.25. This was a particularly good buy as I can use it inside when I am not brightening up the outside! Plus I can't kill it, which is a great advantage for me with plants.<br />
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The bunting was made from Bonus DK yarn, £1.79 a ball from Hobbycraft. I made this before for <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/meadow-party.html" target="_blank">Lillia's meadow party</a> and thought I'd make some more for this project. I made up the pattern and it's very simple really, I can post a tutorial if enough people are interested, just let me know by leaving a comment.<br />
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The seat cushions are B&Q value range, I got them for £4 on eBay and I'm not sure that B&Q do them anymore, but they do similar ones, or you could just make them I guess with some plain fabric and a bit of wadding. But it's the school holidays and quite honestly I don't have the time or energy to whip up pretty cushions whilst I am running around after two little whirlwinds of energy all day, and working too!<br />
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The blanket was dragged outdoors from the sofa where it has been in constant daily use <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/happy-birthday.html" target="_blank">since Lillia's 4th birthday</a>. <br />
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All in all I am delighted with how it all turned out. We are having a BBQ in two weeks time for some old university friends and all their kids. In our tiny garden in should be interesting fitting everyone in! But at least the adults will have somewhere nice to congregate and drink pimms whilst the children trample the geraniums and terrorise next door's dog. Happy days.<br />
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Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-75737108867818714212013-02-24T17:02:00.000+00:002013-02-24T17:02:28.016+00:00Custard PowderI have a tin of Bird's Custard Powder in my cupboard that really needs to be used up before it becomes an antique. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk5NxooOznc/USpBcWgP3hI/AAAAAAAACi4/dpH44i5HYVc/s1600/DSC_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk5NxooOznc/USpBcWgP3hI/AAAAAAAACi4/dpH44i5HYVc/s640/DSC_0402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I searched the interwebs for decent custard powder recipes and was led staight back to a book I have on my shelf....<br />
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Ah, good old Nigella and her cake-making genius. The Birthday Custard Sponge recipe has custard powder in the cake mix and in the buttercream.<br />
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I ommited the chocolate icing, which looked altogether too sickly for my tastes, and just used buttercream for the sandwiching and topping. I then grated some chocolate on top for a little decoration and flavour. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVIlBM_8_dM/USpBRWtPx6I/AAAAAAAACiw/PAlG3gGZp54/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVIlBM_8_dM/USpBRWtPx6I/AAAAAAAACiw/PAlG3gGZp54/s640/DSC_0397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course I had a little helper to keep me on track. She's particularly good at mixing!</div>
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It turned out to be delicious and had a lovely moist puddingy texture. Yum yum. </div>
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It was also incredibly easy to make - just shove all the ingredients in a food processor and blend! Then the cake takes 20 minutes to bake, which is great if you need a speedy cakey treat double quick, you can have this whipped up, cooled and iced within the hour.</div>
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I made it again this morning in fact. This time I used only 3 eggs instead of the recipe's 4. </div>
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4 seems a little excessive for one cake don't you think? Not that I want to question Nigella of course. But it did seem a little lighter this time round :)</div>
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So there you have it! A great use for custard powder, highly recommended, yummity yum x</div>
Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-38676316389837754112013-02-06T13:03:00.001+00:002013-02-06T13:03:40.141+00:00Granny Square TutorialOne of my best friends Clair (@clads26 on instagram) is learning to crochet and I promised her a granny square tutorial to help her along. I've been crocheting for a few years now and can hook up granny squares on a whim, in fact I often do and I have an ever growing pile of the little things made from scraps of leftover yarn from other projects. One day they will be made into a huge multi-coloured blanket of some kind...but that's a whole other post. <br />
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So, want to learn how to make a simple granny square? Alrighty...<br />
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I like to start with a magic ring, like this...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT_nIWJQkO0/UREjgJLSXlI/AAAAAAAACfw/gzn-HXTlCFM/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT_nIWJQkO0/UREjgJLSXlI/AAAAAAAACfw/gzn-HXTlCFM/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
(Alternatively, you can just as easily chain 4 and join with a slip stitch into the first chain to make a circle.) <br />
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Hold the magic ring steady...<br />
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Now insert your hook into the centre and pull through a loop, then chain 3. It can be a little tricky and that first chain might look a little unstable to begin with, but keep going, it will all work out in a minute...</div>
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Work two dcs into the magic ring (I am using American terms here, if you are working in UK terms you are working two tr into the ring.) So now you have a ch3 (which counts as 1dc) and 2dc in the ring...<br />
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Now ch2 and work 3 more dc into the ring (at this point I like to catch the tail of the magic circle into the stitches as I go to keep it secured out of the way)...<br />
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Now repeat this twice more - ch2, 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc, then do another ch2. Then make a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first ch3 you did at the beginning of this round. In the below picture I am halfway through making the slip stitch, I photographed this to show you where the slip stitch should go...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pA8S_A9z28k/UREjxw68M8I/AAAAAAAACgQ/o5I-JVJrvgM/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pA8S_A9z28k/UREjxw68M8I/AAAAAAAACgQ/o5I-JVJrvgM/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's my wonderful Pointy Arrows to help show you the dc's and the chains...<br />
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Give that little tail a pull to close the hole in the middle and make it all nice and neat.<br />
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Slip stitch in the next 2dc, then slip stitch into the ch2 space. Ch5 (this counts as 1dc and ch2) and work 3dc into the same space. It will look like this...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TDg_tZ_dbo/UREnETBL9bI/AAAAAAAACgw/9YVWzbm1SS0/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TDg_tZ_dbo/UREnETBL9bI/AAAAAAAACgw/9YVWzbm1SS0/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next - *ch1, then work 3dc, ch2, 3dc into the next ch2 space. Repeat from * 2 more times.<br />
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Here's some Pointy Arrows to show you how the pattern works...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xv6y_p22_U/UREnDQDd-3I/AAAAAAAACgo/t6nSChta9eg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xv6y_p22_U/UREnDQDd-3I/AAAAAAAACgo/t6nSChta9eg/s640/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once you have worked your way around you will see that you still need to complete the first corner...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_QZy7SyK20/UREnK244ZeI/AAAAAAAACg4/7H2GBrfGd5g/s1600/010a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_QZy7SyK20/UREnK244ZeI/AAAAAAAACg4/7H2GBrfGd5g/s640/010a.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Ch1 and work 2dc into the ch2 space where you started. These 2 dc's will slightly overlap your first ch3, don't worry though, you can pull them about a bit to make them sit a bit better. </div>
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Now slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first ch5 you made, see where the "ch3" Pointy Arrow shows you below...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BI6SU8Zsx4/UREnTwe_HlI/AAAAAAAAChA/YGwTkWJHS4g/s1600/011a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BI6SU8Zsx4/UREnTwe_HlI/AAAAAAAAChA/YGwTkWJHS4g/s640/011a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then make another slip stitch into the next ch2 space, X marks the spot...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pAX2ymNqHc/UREnUPjjfAI/AAAAAAAAChE/QlVXMhAQ-g8/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pAX2ymNqHc/UREnUPjjfAI/AAAAAAAAChE/QlVXMhAQ-g8/s640/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now ch5 (counts as 1dc, ch2) and work 3dc into the same ch2 space. *Ch1, work 3dc into the next ch1 space, ch1, work 3dc, ch2, 3dc into the next ch2 space. Repeat from * 2 more times. Ch1, 3dc into next ch1 space, ch1, 2dc into first ch2 space and join with a slip stitch into your original ch5. <br />
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Here's some more Pointy Arrows to help show you the pattern you are working...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMvlt8i024s/UREndRkVf6I/AAAAAAAAChQ/DZIJGur4Fgs/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMvlt8i024s/UREndRkVf6I/AAAAAAAAChQ/DZIJGur4Fgs/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now lets make it bigger! And while we're at it lets add some more colour! Using your new colour make a slip knot on your hook...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNOlVdJApa4/UREnmoJDL0I/AAAAAAAAChg/zmOc2DZ84AU/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNOlVdJApa4/UREnmoJDL0I/AAAAAAAAChg/zmOc2DZ84AU/s640/014.JPG" width="584" /></a></div>
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Insert your hook into any ch2 corner space and make a slip stitch...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHOtVjmjQFc/UREnkuFJ5jI/AAAAAAAAChY/hZHe7FJ4JNc/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHOtVjmjQFc/UREnkuFJ5jI/AAAAAAAAChY/hZHe7FJ4JNc/s640/015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ch5 (counts as 1dc, ch2)...<br />
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Work 3dc into the same space. Now work all the way around making 3dc, ch1 into each ch1 space and 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1 into each corner ch2 space. Finish with 2dc into the first ch2 space and a slip stich into the 3rd chain of your original ch5...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATZi4To9t0Y/URErhYHrzXI/AAAAAAAACh4/XgLO4QI0NG8/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATZi4To9t0Y/URErhYHrzXI/AAAAAAAACh4/XgLO4QI0NG8/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Voila! You have made a granny square!</div>
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It isn't until I just wrote that all down that I realise how complicated a granny square sounds, when really it's not complicated at all. After the first couple of rounds it is a simple repetitive and enjoyable thing to do. And the best thing is you can either make a load of little squares to sew together and make blankets, scarfs, hats, bags, arm-warmers... Or you can just keep going - round and round - watching it get bigger and bigger, utter bliss :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2n11cmxuFU/URErlJVy1rI/AAAAAAAACiA/pZQoJEW9Wp8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2n11cmxuFU/URErlJVy1rI/AAAAAAAACiA/pZQoJEW9Wp8/s640/018.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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xxxx</div>
Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-34153457884637125852013-02-05T14:51:00.000+00:002013-02-05T14:51:26.232+00:00A whole (or not whole) new me :)<div class="yiv1576600220MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1360071825075_3081">
<span style="color: black;">*whispers* Hello?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Well I certainly did not mean to be away for quite so long, gosh, 10 months to be exact. Though I DO have two excuses…well reasons rather than excuses. The first is called Instagram. I am sure you are familiar with it. I became slightly swayed by the quick-fire instant nature of this wonderful social networking tool and I am afraid it tempted me away from my blog here on the interwebs. I have added a little Instagram feed on the right over there, so you can see what it is I have been doing all this time. So if you're on there make sure you say hello! :)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcy_j6v02z0/UREaDxznihI/AAAAAAAACfY/VM-DOZlSNCo/s1600/IMG_4795%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcy_j6v02z0/UREaDxznihI/AAAAAAAACfY/VM-DOZlSNCo/s640/IMG_4795%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my feed - @snipsnaphappy :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1576600220MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The second reason is much less fun and frivolous and all together more serious I am afraid. I shall adopt a Serious Face and give you the story of the last 5 months. This story will be more quite wordy without much mention of fun and craft-filled times I’m afraid. But once we are done with this update I can then move on and happier topics can once again prevail. This is not an easy tale to tell, and I am going to share some pictures I haven't showed anybody yet (don't worry, nothing gory.) Right. Ready? Here we go...</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1576600220MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1360071825075_3099">
<span style="color: black;">You may recall, maybe, that back in the early months of last year I had begun to get ill. I have had ulcerative colitis since I was 19 and it was slowly becoming less and less controllable using conventional medicines. I had tried every form of treatment available from steroids to chemotherapy and none of it was working. My hair was falling out, my face was rounded and moon-like from the steroids, I was exhausted, depressed and unable to cope with the smallest of dramas. Then my consultant threw into the mix that if something drastic wasn’t done soon I could be looking at a perforated bowel, or cancer. I didn’t like the sound of either of those you will not be surprised to hear : /</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black;">So drastic measures were indeed taken. When I say drastic I mean Drastic with a capital D. On 29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> August last year I was admitted to hospital for a "total proctocolectomy and ileoanal pouch construction". In other words my entire large intestine was removed and my small bowel reconstructed in a complicated 6-hour-surgery. I then spent 9 days horrendously ill in hospital before practically crawling out to get home to my family. For two months I had an ileostomy but it was recessed and stomach acid burnt my skin constantly. It was the most difficult time I have ever experienced and for 4 weeks I could barely even walk, let alone look after my children. There were some days when I couldn’t even summon the energy to watch television, and I certainly couldn’t crochet.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvn6kCWhdFU/URERiaOgLjI/AAAAAAAACes/PVlmEZWmZy8/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rvn6kCWhdFU/URERiaOgLjI/AAAAAAAACes/PVlmEZWmZy8/s640/IMG_2567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brand new stoma bag, given to me a few weeks before the op full of contents I couldn't coprehend.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1IBmO57vlU/URERJUlpn-I/AAAAAAAACec/s4KYNOtNoUk/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1IBmO57vlU/URERJUlpn-I/AAAAAAAACec/s4KYNOtNoUk/s640/IMG_2733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night before surgery, waiting in hospital to get hooked up to all the IVs etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcj1yxUqdU0/URERWOamXnI/AAAAAAAACek/r2hESWPxbuQ/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcj1yxUqdU0/URERWOamXnI/AAAAAAAACek/r2hESWPxbuQ/s400/IMG_3382.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning of the first operation, waiting to be wheeled down to theatre. My face is all poofy due to the steroids.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7Fya8ael7c/URERi-NCknI/AAAAAAAACew/EufIybKogQY/s1600/IMG_3383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7Fya8ael7c/URERi-NCknI/AAAAAAAACew/EufIybKogQY/s400/IMG_3383.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 hours post-surgery & out of it on large doses of morphine. Hooked up to several monitors and tubes & a morphine pump.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: black;">On 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> October I went back to hospital for a second surgery, this time it was to remove the ileostomy and re-attach my small intestine so that I could start using my new “j-pouch”. It’s complicated but essentially my small bowel has been reconstructed to take over the job of the large intestine. This <span style="color: black;">time I was in for a week, it wasn’t easy but it was a lot easier than the first surgery. Once home </span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">I could then properly start to recover and get used to my new internal plumbing</span>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REV782NZ1F4/UREThZ05JVI/AAAAAAAACfI/G4yYSxz3FF0/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REV782NZ1F4/UREThZ05JVI/AAAAAAAACfI/G4yYSxz3FF0/s400/IMG_3639.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 hour after the 2nd surgery and NO morphine this time! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">That was almost 3 months ago now. It is still early days and I am still adjusting to the new way my body works. But I take no medications, I can eat most foods and I am NOT SICK. It’s all rather strange, and actually despite the whole thing at the time seeming agonisingly slow it was really all rather quick and I sometimes have to stop and take a breath when I think about all that has happened to me. Life has changed dramatically, but I think it has changed for the better. So far so good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1360071825075_3113" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">That should of course be the end of the story, but it’s not. I had 7 months off work to cope with my illness then undergo the two surgeries and subsequent recoveries. I returned to work two and half weeks ago and on Tuesday last week I was told I would no longer have a job. My post is to be “deleted” and I am now in a 30 day consultation period before either redeployment or redundancy (I work for a charity and any redundancy will be statutory so this is not an opportunity to rake in a lovely big severance package believe me!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">So that about catches us up. Sickness, surgery, sickness, surgery, miraculous recovery, new start, redundancy...the rest is yet to come and I have no idea what the future will hold. But I do know one thing - I have the energy, the strength and the emotional capacity to handle it. Oh, and there will be crochet :)</span></span></div>
Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-54012419703731296452012-04-08T08:56:00.001+01:002012-04-08T08:56:43.689+01:00Crochet Easter Basket Tutorial<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do love Easter, I guess I always associate this time of year with my April birthday and my mum's birthday too and general happy times. And of course now that I am married to a March man and have a March daughter there is even more reason to celebrate! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896701694/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/6896701694_b3177045fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We always have an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday, usually in my mum's garden (which is about ten times the size of our own!) This year I wanted to make some cute little baskets for the girls to use to store their eggs in (the little ones that is, there's no way these baskets are going to hold the abundance of packaging that comes with the bigger eggs!) At the same time I have been trying to think of projects to use up my leftover yarn - the result is a pattern which uses only a small amount of yarn and is very quick and easy to make! Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896726512/" title="Crochet mini egg baskets by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet mini egg baskets" height="469" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6896726512_1a209f725d_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Crochet <span style="color: #351c75;">Easter</span> <span style="color: #b45f06;">Egg</span> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Basket</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You need:</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chunky wool (I used left from the </span><a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/happy-hooker-backwards-project-39-lil.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Li'l Monkey blanket</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">)</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6mm crochet hook</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Large yarn needle</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 1 - Make a magic
ring...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042805209/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/7042805209_f566bf0cd0_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...Ch3 (counts as 1 dc) and make 11 more dcs into the ring (12 dc)</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042806889/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/7042806889_b7078e6282_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896713042/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/6896713042_544064396f_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 2 - Ch3 (counts
as 1 dc) – 1 dc in same dc, then 2 dcs in each dc around (24dc). Join with sl
st in top of 3ch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 3 - Ch3 (counts
as dc), *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, repeat from * around (36dc). Join with sl
st in top of 3ch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896714618/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/6896714618_420857ac97_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should now have a nice flat circle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 4 - Ch3 (counts
as dc), 1 dc in next dc and in each dc around (36), join with sl st in top of
ch3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 5 - Repeat Rnd4 (If you want to change colour for this round, as I have done, just tie in your new colour as close to your work as possible before making the Ch3 at the beginning of the round)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042811845/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/7042811845_acae197d78_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 6 - Ch1 (does
not count as sc), sc in same st, 1 sc in next 4, sc2tog,* 1sc in next 5,
sc2tog, repeat from *around, sc in last st.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><><>
<br />
</></span><></>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896718106/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/6896718106_a55a6cc758_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><><>
<br />
</></span><></>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">sc2tog</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><><>
</></span><></></tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Join with sl st in first sc. (31)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Round 7 - Ch1 and
turn, sl st in each sc around finishing with sl st in beginning ch1, fasten off (this row helps the top edge sit nicely I find)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042815407/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/7042815407_b54f47b276_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One cute little basket! You can leave it like this, or add a handle like I have for the grey one...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042800199/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7042800199_680365220d_z.jpg" width="601" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Handle:</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Leave a
long tail for sewing) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ch3, turn, 1
sc in 2<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> ch from hook and in next ch.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ch1 and
turn, sc in each sc across (2sc).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repeat
until you have the desired length of handle, fasten off leaving long tail for
sewing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sew onto side of basket by sewing ends of handle into the tops of the sc row.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896708290/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="214" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/6896708290_f7c200c251_z.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896706492/" title="Crochet Easter Basket by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Crochet Easter Basket" height="214" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/6896706492_273d331e2a_z.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Voila! Cute little chunky baskets ready for your easter egg hunt! You could of course just display them prettily somewhere to hold jewellery or your keys or loose change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have fun with this and do be sure to let me know how you get on, I would love to hear how you get on with my patterns and tutorials, feedback is incredibly useful!
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Easter!</span></strong></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-68815474076589530772012-04-03T20:11:00.000+01:002012-04-03T20:11:06.592+01:00Meadow Party<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896294024/" title="Flower bunting by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flower bunting" height="429" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/6896294024_60d70bd918_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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On Saturday Lillia turned 6 and had a "meadow" themed party at home to celebrate. There were far too many sweet treats of course, with a few carrot sticks and cucumber slices thrown in to balance it out a bit. But most of all there were plenty of games and fun.
I had a lot of fun making crochet bunting and other little decorations. The flower bunting above was inspired by <a href="http://www.rainbowbunting.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/girly-girly-bunting.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> and it was perfect for a meadow theme. </div>
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I made up the pattern for mini bunting and used yarn left over from other projects to make it...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896292534/" title="Mini bunting by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Mini bunting" height="429" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6896292534_f90f0366f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I was very pleased with this, I really love the colours. In fact all the bunting is still up! I don't think I will take it down until well after Easter is done :)
As well as bunting there were many bunches of cheery daffs dotted about the place looking festive...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042352439/" title="Bunting and daffodils by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bunting and daffodils" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7042352439_0a8aca2757_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I love daffodils. Yellow is my favourite colour and they are only 99p a bunch, so at this time of year I can afford to have fresh flowers in the house!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042398291/" title="Bunting and Daffodils by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bunting and Daffodils" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/7042398291_065e50657b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I made a meadow cake of course...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042357869/" title="Meadow cake by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Meadow cake" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7042357869_7f9bf4f8b8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And I also made plenty of butterfly biscuits...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042359697/" title="Butterfly biscuits by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Butterfly biscuits" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7042359697_298dc90dbf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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...and toadstool muffins...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042361577/" title="Toadstool muffins by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Toadstool muffins" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/7042361577_a033a69c9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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...and faced with leftover green buttercream icing I decided to create some "meadow muffins" too...!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042363329/" title="Meadow muffins by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Meadow muffins" height="444" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/7042363329_b8c09ba61b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Honestly I think I had eaten a ton of buttercream before 10am just from the odd lick of a spoon or finger! Myum myum! Good job Lillia was too busy making fairy rings using pink helium balloons to notice.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896259430/" title="Every guest had their own butterfly biscuit by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Every guest had their own butterfly biscuit" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/6896259430_49ac5aa94e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Every guest had their own butterfly cookie with their name piped on in icing, and we had little colourful windmills scatted about as well as in the party bags. They looked so pretty poking out, I totally forgot to take a photograph of them all lined up, it was just all so manic getting everything ready!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896257664/" title="Bunting and daffodils :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bunting and daffodils :)" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/6896257664_49f9c9f557_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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The vase holding the yellow windmill is one of mine by the way, do you like it?
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Then of course we had our paper pom poms adding the finishing touch...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042396445/" title="Pink paper pom pom by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pink paper pom pom" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/7042396445_e5df17e703_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896298198/" title="White paper pom pom by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="White paper pom pom" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/6896298198_d17e00eae8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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We played Pin the Tail on the Cow, musical statues, musical bumps, Pass the Parcel, we had an Easter egg hunt and then there was Wally the Wicked Wasp - our homemade pinata! Sadly I completely forgot to take a proper photo before he was smashed to a pulp by 6 sugar-fuelled 6-year-olds with a rolling pin. But here he is in action...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6896270026/" title="Wally the Wicked Wasp - our homemade pinata! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Wally the Wicked Wasp - our homemade pinata!" height="304" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6896270026_747cac81d7_z.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042693287/" title="Wally the Wicked Wasp - our homemade pinata! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Wally the Wicked Wasp - our homemade pinata!" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7042693287_f5e488a370_z.jpg" width="257" /></a>
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Lillia didn't want the pinata to be anything she liked, like a bumble bee or a toadstool, as she didn't like the idea of whacking it otherwise! Bless her. So a wicked wasp was the solution! He was stuffed full of chocolates and party blowers, they had a great time!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042371927/" title="Cocktail umbrellas by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocktail umbrellas" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7042371927_c7819d7e3e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a tiring but lovely day. Lillia had a wonderful birthday, I just can't believe she is 6-years-old. Where did that time go?</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042370195/" title="Animal candles by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Animal candles" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/7042370195_72489646ff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7042368277/" title="The meadow cake went down well! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="The meadow cake went down well!" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7042368277_0799931594_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is still a bit of cake left so I best get on and help with the eating of it, might be some wine left somewhere in the fridge too :0) </div>
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Happy Birthday Lillipops
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xx</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-53528190251880182522012-03-27T14:41:00.001+01:002012-03-27T14:41:07.819+01:00Paper Pom PomsThis weekend Lillia turns 6. I can barely believe it has been almost six years since we were hurtled into the path of parenthood and our lives changed forever!<br />
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This year we decided to step away from the frightening practice of inviting the entire class (30 kids!!) to birthday parties and to allow her to choose just 6 friends to invite to a small party at our home. As a result we are all rather looking forward to the big day on Saturday! The theme for the party is to be "meadow"- think all things ladybird, toadstool, bunting and flowers! I have had much fun whipping up various little decorations (more on these later this week) but none so much fun as making these wonderul paper pom poms...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7020768723/" title="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/7020768723_45fce99a08_z.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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The instructions are on the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to" target="_blank">Martha Stewart website</a>, all you need is some tissue paper and some floristry wire, they are incredibly simple to make, yet SO effective don't you think?
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7020765175/" title="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7020765175_a32d31bcc9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made a white one and a pink one before I completely ran out of tissue paper, so it'll be off to Hobbycraft for me tomorrow! I think a few of these hung around the house and garden will be just beautiful.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7020769981/" title="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Martha Stewart paper pom-pom" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/7020769981_e3731cfd0c_z.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Perfect for a spring-time birthday! And what good timing as this week Spring has really arrived, it is warm and sunny, I have washing drying in the garden. We've been able to start pottering around outside clearing up dead leaves and planting seeds, and generally enjoying some vitimin D from the sun! Phoebe is particularly enjoying being outdoors, she is enjoying playing on the slide and see-saw and picking up twigs and leaves...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6874658300/" title="Spring-time walk by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Spring-time walk" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/6874658300_8f1ee51440_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My own handmade garden pot has been placed in its new home on the patio. The green glaze on the main body of the pot is patchy as this is how it goes during firing, I love it as it makes it look mossy, like it has always been in the garden. I just need to decide what to plant in it...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/7020761021/" title="My handmade garden pot by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="My handmade garden pot" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7020761021_10a36c33a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<br />Strawberries perhaps? Or sweet-peas? Hmmm. A nice decision to need to make!</div>
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Hope you are enjoying the Springy weather wherever you are!</div>
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xx</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-4888881950238327482012-03-20T20:36:00.000+00:002012-03-20T20:36:00.598+00:00Making time to make it - Elbee the Crochet BearOne of the other mums on the school run lent me her copy of "Woman's Weekly Best of Knitted Toys" magazine so I could peruse the crochet patterns. I do love swapping recipes and patterns...I'd make such a good WI member wouldn't I? Jam and Jerusalem and all that.<br />
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The "Cute as a Button" bear really appealed to me as it looked relatively simple to do whilst at the same time being a bit silly looking with its balloon-like head.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832684264/" title="Lightbulb bear by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lightbulb bear" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6832684264_d4ec26b237_z.jpg" width="413" /></a>
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I love the funny shape - the bulbous head and tiny arms and legs. So I decided to cast aside all other works in progress (oh so many...) and hook this one up at the weekend. Hubby thinks he looks like a lightbulb and gave him the name Elbee ("L", "B", for LightBulb...groan...) How darn cute is this bear? I mean seriously, what's not to adore? I loved him so much in fact I made another one to keep him company....
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832691772/" title="Lightbulb bears! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lightbulb bears!" height="491" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6832691772_04b608c86e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The yarn is a beige acrylic DK left over from Luna the Unicorn earlier in the week. And some of the yarn I had left from my Christmas ravelry swap, the same stuff I used for <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/baby-leg-warmers.html" target="_blank">Phoebe's leg-warmers</a>. I am very much taken with the colours of this yarn - not pastel, but not garish - all the colours have a kind of dirty feel to them which makes them feel earthy and warm. Love it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832689542/" title="Lightbulb bears! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lightbulb bears!" height="563" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6832689542_24911d81fb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Elbee is tucked up next to hubby's pillow, and the other has been named Princess and is snuggled in the arms of Lillia as I type. She's running out of room in her bed with all the bears and soft animals she keeps adopting. In fact, this is leading me to another crochet project, more on that another day though...<br />
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<br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-14262012690262550382012-03-18T20:34:00.000+00:002012-03-18T20:35:15.547+00:00A day for the mummiesHappy Mother's Day everyone...I trust you were all spoiled? I certainly was with a good lie in (needed after a few glasses of muscadet in the local last night), then a cup of tea and pancakes in bed, lovely cards, cuddles and a couple of lovely little thoughtful gifts.<br />
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I've also had time this weekend to experiment making some toadstool muffins for Lillia's upcoming 6th birthday "meadow" party.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6993958275/" title="Toadstool muffin by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Toadstool muffin" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6993958275_0cafa37023_z.jpg" width="477" /></a>
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I found some professional food colour that colours butter icing really well (didn't want a repeat of the <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/5-years-ago-today.html" target="_blank">dead salmon cake</a>) and I used white chocolate buttons for the toadstool spots. What do you think?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6993961287/" title="Toadstool muffins by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Toadstool muffins" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6993961287_5f693d68ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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These are actually orange muffins with orange buttercream icing. You only need to eat one of these, my goodness they are delicious but filling! I am rather pleased with how they came out and I think they will make a very whimsical addition to the meadow-themed food :)<br />
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For mother's day lunch we went to my mum's and prepared her a buffet style array of goodies. We tried Gentleman's Relish for the first time, not sure I'll be in a hurry to try it again! Rather...um...salty...and fishy, very fishy. Blergh. Nice pot though...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6993960373/" title="Gentleman's Relish by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Gentleman's Relish" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6993960373_10c8a7632d_z.jpg" width="478" /></a>
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Amidst the mother's day lunching, fish paste sampling and muffin making, I have also had a chance to attempt something I've been wanting to do for some time - my own version of decopatching...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6993955589/" title="My own take on "decopatch" by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="My own take on "decopatch"" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6993955589_112e49b79c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Papier mache letters from Hobbycraft decorated with ripped up pages of the Cath Kidston catalogue stuck on with PVA glue. This is just a sneak peak, more on this in another post soon! </div>
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Well, it's been a long weekend so I am going to enjoy my orchid and my chocolate-scented candle, perhaps partake in a little Ben & Jerry's cookie dough and have a very early night. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6993964059/" title="Sunday evening by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday evening" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6993964059_01c1ed1cd8_z.jpg" width="478" /></a>
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Happy Mother's Day everyone x<br />
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</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-59001649440809417882012-03-15T13:00:00.000+00:002012-03-15T13:00:07.615+00:00London in the SpringThere is no denying it now - the air is noticably less nippy the mornings are lighter, the evenings slightly longer, there have been sunshiney skies and a few rain showers. Spring has definitely arrived. <br />
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I do love this time of year. Birthdays galore, daffodils, freshness and the smell of wet mud. Luv-er-lee.<br />
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On Sunday we decided to take advantage of the Springy weather and took a trip up to Greenwich to walk around the park amidst the neat old buildings and shiny new cafes and museums. The skies were blue, the air was fresh, we even walked about without our coats on!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832681078/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6832681078_e8513c8ef7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832672878/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6832672878_b85bc40b5c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lillia loved being able to run about in the wide open spaces and play hide and seek amongst the trees...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832676500/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6832676500_bce6179b83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6978805173/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6978805173_9ca8d5549e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Although suggesting we play hide and seek here was probably not one of our finest suggestions...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832680036/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6832680036_c0779861a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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:)<br />
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We huffed and puffed our way up the steep hill to the observatory (you have to pay to get in these days!) and looked back down towards London...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6978801859/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Greenwich March 2012" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6978801859_a26e1581bc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6978800595/" title="Greenwich March 2012 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6978800595_81b225ec7c_z.jpg" width="640" height="429" alt="Greenwich March 2012"></a>
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It struck me as strange standing there so content with my little family, enjoying a relatively lazy day together, taking in the rather impressive view - when in fact I was looking towards the route of my car journey to work that causes me so much anguish. The route that runs from the right by the Dome, past Canary Wharf and into the distance to the Gherkin. I drive this three times a week before 7:30am, and back again in the afternoons. It takes me away from my girls, my home and my sanity. It was strange to look down on it from a distance and think about that.<br />
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After a pizza lunch we headed home, picking up some bridesmaid dresses along the way. Lillia is to be a flower girl this year and I promised my friend I would take pictures of the various dresses she wanted her to try. I took photos outside the front of the house, and they came out beautifully in the afternoon sun...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832683090/" title="Trying on dresses by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying on dresses" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6832683090_4fb38249ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6978808507/" title="Trying on dresses by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying on dresses" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6978808507_ca64850e7e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I can almost smell the roses and hear the clink of champagne glasses can't you? Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-46597581764709651482012-03-14T08:30:00.000+00:002012-03-14T08:30:02.317+00:00Swapping into Spring<div style="text-align: left;">
As promised, today I am sharing with you my little pressies from the swap I did last month. My pressies came from Thea, who writes the <a href="http://theawhalley-mummycat.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-then-two-came-along-at-once.html" target="_blank">MummyCat Gets Organised blog<u><span style="color: #0066cc;">.</span></u></a></div>
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A little heart keyring that smells deliciously of my favourite thing - lavender. I actually assumed she had bought this until I read her blog and realised she had made it! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832584594/" title="DSC_2022 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2022" height="608" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6832584594_1a8ef1639d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Well dur, it was a handmade swap after all so I am not sure why I would assume it would be anything other than handmade, it just it looks so <em>perfect</em>! Just look at the teeny embroidery and the delicate beading, absolutely gorgeous! I am going to attach this to a bag and carry it about with pride :)</div>
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I also received "everlasting flowers", which are so detailed and intricate...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6832599652/" title="DSC_2020 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2020" height="559" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6832599652_eab2763da4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Clever, right? This little bunch of flowers is made from floristry ribbon I think, they are so dinky and sit perfectly on my kitchen window sill cheering me up as I scrubbed pasta-bake off the oven dish this morning :)</div>
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Thea also sent me a large tub of homemade chocolate and pistachio fudge. Holy moly that fudge was DIVINE. Unfortunately I did not have the self-constraint to take photos before hubby and I scoffed the lot. I may have to look up the recipe (I believe it was Nigella) and make some myself, though this could lead to me regaining the weight I have lost since having Phoebe...</div>
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Thanks Thea for my wonderful pressies, and thanks too to everyone who took part! Not all the swappers have blogs but for those that do here are the blog posts about their goodies:</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://theawhalley-mummycat.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-then-two-came-along-at-once.html" target="_blank">Thea at MummyCat Gets Organised</a></div>
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<a href="http://frou-frou.co.uk/2012/03/treats-in-the-post/" target="_blank">Fiona at frou-frou</a></div>
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<a href="http://eidelweisshookery.blogspot.com/2012/03/swapsies.html" target="_blank">Claire at The Hookery</a></div>
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<a href="http://makingitvintage.blogspot.com/2012/03/swapsies.html" target="_blank">Lily at Making it Vintage</a></div>
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Aw, now I feel all warm and fuzzy...happy swapping everyone!</div>
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x</div>
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<br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-56611944308089420332012-03-12T09:55:00.000+00:002012-03-13T08:45:34.983+00:00Luna the Unicorn and crochet flower buntingAmazing how the weeks skip by isn't it? Life here in the snipsnaphappy household has been manic to say the very least, I am beginning to wonder how <em>anybody</em> mixes work and family life as I am finding it near on impossible to be a mummy at the same time as being an employee all whilst attempting to make sure everyone has clean clothes and the house doesn't crumble under the weight of dust and grime.<br />
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We live in such a small house (really, it's teeny) that I have to stay on top of clutter and mess at all times or we just won't get in the front door - but how am I supposed to do this when I leave the house at 6:15am three days a week? Mind boggling.<br />
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Enough of my grumbles though. Amidst all the daily mayhem I have still had to make some time for creating - with Lillia's 6th birthday coming up very soon I have been hard at work making presents and decorations. She wants a "meadow" themed party, so lots of bunting, animals, flowers, butterflys and toadstools are the order of the day. I have made flower bunting and mini bunting so far...but more on those in another post. Here's a wee sneak preview though...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6973798827/" title="Mini bunting in progress by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Mini bunting in progress" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6973798827_260387f09f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Then of course there's the annual handmade present that Lillia chooses. In previous years we have had the <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday.html" target="_blank">Pink Ripple Blanket and the Patchwork Scotty Dog</a> and <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/03/5-years-ago-today.html" target="_blank">Mr Skelly</a>, this year she wanted a crochet unicorn. I found the perfect pattern on Etsy and made Luna the Unicorn...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6973824013/" title="Luna the Unicorn 10 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Luna the Unicorn 10" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6973824013_f8d1c9ceee_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6827723286/" title="Luna the Unicorn 3 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Luna the Unicorn 3" height="637" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6827723286_0a948956af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I rather love Luna, the pattern was great fun to do (I never used to understand it when people described a pattern as "fun" but this really was, nothing too fiddly, lots of new little techniques to learn, it really was fun...) <br />
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Plus she came out really cute, Lillia is definitely going to love her.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6827710342/" title="Luna the Unicorn 8 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Luna the Unicorn 8" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6827710342_54e5505a78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For now though she is hidden away in the ottomon in our bedroom, waiting for the Big Day :) <br />
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Thanks to everyone who took part in our recent swap! I have some beautiful gifts to share with you this week! Except, I may have eaten one of my gifts...oops...<br />
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x<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">13th March 12 - Edited to add: Forgot to mention that the pattern for Luna the Unicorn is from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madisonscraftnook?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">this shop</span></a><span style="color: magenta;"> on Etsy!</span>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-4017623697520589592012-02-20T17:12:00.000+00:002012-02-20T17:12:00.599+00:00Mug CoziesJust a very quick post from me today - wanted to share with you these mug cozies that my mum made us!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897242131/" title="Mug Cosies by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Mug Cosies" height="503" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6897242131_7d73d36b0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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The left-hand one is supposed to be brown and white to represent hot chcoolate I think, but she made it with black for hubby as he likes guinness :)<br />
The other two are all mine! Pretty aren't they? ~ slurp ~<br />
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xAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-71550117938759132592012-02-18T17:00:00.000+00:002012-02-18T17:00:59.562+00:00Half TermIt has been half-term this week so we've been enjoying some time together and some time off from the usual routines. Early morning rushes and daily spelling practice have been replaced with leisurely colouring sessions, playing games and watching DVDs (favourites at the moment are Robin Hood and Tangled).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897012775/" title="Lots of colouring by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lots of colouring" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6897012775_a168a6657c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897005939/" title="Lots of colouring by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lots of colouring" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6897005939_213edbab51_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I did have to work on Monday and Tuesday, and I have had to check in most days to make sure everything is ok as it's just so busy at the moment. I find it hard to be everything at the same time - employee, mother, housekeeper, all-round entertainer and provider of boredom-busting activities. It's kind of exhausting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897018695/" title="Lots of colouring by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lots of colouring" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6897018695_c768ca5607_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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But I am happy to be with my two girls every day, and I love being at home and being able to potter about tidying drawers here and there, playing Guess Who, arranging books on shelves, grabbing a bit of time to crochet here and there.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897024257/" title="Flowers by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flowers" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6897024257_8623a0d481_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lillia is very much into zoobles at the moment so we've played quite a few games with those.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897029289/" title="Half-term zooble fun :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Half-term zooble fun :)" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6897029289_2a657c043a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And Phoebe is into breaking and entering - getting into the cupboards she shouldn't, removing felt-tips she shouldn't, grabbing TV remotes, opening drawers. So meal times, when she is safely contained in her booster seat, provide five minutes of welcome (if messy) peace!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897034429/" title="Snack time! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Snack time!" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6897034429_156b2945c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lillia is more into "arts and crafts" as she calls it. So we have been recreating the "puzzle pizza" she saw on Art Attack...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897040165/" title="Making the Art Attack Clay Pizza puzzle by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Making the Art Attack Clay Pizza puzzle" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6897040165_6ed796eca9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lots of games, lots of time together, lots of mess. But happy days.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6897063345/" title="Playing marbles by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Playing marbles" height="429" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6897063345_906770544a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Back to school on Monday and peace will reign again, at least between 9 and 3 :)Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-62315988692151440702012-02-10T10:38:00.000+00:002012-02-10T10:39:25.629+00:00Throw Cushion (or pillow) TutorialI wanted to share with you my instructions for making a small throw cushion (or pillow)...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824798803/" title="35. The finished cushion! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="35. The finished cushion!" height="355" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6824798803_34a38a5812_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cute isn't it? I have quite a stash of interesting fabric and this chicken one I bought over a year ago as a fat quarter on eBay. I bought it with my sister in mind - she keeps ex-battery hens and is a bit of a sandal-wearing-animal-loving-vegan geek (except with fabulous shoes instead of sandals) so I knew she would love it....I just had to think of what to actually make with it.<br />
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Then I came across some dinky little cushion pads and I knew then that the chicken fabric would become a cushion! I knew I wanted the print to be the central motif with a border around it in a kind of spiral. It took me <em>aaaaages</em> to work out how to do this, I am sure there must be an easier more professional way out there, but the way I worked out is actually pretty simple.</div>
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This is a really simple little tutorial, even if you are new to sewing. It is small at only 30x30cm and there are no tricky zips or buttons to contend with :)<br />
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So, here we go...</div>
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<strong>Throw Cushion Tutorial</strong></div>
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You will need:</div>
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1 cushion pad measuring 30cm x 30cm (mine is from Dunelm Mill)</div>
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1 piece of your feature fabric measuring 13cm x 13cm (mine is the chicken fabric)</div>
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4 pieces of your border fabric, each measuring 22cm x 10cm (mine is the blue gingham, which is organic cotton and <a href="http://www.organiccotton.biz/" target="_blank">bought here</a>)</div>
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2 pieces of your backing fabric, one measuring 18cm x 31cm and the other measuring 23cm x 31cm (mine is the white fabric, also organic cotton from the same place as before)</div>
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Thread, scissors, pins and sewing machine (or just a sewing needle of course!)</div>
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Start off by cutting out all your pieces and ironing them...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824788485/" title="1. Cut out and iron all your pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="1. Cut out and iron all your pieces" height="422" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6824788485_6a1568351d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Just a note - I wanted to make sure my chicken print was nice and central. I did this by cutting out a 13cm x 13cm square from a clean sandwich bag. I then placed this over the print so I could make sure it sat in the correct place, marked the corners then drew the lines with tailor's chalk before cutting out with a rotary cutter. It worked for me!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824815777/" title="2. This is how I made sure the print on my feature piece was centred :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="2. This is how I made sure the print on my feature piece was centred :)" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6824815777_1c01a26667.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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So now let's assemble the front of the cushion. Your pieces will be laid out like this together...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824783753/" title="3. Time to assemble the front by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="3. Time to assemble the front" height="338" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6824783753_46ab755713_z.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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I have numbered the pieces so you can see clearly which piece is which as we continue along.</div>
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Take Piece 1 and pin it (right sides together) to the right side of your feature piece...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824851769/" title="4. Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="4. Piece 1" height="373" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6824851769_f84996780c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Now sew from the top to about two thirds of the way down your feature piece...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824823025/" title="6. Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="6. Piece 1" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6824823025_430979fbb6.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
You will want to have sewed about the same as I've marked below...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824861143/" title="5. Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="5. Piece 1" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6824861143_b021b0c0ac_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now iron it all nice and flat...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824834135/" title="7. Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="7. Piece 1" height="335" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6824834135_5776ef580c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next take Piece 2 and pin it right sides together along the top of your feature piece and Piece 1...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824792871/" title="8. Piece 2 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="8. Piece 2" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6824792871_ed616aca12.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824867617/" title="9. Piece 2 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="9. Piece 2" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6824867617_0b8d7eeed1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now sew it all the way along, then iron it nice and flat...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824874919/" title="10. Piece 2 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="10. Piece 2" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6824874919_48ac8b7208.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Make sure you give both sides a good flattening!</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824843407/" title="11. Piece 2 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="11. Piece 2" height="387" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6824843407_5bf86186a1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Take Piece 3 and pin it right sides together along the left side of your feature fabric and Piece 2...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824808209/" title="12. Piece 3 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="12. Piece 3" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6824808209_7f8db9276e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824906447/" title="13. Piece 3 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="13. Piece 3" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6824906447_941ec73545.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sew all the way along then...yup you've guessed it...give everything a really good iron...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824982441/" title="14. Piece 3 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="14. Piece 3" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6824982441_1210343480.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Take Piece 4 and pin it right sides together along the bottom of your feature fabric and Piece 3. Make sure you move the unsewn part of Piece 1 out the way while you do this...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824923347/" title="15. Piece 4 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="15. Piece 4" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6824923347_38179fb476.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now sew all the way along as before making sure that unsewn bit of Piece 1 is out of the way. Then give everything a good iron.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Your front piece now looks like this with all the parts sewn together apart from that one flappy bit that we left unsewn on Piece 1...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824995495/" title="16. Piece 4 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="16. Piece 4" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6824995495_69e75d0357.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824937537/" title="17. Finishing Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="17. Finishing Piece 1" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6824937537_b0fcb267d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now for the tricky bit! Though to be honest it really isn't all that tricky: Fold Piece 1 back over so it sits right sides together against your feature fabric and Piece 4. Line up the edges and pin it all together. Make sure it's all neat and flat...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824892731/" title="18. Finishing Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="18. Finishing Piece 1" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6824892731_8270f1916f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824944695/" title="19. Finishing Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="19. Finishing Piece 1" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6824944695_2dff285db8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824896967/" title="20. Finishing Piece 1 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="20. Finishing Piece 1" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6824896967_6df6476ab5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now start sewing from where you left off earlier and all the way to the end to fully attach Piece 1. Then give everything one final good iron...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824974703/" title="21. Iron everything! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="21. Iron everything!" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6824974703_17e01dd7d1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you have managed to sew everything pretty accurately it should all have worked out rather nicely and look something like this!..<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824967681/" title="22. The finished cushion front by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="22. The finished cushion front" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6824967681_1676a78ef4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Trust me if I can do this anyone can, I am the least accurate seamstress EVER! It does help of course that I am using gingham fabric as it does wonders for helping you to sew in straight lines :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Ok. that's the hardest work done! Time to whip up the two back pieces. Take one piece and fold one long edge (the 31cm edge) over by 1cm and iron it down...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824987467/" title="23. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="23. Making the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6824987467_7d32062241.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then turn it over another 1cm (to hide the raw edge)...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824931685/" title="24. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="24. Making the back pieces" height="417" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6824931685_279d56a2e6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then iron like crazy! Use steam if you can, you want to get a good crisp fold...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824912405/" title="25. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="25. Making the back pieces" height="392" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6824912405_9d23381800.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I usually pop a couple of hefty books on top after I've ironed and whilst the fabric is still warm, just for a few minutes, it helps the fold stay flat as it cools.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Now you need to sew the fold in place. How you do this is up to you - I am using matching white thread to sew one long straight line, but you could use a contrasting thread and sew two parallel lines, or a wavy line even, if you want it to be more decorative...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824960547/" title="26. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="26. Making the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6824960547_64b555a15a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824950083/" title="27. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="27. Making the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6824950083_6a8d666c5b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Now to the same thing to the other back piece...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825003659/" title="28. Making the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="28. Making the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6825003659_0bc039a18e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now take one on your back pieces (doesn't really matter which one) and pin it right sides together on top of your completed front piece. Line up the long raw edge with the bottom of the front piece...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825038373/" title="29. Attaching the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="29. Attaching the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6825038373_a38beac142.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now take your second back piece and place it right side down on top of both the front piece and the back piece you already pinned. Line up the long raw edge with the top of the front piece, the two back pieces should overlap...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825029711/" title="30. Attaching the back pieces by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="30. Attaching the back pieces" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6825029711_2486363321.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now sew all around on every side (no need to leave a gap for turning as we will use the envelope opening). Then carefully snip little cuts into the seam allowance at the corners to reduce bulk...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825013031/" title="31. Sew and snip by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="31. Sew and snip" height="419" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6825013031_8512a2cb63.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now turn it right side out through the envelope opening at the back...<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825021331/" title="32. The exciting part... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="32. The exciting part..." height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6825021331_cbed0e384a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Use your finger, or a blunt object like the end of a pencil, to push out the corners fully. Then stuff your cushion pad in through the envelope opening...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825047657/" title="33. Stuff! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="33. Stuff!" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6825047657_4f0a414ea1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Now give it all a good pooph about and a shake to get it all fitting into the corners and sitting nicely and...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6824883617/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="34. Admire... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="34. Admire..." height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6824883617_62c6bae2cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ta da! Stand back and admire your hard work! How easy was that? So easy in fact why not do what I did and make two!..<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825057129/" title="36. Finished Cushion Covers by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="36. Finished Cushion Covers" height="429" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6825057129_9f6d06e269_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
This really is a simple little cushion cover to make, you could do one in a couple of hours at most. Give it a try!<br />
<br />
And now I will reveal how difficult it is to photograph the finished articles with a 1-year-old minibeast running about the place...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825072101/" title="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :)" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6825072101_0516397751.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Particularly when that minibeast prefers to use the cushions as a bed for her baby doll...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825080209/" title="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :)" height="349" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6825080209_b1afb60e60.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6825086513/" title="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Phoebe prefers to play rather than sew :)" height="335" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6825086513_173dee70ef.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enjoy making your own cushion! And don't forget to let me know how you get on!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-44984902911347728032012-02-07T13:43:00.000+00:002012-02-07T13:45:38.504+00:00Creative StitchesWell my stint in the "Knitting Lounge" at the Bluewater Creative Stitches show was great fun. I got to meet some very interesting people, see some very interesting exhibits and convert some non-crocheters to wannabe-crocheters! <br />
<br />
There were lots of things to see but my favourite, and Lillia's, was <a href="http://www.all2knit.co.uk/page2.html" target="_blank">All 2 Knit's "Above and Below the Waves" exhibit</a> - a cave full of wonderous knitted sea creatures, surrounded by knitted cliffs, pirates, coves, beaches and treasure...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829090229/" title="Yarn coral reef by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn coral reef" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6829090229_d67dc1a5f9.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829092393/" title="Yarn jellyfish by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn jellyfish" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6829092393_6abb13a82b.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829085209/" title="Yarn sea monster by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn sea monster" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6829085209_e258b90e7e.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829082793/" title="Yarn mermaid by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn mermaid" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6829082793_aca600f8a7.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829067737/" title="Yarn sandcastle by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn sandcastle" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6829067737_769a31e020.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829077983/" title="Yarn rocks by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn rocks" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6829077983_5316ca747e.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
<br />
The photos were taken on my iPhone so but I think still give a good idea of how fabulous this was!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829075555/" title="Yarn cliffs with seagulls by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn cliffs with seagulls" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6829075555_c098808131.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829070361/" title="Yarn Punch 'n' Judy on the beach by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn Punch 'n' Judy on the beach" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6829070361_e9f53d1837.jpg" width="299" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829072789/" title="Yarn sandcastle by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Yarn sandcastle" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6829072789_fde6e0f47b.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
<br />
My legs and feet were killing after five hours of preaching crochet but it was worth it :) I managed to teach a couple of people about the basics of crochet, I may have scared a few people too, and one textiles student was delighted to discover you could make a lace-like creation using crochet thread and a very small hook. My sister even dropped by and learnt how to knit at the "knitting tree"...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829064921/" title="My sister learning to knit by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="My sister learning to knit" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6829064921_26f9f2f36b.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829096269/" title="Knitting trees in the "Knitting Lounge" by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Knitting trees in the "Knitting Lounge"" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6829096269_6ce53ae51e.jpg" width="374" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.erikaknight.co.uk/" target="_blank">Erika Knight</a> was running the stall as well as selling some of her yarn and exhibiting in the fashion show. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6829098549/" title="Oooh...yarn! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Oooh...yarn!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6829098549_a05c2d3bf2.jpg" width="374" /></a>
</div>
<br />
I hadn't heard of Erika before (though goodness knows how, she has over <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/erika-knight" target="_blank">300 designs on Ravelry</a>!) but absolutely loved her yarn (which led to me accidentally spending my money...) and also her pattern that I was working on throughout the afternoon. When I got home I decided to raid my bag of leftover yarn and work up a long scarf using her "Edgy Scarf" pattern...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6835490371/" title="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP" height="455" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6835490371_63c31281e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
I used mainly yarn leftover from my <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-hooker-backwards-project-38.html" target="_blank">Colour Bar Blanket</a> as I love the earthy colours and tones.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6835505579/" title="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP" height="498" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6835505579_2e11a02164_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
I added in a little pink for a spring feel too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6835498995/" title="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6835498995_7f1ebc762b_z.jpg" width="640" height="429" alt="Edgy Crochet Scarf WIP"></a>
</div>
<br />
The pattern is fun to do, those popcorn stitches are extremely satisfying to make and are so tactile. I am planning on making it extra long so I can wrap it around and around!<br />
<br />
All in all a lovely weekend! This week so far is proving to be a difficult one - nothing serious, just sickly children and lots of doctor and dentist appointments to deal with. Roll on next weekend!!<br />
<br />
xx<br />
<br />
PS - another tutorial is in the making from me this week...! What could it be....<br />
<br />Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-73927824270020072392012-02-02T09:01:00.000+00:002012-02-02T09:03:49.864+00:00Basic Crochet TutorialOn 4th February I am going to be a volunteer Crochet teacher at the <a href="http://www.glowbluewater.co.uk/en/Whats%20On/Exhibitions/2012/February/Creative%20Stitches%20and%20Hobbycraft.aspx" target="_blank">Bluewater Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show at Bluewater in Kent</a>! Eep!<br />
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I am very excited, but a tad nervous. I taught myself to crochet and I am pretty confident with a hook, but I am not particularly confident in general. In preparation I've been writing some tutorials to get me into the teaching zone, I was rather pleased with how my Basic Crochet Tutorial came out (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/sets/72157629112651653/" target="_blank">published as a set on Flickr</a>) so I've decided to share it here too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795032623/" title="62. Ta DA! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="62. Ta DA!" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6795032623_c38558a480.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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This tutorial shows you how to crochet a this very basic little rectangle using two crochet stitches - the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. You could use this just for practice then rip it out afterwards and move on, or you could just keep going and make a nice long (if very narrow!) scarf :)<br />
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So are you ready to learn a few crochet basics? Lets get started…<br />
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You will need: <br />
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<li>Yarn</li>
<li>A crochet hook</li>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794913021/" title="Select your hook and yarn by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Select your hook and yarn" height="326" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6794913021_79c59828db_z.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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Which weight of yarn and size of hook doesn’t matter as long as you are using the hook suitable for the yarn.I am using DK (double knit) yarn with a 4mm hook.If you look on the label of your yarn it will tell you the best size of hook (or knitting needle) to use, this isn’t set in stone of course but it’s a good guide. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794923797/" title="The label on your yarn will tell you the recommended hook size by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="The label on your yarn will tell you the recommended hook size" height="285" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6794923797_a79108befd_z.jpg" width="400" /></span></a> </div>
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Please note: I am right handed so these instructions are for a right handed person. If you are left handed just reverse everything – hold your yarn and work in your right hand and imagine my pictures in mirror image! </div>
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Also, I use American crochet terms as that is how I learned and it makes more sense to me. You can find a conversion for American terms to English terms <a href="http://www.yarnfwd.com/crochet.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you want. </div>
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Every crochet project will start with a chain (ok, not strictly true, some will start with a magic ring, but we’ll look at those another day…) I like to think of crochet chains as bricks and ladders – you use them as the foundation for your work, and you also use them to climb up from row to row. So for our rectangle we are going to start with a chain of 11. <br />
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Start by making a slip knot (1)…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="1. Make a slip knot" height="288" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6794928045_608ef3cf7d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(1)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794928045/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="1. Make a slip knot by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></td></tr>
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(If you don't know how to make a slip knot there are loads of tutorials on YouTube!) <br />
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Hold the knot in your left hand and insert your hook into the loop and hook the yarn over your hook (2), and pull it through (3)…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794930921/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2. Making your first chain... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="2. Making your first chain..." height="318" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6794930921_f8d193f768.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(2)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="3. Making your first chain..." height="290" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6794932957_38e664dc3f_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(3)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794932957/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="3. Making your first chain... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a>
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You’ve made your first chain! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794933691/" title="4. Your first chain completed! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="4. Your first chain completed!" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6794933691_052dd49606_z.jpg" width="400" /></span></a> </div>
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Now we need to make 10 more. Holding your yarn and your work in your left hand, continue to yarn over your hook again and pull it through the loop on your hook (4)… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="5. Make more chains..." height="295" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6794928583_5469278550_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(4)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794928583/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="5. Make more chains... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a>
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If you lose count here’s how to count the chains you have already made: Look at your chains – they look like little “V”s, I have drawn a diagram below along side the chain, do you see how there are little V shapes of yarn, each one emerging from the the one before? Each V is one chain. So in this picture (5) I have five chains…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="6. How to keep count of your chains" height="265" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6794935921_229589bb72_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(5)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794935921/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="6. How to keep count of your chains by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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See? (Don’t count the loop hanging on your hook.) <br />
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If you flip your chain over you will see a row of little bumps (6)…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="7. Look at the underside..." height="263" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6794937637_d2e7cd7df8_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(6)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794937637/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="7. Look at the underside... by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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So now you have made your 11 chains! </div>
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They look like a neat (or maybe slightly messy but that’s ok) row of“V”s (7)…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="8. Completed chain of 11!" height="238" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6794942343_af4d75c380_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(7)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794942343/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="8. Completed chain of 11! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Are you wondering why we have made 11 chains and not a nice even 10? Well, it is because our rectangle is going to be a nice even 10 stitches wide but in order to crochet our first row we use 1 chain to “climb” up. So the first chain from your hook (8) is your ladder, the second chain from your hook (8) is the foundation “brick” for your first stitch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="10. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="266" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6794940501_5d47b8799f_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(8)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794940501/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Hold your yarn and your work in your left hand (with the Vs on the top and the bumps underneath), skip the first chain from the hook (your ladder!) and insert your hook under the two branches of the V of the second chain (your brick) (9), make sure it slides between the V and the bump underneath (10)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="11. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6794946435_4e8d282daf_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(9)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="12a. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6794944749_3087db66e5_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(10)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794946435/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794944749/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12a. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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Now, yarn over and pull your yarn back through (11)… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="13. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="383" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6794945105_56bcb460cf_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(11)</td></tr>
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You now have two loops on your hook (12)… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="14. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="274" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6794950183_5906c1aa9d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(12)</td></tr>
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Now, yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops on your hook (13 and 14)… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="15. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="277" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6794952631_5d7639d521_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(13)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="16. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6794956375_17bce3b098_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(14)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794952631/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="15. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794956375/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="16. Row 1 (how to make your first SC into the chain) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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You have just made your first Single Crochet (sc) stitch (15)! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="17. Row 1 (your first SC stitch!)" height="272" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6794959465_a890d0ed93_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(15)</td></tr>
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Now, we are going to move along the rest of your chain and make a Single Crochet (SC) stitch into each one, this can be a bit tricky to get the hang of but persevere, even the most experienced of crocheters still get frustrated with working into the chain, it can be rather fiddly and the cause of much swearing under your breath. </div>
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Insert your hook into the next V, remembering to make sure that the bump on the underside is underneath your hook and that both branches of the V are above your hook…repeat steps 9-15 and voila! Another Single Crochet (sc) stitch! Now repeat this process all the way to the last chain. </div>
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You now want to check you have done it properly and made the right number of stitches, luckily the top of your stitches also have the same “V” formation that your chains did.</div>
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So you just have to count your Vs (16)… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="20. Row 1 (making a row of SC into the chain)" height="263" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6794961241_4933840b2d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(16)</td></tr>
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You should have a row of 10. If you have less you have somehow skipped a chain, if you have more you have somehow worked two or more stitches into the same chain. Just undo your work and start again, it takes a bit of practice at first. </div>
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When you have 10 stitches it is time to climb up and do another row! We need to make another chain to be our ladder up to the start of the next row: yarn over and pull it through the loop already on your hook (17 and 18)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="21. Row 2 (moving up to the next row)" height="296" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6794950785_ae1c873fef_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(17)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="22. Row 2 (moving up to the next row)" height="285" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6794956963_071db9c45c_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(18)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794950785/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="21. Row 2 (moving up to the next row) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794956963/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="22. Row 2 (moving up to the next row) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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You now have a chain (19)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="23. Row 2 (moving up to the next row)" height="303" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6794961715_fd38b6b7bc_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(19)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794961715/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="23. Row 2 (moving up to the next row) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Next you make your first single crochet stitch in Row 2, skip the chain you just made (this is your ladder) and work into the first SC in this row (it will be the last SC you made in Row 1) This picture shows which SC you are aiming for (20)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="24. Row 2 (moving up to the next row)" height="345" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6794963375_357fb56b27_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(20)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794963375/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="24. Row 2 (moving up to the next row) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Make sure you insert your hook underneath the two branches of the V (21), you don't need to worry about that annoying "bump" like you did working into the previous foundation chain so it's much easier from here on!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="25. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="308" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6794966775_de60220240_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(21)</td></tr>
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Yarn over and pull through - two loops on your hook (22)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="27. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6794973295_4abfc232d7_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(22)</td></tr>
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Yarn over and pull through both loops (23 and 24)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="28. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="283" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6794976177_3443d8400f_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(23)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="29. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="321" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6794976829_7136ac92f4_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(24)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794976177/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="28. Row 2 (making a row of SC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794976829/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="29. Row 2 (making a row of SC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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You have made the first SC in the second row! Now keep going until you get to the end of your row. </div>
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When you are starting out it can be tricky to work out which is the final stitch of the row (25). Just look for those tell-tale Vs (26)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="30. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="324" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6794971145_3eda8ec26f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(25)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="31. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6794973947_1f763e6174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(26)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ta dah! You have now made two rows of SC! If you lay your work flat you will see the ten little bumps from the foundation chain right at the bottom (27)...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="32a. Row 2 (making a row of SC)" height="275" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6794978583_a55e0eeae5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(27)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794978583/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="32a. Row 2 (making a row of SC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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Shall we move on to Row 3? Right...Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook to make a chain (28 and 29)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="33. Row 3 (making the next row of SC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6794979827_e693ebc7d3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(28)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="34. Row 3 (making the next row of SC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6794980707_1847b30495.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(29)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794979827/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="33. Row 3 (making the next row of SC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794980707/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="34. Row 3 (making the next row of SC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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Now repeat steps 21 -24 to make each SC along this row. </div>
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Next we are going to change colour! This is very simple - when you have made your last SC in Row 3 tie your new colour around your working yarn as close as humanly possible to your work (30). Tie it tight! Now snip your blue yarn and start working with your green yarn as if nothing happened :) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="36. Row 4 (changing colour)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6794989097_ffbf921fd7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(30)</td></tr>
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Yarn over with your green yarn and pull through the loop (blue) on your hook (31 and 32)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="37. Row 4 (changing colour)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6794991117_cf4a063ca8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(31)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="38. Row 4 (changing colour)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6794992019_c804ff914e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(32)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794991117/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="37. Row 4 (changing colour) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794992019/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="38. Row 4 (changing colour) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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Now repeat steps 21-24 to make SCs all along Row 4. Then do another 2 rows of SC - remembering to create a chain stitch to "climb" up to each new row. </div>
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I then changed colour again and made a 7th row of SC in pink! (33)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="39. Rows 5-7 (keep working those SC stitches!)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6794994605_a663e9d955.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(33)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794994605/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="39. Rows 5-7 (keep working those SC stitches!) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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So by now you will hopefully be all over the SC like a rash. Are you ready to conquer something new? Shall we do a row of double crochet (DC)? Ok then! </div>
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The double crochet stitch is taller than the SC. So we're going to need a bigger ladder: instead of one chain we need to make 2 chains. After making the last SC in Row 7 - yarn over, pull through the loop on your hook, then yarn over the pull through again (34)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="40. Row 8 (making a row of double crochet (DC) stitches)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6794997217_11661a7fd4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(34)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794997217/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="40. Row 8 (making a row of double crochet (DC) stitches) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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You have two chains. To make your first DC skip the two chains (marked 1st and 2nd) and also skip the first SC in Row 7, so you will be aiming for the 4th V from the hook (35)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="41. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6794999225_f4b8469b71.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(35)</td></tr>
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To make a double crochet stitch <em>yarn over FIRST</em>, then insert your hook into the SECOND SC (36) in Row 7 (the 4th V from your hook)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="42. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6795004629_51bcd881c2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(36)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795004629/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="42. Row 8 (making a row of DC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Yarn over again and pull through. You now have 3 loops on your hook (37)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="43. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6795008059_18b358cb37.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(37)</td></tr>
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Yarn over and pull through the first TWO loops only. You should now have 2 loops on your hook (38)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="44. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6795010751_cc41605bd4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(38)</td></tr>
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Yarn over again and pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook. One DC stitch completed! This photo shows the starting chain of 2 (on the right) and the first DC stich (39)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="45. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6795002475_26237731bc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(39)</td></tr>
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Repeat steps 36-39 all the way along to the end. You should now have ten DCs (40)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="46. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6795007293_607f6fe3e2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(40)</td></tr>
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This picture (41)shows the 10 DCs with the starting chain of 2 on the right... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="47. Row 8 (making a row of DC)" height="272" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6795010045_ce78b27b95.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(41)</td></tr>
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Ok. For Row 9 we will repeat steps17-24 to make a row of SC into the top of your Row 8 row of DC. </div>
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After you have made 9 SC you may well find yourself a bit stuck. Where is the top of the DC stitch? That nice V to work your 10th SC into? Well, think back to the beginning of Row 8 - remember that starting chain of 2? Well that chain of 2 is cheekily acting as a DC stitch! I am pointing to that cheeky chain of 2 with my pen, it can't hide (42)!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="49. Row 9 (working a row of SC into a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6795012953_f3cde9648b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(42)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795012953/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="49. Row 9 (working a row of SC into a row of DC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Here's that pesky chain of 2 seen from the side. Can you see the top V of the 2nd chain where I've marked it out in white (43)?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="50b. Row 9 (working a row of SC into a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6795038641_44aeb8de90.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(43)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795038641/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="50b. Row 9 (working a row of SC into a row of DC) by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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Insert your hook under the two branches of the V of that top chain. Make sure the "bump" of this chain in under your hook. This can be fiddly to do, especially if the chain is quite tight. Persevere! Wriggle your hook about a bit...have a cup of tea...wriggle a bit more... </div>
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When you have your hook inserted in the right place (44) then make your 10th SC to complete Row 9. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="51. Row 9 (working a row of SC into a row of DC)" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6795022069_536801fc1b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(44)</td></tr>
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My pen here is pointing to where I have made my SC into the top of the starting chain (45). You can't really tell can you? The starting chain is doing a very good job of acting as a DC :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(45)</td></tr>
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For my practice rectangle I made another 3 rows of SC in green and another 3 rows of SC in blue. You can do this too, or stop sooner, or keep going and going until you have made a long very narrow scarf! Either way, you will need to finish off your work of art so it doesn't unravel. To finish off: work the last stitch in your row then yarn over (46)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="54. Rows 10-15 (6 more rows of SC) and Fastening off" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6795021375_8422f03235.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(46)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795021375/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="54. Rows 10-15 (6 more rows of SC) and Fastening off by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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...pull through the loop on your hook (47)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="55. Fastening off" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6795024831_fa76915422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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...snip the yarn and pull it all the way through and out (48 and 49)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="56. Fastening off" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6795027901_c45f1e6de8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(48)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="57. Fastening off" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6795030125_953212d4e0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(49)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795027901/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="56. Fastening off by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6795030125/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="57. Fastening off by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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It's a bit messy (50)! You need to weave in those ends... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="58. Weave in the ends" height="367" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6795024171_0314ab4fc6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(50)</td></tr>
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...weave the tail ends into the corresponding colour using a yarn needle (51)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="60. Weave in the ends" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6795035429_2eec2c5137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></td></tr>
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Snip the tail ends off (52)... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="61. Snip the tail ends off" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6795037827_a2f1760bf5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(52)</td></tr>
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Yeah! You did it! A little colourful rectangle of crochet! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794921253/" title="62. Ta DA! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="62. Ta DA!" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6794921253_d89e7612f3.jpg" width="500" /></span></a> </div>
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You could always now just sit and admire your handiwork and marvel at your own cleverness...or you could find a good use for it. Mine has been stolen for a family of rabbits :) </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6794915739/" title="Think of a good use for your practice piece by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Think of a good use for your practice piece" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6794915739_9b7cbd6d40.jpg" width="500" /></span></a> </div>
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I hope this little tutorial helps you on your way to starting crochet - you won't regret it! If I have made any glaring errors, or if you have any questions, please do get in touch via email or comments.<br />
<br />
Ali<br />
xx</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-72050278492973590482012-01-30T11:45:00.003+00:002012-01-30T11:47:13.648+00:00Making Time to Make it: Dolly the Dachshund<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was having a tea-break at work and reading through some of my favourite blogs when I came across </span><a href="http://www.juneatnoon.com/2012/01/oops/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gretchen's new pattern for Dolly the Dachshund</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I knew right then that Dolly would have to be my <em>Making Time to Make it</em> project for this month! I decided there and then to make Dolly that very evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here she is...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6788709369/" title="Dolly the Dachshund by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dolly the Dachshund" height="522" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6788709369_ed978e3286_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't she lovely?</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6788681543/" title="Dolly the Dachshund by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dolly the Dachshund" height="597" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6788681543_d27dbdd71c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has been stolen already of course. Anything soft and cute in this house seems to end up in Lillia's nest. Here's Dolly being held in a pair of very chocolatey sticky hands (post chocolate krispie cake making!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6788678887/" title="Dolly the Dachshund by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dolly the Dachshund" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6788678887_9cf29d999e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course another was requested. In bright pink naturally. So now Dolly #1 has a new friend in Dolly #2...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6788673245/" title="Dolly #1 and Dolly #2 by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dolly #1 and Dolly #2" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6788673245_e198dfe6a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is such a cute pattern, thanks Gretchen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are you making time to make this month?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">x</span>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-54242050532961819212012-01-26T11:17:00.001+00:002012-01-26T11:17:25.083+00:00Looking back at 2011Morning all!<br />
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Well most of the swap information has now been sent out, if you are still waiting for details of your spoilee do not fear, I will hopefully have all the emails sent out by tonight :) I am very much looking forward to this little early 2012 swap!<br />
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Speaking of it being 2012 and a new year....I've been looking back over my Flickr and, inspired by Attic24's beautiful mosaic summaries of her year I have created a couple of little photo mosaics to summarise my year here on snipsnaphappy.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></div>
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In the first part of the year I was very much in the midst of Baby Days - lots of lounging around in pyjamas, playing with rattles and feeding. I started the <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/01/6-weeks.html" target="_blank">Big Happy blanket</a> in January as a way of crocheting through my post-natal depression...and by March I was back into full creating mode! We had a lovely hot spell in April when the sun shone plenty and we were able to get out into the garden and admire the flowers...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpjjcHjkzvQ/TyEhMb33v7I/AAAAAAAACdM/JtGNRhsDxJE/s1600/mosaic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpjjcHjkzvQ/TyEhMb33v7I/AAAAAAAACdM/JtGNRhsDxJE/s640/mosaic1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></div>
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As we approached Summer I enjoyed time with my girls and grabbed the change to try some more arigurumi along the way. I finally wrote a pattern for <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-hooker-backwards-project-37.html" target="_blank">covering a touch screen iPod</a> (still to be written up and shared here...soon...very soon!) We enjoyed yet more sunshine and I finally made a <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/07/mei-tai-baby-carrier.html" target="_blank">Mei Tai baby carrier</a>!...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjAYCDJ9Yx8/TyEhN476XdI/AAAAAAAACdU/dVjK3Nfry58/s1600/mosaic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjAYCDJ9Yx8/TyEhN476XdI/AAAAAAAACdU/dVjK3Nfry58/s640/mosaic2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></div>
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We spent a wonderful summer week on <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-my-laptop-and-i-are-very-nearly.html" target="_blank">holiday in the beautiful Kent countryside</a>, the skies were blue the entire week...2011 was quite a sunshiney year all in all. I tried my hand at more arigurumi and was delighted with my alien-like <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/09/horge-crochet-creature.html" target="_blank">"Horge"</a> creature! I made <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/09/granny-square-therapy.html" target="_blank">arm-warmers</a> out of tiny alpaca wool granny squares, and crocheted a <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-hooker-backwards-project-36-doris.html" target="_blank">doormat </a>of all things....<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cp6YyPYB-2Y/TyEhPCRwVMI/AAAAAAAACdc/4hFBTN8hEw0/s1600/mosaic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cp6YyPYB-2Y/TyEhPCRwVMI/AAAAAAAACdc/4hFBTN8hEw0/s640/mosaic3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></div>
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Heading into the final part of the year I had a <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/crochet-colon.html" target="_blank">sudden spell in hospital</a> :( But at least it gave me the opportunity to start on the latest Happy Hooker Backwards project and <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-hooker-backwards-project-34.html" target="_blank">Topsy</a> was born! I also tried my hand at colourwork for the first time. Spurred on my successful attempts at arigurumi throughour the year I created <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/creature-of-night.html" target="_blank">Alien </a>from my own pattern. We celebrated our 8 year anniversary and <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-1st-birthday.html" target="_blank">Phoebe's 1st birthday</a> and before we knew it winter was upon us and we waved farewell to 2011!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xa13guBxbkI/TyEhQQe2uwI/AAAAAAAACdg/MGbmqF3ghSE/s1600/mosaic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xa13guBxbkI/TyEhQQe2uwI/AAAAAAAACdg/MGbmqF3ghSE/s640/mosaic4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></div>
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It's a funny old lark this blogging thing isn't it? Would you believe I have been writing this blog now for three years? I started on 21st December 2008...wow. That's a lot of rambling, a lot of photos, a lot of crochet, a lot of crafting and cake. I often ponder on whether I should continue to do it - it takes a bit of time as you know, and with two girls, a long commute, a full-on job and the school run to contend with do I really need another pressure on my time?<br />
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Well, yes. My blog allows me to document my crafty activities and my family life, encourages me to be creative, inspires me to continue living the lifestyle I want to and gives me motivation to challenge myself to do new things. My kids can read this in years to come and laugh at how young we look and how old-fashioned it all is :)<br />
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So happy 2012 everyone, a little belated I know, here's to another year of blogging!<br />
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xxAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-71559105226226792772012-01-25T08:00:00.000+00:002012-01-25T08:00:15.061+00:00Baby leg-warmersWe all love those chubby baby legs, and Phoebe's are chubbier than most believe me! When you see them you just have to give them a squeeze...! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748339743/" title="Crocheted baby leg-warmers! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Crocheted baby leg-warmers!" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6748339743_26537d2190_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I crocheted these legwarmers using the yarn I received from my <a href="http://www.snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/12/crochet-headband-goodies-anda-swap.html" target="_blank">Ravelry Christmas swap partner</a>, the pattern was in the Crochet Today magazine she sent me too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748337817/" title="Crocheted baby leg-warmers! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Crocheted baby leg-warmers!" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6748337817_d6bcba446e_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748341685/" title="Crocheted baby leg-warmers! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Crocheted baby leg-warmers!" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6748341685_fe1ddee5d8_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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This is a really lovely pattern to use and the leg-warmers turn out incredibly cute for very little effort. I love these. Phoebe seems to like them too, though she is slightly baffled by them!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-87465980565934799542012-01-23T12:00:00.001+00:002012-01-23T12:00:37.714+00:00Swapping and bakingThanks everyone who has signed up to the swap! We have seven (me included) of us taking part, I still need a few email addresses so take a look at the list below to see if you need to get in touch!<br />
<ul>
<li>Lise - I have your email</li>
<li><strong>Claire (The Hookery) - can I get your email please</strong></li>
<li>Fiona (Frou frou) - I have your email</li>
<li>Erica - I have your email</li>
<li><strong>Lily (Making it Vintage) - can I have your email please</strong></li>
<li><strong>Thea (MummyCat) - I need your email</strong></li>
</ul>
Could all of you please email me your postal address and I will email you details of your swap spoilee! The sooner the better so we can get swapping! Thanks everyone.<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
Right, now onto the serious business of baking. My sister gave me the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cookie-Magic-Biscuits-Cookies-Attitude/dp/1862058474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327319290&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Cookie Magic</a> book by Kate Shirazi, it contains cookie recipes galore (you'd hope so given the title) and the recipes promote the use of free range eggs, plus a donation from each sale of the book is made to an animal rescue charity, so well done her, right on :)<br />
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I've so far made my own rich tea biscuits (gorgeous) and these rather lovely digestives...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748344569/" title="Homemade digestives by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Homemade digestives" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6748344569_409b1898e0_z.jpg" width="501" /></a></div>
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I also made the basic butter biscuits...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748349999/" title="Making butter biscuits by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Making butter biscuits" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6748349999_f89dbf771c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and drizzled them with icing sugar....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748352689/" title="Butter biscuits with icing....mmmm! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Butter biscuits with icing....mmmm!" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6748352689_562c27bcc5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/6748347773/" title="Butter biscuits with icing....mmmm! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Butter biscuits with icing....mmmm!" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6748347773_856fa40d6c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Deary me have I eaten far too many of these over the last few days! <br />
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It's a pretty good book, I'd recommend it so far. I'm going to try the ginger nuts next :)<br />
<br />Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-5886429481249972822012-01-12T08:36:00.000+00:002012-01-12T08:36:00.102+00:00Swappity SwapI love snail mail, there is nothing like getting a little beautifully wrapped gift through the post is there? Lovely when it is unexpected, and lovely when you have the anticipation of knowing something is going to arrive soon. I love sending things, choosing, making, wrapping, taking my little parcel along to the post-office. It's all such an enjoyable process. That's why I mentioned a little while ago the idea of a <a href="http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/12/crochet-headband-goodies-anda-swap.html" target="_blank">little swap</a> to brighten up the long post-Christmas months. As there have only been a couple of lovely takers I thought I would raise the idea again with a little more detail in case there is anyone else wanting to join in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/3956692488/" title="Craft swap for Growing a Better Me by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Craft swap for Growing a Better Me" height="332" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2509/3956692488_286ac0b4df.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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The swap would be very simple:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Your sender would be different to your sendee - in other words if you were sending your parcel to me, your own parcel would be coming from somebody else. This makes it all the more exciting :)</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Your parcel should contain two handmade items for your sendee, these can be anything you like. If you include any other little shop-bought bits you should spend no more than a couple of quid, it is January and we are all poor after all!</li>
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<ul>
<li>Don't reveal your identity to your sendee before the swap! You can include a card/letter in your parcel to say who you are :)</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>I will do a short Q and A for all participants so that each sender gets a small overview of what their sendee likes.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/3956685626/" title="Fabric swap with Parallel Botany ready to go! by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric swap with Parallel Botany ready to go!" height="357" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2470/3956685626_9929ccf9b6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Sound good to you? <br />
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If so, then please <strong><span style="color: magenta;">copy and paste the questions below, along with your answers, into a comment below, or email them them to me, by Wednesday 18th January</span></strong> and I shall set it all up (those that have already let me know they are interested could you please fill in the Q and A too!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/4203159157/" title="wrapping by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="wrapping" height="406" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4003/4203159157_e826615028.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Where are your online homes? (e.g. blog name, ravelry username, instagram, twitter etc)<br />
What is your favourite sweet treat?<br />
What crafts do you do?<br />
What crafts would you like to try?<br />
What are your favourite colours?<br />
Do you have a favourite scent?<br />
Do you have children (if so, how many, how old etc)?<br />
Is there anything you wouldn't want to receive (i.e something you don't like or might be allergic to)?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snipsnaphappy/3956690866/" title="Close up of part of craft swap - for Growing a Better Me by snipsnaphappy, on Flickr"><img alt="Close up of part of craft swap - for Growing a Better Me" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2510/3956690866_fae2f5471b.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Happy swapping!</div>
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x</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960993408532382029.post-10274243177162092102012-01-10T07:58:00.003+00:002012-01-10T07:58:54.365+00:00Splashes of colourWell this January is testing my optimistic feelings about the first month of the year! Grey and wet and drizzly without a hint of snow to brighten things up. The light is terrible, I know I know, it's annoying to hear people whinging about the lack of light for photos but it's TRUE I tell you! <br />
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In between the day-to-day bustle of childcare, work and dashing about in the rain I've been capturing some colourful images to cheer myself up, thought I'd share them with you...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Rfu8bUI7E/TwvtXE19ODI/AAAAAAAACdA/pSdevd_subk/s1600/IMG_2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Rfu8bUI7E/TwvtXE19ODI/AAAAAAAACdA/pSdevd_subk/s400/IMG_2088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bath time is always a colourful affair with young children of course, and my own bath times are rather colourful too with my brightly coloured Lush box of goodies...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Gn8BSWavMA/TwvtVIs7r1I/AAAAAAAACc4/LIjO5_AB34w/s1600/IMG_2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Gn8BSWavMA/TwvtVIs7r1I/AAAAAAAACc4/LIjO5_AB34w/s400/IMG_2052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And even though early mornings in my office are chilly to say the least, there is always some warmth to be found in a mug full of tea :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA0E0utN-Eo/TwvtToppP9I/AAAAAAAACcw/rSYlWsP3l1I/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA0E0utN-Eo/TwvtToppP9I/AAAAAAAACcw/rSYlWsP3l1I/s640/IMG_2025.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I've been making too of course, in fact I have rather a lot to share with you on that front. I just have to find the time to somehow manage to snap photos. I also have a tutorial in the pipeline! Rigt, back to the day job for me for now. Laters alligators.</div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">x</span></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513211650826779076noreply@blogger.com2