tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12918014748551400882024-03-12T23:06:25.486+00:00DivineChoice Creations Cards & GiftsCard making, knitting with a little bit of gardening and stitching.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-64131179285521744582014-06-08T21:52:00.002+01:002014-06-08T21:52:26.023+01:00Cards, Art & Knitting: Springtime Creations<div dir="ltr">
Hello Reader,</div>
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Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog. I hope you enjoy your visit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.ggpht.com/-ld7XjB1WLjY/U5M9d6-nF1I/AAAAAAAAGLk/x1FZOiyLgbI/s640/20140408_150727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ld7XjB1WLjY/U5M9d6-nF1I/AAAAAAAAGLk/x1FZOiyLgbI/s640/20140408_150727.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips were beautiful as usual.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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It's coming up to that time of the year when I can do what I like for a few precious weeks in summer. With all the drawing, sketching, knitting and card making I am bursting with ideas, diving from one project to another. </div>
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I particularly want to talk about the card making but first let me show you my knitted makes...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ipod pouches</td></tr>
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One weekend I made a pair of pouches for my ipod and headphones. They're made them in the round with double pointed needles. Each one consists of two layers which are stitched at the open edge with blanket stitch. If you'd like a pattern let me know.<br />
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After posting this photo on my Facebook page I got a comment from an artist colleague that set me on making a pouch for an ipad. I used the same method but created handles at the open end. It came out so well I gave it to the commenter as a thank you for their inspiration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez4BWrdPDQ8/U5OkgYUYlDI/AAAAAAAAGMU/bDE3Ye-UE6U/s1600/2014-05-14+16.16.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez4BWrdPDQ8/U5OkgYUYlDI/AAAAAAAAGMU/bDE3Ye-UE6U/s1600/2014-05-14+16.16.22.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ipad pouch</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The family birthdays come thick and fast, so are my priority for card making during this time and there were a couple of milestones this year. I used different methods for each card, one using the paper cutting and mixed media, the other drawn on card with felt tip pens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the window revealing the sentiment inside.</td></tr>
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Sadly this card lost quite a few sequins in transit despite my efforts with the wet glue. So frustrating. More reasons for me to do more cards like this...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made for my daughter who loves the colour pink.</td></tr>
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It's a time of evolution for me and my card making. I've talked about my drawings and how I am going in a direction of drawing my own designs and doing less of the paper cutting and layering etc. The effect of this is I am really enjoying my creative work. Yes I've let some things go, like this blog, but in the long run the benefits plain to see in this post. Look at how much I've done. One thing I didn't forsee was a boost in bespoke card orders.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mWXLnwufWG4/U5Of77GvLCI/AAAAAAAAGL0/HGJZgqXHKa0/s1600/2014-05-18+15.25.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mWXLnwufWG4/U5Of77GvLCI/AAAAAAAAGL0/HGJZgqXHKa0/s1600/2014-05-18+15.25.00.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketching in the spring sunshine</td></tr>
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Most of them come from work colleagues but that doesn't make the orders more or less valuable than if it came from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DCCardsandGifts">little online shop</a>. It gives me a chance to exercise my design ideas for the pleasure of others and really that is the key factor in card giving. We want to give pleasure and to do that I must enjoy my craft.</div>
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I still make cards using paper cutting and layering etc where the card requested requires it.<br />
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One of the first orders I got this year came quite out of the blue and it was a real challenge. I was asked by one of the managers if I could make a card for his mother who was going to be 95 and impartially sighted. She needed to be able to feel the design and it had to be bright and bold.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First card ever made for someone who is partially sighted.</td></tr>
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I got this order with about a week at most to spare but I decided I could get it done, sure that I had suitable materials in my stash. I must admit that the requirements were a little daunting and I was really unsure about the finished item. So much so that when the client reacted positively to the final product I allowed him to pay me what he thought it was worth. He kindly added travel costs to the amount as I delivered it by hand during my holiday. When he reported after his Mum's birthday that my card was very much enjoyed as she could enjoy the decoration much more so than the the other cards she received.</div>
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<i>That was such a boost to my card making ego.</i></div>
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Next I got an order with barely three days notice to make a card of <i>'Congratulations'</i> for another colleague to be presented as a token of support from the team. Now I was really tired that week as work was pretty demanding but a card order is a challenge I always rise to unless it is absolutely impossible to meet. Like getting an order for a pack of 12 bespoke Christmas cards when the last posting date is two days away! (I'm not saying this happened but if it did I doubt I could honestly say I would deliver. I know my limits.)</div>
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I did not have a clue what my design would be. All I knew is that I would be using one of my <i>'Congratulations'</i> stamps and that was that. I have a collection of papers inlcuding those that come with my <a href="http://www.craft-seller.com/">Craftseller magazine</a>. I sat in my carft space and flicked thorugh the papers, looking for inspiration and I landed on the cupcake paper from the Craftseller magazine. When I get started I usually have no idea how the finished card will look. Sometimes I even think I am finished then I decide it needs a little something. That's what happened with this card.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite finished...</td></tr>
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I posted a photo on my Facebook page when I thought I was done. Don't worry I knew my colleaugues wouldn't see it there. It's amazing that anyone sees my posts the way Facebook make it so hard. Anyway I was so excited to share my short notice order satisfaction you can tell by the photo that I posted hot off the craft table. I was especially pleased with my use of rubber stamps to decorate the background paper and the idea of cut out cup cakes to decorate it.</div>
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Then I looked at it again and decided it wasn't quite ready. It was after eleven and I really needed to get to bed. However I'd given myself this evening and no other in which to complete this task so I started going through my little stick ons and other embellishments and after a short while I found the little butterflies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWdet3VDL8o/U5Oh0ddQ7PI/AAAAAAAAGMA/sGDzXsMW4wo/s1600/2014-05-08+08.11.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWdet3VDL8o/U5Oh0ddQ7PI/AAAAAAAAGMA/sGDzXsMW4wo/s1600/2014-05-08+08.11.09.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few little butterflies later and it's complete!</td></tr>
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Cupcakes and butterflies.</div>
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Now it is finished.</div>
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Need I say it was admired and enjoyed by everyone who signed it and by the person who received it.</div>
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In between the card making I am drawing in my A3 sketchbook, creating art for the joy of it with the hope that I may create something that will be great for cards, prints or whatever I like. Adinkra symbols continue to give me wonderful motivation as well as beautiful ideas but the real inspiration for the following photo was found on the post of someone I follow on Facebook called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/positive.image.3">Positive Image</a>. It was the cloak worn by the young Maasai girl in the photo that started me on my next artwork. It took a number of weeks to complete in between the day job, gardening and the usual stuff. My new set of Staedtler pens got a good work out.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful pens encourage colourful work</td></tr>
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If you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DivineChoiceCreations">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DivineChoice">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/rasdchoice">Instagram</a>, will have seen the photos of the work in progress as I enjoyed sharing my creative flow. The finished work featues the adinkra symbol for abundance, power, togetherness and unity. I sent a message to Positive Image with an attachment of the finshed art and they loved it, informing me that they were going to use it as a screensaver while I decided exactly how I am going to reproduce it into tangible products for my online store.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4Gh5u9riAc/U5OilFMiPTI/AAAAAAAAGMI/WtDwU11C0t0/s1600/2014-05-24+18.52.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4Gh5u9riAc/U5OilFMiPTI/AAAAAAAAGMI/WtDwU11C0t0/s1600/2014-05-24+18.52.50.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abundance</td></tr>
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Money was the initial motivation for creating an online store, Facebook page and all the usual strategies of a crafter starting up a home craft business. Every little sale whether online or off is well appreciated and helps to keep me going but in the past I think I let the desire to make sales stifle my creativity and sap my motivation. So while it is important, I know that without the creativity, there will be no development and therefore little chance of making sales.</div>
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So I plan to harness my creativity and enjoy the garden. My flower photography is getting better by the way and giving me lots of likes on Instagram and Facebook. Take a look at these...</div>
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I will be creating more art cards and will soon be refreshing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DCCardsandGifts">my shop</a> listing with the items that come out of them. I will also be knitting... I've got a big project that must be finished. I'll let you know how I get on with that.</div>
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Oh yes before I forget check out my tea cosy for my one cup teapot. It's got a double knitted layer just like the pouches above. I like it so much I 'm going to make one for the big teapot. If you would like a pattern let me know and I'll convert my scribbly notes into a pattern you can follow.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a cuppa.</td></tr>
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So make sure you come round again. Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/DivineChoice">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/rasdchoice">Instagram</a>, like my <a href="http://instagram.com/rasdchoice">Facebook page</a> or add me to your <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/106501572071994790372/posts">Google+</a> circle so you can follow me in between blogging online activity.</div>
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Be good to yourself and others, see you soon x</div>
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It is said that a neglected blog is worse than having no blog. I read that somewhere and immediately thought, 'Oh dear, that sounds like me. So here goes...</div><div><br></div><div>Since my last post I've done a lot of drawing, some sketching and made a few cards. The photos here record my endeavours and some get posted on Instagram which is one of my most used apps. I like the fact that I can post to Twitter and Facebook at the same time so if you follow me on any of these platforms you might recognise some of the photos included in this post.</div>
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This new year I decided that I was going to take my sketchbook and drawing tools to work with me more often than not. Even if I don't get a chance to do any sketching I still carry it with me most of the time. so it was that I doodled this little heart motif. Maybe it was because everyone was already talking about Valentines day.<br>
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This sketched in a couple of lunch breaks - so relaxing. Bringing my sketchbook to work had an unforseen advantage. When a colleague asked me to make a card for him to give to his new bride I could show him my drawings of adinkra symbols, my latest craze that began in last summer.<br>
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This photo shows just part of the finished design. This symbol is the Power of Love or 'love never loses its way home'.</div>
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Signs of spring in the garden with these cyclamen is always a beautiful sight. All the rain and wind stopped long enough for me to get working in the garden. I'm planning to get sowing and growing sooner this year but before that there was a grotty job that needed doing.</div>
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You know I felt good once it was all done. Then I spent another day putting together the replacement compact greenhouse I got last summer and then I was ready to sow. And it's not even March yet!</div>
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As well as doing more things that I enjoy, there was a lovely surprise when I managed to win a prize on SDCrafts page when I gave the best answer to her photo question and she sent me a Graze box. I've always wondered what they were like and it just so happened I got it and the end of a tough week so it really raised my spirits. Thank you Shirley once again for a lovely surprise.<br>
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Besides all that I've started on my Xmas gift from my sister.<br>
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You may remember I talked about this book last year so having my own copy is really such a thrill. I made a start using colouring pencils and felt tip pens but my pens bleed through the paper so its just as well I've only done the front piece. One of my artist friends who also has this book told me what she is using. Steadtler was always my favourite ballpoint pens so I should have guessed their drawing pens would do a better job so I'm planning on getting a set of those to continue filling the pages of this book with lots of colour.<br>
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Meanwhile all that I am continuing to experiment with adinkras and planing a range of cards using the art I create.</div><div><br></div><div>UPDATE - May 2014 : You can probably tell that I wrote that post a while ago. Don't know why I didn't post it before. It looks finished...</div><div><br></div><div>Must be all the gardening in the sunshine, card making and drawing I've been doing. Not to mention an energy sapping day job ;) Yeah I know... Excuses....</div><div><br></div><div>Just a few things I've got to tell you and if this damp, grey weather continues, will give me lots to write about during this half term holiday, if I can break away from the drawing and knitting and there is some cross stitch Kits waiting for my attention too.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for stopping by. I'm really pleased you did x</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-57118511663997755972014-01-03T19:09:00.001+00:002014-01-03T19:13:23.708+00:00Let the Creative Juices Flow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uS_EDNhtGqE/UsRb8zs5nuI/AAAAAAAAEjw/RycTXEx3apc/s1600/20140101_170408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uS_EDNhtGqE/UsRb8zs5nuI/AAAAAAAAEjw/RycTXEx3apc/s320/20140101_170408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello, Happy New Year and all that! The end of the festivities of the season and the start of the year gave me a chance to get my creative juices flowing again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Last year after so much promise, my creativity flowed in stops and starts. I'd like to think this won't happen again this year but some of the issues I face in my day job will continue to challenge my creativity. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Right now I am on a break from the day job and on the first day of the year, I determined to start the year as I mean to go on. I am happy to report I've been to the craft table and all is well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The inspiration for my cards come from wishing to send some cards to friends and family. My original inspiration for starting this whole card making, stitching and knitting endeavours was and still is my family and friends. Getting too caught up in making cards for sale takes a lot of the fun out of crafting as I fall into the trap of comparing myself to other great makes and shops with lots of sales. Finding a way to keep the creative juices flowing is one of the things I need to think more of in the coming year. It is clear the money making is no catalyst for me where creativity is concerned.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That is the dilemma. I need to sell more of my creations but all the marketing, promoting and so on does not inspire me at all. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One thing that did boost my self esteem was making a sale last year on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DCCardsandGifts" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> with no tweeting or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DivineChoiceCreations" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> updates. How did that happen?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/157344829/golden-lion?" target="_blank">'Golden Lion' card</a> buyer was very pleased with her purchase and suggested I make it available as a T-shirt. What do you think of that idea?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I think it's great and a great incentive to do even more drawing. For the moment I will focus on my art and not think about the other things I'll need to make that happen.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Definitely will be doing more of my own artwork and also need to get my 365 Project back on the roll too. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For this new year project though I used a sheet of paper from my <a href="http://www.craft-seller.com/magazine/current-issue/craftseller" target="_blank">Craftseller magazine</a> 'Home Sweet Home' collection to make my cards.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I started with one card design and I liked it so much I made six variations using just one sheet of paper. It was fun trying out different ideas and the hours went by and by the time I finished I'd made six cards.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Feels so good.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Likewise for finally updating my blog with this new post. I do miss the flow of creativity when the less fun aspects of life get in the way. I will continue to strive to get the balance right and that is my overall goal for this coming year.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for reading and keeping in touch.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I wish you all the best and I hope you are not too badly affected by the winter cold and storms. Stay warm and dry x</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-88772302196631251982013-08-26T00:25:00.001+01:002013-08-26T14:52:42.851+01:00August - I Heart Summer - Time to CraftHiya Lovelies,<br />
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August is almost over and in the UK we are enjoying the last Bank Holiday weekend before Christmas.<br />
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I am already back on the day job, feeling refreshed after weeks of sunshine and craft.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Millenium Bridge</td></tr>
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No, I didn't leave London at all but I did go out and about - a visit to the Milennium Bridge with my grandson on a bright and sunny day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Millenium Bridge</td></tr>
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A few days later it was cloudy but that didn't spoil the Harry Potter tour I went on with my sister.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration for Diagon Alley</td></tr>
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I felt lilke a tourist as I saw parts of the city I've never seen before and probably never would but for the tour so thanks Sis for suggesting it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling in Kings Cross Station is beautiful.</td></tr>
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Besides going out and about. I've enjoyed visiting my local park, doing some work in the garden, tackling some overgrown shrubs and a little knitting, drawing and card making.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern for Elephants by Knitables</td></tr>
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I found a cute knitting pattern on <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/toy/elephant/25849?_ct=fhevybu-fqjjuhdbyrhqho-jyjbu&_ctp=25849" target="_blank">Craftsy for a toy elephant by Knitables</a> which is easy to knit in a day and makes good use of small amounts of yarn. The plan was to make it for a friends coming grandchild but since making one I've got request to make more.... four so far... all gifts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite spot in my local park where I sat and sketched.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by Adinkra symbols</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duck Pond, Victoria Park</td></tr>
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Enjoy the pictures and the end of summer.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-71088922601362406952013-07-25T15:19:00.000+01:002013-07-25T15:19:58.876+01:00June, July : Taking Stock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3wP6rDaJoM/UewV43Tkp6I/AAAAAAAACM8/sMbPE5oejR8/s1600/20130518_173454_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3wP6rDaJoM/UewV43Tkp6I/AAAAAAAACM8/sMbPE5oejR8/s320/20130518_173454_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think this would make a nice print or T-shirt design.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well as promised I am back with an update of the past couple of months. As I faced a very challenging period, my creative life took a dip as job and health concerns took priority. I couldn't even think about blogging and all social media activity took a hit. After a day year dealing with the demands of a new post, we were also competing with each other to keep our jobs, our salary scale for the coming academic year when the number of posts were reduced. That wasn't the best time to be also suffering from an imbalance in my thyroid meds. It was hard but thankfully I got through all that to start the summer holiday with a positive glow.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEzoIQ1DDVQ/UewWBkJfTeI/AAAAAAAACNE/g0KJovB3nQg/s1600/20130530_171140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEzoIQ1DDVQ/UewWBkJfTeI/AAAAAAAACNE/g0KJovB3nQg/s200/20130530_171140.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new sketchbook frontpiece.</td></tr>
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<br />
Well it was brilliant wasn't it? My holiday started on the final Wimbledon weekend and the weather was perfect for sitting in the garden and watching it on my laptop. That's where I was when I started watching the men's final anyway as it was too hot to be indoors but I did go in for the fourth set on the big screen. I don't need to say anything more, do I? - it was great!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAhDccBHdUI/UewVuT_4nLI/AAAAAAAACM4/1kpQanx8rhI/s1600/20130507_200649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAhDccBHdUI/UewVuT_4nLI/AAAAAAAACM4/1kpQanx8rhI/s200/20130507_200649.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working with colour pencils, no ink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The one creative thing I was a few little sketches in my new sketchbook but I stopped posting to my daily sketch blog while going through the restructuring at work. I've used one of the sketches to restart that blog earlier today, Day 26/365. The sketching and drawing is definitely something I am really enjoying much more than making cards with pretty papers, ribbons and all the usual stuff. Not saying that I won't be doing that in future but I am definitely developing a distinctive style of my own with my original work and being very true to myself.<br />
<br />
Another development was upgrading to a smartphone and discovering those apps all the longtime smartphone and tablet owners know about. I work with tablets as part of my job but it is a lot more fun when you get your own device. One of the apps I really enjoy is Flipboard. Not long after I got my phone I enrolled for a <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/Flip-It-Make-Magazines-on-Flipboard/1080314695/337677000/project-guide" target="_blank">Skillsshare class in making magazines on Flipboard</a>.<br />
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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/-Lj3skrfGe7c/UewZ0F0GIGI/AAAAAAAACNU/7nY1uod6RJQ/s1600/IMG-20121004-00374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lj3skrfGe7c/UewZ0F0GIGI/AAAAAAAACNU/7nY1uod6RJQ/s320/IMG-20121004-00374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cremer Street, Hackney, London</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided to do one on street art in my neighbourhood and journeys around London. For more than a year I am regularly snapping street art, some ever changing and others well loved landmarks so it was a natural topic for my course project. I called it, <a href="https://flipboard.com/section/my-neck-of-the-hoods-bRTgwd" target="_blank">'My Neck of the Hoods'</a>. It got good feedback and was even included in the<a href="http://inside.flipboard.com/2013/06/18/magazines-we-love-skillshare-%E2%80%9Cgraduates%E2%80%9D-edition/" target="_blank"> graduate edition</a> of the Flipboard blog post. The magazines are now not only available through the app but online too. So if you are reading this on your PC or laptop you can click the link above and see my magazine about street art, places and other videos and articles on London.<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of my other magazines:<br />
<a href="https://flipboard.com/section/craftivity-bUuwHG" target="_blank">Craftivity</a><br />
<a href="https://flipboard.com/section/sweet%26savoury-b66SWo" target="_blank">Sweet&Savoury</a><br />
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While we worked through the tortuous restructuring process at work I found a great way to relax - I took up colouring. Remember when you were a youngster and someone gave you a colouring or dot-to-dot book and a set of colours. Well you can have a similar pleasure as an adult. I say similar because nothing is quite the same as being six and the feeling of joy and anticipation.<br />
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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/-4S0VzeiZU5c/UfEnuHr4QvI/AAAAAAAACN4/_5EIhVaFXdI/s1600/20130624_134845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S0VzeiZU5c/UfEnuHr4QvI/AAAAAAAACN4/_5EIhVaFXdI/s320/20130624_134845.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colouring fun in 'The Secret Garden'</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/books/dp/1780671067" target="_blank">'The Secret Garden' by Johanna Basford</a> was featured in the Guardian online with a selection of free sheets. You can find them <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/19/secret-garden-colouring-in-adults" target="_blank">here</a>. They really are a joy to to do and perfect for getting through a crafting block or for relaxing through difficult times. I recommend it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-MERB13myA/Uewb3srJYnI/AAAAAAAACNk/ZePq9dbTVoI/s1600/IMG_20130625_171656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-MERB13myA/Uewb3srJYnI/AAAAAAAACNk/ZePq9dbTVoI/s200/IMG_20130625_171656.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Aya went missing...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another thing that got me a bit stressed was the day I came home from work and my cat wasn't there to greet me as usual. Nor did she turn up within the following hour mewing for a stroke and a cuddle. Now that really is not like her. Going to bed that night was not a nice feeling, Waking up to see she hadn't returned was horrible. I tried not to worry as I was assured by fellow cat owners that she would turn up.<br />
<br />
After 3 days I created a flyer and posted them up in my area, speaking to neighbours passing by and even got one put up in my local shop. Then six days later, shortly after arriving home from work, I spotted a cat rolling around on the footpath (her personal happy dance) but I wasn't sure it was her until I opened the front door and she came trotting towards me, mewing. I was so pleased I posted a video on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram of her giving some serious attention to her food bowl (another one of those apps I'm having fun with).<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV8jmPPXn9U/UfEr2boob8I/AAAAAAAACOI/UJY2jCgfvA4/s1600/20130628_180433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV8jmPPXn9U/UfEr2boob8I/AAAAAAAACOI/UJY2jCgfvA4/s320/20130628_180433.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aya - my cute and beautiful cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got into apps on my smartphone just as Instagram started the video thing so I never got a chance to get into Vine so all the Instagram v Vine thing really goes over my head. But if you think Vine is better I'd love it if you could tell me why.<br />
<br />
Besides all that I've been doing a bit of cross stitching, a bit of gardening (with the help of my daughter) and a lot of just chilling and enjoying the sunny weather and the leisure to make the most of it. Getting back to blogging is one of those things I can enjoy again so you're bound to hear from me again very soon as I get back to other craft biz stuff.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed reading about my mini dramas. Drop me a comment. I'll be back real soon... before the summer ends ;)<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-35159711790664071302013-07-21T17:46:00.001+01:002013-07-25T13:28:08.822+01:00April, May : Making and SketchingOh my goodness where did the time go? As the title suggests I've been drawing and making cards. Some were commissioned and some for people who were recovering from short hospital stays. I hope you like what you see.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdup4mv5a8/UY-gSeii0mI/AAAAAAAACKQ/G5Y7MA3j3uQ/s1600/sam_getwell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdup4mv5a8/UY-gSeii0mI/AAAAAAAACKQ/G5Y7MA3j3uQ/s320/sam_getwell.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This design comes from one of my sketches. I drew the design in ink and coloured with coloured pencil straight on some blank cards and decorated with glitter glue. The 'Get Well' sentiment is interwoven in the flowers on one of the cushions. I liked it so much I made another with a few changes.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-350J7RZECHs/UY-iZi8K-1I/AAAAAAAACKc/m_5ZnuV-P4M/s1600/cree_getwell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-350J7RZECHs/UY-iZi8K-1I/AAAAAAAACKc/m_5ZnuV-P4M/s320/cree_getwell.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My daughter suggested putting the message in the title of the book on the side table and I decided to change the way I put the message on the cushion. Both of these cards were well recieved and both recipeients are well and back to good health.<br />
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Carrying on with the idea of drawing my own card designs here is a birthday card I made to order for my mum<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vt-jW1-CGE/UY-jxU_n3jI/AAAAAAAACKs/PGRCu7JTaQ8/s1600/cb_bday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vt-jW1-CGE/UY-jxU_n3jI/AAAAAAAACKs/PGRCu7JTaQ8/s320/cb_bday1.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
That design idea was inspired by this one posted in my message and sketch project...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6FB8LT0sk/UY-kdsPuoiI/AAAAAAAACK0/J8D208hCGiM/s1600/24_365_betterdays.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6FB8LT0sk/UY-kdsPuoiI/AAAAAAAACK0/J8D208hCGiM/s320/24_365_betterdays.JPG" width="314" /></a></div>
Although I quite liked the designs I thought maybe the ink was too dominant. Since doing these I am now working on using the coloured pecils without the ink outline... well less of it anyway...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktOfYhYvLvg/UY-lOgDYuuI/AAAAAAAACK8/XL_9x3NG7lY/s1600/25_365_gardeninghappy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktOfYhYvLvg/UY-lOgDYuuI/AAAAAAAACK8/XL_9x3NG7lY/s320/25_365_gardeninghappy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh yes and beforeI forget here is a peek of the cookies I made with my birthday present from my sister.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIJVhg_5fgY/UY-p-cUv8wI/AAAAAAAACLI/HPArnCUmZrE/s1600/20130318_211224_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIJVhg_5fgY/UY-p-cUv8wI/AAAAAAAACLI/HPArnCUmZrE/s320/20130318_211224_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxYLu9QmVpg/UY-rScrNGpI/AAAAAAAACLU/7zfv4iyLsqY/s1600/20130331_190334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxYLu9QmVpg/UY-rScrNGpI/AAAAAAAACLU/7zfv4iyLsqY/s320/20130331_190334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Notice the M&Ms added to give it the Rasta colours of Rasta Cookies. It also has walnuts, oats and chocolate chips. All I had to do was empty the jar into a bowl and then add the wet ingredients. When I took it out of the oven I wasn't sure if it was supposed to look like this. Not only that but it was a bit harder to remove from the tray once cooled so I ended up with cookie chunks to return to the jar. They were delicious which suprisded me as I don't normally like M&Ms. ;)<br />
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Now what with the Great British Bake Off and so on I am going to start looking up more cookie reciopes.<br />
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July update: finally getting around to publishing this post. It's been an intense few months since writing but I'll tell you more about that in the following post... <br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-20619048204839454662013-03-31T17:11:00.001+01:002013-03-31T17:11:17.129+01:00March - Mad Month Makes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFSMRWJ8qkE/UVhYOb3IhLI/AAAAAAAACII/_RUn5HpLiNE/s1600/mumday2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFSMRWJ8qkE/UVhYOb3IhLI/AAAAAAAACII/_RUn5HpLiNE/s320/mumday2013.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
month of March is as mad as ever for me as it starts, continues and
ends with family birthdays punctuated by Mothers Day. Not to mention the
fact that it found me going back and forth to one medical appointment
after another... yeah same old, same old...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So it's just one blog post for this month with a round up of the arty crafty
things produced for all the various celebrations and just because.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwDVcYDoHOc/UVhYcqholUI/AAAAAAAACIQ/3UTx52-LX2M/s1600/mumdayskectchncard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwDVcYDoHOc/UVhYcqholUI/AAAAAAAACIQ/3UTx52-LX2M/s200/mumdayskectchncard.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original sketch and card</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://messagesandsketch365.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">My 365 projec</a>t has also taken a hit as my daily sketching is not so daily at
present. Still the drawings are inspiring new designs and are being tested out for my family cards as you will see from the pics. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My
mum loved her card and the sentiment inside which I also took from <a href="http://messagesandsketch365.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/thank-you-mum-3/" target="_blank">my original sketch</a>.. I made a few changes from
the original sketch - just the word ‘Mum’ on the mug. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For
Mothers Day my grandson bought his Mum his first gift of jewellry - a
cute angel in his mum’s favourite colour. It came in a little plastic
pocket so I decided to make one of my minibags to present it to her. She
keeps it safe in there when she’s not wearing it and loves both items
to pieces.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ4du8S0lTw/UVhYtqubnwI/AAAAAAAACIY/mnQ9z_Dhojw/s1600/pinkmakbag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ4du8S0lTw/UVhYtqubnwI/AAAAAAAACIY/mnQ9z_Dhojw/s320/pinkmakbag.JPG" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minibag</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePue_deMX8/UVhY8ulZ12I/AAAAAAAACIg/CbMD69eTBsA/s1600/pinkmakbagngift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePue_deMX8/UVhY8ulZ12I/AAAAAAAACIg/CbMD69eTBsA/s200/pinkmakbagngift.JPG" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makes a lovely gift keepsake.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
received a couple of handmade cards for my birthday for the first time
ever - that’s not including the lovely makes of children and grandson
over the years of course. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My sister in craft, Shirley Davis of SDCrafts
surprised me most of all as I didn’t even guess that she even aware of
the date of my birthday. Such a wonderful surprise.. You can see that it features one of special 'Squirldoodles' She is such a
lovely lady who knows how to cheer me up when I am feeling discouraged
and I hope I do the same for her.</span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_yi1NkCEMo/UVhZSLTtaaI/AAAAAAAACIo/GeI87Jq2sHU/s1600/squirldoodlebday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_yi1NkCEMo/UVhZSLTtaaI/AAAAAAAACIo/GeI87Jq2sHU/s320/squirldoodlebday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shirleydaviscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">SDCrafts</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of my sisters also sent me a handmade card which is very pretty. There
was a note of encouragement to tell me that my cards are prettier which
made me smile. The card is very professionally made so that's a lot to live up to but definitely appreciated.</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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bZVPYXQySk/UVhZoPTD3WI/AAAAAAAACIw/49R1HPT0dtM/s1600/sisbday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bZVPYXQySk/UVhZoPTD3WI/AAAAAAAACIw/49R1HPT0dtM/s320/sisbday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.papyrusonline.com/greeting-cards.html" target="_blank">Papyrus</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> This
is the last birthday card of the month and this one is also taken from
the sketches I am doing for my 365 project. As I don’t currently have
any ink in my printer I drew this specially for the card and coloured
using coloured pencils and decorated with a little glitter glue.</span><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/-rMGty75zIu0/UVhZyodsHRI/AAAAAAAACI4/E_7wpecIxmg/s1600/makhpybday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMGty75zIu0/UVhZyodsHRI/AAAAAAAACI4/E_7wpecIxmg/s320/makhpybday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> One of my gifts was a jar or cookie mix which I will be making today on this last day of the mionth, Easter Sunday. I'll post pics of my 'Rasta Cookies' before and after in my next post. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Until then have a good holiday and see you next month x </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-81962646326429371982013-02-26T19:26:00.000+00:002013-02-26T19:26:18.548+00:00February - Knitting, Stitching & Sketching<span id="internal-source-marker_0.9478868756492226" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is the sketch I did in the waiting room before my name was called <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23sketch">#sketch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23drawing">#drawing</a> <a href="http://t.co/WKaKyWT4IX" title="http://twitter.com/DivineChoice/status/306046382085648384/photo/1">twitter.com/DivineChoice/s…</a><br />
— Pearletta Wilson (@DivineChoice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivineChoice/status/306046382085648384">February 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.9478868756492226" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Been in a few waiting rooms lately. Another
bout of ill health means I’ve been at home these past few weeks. Since
my last post in fact. Of course I can’t just sit around playing games
and watching TV all day so as the title suggests I’m doing some
knitting, stitching and sketching.</span><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsraPtH5fo0/USz9ZB0y6qI/AAAAAAAACGo/nW36qYN3AVA/s1600/13_365respectandlove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsraPtH5fo0/USz9ZB0y6qI/AAAAAAAACGo/nW36qYN3AVA/s320/13_365respectandlove.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13/365 Respect and Love...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You’ll remember that I started my daily sketchbook project a couple of
weeks ago and I am enjoying it. The
blank page of the sketchbook used to make my mind go just as blank. The daily
project is proving a great motivator and the challenge to produce
something is an inspiration. Funny how that works. Never imagined that would happen. Looking forward to seeing how this daily sketching develops.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Doing
much more drawing now so there are a couple of works in progress. Taking my time with
them. They’re not necessaily for card making talking of which....</span><br />
<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/-V1JmPe5pfQ4/USz-Amd5QmI/AAAAAAAACGw/7RWfWH1YWmo/s1600/6_365_whatwelikecol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V1JmPe5pfQ4/USz-Amd5QmI/AAAAAAAACGw/7RWfWH1YWmo/s320/6_365_whatwelikecol.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6/365 What we like...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You
may be wondering when I am going to post some recently made cards. Soon
I hope but I have so many cards already made that are not listed in my
shops so my arts and crafts focus is mainly on other things like my
minibags and minibackpacks.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdxQjBA-e0c/USz_X4tLxmI/AAAAAAAACHA/radkNjUW_WM/s1600/minibkpk_kas_back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdxQjBA-e0c/USz_X4tLxmI/AAAAAAAACHA/radkNjUW_WM/s200/minibkpk_kas_back.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back view showing double handles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpCtDQypcek/USz_j2gcwUI/AAAAAAAACHI/XXyJbtnDNwk/s1600/minibkpk_kas_open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpCtDQypcek/USz_j2gcwUI/AAAAAAAACHI/XXyJbtnDNwk/s200/minibkpk_kas_open.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hand stitched fabric lining</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foVqXctSZB0/USz-mutODhI/AAAAAAAACG4/9t_veQN3GOU/s1600/minibkpk_kas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foVqXctSZB0/USz-mutODhI/AAAAAAAACG4/9t_veQN3GOU/s320/minibkpk_kas.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minibackpack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here
is the latest development of my knitted minibackpack, fully lined with
fabric making it suitable for many purposes.. This one was made for my
grandson so he was allowed to say how I should decorate it. He chose the
colour felt and the jaunty angle of the initial on top of the shield.
Wasn’t sure about the red but it actually works. </span><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XRpabk9l_8/USz_2He-xwI/AAAAAAAACHQ/0VS4rVXO7TQ/s1600/kashbackpack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XRpabk9l_8/USz_2He-xwI/AAAAAAAACHQ/0VS4rVXO7TQ/s320/kashbackpack.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with ipod nano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just
so happens it’s great for the ipod nano he got as a birthday present and can also store the
earphones. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
design is an improvement on the first one, the green and yellow one I made as the side panel
is now a bit longer. This shows off the lining which I complimented with
the white yarn decorating the edging and the white embroidery thread.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sacxLgH69hY/US0Ata4psoI/AAAAAAAACHY/HEXscobSyAg/s1600/kaswminibkpk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sacxLgH69hY/US0Ata4psoI/AAAAAAAACHY/HEXscobSyAg/s320/kaswminibkpk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He loved it :)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-31012123631461643952013-02-12T19:56:00.002+00:002013-02-12T19:56:47.243+00:00February - My 365 Project #messageandsketch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://messagesandsketch365.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cropped-urbanmusichead0412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://messagesandsketch365.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cropped-urbanmusichead0412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You’ll
probably think I’m a nut when you find out what I’ve started. Then
again if you’re a long time reader you may know about my interest expressed in a <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/365-project.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.. If you saw my quick post yesterday with the photo from Twitter you'll know that <a href="http://messagesandsketch365.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">I am starting a 365 project</a>. Yes I missed the 1st of January, which seems to be the traditional start day but it is almost a year since I wrote about thinking of doing a 365 project.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back then I wrote:</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A 365 project would be a challenge but on the positive side I anticipate:<br />
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I will become more disciplined</span></li>
<li><span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I will become better organised</span></li>
<li><span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I will learn new skills</span></li>
<li><span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I will develop my creativity</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2619619494894798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All those thoughts still stand.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hutsyDS0Goc/URqZbOCeXaI/AAAAAAAACEs/98DlyEOTRxw/s1600/DSC02302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hutsyDS0Goc/URqZbOCeXaI/AAAAAAAACEs/98DlyEOTRxw/s320/DSC02302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My goal is simply to write a message and draw a picture to go with it. The
message is part of my creative challenge to include more card messages
for my cards, especially the printed cards of my own artwork in response to some customer queries. Drawing an
image to go with the text gives me both purpose and inspiration to
draw in my sketchbook every day, something I keep promising I'll do. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These are a few guidelines I’ve given myself to help me keep focussed:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
message does not need to be profound or even good, just good enough.
This project is all about creating so not every idea will be brilliant.
The excitement is seeing what develops..</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is a limited time to come up with both message and sketch. It’s not supposed to be a work of art, just an artist at work.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
can do more than one a day if I wish but post no more than one a day.
You might think this as cheating but I see it as being organised. It’ll
take the pressure off when life gets in the way of my creative pursuit.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It was supposed to be called <a href="http://messagesandsketch365.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Message and Sketch</a> but I went and added an extra ‘s’ . Doh! Can’t change it now. Never mind</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Posts
on<a href="http://messagesandsketch365.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> my 365 projec</a>t will be using the #messageandsketch hashtag, an idea i got
from working on my use of Google+.<a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/google-plus-content-strategies/" target="_blank"> Here is the article that I’m using</a>
and G+ will be the topic for next Sunday’s #cbuk tweetchat (9pm UK
time).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://img3.etsystatic.com/016/0/7452319/il_570xN.425735071_bsik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://img3.etsystatic.com/016/0/7452319/il_570xN.425735071_bsik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the meantime I’m still creating knitted coin and card purses/wallets. I recently listed this one in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DCCardsandGifts?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">my Etsy shop.</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://img2.etsystatic.com/014/0/7452319/il_570xN.425735338_c1h0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://img2.etsystatic.com/014/0/7452319/il_570xN.425735338_c1h0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
are a couple more which are still waiting for some finishing touches. I’ve
taken out one with my card and bit of chang and it was very comfortable in my pocket. It’s a great alternative to a regular purse and it can also hold your Oyster card (for Londoners).
Business cards fit the card slot too. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh
well that’s enough nattering. I’m not in the best of health these
days... again... but that’s another story and it’s time to rest.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">See you soon and Thanks x</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-64347043429144724642013-02-11T21:32:00.001+00:002013-02-11T21:36:23.588+00:00February - Sketchbook Project #dcc<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Words and picture number 1 - project and blog post in draft <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23sketchbook">#sketchbook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23dcc">#dcc</a> <a href="http://t.co/eRQRJvL0" title="http://twitter.com/DivineChoice/status/301073825255284737/photo/1">twitter.com/DivineChoice/s…</a><br />
— Pearletta Wilson (@DivineChoice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivineChoice/status/301073825255284737">February 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
Hiya!<br />
<br />
Got an idea for a project that is daunting as well as exciting. This is my first attempt at doing something on paper that I couldn't wait to share via Twitter.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah and it was a good excuse to try out the <a href="https://dev.twitter.com/docs/embedded-tweets" target="_blank">embed tweet feature</a>. Works a treat :)<br />
<br />
I'll be back as soon as I've got lots to tell you...<br />
<br />
Take care and thanks for stopping by :) <br />
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-85303812023815963902013-02-06T17:34:00.000+00:002013-02-06T17:34:31.254+00:00February - Pinterest and Me<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://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550/43/a7/58/43a758b12078544105f85dfeecdebae9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550/43/a7/58/43a758b12078544105f85dfeecdebae9.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More or Less canvas by A Girl and a Glue Gun from 'Arts & Craft'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.9188050058267003" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makeovers and reviews continue into February. Updating and tweaking
my blog and shops, social media presence and so on needs as much time as it needs but
there is one topic Iong overdue for blog attention so here we go...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest
is well known but I think this is the first time I'm blogging about it. I'm including some of my pins in this post and <a href="http://pinterest.com/dccreations/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">you can vist all </span> my pin board<span style="color: black;">s to see more</span></a>. I've also added one of those 'Follow me on Pinterest' buttons to my sidebar. Just in case
you don’t know what Pinterest is and even if you do watch this - it'll just take 90 seconds or so.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is Pinterest? An animated video</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJzD4vF5dFA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
joined Pinterest about a year ago after getting an invitation via an
offer on social media. I believe it was <a href="https://twitter.com/haptree" target="_blank">@haptree</a> of Craft Blog
UK (<a href="https://twitter.com/CraftBlogUK" target="_blank">@CraftBlogUK</a>), host of the #cbuk chats on Twitter. It was a cautious start, being concerned about
the chance of developing another site addiction I don’t need. Those already deep into pinning were talking about how much time they
spent on the site daily. However they appeared to be having lots fun doing it and
making new connections so not wanting to be left out I got started.</span><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://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550/78/78/10/7878104c545f6775a01a883198b563ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550/78/78/10/7878104c545f6775a01a883198b563ee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Text generator from Community pin board 'Craft Life'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest
often crops up in our <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cbuk" target="_blank">#cbuk</a> Twitter chats (Sundays at 9pm UK time) when talking
about how we use social media for our craft blogs and businesses. There was a period last year when the Pinterest terms and conditions caused a bit of an uproar and that just added to my intitial caution</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since then, following changes made by Pinterest I got more confident and talking about it on the #cbuk chats definitely helped. <a href="http://www.ukcraftblog.com/search?q=pinterest#.URJx3Gd7cSE" target="_blank">Visit this link for a great guide on Pinterest for bloggers</a> on Craft Blog UK.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<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://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550/99/43/d2/9943d2df574e94d8f48d2f428caef1d9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/550/99/43/d2/9943d2df574e94d8f48d2f428caef1d9.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little (fruit) pouch tutorial from 'Yarn Craft'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To
begin with I was not really clear on what Pinterests purpose was except to collect stuff I like that would naturally include cool images of
handmade items, tutorials, beautiful and inspirational art and things
I’d like to try. I got the impression that marketing my own stuff was
not allowed by Pinterest so no point in that then... or is there? I do have one board specifically for my own work that I need to improve this year.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
are articles out there to tell you how to use Pinterest for marketing (on my 'to read' list) and I would be very
interested to know if any of you have gained actual customers through
your Pinterest activity. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
recent <a href="http://www.graphicsfairy-crafts.com/2013/01/organize-your-diy-craft-pinterest.html" target="_blank">Graphic Fairy post</a> on organising your boards for DIY crafters etc
with other useful information for beginners and so on is another source of inspiration
for my pin board review..</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550/b4/33/be/b433beb8e20e69ec0044cb7321a53730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550/b4/33/be/b433beb8e20e69ec0044cb7321a53730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
other thing I am thinking about is either creating a blog page for
interesting and or favourite pins or doing a regular post which will be a good direction for my blog in general.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The topic of a regular post could be on one of my boards and one of the boards I follow... 'Boards of the Month' or something like that.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you think?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="goog_802624600"></span><span id="goog_802624601"></span>
<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://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550/1d/04/74/1d047437ea93377e934a56bd5586020e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550/1d/04/74/1d047437ea93377e934a56bd5586020e.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pathways from 'Nature'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lots of things to think about but for what it’s worth here are a few tips I'm using to guide my Pinterest activity:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When
creating a board, choose a title and description that defines and
relates to the purpose of that board. Being organised at the beginning
is always easier to manage than trying to sort it out later.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Always
check that the pin you are about to repin is actually linked to an
original source i.e. a site you don’t mind sending anyone to</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include
some info in your pin that describes and informs. If you are pinning
an image from a craft tutorial name the crafter and the title of the
post.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Having said all that I have discovered that some of the images I pinned about a year ago don't all link back to the original post anymore. Not sure what I'm going to do, if anything, about that. </span><br />
<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://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550/e2/71/a0/e271a0d2b5847611da1040ec675e5420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550/e2/71/a0/e271a0d2b5847611da1040ec675e5420.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle felted wire Fox Terrier by Deidre McCracken from 'Arts & Craft'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Any other tips you’d like to recommend? Let me know what your Pinterest name is so I can check out and follow your boards.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have a lovely week everyone and thanks for reading :) xx</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-19291721362838395972013-01-27T13:38:00.001+00:002013-01-28T13:09:14.205+00:00January : Making an Etsy Treasury<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://img2.etsystatic.com/008/0/5412867/il_570xN.384284398_ahdt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/008/0/5412867/il_570xN.384284398_ahdt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle Felted Elephant with Heart by Scratch Craft.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6528740786367329" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello Friends,</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How
are you doing since I last posted? I hope all of you who’ve been
experiencing the wintry season are keeping warm and healthy. While the
snow is pretty to look at, once it arrives we want it to go away quickly
so we can start walking normally again. Well I do.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
really enjoyed chatting with the craft bloggers on the #cbuk chat last Sunday. The topic was a fitting one for the first of the year as we
look at making over our blog’s reviewing whether or not we should change
platforms, use our own domain name, or change our own names and so on.
I’ve been working on a few changes on this blog as I mentioned last post.
As well as the background image I’ve been deleting some of the widgets
from the sidebar and editing and updating others. One of the widgets
which is in much need of an update is my Etsy Treasury widget. It's made using<a href="http://www.craftcult.com/treasury_widget.php" target="_blank"> the Craft Cult widget creator</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="goog_563139218"></span><span id="goog_563139219"></span>
<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://img2.etsystatic.com/004/0/6748817/il_570xN.391229438_8kru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/004/0/6748817/il_570xN.391229438_8kru.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">valentine card, i carry your heart, love card, anniversary card by carditorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="goog_563139218"></span><span id="goog_563139219"></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
created that over a year ago and many of the items featured have been
sold! Of course it being such a long time since I created a treasury, I totally forgot how to go about it. Time to do a bit of research and reading to get started.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
first page I visted was the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/?ref=si_home" target="_blank">Etsy</a> blog post ‘<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-to-make-a-treasury-the-nuts-and-bolts/" target="_blank">How to Make a Treasury: The Nuts and Bolts</a>’ That article refers mainly to previous versions of the
treasury when it was in beta. To get more up to date info on the latest version of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/?ref=si_home" target="_blank">Etsy</a> feature visit ‘<a href="http://www.etsy.com/help/article/82" target="_blank">What is treasury?</a>’ You'll be advised to read the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/help/article/483#conversations" target="_blank">‘Do and Don’t’s'</a> but it's a long page of what is expected of
members, and I do mean LONG! I challenge any of you to read every single
word when you're just eager to get on with curating your treasury</span><br />
<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://img0.etsystatic.com/011/0/7265566/il_570xN.418957876_mzdd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/011/0/7265566/il_570xN.418957876_mzdd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zentangle Red Heart Valentine's Postcards by AbbyEscorArt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The best tihings you need to know when creating a treasury:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tip
1: Open two browser windows when creating a treasury so that you can
browse and search for items to add to your list in the other window.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You
need to copy the URL address from the address bar of the item page.
Each item has their own URL address. You can edit and remove items as
you wish. A great feature is the option to save your treasury as a draft
so you don’t have to searching for all sixteen items in one session.</span><br />
<br />
<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://img3.etsystatic.com/010/0/6686393/il_570xN.409520483_kmhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/010/0/6686393/il_570xN.409520483_kmhs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart Gloves by yasitikizi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tip
2: Choose a theme and title for your treasury. I decided to look for
items featuring hearts seeing as love season approaches. I called it <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzQ1ODI3MXwyNzIxMjk5MDk1/hearts-are-not-just-for-valentines?index=0" target="_blank">Hearts are not just for Valentines</a> so I could explore outside the usual
cards and gifts.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If
you’re lucky you may find your treasury featured on the Etsy home page.
That must be cool. Have any of you ever had your treasury featured? Was
it exciting? How about being featured on a treasury - do you like to be
messaged first? I chose not to do that this time but if any of the
Etsians want their item removed it won’t be a problem.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now what next for the blog makeover....? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Update</b>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since drafting this post and creating my treasury, one of my items was selected for an Etsy treasury. It's called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTY4NTUwNTl8MjcyMzg3MTY0OA/pink-dreams?ref=af_you_favtreasury" target="_blank">'Pink Dreams</a>'. I'll let you visit and see which of my creations made my treasury debut. That was exciting enough. When activity in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DCCardsandGifts?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a> rose significantly with more items being made favourites and so on, well you can imagine that was more than happy dance time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And the snow and ice has gone... Yipee! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wishing you a reason to dance. Have a good week x </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-69868537721437789032013-01-20T18:57:00.000+00:002013-01-20T18:57:24.475+00:00January - First Post<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VQvKYf369g/UPwkCP1oVPI/AAAAAAAACB0/CLO76J9aJW8/s1600/Hackney-20130120-00034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VQvKYf369g/UPwkCP1oVPI/AAAAAAAACB0/CLO76J9aJW8/s320/Hackney-20130120-00034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow better time to craft... ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5027219623531078" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello and Happy New Year!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It's my first blog post greeting of the year. I hope you are all enjoying it so far. Had
fun in the snow yet? I’m having fun watching the snowfall while I sit
knitting and stitching and now writing my first blog post of 2013.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
did start writing a post called ‘Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013’ post but it
never got finished so I ditched it and decided to start this one. As
already hinted I’ve been doing a lot of knitting and stitching lately.
Perfect weather for it this weekend.</span><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXTostuOSa0/UPw2jtSyE0I/AAAAAAAACCc/W3OMovxlRQg/s1600/Hackney-20121118-00392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXTostuOSa0/UPw2jtSyE0I/AAAAAAAACCc/W3OMovxlRQg/s320/Hackney-20121118-00392.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Just made this for the fun of it - miniature shopping bag.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All
over Christmas and New Year I was busy with one form of needles or
other. Card making did also take place but my health did it's recent habit of getting in
the way of plans as it likes to do but we won’t go into that. Still
plugging away and not letting these interruptions stop me for too long.</span><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6STgX1VfQWU/UPw22EGL48I/AAAAAAAACCk/Z_VzlIcEuyU/s1600/xmas_group2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6STgX1VfQWU/UPw22EGL48I/AAAAAAAACCk/Z_VzlIcEuyU/s320/xmas_group2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Christmas 2012 card making.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is so much to do. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
much as I love making stuff I must learn to put myself out more and
work towards making more sales. Since I started making those little
handbag key charms, as an additional product for my craft market stalls,
I've been experimenting with coin purses, phone covers, shoulder bags
and very recently miniature handbags that can be used as coin purses.</span><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSqndaRSa6k/UPw3EwEPPuI/AAAAAAAACCs/SjEfayUG-2s/s1600/coin_purses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSqndaRSa6k/UPw3EwEPPuI/AAAAAAAACCs/SjEfayUG-2s/s320/coin_purses.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute little coin purses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m
using linen stitch to make my latest creations as it creates a sturdy
fabric, perfect for the job. The bags are lined with fabric by hand
sewing. I’d like to get into machine stitching especially after watching
Kirtsy Allsop in Kirsty’s Vintage Home but I do enjoy hand sewing.
Needle threaders are a wonderful (and essential) tool that put the fun
back into sewing. The excitement of coming up with new design ideas is
so empowering. I’m sure I’ll come up with some cute additions to my
range.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I plan to add them to<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DCCardsandGifts" target="_blank"> my new Etsy Shop</a> whiere you can find my knitted gift items
as well as my cards on offer. I haven’t listed each and every one individually. That would a
bit pricey but not really sure there's another way to show off the fact that there are so many diffenrent colour combinations and styles. I think the miniature bags will be much easier to list as there won't be as many. They are much more labour intensive. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am working on more original art to make a range of printed cards as I started last year. There are a couple to designs available in my Etsy shop although not the image shown below. That's just a taster for what's coming.</span><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/-EmwIdSCG164/UPw4StfaDmI/AAAAAAAACC4/LWF6Kt0SxWs/s1600/DSC01818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmwIdSCG164/UPw4StfaDmI/AAAAAAAACC4/LWF6Kt0SxWs/s320/DSC01818.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Breezes by DivineChoice Creations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Also
got lots of updating to do so expect to see a few changes in future
months. I’m even considering a name and logo change. Something to
reflect the variety of my products maybe. Then again.... </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The garden also needs some devotion. My vegetable harvest was poor last year so I must do better outdoors.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before
all that I’m looking forward to the return of the <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Craft%20Blog%20UK" target="_blank">Sunday night chats on Twitter</a> with the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cbuk" target="_blank">#cbuk </a>crafty bloggers. Come and join us at 9pm UK
time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If I don’t see you later, have a good week x</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-935781247510949582012-11-04T22:34:00.000+00:002012-11-04T22:34:26.648+00:00Birthday Card MakingHello Friends,<br />
<br />
How are you all? It's been a tough week in some respects but good to have a week off from the day job. My first proper half term in a year allowed me to do a little cross stitcing, knit some more squares for my <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/sonic-handmade-my-big-knitting-project.html" target="_blank">Big Knitting project</a> and make a couple of birthday cards.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-lEZsWVck/UJbT3c7DkdI/AAAAAAAACA4/KpNRfJv4ewQ/s1600/bday_pinkngreenblooms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-lEZsWVck/UJbT3c7DkdI/AAAAAAAACA4/KpNRfJv4ewQ/s320/bday_pinkngreenblooms.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
The first card is made using a couple of sheets of the same paper. One sheet is used as a background then some details are cut from the second sheet and fixed with foam pads. I could make loads just like this as I have a stack of these papers. You might remember I've used this technique before with other papers. You can see one of those projects <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/handmade-cardbook-keepsake.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548452_10151131366199296_1099584641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548452_10151131366199296_1099584641_n.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
Last month I made a card to order where I got the idea of making an African shirt as a motif instead of a shirt and tie for a man's birthday card. Seemed obvious once I'd thought of it. For some men a shirt and tie is not really for them, if you know what I mean.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLRscXLuW0/UJbUXlT_CYI/AAAAAAAACBE/RBRSsYvIjj4/s1600/bday_african_shirt_cb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLRscXLuW0/UJbUXlT_CYI/AAAAAAAACBE/RBRSsYvIjj4/s320/bday_african_shirt_cb.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided to use this idea again today to make a card for my Rastafarian bredren which is why it says 'Earthstrong Greetings' and not 'Birthday Greetings' Notice how I used the left over pieces of the paper used in the previous card. I like the fact that the paper wasn't to busy.<br />
<br />
I'm quite pleased with the result and it's giving me more ideas ;)<br />
<br />
Well that's it for now except to say my thoughts are with everyone affected in the storms last week. If you were affected whether directly or indirectly I can only say this...<br />
<br />
Love and Light! I wish you all Love and Light!<br />
<br />
Have a good week everyone :)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-57647604775852105892012-10-31T18:31:00.001+00:002012-10-31T18:31:42.910+00:00London 2012 Memories Keepsake<h2>
Hello Friends!</h2>
<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/-wSoQUzncx-Q/UJFi8dCyKKI/AAAAAAAACAE/SDEzXG8V-ZY/s1600/DSC02249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSoQUzncx-Q/UJFi8dCyKKI/AAAAAAAACAE/SDEzXG8V-ZY/s320/DSC02249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card and 'Squirldoodle' art by <a href="http://www.sdcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">SDCrafts</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The
summer feels like it happened a very long time ago. The days are getting
shorter and shorter since I returned to my day job and every day is a challenge as
we cope with significant changes to our roles. Wednesday is a particularly difficult
day for many of us as the workload is very demanding. So getting home
to find a pretty polka dot parcel waiting for me brightened up my mood, bringing an air of excitement.<br />
<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/-ulqGduGgWSI/UJAetncri9I/AAAAAAAAB-0/6bVACysuQrA/s1600/sca_book_f.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulqGduGgWSI/UJAetncri9I/AAAAAAAAB-0/6bVACysuQrA/s320/sca_book_f.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to the Olympic Stadium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I already knew who sent it
without looking at the label. Shirley is a one of my best crafty
friends. We started following each other's blogs a few years ago and in a short space of time we were emailing and tweeting each other.You will see her often making an enlightening comment below my
posts and you can find her in my blog list.<br />
<br />
Shirley crafts as <a href="http://www.sdcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">SDCrafts</a> making beautiful
cards, many of which are bespoke. She's even coined a great name for her distinctive artwork: 'Squirldoodle'. Good innit? You can see one on the card that came in the parcel. During the summer Shirley told me that she was
going to make me a surprise. I knew it would have something to do with
the Olympics when I was asked if she could use my Olympic photos for her surprise.<br />
<br />
But that is enough nattering. Let me just show you my newest treasured item. Here is my memories keepsake of London 2012 made with love by my mate Shirley:<br />
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feo1R9uxY1w/UJAd6XSYm5I/AAAAAAAAB-s/SWurV7eyBUg/s1600/sdc_book_a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feo1R9uxY1w/UJAd6XSYm5I/AAAAAAAAB-s/SWurV7eyBUg/s320/sdc_book_a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully made London 2012 Memories Keepsake by <a href="http://www.sdcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">SDCrafts</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing that struck me was the quality of the photos, so glossy and just perfect.<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPiseYBB_Go/UJAgPjNQjEI/AAAAAAAAB-8/o-ebAcWiYjo/s1600/DSC02240.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPiseYBB_Go/UJAgPjNQjEI/AAAAAAAAB-8/o-ebAcWiYjo/s320/DSC02240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wembley Stadium for Team GB v Brazil Women's Football</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've shown it to anyone who visits me and even brought it to work to show my colleagues. to much positive response.<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vcrJO51uW0/UJFiKiV_hhI/AAAAAAAAB_4/TlG_7PgY-yU/s1600/DSC02245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vcrJO51uW0/UJFiKiV_hhI/AAAAAAAAB_4/TlG_7PgY-yU/s320/DSC02245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love it or loathe it, it is the Orbit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I liked the inclusion of the Jamaican Relay World Record breaking team and Mo Farah - you just can't help smiling when you think of those Super Saturdays<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUpi68eVXI/UJFkAsdCjYI/AAAAAAAACAM/_ydbp__Us7k/s1600/DSC02248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUpi68eVXI/UJFkAsdCjYI/AAAAAAAACAM/_ydbp__Us7k/s320/DSC02248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team JA World Record Breakers - Loving the Gold, Silver and Bronze brads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It captures many of my summer memories, too many to share here.<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6omdrH5yKIE/UJAiKxR2GvI/AAAAAAAAB_I/IksPZZkNhNk/s1600/DSC02244.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6omdrH5yKIE/UJAiKxR2GvI/AAAAAAAAB_I/IksPZZkNhNk/s320/DSC02244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Olympic Torch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Please make sure you visit Shirley's <a href="http://www.sdcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">blog</a> and check out her work. Let her know I sent you.<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4epbbApSpU4/UJAigbhxqyI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/gjPLmqFnCcI/s1600/DSC02243.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4epbbApSpU4/UJAigbhxqyI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/gjPLmqFnCcI/s320/DSC02243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Have a good week, lots of Love,<br />
<br />
Pearletta x<div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-36947489054980022442012-10-07T20:55:00.001+01:002012-10-07T20:55:52.634+01:00Catch Up!<h3>
Hello Reader,</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nijF162Gs5c/UHHXrC5LanI/AAAAAAAAB9w/yuxwUt1t6Bs/s1600/bday_aut_urban.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nijF162Gs5c/UHHXrC5LanI/AAAAAAAAB9w/yuxwUt1t6Bs/s200/bday_aut_urban.JPG" width="175" /></a>How are you doing? Hope you're all happy and healthy. It's been a good few weeks since my last post so let's catch up.<br />
<br />
Autumn is making it's presence known but the memories of summer... brilliant wasn't it?... keeps me going. Times are tough and sadly none of the ventures I planned hoping to benefit from the summer of love didn't work out.<br />
<br />
My health issues and other personal stuff got in the way but for others there was disappointment in the number of visitors to the markets and shops local to the Olympic Park. Even the traders inside official venues were struggling as not everyone who enjoyed the Games could afford to enjoy their goods. Did you go to any Olympic events like the big screen in the parks? I wanted to take my knitting there but I didn't dare try with all the security measures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAql3fzZ3hs/UHHYyZ9SHNI/AAAAAAAAB98/oXrHwZEoQOc/s1600/DSC02124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAql3fzZ3hs/UHHYyZ9SHNI/AAAAAAAAB98/oXrHwZEoQOc/s320/DSC02124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lots of knitting done in front of the telly though. I made a few more owl coin purses as gifts and did some more work on the knitted blanket for my grandson. I didn't plan to stop blogging, it just happened. I was going through some stuff that I preferred not to share and it was so difficult to see past it and focus on suitable blog posts so no writing got done.<br />
<br />
I hope you will understand and I thank you for sticking with me and reading this comeback post.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpA6JL0iPmA/UHHXlf7YU-I/AAAAAAAAB9o/6rk2GoND7s4/s1600/nt_highest_love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpA6JL0iPmA/UHHXlf7YU-I/AAAAAAAAB9o/6rk2GoND7s4/s200/nt_highest_love.JPG" width="195" /></a>In spite of not blogging I've kept up with Twitter and my Facebook page where I'm sharing with fellow craft bloggers and checking out their wonderful work. So it was a surprise to get a comment on my last blog post saying I'm being nominated for a blog award. Of course there are some things I must do in accepting the award but I'm going to save that for my next post.<br />
<br />
I also recently got interviewed by Mrs McIndoe, another craft blogger who takes part in the <a href="https://twitter.com/i/#!/search/?q=%23cbuk&src=hash" target="_blank">#cbuk chats</a>. Doing a craft blog interview was a first for me but not as scary as I thought it would be. You can read the post <a href="http://mrsmcindoe.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/thursday-showcase-no-10-divine-choice-creations/" target="_blank">here</a>. Check it out, leave a comment and let <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mrsmcindoe/327104620663131" target="_blank">Mrs McIndoe</a> know that you arrived via this blog post.<br />
<br />
If you're curious to know a little more <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">about me</a> check out the tab of that name and the post <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/i-creativity-its-my-story.html" target="_blank">I, Creativity</a>... which will tell you a little more about how I came to do what I do and why I just can't help making cards and knitting and drawing.<br />
<br />
I am also a regular chatter on the #cbuk tweetchat for craft blogger which now happens twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays at 9pm UK time, learning, sharing and getting to know more craft buddies. Join us <a href="http://twebevent.com/cbuk" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
I'll be back sooner rather than later :)<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-1359106762015940542012-07-25T00:02:00.000+01:002012-07-25T00:02:55.910+01:00Shining Moments and #savethesurprise<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<b>Mabley Green Festival</b></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFUBhvwZHH8/UA7oxdW7TMI/AAAAAAAAB6E/uq-RVVJ4GyY/s1600/DSC02013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFUBhvwZHH8/UA7oxdW7TMI/AAAAAAAAB6E/uq-RVVJ4GyY/s320/DSC02013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mabley Green Festival with the Olympic Stadium and Orbital behind the trees. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />With a week to go to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games,
the Torch Relay arrived in London on Friday evening. The next day it came to
Hackney after going through Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets before it arrived
in Hackney. On it's journey through the borough it would go past Mabley Green.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lwAL5pBVTnU" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hackney Homes organised a festival of family fun.. There were bouncy castles of course, cycle race track,
running and throwing activities. There was loud music and lots of stalls including which was giving away potted herb plants in return for answering a few simple gardening relared questions. At
one point a school steel band played a variety of tunes including a brilliant
version of Labrinth’s Earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish
there was a video as I would definitely post it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boulder on Mabley Green.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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What I can post is this video about the boulder that is now
a familiar object on the green. Along with the outdoor gym, they are the
improvements to the green in the past few years since London won the bid to stage the Olympics. I just discovered this video existed and I found it very interesting to see where
it came from and how it got there. You can recognise Mabley Green as the one
with the motorway (one of the Olympic Games routes) alongside. The other boulder
is in Shoreditch Park. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vAcym4hTHT8" width="420"></iframe> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Torch Relay</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLG3AJrNJrU/UA7ulY4g1lI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/sdIDA64T42o/s1600/DSC02004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLG3AJrNJrU/UA7ulY4g1lI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/sdIDA64T42o/s320/DSC02004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum, there's a giant one-eyed monster watching us.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was definitely a lot of activity on Saturday afternoon
in the bright sunshine. As the time approached people gathered on the side of
the road. The atmosphere was friendly with children and adults high fiving
anyone who rode or ran past as we waited for the traffic to stop and the torch
to arrive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it finally arrived I was ready with the video camera as one woman cheered enthusiastically, ‘Moment to
shine! Moment to shine!’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bnq0590RgUg" width="420"></iframe> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you see all those cyclists following the torch? They
looked like they were really enjoying themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Dress Rehearsal</b></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHePLkTT_F4/UA7qbsr2VNI/AAAAAAAAB6M/rVxW7skqxs8/s1600/DSC02034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHePLkTT_F4/UA7qbsr2VNI/AAAAAAAAB6M/rVxW7skqxs8/s320/DSC02034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Olympic Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So a few weeks ago I got a phone call to tell me I was a winner of a
ticket to attend the rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony! The most exciting thing
to happen to me in this past year was not expected at all. I applied just
because it was better to do it than not. Seeing the Olympic Stadium from the
inside was something I’d given up ever doing during these Games but here I was getting the chance
to not only see inside the Park and the stadium but see the rehearsal for the
opening ceremony.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-by4N_6Fl7Rc/UA7qzzuUWqI/AAAAAAAAB6U/AccuFe9z-2c/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-by4N_6Fl7Rc/UA7qzzuUWqI/AAAAAAAAB6U/AccuFe9z-2c/s320/DSC02042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the Olympic Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting there meant travelling to Stratford to the south side
of the park. Once there you can’t miss the signs pointing the way and all the workers in their London 2012 uniforms
strategically placed along the route to guide and make announcement with their
loud hailers. Then it's just a few minutes to get through security and you’re inside the park for real.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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/-NG-5VIvPGb0/UA7rJR2lo5I/AAAAAAAAB6k/6rpzqrLb_5Q/s1600/DSC02039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NG-5VIvPGb0/UA7rJR2lo5I/AAAAAAAAB6k/6rpzqrLb_5Q/s320/DSC02039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orbital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coolest thing was that there was no problem taking
photos or videos anywhere in the park, even inside the stadium. They didn’t jam
the networks so you could tweet as normal. I got a Swarm badge on foursquare as so many of us checked in. I really liked that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Danny Boyle, the creative brain
behind the showcase asked us to keep the secret of what we were about to
witness and play our part. On the screens all the way through the proceedings were
marked by the hash tag #savethesurprise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sugQ-YYw6fg/UA7r5uztFVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/j_JMP7tody0/s1600/DSC02047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sugQ-YYw6fg/UA7r5uztFVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/j_JMP7tody0/s320/DSC02047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse inside the stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You already know about the countryside theme so I'm not revelaing anything secret in the photo above. There were about 60,000 people attending and we enjoyed a
brilliant show. We know there were lots of gaps and probably a few cock ups but
we were oblivious. We oooed, ahhed, pointed and cheered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and clapped our eyes glued to the show. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lUlvqSrwvE/UA7sYrYhPJI/AAAAAAAAB60/cRyVYfSuUW8/s1600/DSC02083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lUlvqSrwvE/UA7sYrYhPJI/AAAAAAAAB60/cRyVYfSuUW8/s320/DSC02083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night lighting after the show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the show we left slowly... very slowly but we were all in good spirits. As we left the park we stopped here and there to take photos of the park at night. you can see from the photos how different it all looks. Now when I look in the direction of the Olympic Park from Mabley Green and around
as I travel, I can remember when I went there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing the rehearsal makes the opening
ceremony more exciting and it really is a once in a lifetime event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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/-7RO0XffMs8I/UA7sz-Bce8I/AAAAAAAAB7A/SJ-x-c7ROD0/s1600/DSC02084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RO0XffMs8I/UA7sz-Bce8I/AAAAAAAAB7A/SJ-x-c7ROD0/s320/DSC02084.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a lot of people taking photos at this spot by the water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry about the absence of crafting in this post. I must thank everyone who commented and retweeted my post on the <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/knitted-owl-coin-purse.html" target="_blank">knitted owl coin purse</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GT95oArowkk/UA7tJeAlWhI/AAAAAAAAB7I/k-uZwN2dhu8/s1600/DSC02085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GT95oArowkk/UA7tJeAlWhI/AAAAAAAAB7I/k-uZwN2dhu8/s320/DSC02085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going home to #savethesurprise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you enjoyed my sharing of my unforgettable Olympic experiences I'll be back to posting about craft very soon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm also assuming that if you've read this far you're an Olympic fan. Am I right or not?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever your opinion I wish you a wonderful time during the Games.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-18057744652284953442012-07-19T14:16:00.000+01:002012-07-19T14:16:37.121+01:00Knitted Owl Coin Purse<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<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/-erX6HJHv8YY/UAfzgbx10gI/AAAAAAAAB5E/vqEfLFgXBF8/s1600/owlpurse2coins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erX6HJHv8YY/UAfzgbx10gI/AAAAAAAAB5E/vqEfLFgXBF8/s320/owlpurse2coins.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tweet Whooo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>It started with a tweet…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tweet was a request
for my email so they could tell me about a craft competition. Naturally I was
intrigued and responded with suitable information.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following emails back and forth led to me receiving a
package of yarn, hand spun of various colours and textures plus a skein of sari
yarn spun from scraps of saris. Amazing eh!<br />
</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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fHUpFmbMl-g/UAemQbf9tDI/AAAAAAAAB44/_D-vxzNFNmA/s1600/DSC01988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fHUpFmbMl-g/UAemQbf9tDI/AAAAAAAAB44/_D-vxzNFNmA/s320/DSC01988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Package of mixed texture yarn and sari yarn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must thank <a href="https://twitter.com/cewtweets" target="_blank">@cewtweets</a> of <a href="http://claireabellemakes.com/" target="_blank">Claireabellemakes</a> for recommending me and my blog to
Laura<a href="https://twitter.com/Lozro" target="_blank"> @Lozro</a> who sent me that lovely package. Getting to use yarn that I wouldn’t normally
experience is brilliant. In fact it was a little overwhelming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What am I going to make?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Making something from the yarn received and blogging about it is part of the craft competion run by <a href="http://www.homecrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Home Craft,</a> a craft
supplies site that includes the yarn in the photos. The prize for doing this is the chance to win £50 worth of vouchers to spend on their website.<br />
<br />
At first I just looked at
the yarn, picking them up and feeling the different textures, admiring the colours. I wanted to something with the sari yarn but it is unlike anything I've ever seen or heard of as crafting material.<br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vsJsI18qTs/UAf3NMW7dPI/AAAAAAAAB5g/VwKKtPAGxjk/s1600/DSC01991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vsJsI18qTs/UAf3NMW7dPI/AAAAAAAAB5g/VwKKtPAGxjk/s320/DSC01991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sari yarn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I could make a bag.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes I could but I wasn’t sure I wanted to make a bag.
Besides that I wanted to make something a little smaller so it wouldn’t take
days to make. I wanted something different, a new idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t even remember how it popped into my head. I think I
was just browsing images of knitted bags then I changed the search terms to
knitted owl.<br />
<br />
I do like owls but I've never tried drawing one or making one before. Ever since Harry Potter whenever I think of owls I think of Hedwig. That was a cool bird and there are lots of cool images of owl in many inspiring forms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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There are loads of <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=owls" target="_blank">owls</a> in these Pinterest boards.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmSdtRZoT9lzF8D0mFB-n8xome9R6yJgGDtStZggu5ebsbnbkAo_cvWe-V7EhjxYsGNapxZfH3bKshyphenhyphen8JD5us-nO4TPyl4La713ucSWoPxOrdzN3974jCtamX_HOvUgb0_arWgA27LYU/s320/owl+purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmSdtRZoT9lzF8D0mFB-n8xome9R6yJgGDtStZggu5ebsbnbkAo_cvWe-V7EhjxYsGNapxZfH3bKshyphenhyphen8JD5us-nO4TPyl4La713ucSWoPxOrdzN3974jCtamX_HOvUgb0_arWgA27LYU/s320/owl+purse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Purse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then I found this cute little purse… with a<a href="http://a-crochet-ninja.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/owl-coin-purse-patern.html" target="_blank"> free pattern</a></div>
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<br />
This is the one that got my creative juices flowing...<br />
</div>
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<b>What about a little purse that has a pillow opening?</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
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The little
purse I admired was crocheted not knitted and it used a zip which I really did
not want to use for my project. Something about the image just made me think of
the pillow or cushion opening.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>That was the spark...</b><br />
<br />
This is what came out of that spark. I made a little test owl before touching the yarn package. I started the night before planning what shape and size pieces I needed and writing down everything I did as I went along. The only break I took was to go to sleep as it was a late night spark.<br />
<br />
By the middle of next day I created this cute little owl coin purse in double knit yarn and other materials from my stash. I was so pleased with it I posted it on Twitter and my Facebook page. The response I go confirmed what I hoped. It was a good idea worth repeating.<br />
<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="https://p.twimg.com/AyFl7y4CMAAUn4k.jpg:large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://p.twimg.com/AyFl7y4CMAAUn4k.jpg:large" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tweet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Time to dive into the yarn package to make the item for the competition. I wanted to something with the sari yarn but it's not really suitable for this project. I think I need to do a bit more research to learn how best to work with it so for the mean time I chose three different yarns to work with.<br />
<br />
<b>Now it's my turn to give you something. </b><br />
<br />
Read on below and you will find the pattern for the Owl Coin Purse. You may copy it and save it, print it out for personal use. All I ask is that
you make them only for personal use or as gifts. Please do not make them for
sale unless in a charitable cause.<br />
<br />
Do let me know if you make it, send me photos and let me know how you got on. if you find any mistakes or find my instructions are not clear. If you would like the pattern as a seperate file get in touch and I'll sort you out. You can <a href="https://twitter.com/DivineChoice" target="_blank">tweet me</a> or send me a message via my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DivineChoiceCreations" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. Check out my <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">Social page</a> for all contact information.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You can use your own choice of yarn and needles for this project, adjusting number of stitches etc accordingly. The pattern below is based on using double knit
yarn using 3.25mm needles.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY_Gfi_pm7k/UAfz6dobniI/AAAAAAAAB5M/55SjmKqSF_I/s1600/owlpurseHCcp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY_Gfi_pm7k/UAfz6dobniI/AAAAAAAAB5M/55SjmKqSF_I/s320/owlpurseHCcp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woooo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Owl Coin Purse Pattern</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>You will need:- </i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Knitting needles</div>
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Yarn needle</div>
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Sewing needle and thread</div>
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Two different colours of yarn for knitting and another
colour for contrast stitching</div>
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Felt for the eyes, 2 colours</div>
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Buttons for the eyes</div>
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Scissors</div>
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<br />
Abbreviations<br />
sts = stitches<br />
st = stitch<br />
K = knit<br />
P = purl<br />
inc = increase (knit front and back of stitch)<br />
K2tog or P2tog = knit or purl 2 stitches together (decrease)<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>BACK</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cast on 13 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Knit inc 1 st at each end row = 15 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Purl 1 row</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, inc 2 sts, knit to last 3 sts, inc 2 sts and K1 = 19 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Staring with purl, stocking stitch for 18 rows</div>
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<br /></div>
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To form ears…</div>
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<br /></div>
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Knit 5 sts and turn, leaving remaining 14 sts on the other
needle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog and P 2 = 4 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K 2 and K2tog = 3 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, P1 = 2 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K2tog, break off yarn and thread through remaining stitch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Rejoin yarn and cast off 9 sts, K 5 remaining sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K 3, K2tog = 4 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, P 2 = 3 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, K2tog = 2 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, break off yarn and thread through remaining stitch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>FRONT (TOP)</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cast on 11 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, inc 2 sts, knit to last 3 sts, inc 2 sts, K1 = 15 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Purl 1 row</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, inc 2 sts, knit to last 3 sts, inc 2 sts, K1 = 19 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Starting with purl, stocking stitch for 9 rows.</div>
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<br /></div>
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To form ears…</div>
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<br /></div>
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Knit 5 sts and turn, leaving remaining 14 sts on the other
needle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog and P 2 = 4 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K 2 and K2tog = 3 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, P1 = 2 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K2tog, break off yarn and thread through remaining stitch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Rejoin yarn and cast off 9 sts, K 5 remaining sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K 3, K2tog = 4 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, P 2 = 3 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, K2tog = 2 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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P2tog, break off yarn and thread through remaining stitch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>FRONT (BOTTOM)</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cast on 13 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Inc 1 sts at each end of knit row = 15 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Purl 1 row</div>
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<br /></div>
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K1, inc 2 sts, knit to last 3 sts, inc 2, K1 = 19 sts</div>
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<br /></div>
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Starting with purl, stocking stitch for 2 rows</div>
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<br /></div>
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To create a feathered look use moss stitch for the next 4
rows – K1, P1, K1 to end</div>
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<br /></div>
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Starting with knit, stocking stitch for 7 rows</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cast off.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>MAKING UP THE COIN PURSE</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Neaten off the hanging threads of all the pieces.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Placing right sides together, stitch the BACK and FRONT
(BOTTOM) together. Turn the right way out.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8UC9_l3GwU/UAelmJFGU0I/AAAAAAAAB4k/btemqpj1QqQ/s1600/DSC01992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8UC9_l3GwU/UAelmJFGU0I/AAAAAAAAB4k/btemqpj1QqQ/s320/DSC01992.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made from three pieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>EYES AND BEAK</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Use buttons and pieces of felt to create the eyes. Stitch to
the FRONT (TOP). Cut a small felt triangle for a beak and stitch so that it
slightly goes over the front edge.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAymavopfgU/UAgHi8_K1VI/AAAAAAAAB5s/stTcaTe2jIE/s1600/DSC01993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAymavopfgU/UAgHi8_K1VI/AAAAAAAAB5s/stTcaTe2jIE/s320/DSC01993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<b>PURSE LINING</b></div>
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<br />
Use a suitable fabric for the lining of the purse. It should
be folded double or be in two layers and slightly larger than the purse to
allow for creating a neat folded edge.<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IymVECrUvUo/UAel80JJbvI/AAAAAAAAB4s/0T5WoppM4CY/s1600/DSC01994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IymVECrUvUo/UAel80JJbvI/AAAAAAAAB4s/0T5WoppM4CY/s320/DSC01994.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lining hemmed and pinned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Stitch the sides of the fabric with the folded edge (if used)
on the bottom. Do not stitch right to the top to allow for the hemming stage.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cut a single layer of fabric a little larger than the FRONT
(TOP).</div>
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<br /></div>
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Use pins to hold fabric in place, taking care to fold the
edges to create a neat hem and stitch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CONTRAST STITCHING</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use contrast yarn to stitch using blanket stitch along sides
of the FRONT (BOTTOM)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b>ATTACH FRONT (TOP)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Placing right sides together, start stitching together from
one ear to the other.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stitch each side stopping at the start of the curve.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Neaten off any straggling threads.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn right way round taking care to push ears out gently.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The knitted owl purse is now ready to use.</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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQpCHn9W7k/UAf1M8c8twI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/La-0hVGaoS4/s1600/owlpursespair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQpCHn9W7k/UAf1M8c8twI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/La-0hVGaoS4/s320/owlpursespair.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute Owl Coin Purses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Place a silver coin in it for good fortune and enjoy <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-87286537081572711712012-07-14T22:33:00.000+01:002012-07-14T22:33:23.203+01:00When the Bell Rings, Then You Stop!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXCxrpAyGzs/UAHQvBsrUiI/AAAAAAAAB3M/VFzFg9NsQgo/s1600/DSC01987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXCxrpAyGzs/UAHQvBsrUiI/AAAAAAAAB3M/VFzFg9NsQgo/s320/DSC01987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last Sunday was a memorable day. It was the first time many
of us would see a British man in a Wimbledon Single Finals. It was also a good
excuse (not that I really need one) to do some yarn work in front of the
TV. The night before I’d found a cute
pattern for a little bear that can fit in a pocket and fittingly named<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/Toy/Pocket-Bear/9785" target="_blank"> Pocket Bear</a> and all the pieces were already made. I made up the little bear while
glued to the tennis with much of the country. I stitched and stuffed during the
breaks and thought it was going to go to five sets. The activity (though nowhere near as active as
those men on the court) really helped to ease the tension of watching. By the time Andy Murray was emotionally
responding to the reality of the result I’d completed the little bear and shed
a few tears for Andy myself.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4_tTly4BXw/UAHgPKZG4rI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/Ge6VRuIug18/s1600/Eastway+Market-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4_tTly4BXw/UAHgPKZG4rI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/Ge6VRuIug18/s320/Eastway+Market-page-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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With exactly a week to go I inevitably start thinking of the<a href="http://www.eastwaymarket.co.uk/#close" target="_blank"> Eastway Market</a> stall – I could use the pocket bear as a mascot and see if
anyone admired it. <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/Toy/Pocket-Bear/9785" target="_blank">The Pocket Bear pattern</a> is not free but the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/Toy/Hooded-Jacket-to-fit-Pocket-Bear/12018" target="_blank">little hooded top is a free pattern</a>. I must admit that I didn’t follow the pattern exactly as
I don’t have the required size needles… yet. I just used the nearest which was
a little bigger, the result being a hoodie that’s a little oversized. Oooer <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjE1YDo6xc/T80JVZ0kLNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/EJpqGYinVE8/s1600/DSC01861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjE1YDo6xc/T80JVZ0kLNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/EJpqGYinVE8/s320/DSC01861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sunday 9pm is <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23CBUK" target="_blank">#cbuk tweetchat</a> time on Twitter. As the hour
approaches tweets and retweets using the hashtag show how many of us are
getting ready and looking forward to a nice chat with fellow craft bloggers. The
hashtag is also starting to trend within the UK, recently as high as fourth by
the time we were saying good night to each other. This week we talked about
social media management and getting more followers, something I must admit I didn’t even think of much
before the chat. Click on the <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23CBUK" target="_blank">#cbuk link</a> and you can see all the tweets shared
using it. As usual the chat was an educational and engaging hour that passes so much
faster than any other hour on a Sunday. Little did I know then what was to
come.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDJ-VbpbhjQ/UAHR4ni3NXI/AAAAAAAAB3U/45UU0to1P54/s1600/DSC01979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDJ-VbpbhjQ/UAHR4ni3NXI/AAAAAAAAB3U/45UU0to1P54/s320/DSC01979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday started out like any other day and developed into an
experience that’s caused more than a few moments of reflection. For the past
few weeks my main focus is on creating items for my market stall. Sunday 15<sup>th</sup>
July is the day of the relaunch of the <a href="http://www.eastwaymarket.co.uk/#close" target="_blank">Eastway, Hackney Wick Market </a>featuring
Retro, Vintage, Arts & Crafts and food. I’ve made three little bags with
charms and even made a few cards recently. This week was to see me finishing up
items, making price tags and generally getting prepared for the big day.<br />
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD-0xl4UWNI/UAHW-9-BFeI/AAAAAAAAB3s/sn33psotQ18/s1600/DSC01916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD-0xl4UWNI/UAHW-9-BFeI/AAAAAAAAB3s/sn33psotQ18/s320/DSC01916.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started when I went to brush my teeth on Monday morning.
I’d made a point of including my tongue in the brushing as it was feeling a bit
weird. It was rinsing my mouth that gave me a clue that something wasn’t quite
right. Something so small and so simple but not something I could just ignore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well when you’ve gone through enough health scares and
upheavals then I supposed you don’t take subtle changes lightly. So I did not
ignore the fact that I could no longer spit out water without drooling
uncontrollably. I did not ignore the fact that in the mirror half of my face
was drooping down and I could no longer move both sides. I couldn’t smile of
wink or even pout my lips.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still I felt okay, no pain or weakness anywhere else so I
was not unduly worried when I sought medical advice. However the response of the
GP threw all plans for the day, much less the week up in the air. At the moment
I was told their suspicions, I dreaded my whole week being thrown into the unknown, maybe even my life.
I had to make family phone calls being as reassuring as I could while I didn’t
really know anything for sure. That day was my first experience of being whisked
off with flashing lights and sirens to a specialist unit. It’s surprisingly quiet
inside as I chatted to the paramedic who kept my mind busy asking me general questions..<br />
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So I’d learned what it’s like to ride inside an ambulance with
the sirens going and the next thing I learned was how the NHS deals with symptoms
such as I presented. Thank goodness they did not take too long to tell me what
was actually happening to me and not just what they feared. What they feared
was much worse than it actually turned out.</div>
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Not that it was anything I was familiar with, so I learned
something else. My symptom of partial facial paralysis is called <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bells-palsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx" target="_blank">Bell’s Palsy</a>.
Since then I’ve learned more, looking at articles and videos by others who share
their experience of this condition that can strike anyone of any age at any
time. I found this video particularly uplifting although the music is... well watch and decide for yourself.</div>
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This and a couple other articles made me decide it was okay to tell you about my
experience this week not least because of the impact it is making on my craft
ambitions and decisions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki19L_X7M1qXXqiAI2uFwzX1NVB8NK8YOcUT_k4zPmYlv6S00WRZ99d8hsEpcu2IlEemUXtBTt3NthNbOkYx9YLSW9Lc79oeC597EAC98SYpZjYlqH0OHWC7N91L2DHlzrNWtQ35zUds/s320/bells-palsy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki19L_X7M1qXXqiAI2uFwzX1NVB8NK8YOcUT_k4zPmYlv6S00WRZ99d8hsEpcu2IlEemUXtBTt3NthNbOkYx9YLSW9Lc79oeC597EAC98SYpZjYlqH0OHWC7N91L2DHlzrNWtQ35zUds/s320/bells-palsy.gif" /></a></div>
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While I was happy it was not as serious as the medical staff
and my family first feared it is still has some impact. It affects your speech,
eating and drinking. You have to use eye drops at regular intervals to keep the
eye that won’t blink in good condition. As the week continued I did a little
knitting and not so much screen reading, learning to cope with this new
condition, I found I did not really want to be out and about too much. When I
go out as I must, I find I just want to do what I need to do and get home. ‘Bells’ Palsy’ just happens to be two of the
hardest words to pronounce when you have the condition so you can imagine how
frustrating it can be to explain to every person who enquires what is wrong
with your face. All the work and planning
for the coming weekend becomes insignificant, losing its priority.<br />
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Not for the first time this past eight months it’s time to
just be creative, not because I have an order to complete or a market stall to
prepare for but just because it makes me feel good. We all need the money but
wealth is nothing without health so I’ve decided to just be creative and keep
blogging about it. Right now I am enjoying learning to knit better and just
making up things to practice new stitches. If you visit my Facebook page you
will see a little of my practice work in an album called<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150925687824296.412186.35124789295&type=1" target="_blank"> Knitting Practice</a>.</div>
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<br />
It’s an exciting time in Hackney as we approach the start of
the Olympics. I’ve decided to just enjoy the time as much as possible and stop
stressing about trying to make money from crafting. This time next week the torch will be coming
through my neighbourhood. It makes me feel like a little kid to think of it. I
forget all about the road closures the bus diversions and all the other
upheaval we’ve gone through and are still going through because of this event.
I just want to enjoy the good bits and not just complain about the negative and
be thankful that things are not as bad as they could be.</div>
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If you’re still reading this I thank you for sticking with
me and keeping me company through my little drama. Maybe you know more about
this condition or you’ve learned something new like me. </div>
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Let me know you
thoughts….</div>
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See you soon x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-42200736772308130352012-07-02T02:58:00.000+01:002012-07-02T03:03:15.068+01:00A Right Little Knitter<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liined knitted bags with charms</td></tr>
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That’s what I’ve turned into these past months. It’s been
knitting, knitting, knitting since I last posted. Well that’s not strictly true but we’re talking about what craftiness I’ve been up to lately. Besides a bit of gardening and a day out on
the marshes for the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj" target="_blank">Radio 1 Hackney Weekend</a> I’ve been preparing for the <a href="http://eastwaymarket.co.uk/#close" target="_blank">EastwayMarket</a> relaunch which is set for July 15<sup>th</sup>. If you'd like to get a stall, there is a special offer for stallholders - the first six weeks are FREE. That's right - NO STALL FEE! Visit the site for more information.</div>
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You might remember
that<a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/inspired-knitted-bag-and-charm.html" target="_blank"> I made a little knitted bag and charm</a> using moss stitch. I liked it so
much I made more for my stall. So far, besides the first one I’ve made three and one of those was on special
order. There is still much to do in
preparation for market day but I decided to take a break from all that
repetition and do something a little different.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMF4QsLvw5M/T_Ds9WTX1iI/AAAAAAAAB28/CIzlE5yUFTQ/s1600/DSC01964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMF4QsLvw5M/T_Ds9WTX1iI/AAAAAAAAB28/CIzlE5yUFTQ/s320/DSC01964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Special Command</td></tr>
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After four bags in moss stitch I needed to learn
a new stitch. I'd always found one technique really interesting, wondering how it was done. Feeling confident that I could tackle it I did an image search of entrelac knitting which shows the range of possibilities.
Looks quite advanced but switch to a video search and you can find tutorials
which take you through the process.</div>
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The one I chose comes from <a href="http://planetpurl.com/">planetpurl.com</a><span id="goog_1253619244"></span><span id="goog_1253619245"></span> which provides an <a href="http://www.planetpurl.com/community/knitalongs/entrelacbasics/" target="_blank">online class</a> on the topic. I’ve posted the first of a series of videos
that I used to create the knitting shwon below, in blue and white. I added more stitches
than the instructor because I wanted to be able to practice and each step over more stitches. I really
want to be able to do entrelac in one colour or a whole rainbow of colours. That would be really impressive. For now I reckon it is wiser to stick
to two colours as a beginner. It can get a bit confusing as you have to work
one way on the wrong or right side, and the side of the piece you’re working on
and whether you’re making triangles or rectangles but the effect is so brilliant. It’s well worth all the effort. All you need to know is knit purl, how
to pick up stitches, slip and slip, slip knit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIpK7NQ8E0/T_Dq1nzZ2VI/AAAAAAAAB2s/XD3pkWMZZBo/s1600/DSC01971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIpK7NQ8E0/T_Dq1nzZ2VI/AAAAAAAAB2s/XD3pkWMZZBo/s320/DSC01971.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First attempt - entrelac knitting</td></tr>
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Quite proud of the piece of knitting created, I’ll need more
practice before I create anything useful with this technique. So I decided to
find something a little simpler. Yes that's right. Not content with learning one technique I learned another one.</div>
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The second stitch I picked up gives your knitting a nice feel
that is more like fabric in that it does not stretch as much as moss stitch. It is particularly
recommended for coats and bags. Well that’s right up my street. </div>
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Lovely though my little handmade bag and charm is I need to
think about other styles and other stitches too. So I got an idea for a new
style of bag. I decided to use the half linen stitch to try and create it. So
far I’ve completed a basic design which I am reasonably happy with. The stitch
is very easy to do and it does create a lovely finish, don’t you think?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First attempt - half linen stitch</td></tr>
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One of my playlists on YouTube is focused on learing new knitting stitches and other techniques with yarn. I call it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAD0C67CE6662044D&feature=mh_lolz" target="_blank">YarnWorks</a> - a visual knitting school if you like. You can find written instructions too which are useful especially for the entrlelac which gives you a grid outline of the process. <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/" target="_blank">Knitting Daily</a> is a great site for this and you can get free knitting patterns too. I found this PDF file on entrelac <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/24512.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfyDtx1pjkI/T_Dp5OBCPMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/fTJeaVFzU-w/s1600/DSC01936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfyDtx1pjkI/T_Dp5OBCPMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/fTJeaVFzU-w/s320/DSC01936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Hackney Marshes</td></tr>
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As I said earlier I took one day off from crafting to enjoy a day on the marshes with my daughter at the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxjhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj" target="_blank">Hackney Weekend</a>. Look carefully and you will spot the original knitted bag and charm peeping out from under my jacket. It did a great job of holding my camera. You can see more of my photos of the day <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/divinechoice/sets/72157630297638908/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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To finish off this post I just thought I'd share one more video of one of the moments we and thousands of people enjoyed the most. Also a moment when I forgot about my aching feet. Me and my daughter were way at the back dancing and singing, waving and twirling our umbrellas - ella! ella! eh! eh! eh! :D </div>
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Let's hope we don't have need of umbrellas in the coming week. Have a good one everybody!</div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-51185956534720845032012-06-08T22:19:00.001+01:002012-06-08T23:53:10.715+01:00Inspired!: Knitted Bag and Charm<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lL6oaPIGpmc/T9JlXWRVeTI/AAAAAAAAB1U/pBaFjoZ8CYI/s1600/DSC01844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lL6oaPIGpmc/T9JlXWRVeTI/AAAAAAAAB1U/pBaFjoZ8CYI/s320/DSC01844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you ever see something that you admire then think I wish
I made that, quickly followed with; well I could make something similar. The
juices start and you’re off working out how to make that item. It can get
intense. If you’re like me, you think about each stage of the design while doing
those activities and tasks that have to get done like washing up for example.</div>
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I started it on Monday the day after <a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/eastway-market-hackney-wick-on-sunday.html" target="_blank">my first outdoor marketstall</a>. One of the first decisions I made was to use this project to learn a new
stitch. So I looked up moss stitch which
I remembered from a knitted blanket pattern. Also known as seed stitch, it
turned out to be very simple and a great effect. This could be a good strategy for future
projects. Learn a new stitch and make something with it.</div>
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I decided from an early stage to line the bag as it would do
a better job of holding loose coins and
I knew exactly which piece of cloth I wanted to use. I have some pretty
material that I used to wear as headwraps when my locks were much shorter. I
wouldn’t need much to line the bag. The colours fit the Rasta theme perfectly.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phgly6UOzvI/T9JmAacM4xI/AAAAAAAAB1c/zMK2-Is6Gro/s1600/DSC01840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phgly6UOzvI/T9JmAacM4xI/AAAAAAAAB1c/zMK2-Is6Gro/s320/DSC01840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Everything is done by hand as I do not own a sewing machine.
I even made a little inner pocket that could hold paper money, doubling a small
piece of the same fabric. I don’t mind hand stitching. At school I struggled with tension and even threading the sewing machine. I thought it would be easier than it was due to familiarity with the things.. My mum used to work as a machinist, often
working from home on one of those big industrial machines.She even gave me her old Singer - it was a manual and was simoke to use. The electric ones drove me up the wall. However my sister
picked up the machining skills not me so I am quite happy with a needle and
thread. Thank goodness for that tool that helps you thread the needle. My eyes
ain’t as good as they used to be.</div>
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The idea of the charm came to me when I was knitting the extra-long
i-cord for the handle. I was pondering on decoration and considered adding one
of my knitted bags with the split ring but then I got another idea. I am often
greeted as ‘Empress’ by men and women of colour. It is a common term of respect
and what with the Diamond Jubilee coming I thought how about a crown. The charm would be attached permanently to the
bag handle but all I had to do was work out how to make a knitted crown charm.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NCoQKt4GfY/T9Jm4xCdmCI/AAAAAAAAB1o/t-dSgIjCt0c/s1600/DSC01842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NCoQKt4GfY/T9Jm4xCdmCI/AAAAAAAAB1o/t-dSgIjCt0c/s320/DSC01842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were couple of false starts but by the time I was
looking for beads to add as jewels it was really staking shape. Well I like it.</div>
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By Friday the bag and charm was complete and I used it for
the first time on<a href="http://divinechoicecreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/my-jubilee-day.html" target="_blank"> Sunday for the market.</a>.
I can think of some other occasions during the coming weeks when it will
be very useful.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Not sure if it would be a good make for my
stall. I’ll see if it gets any admirers when I use it over the summer and see
if anyone wants one specially made. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">What do you think? </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-43776837789508870942012-06-04T20:41:00.000+01:002012-06-04T20:41:13.332+01:00My Jubilee Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFCoJeBF_k8/T80HJSTIxnI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/wzpTU0zEUpk/s1600/DSC01864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFCoJeBF_k8/T80HJSTIxnI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/wzpTU0zEUpk/s320/DSC01864.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Diamond Jubilee table decoration</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Greetings Reader,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Special greetings for the UK readers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you are enjoying the extended holiday
for the Diamond Jubilee doing what you want to do and enjoying it. My Sunday
was all set up from the previous week…</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhJ_xnYVFE4/T80HoxItk9I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MfCODVSEc6w/s1600/Hackney-20120603-00267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhJ_xnYVFE4/T80HoxItk9I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/MfCODVSEc6w/s320/Hackney-20120603-00267.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain is not going away...</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In complete contrast to last week the rain came down in
buckets last Sunday. You can understand then that getting up before 8 o’clock
was very unappealing. There’s nothing like sunshine for motivation to seize the
day and there was nothing like it that morning. Only the fact that I’d
booked<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the stall and promised I’d be
there meant that it would take more than rain to make me break the promise.</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjE1YDo6xc/T80JVZ0kLNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/EJpqGYinVE8/s1600/DSC01861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXjE1YDo6xc/T80JVZ0kLNI/AAAAAAAAB0s/EJpqGYinVE8/s320/DSC01861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so we held the market indoors.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The market started late becuase of the rain. I had time to tweet and take pictures of the empty stalls while discussions were being carried out with the managers of the Cre8 Centre. Thankfully they agreed we could set up indoors.</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="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/575077_10150883141199160_560454159_10042008_1788712760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/575077_10150883141199160_560454159_10042008_1788712760_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be indoors smile.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here are a few photos of the day. Sorry about the poor
quality of some of them. I forgot my camera at home. The rain fell steadily for
much of the day so it was quiet enough to go home and get it and my yarn needle
which I needed to complete my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘quiet
moments’ project.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCVtBGdlPFk/T80JwmFiuiI/AAAAAAAAB00/U3u_2OL720Y/s1600/DSC01868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCVtBGdlPFk/T80JwmFiuiI/AAAAAAAAB00/U3u_2OL720Y/s320/DSC01868.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was very quiet while the rain kept falling.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always bring things to do while attending my stall and
this week I was knitting a little cushion to go with the knitted crown I'd made on Saturday. It was a little table decoration
made n recognition of the occasion. I’d planned to add tassels to the corners
of the cushion but changed my mind, preferring to chat with the other stall
holders and visitors until the day was over. Some had bunting but my favourite decoration was in my view a very creative use of fabric.</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/-8vFo30tZSgU/T80Klt352wI/AAAAAAAAB08/Md4-7zuwyV4/s1600/DSC01870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vFo30tZSgU/T80Klt352wI/AAAAAAAAB08/Md4-7zuwyV4/s320/DSC01870.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my favourite table decoration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rain did stop and we had a few visitors but nowhere near
the numbers we were led to expect and this had repercussions that requires a lot of talk and thinking, planning and action. I'll keep you informed when I know more. It is though my first experience of not making even one sale. It had
to happen sometime from what I’ve read online so I’m taking the day as another
lesson learned.</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IIti6H3E_4/T80K6mIqeOI/AAAAAAAAB1I/4k2eZvYHo_U/s1600/DSC01875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IIti6H3E_4/T80K6mIqeOI/AAAAAAAAB1I/4k2eZvYHo_U/s320/DSC01875.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesty, the Queen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got home just as the rain started chucking itself down
again, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in time to see Tower Bridge open
up, catching up with the Thanes River pageant. That was quite a spectacle and it was good to see so many people enjoying themselves and doing what they wanted to do, regardless of the weather. Not that you would catch me out there. Still I will not deny the need to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one man on the TV said, doing a job for 60
years deserves recognition. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-3999375536936463702012-05-28T23:36:00.002+01:002012-05-28T23:40:47.918+01:00Eastway Market: Sunshine, Music and Stalls<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akMjk9sK_2M/T8Pf3ygBb4I/AAAAAAAABzM/uXfeHHij5ME/s1600/DSC01829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akMjk9sK_2M/T8Pf3ygBb4I/AAAAAAAABzM/uXfeHHij5ME/s320/DSC01829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastway Market May 28 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday started so bright confirming the weather forecast. It
was going to be hot and sunny. Brilliant! Being it was my first day doing an
outdoor market you might think I’d be a bit nervous. I was more worried about
the breeze blowing my cards all over the place than not making any sales. But I
had an idea on how to minimise that issue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I arrived there were a few stall holders already setting up
their stalls with the assistance of a couple of guys who helped put up the roof
tarpaulin. All I had to do was choose one of the empty stalls. They’re much bigger than I remembered. Good
thing my cloth to cover was just big enough to cover it. Then I took a strip of
black cloth brought especially for the purpose to create a small wind break on the windy side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My fellow card maker Nsaa Nefetari played music from her phone as she set
up her cards and jewellery in a stall opposite mine, enhancing the atmosphere of working in the
sunshine. Actually it did not even feel like work. I laid out the majority of
my cards flat keeping them out of the breeze and set up with a couple of props; a small basket, a bowl made from a coconut shell and my yellow upcycled card display box..</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/-JPbyHG8nRRU/T8Pg8DR3SiI/AAAAAAAABzU/fCQGEk3TsjE/s1600/DSC01819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPbyHG8nRRU/T8Pg8DR3SiI/AAAAAAAABzU/fCQGEk3TsjE/s320/DSC01819.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see my improvised wind break?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it all got quiet I took a turn playing some music from my phone as I
worked on finishing up some jobs I’d normally would do the night before. That
is the difference from a year ago. Experience told me that the opening hours of
the market would allow me time to work on stuff like adding price labels and
even packaging some of my new printed cards. As I was doing so I welcomed the
first visitors to my stall, the other stall holders. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLHYaVsS1Hs/T8PiPkiDC7I/AAAAAAAABzs/sl8oFNQWxtI/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLHYaVsS1Hs/T8PiPkiDC7I/AAAAAAAABzs/sl8oFNQWxtI/s200/DSC01831.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I’m not certain I made it clear in my last post but this
market is not a craft fair or an arts and crafts market. There were locals selling clothes, mainly women’s clothes, vegan food including
pizza, a cake stall with Jamaican fruit cake among their delights, another
cake stall with fresh homemade fresh fruit juices and tea, a t-shirt stall, a
falafel stall, a bric-a-brac stall and a DJ playing vinyl music of various
genres. Soon he set up his stall and entertained us for the rest of the day
with music from his collection. We had everything from Fats Domino to Bob
Marley, Abba to Jimi Hendrix.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiTBqKecA4Y/T8PhRlS8SQI/AAAAAAAABzc/i3sAcwoNoLU/s1600/DSC01828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiTBqKecA4Y/T8PhRlS8SQI/AAAAAAAABzc/i3sAcwoNoLU/s320/DSC01828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy Dee the DJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bouncy castle was a hit with the children and the
falafels and cakes were very popular. Both handmade craft stalls had their fair
share of attention and the question I was asked most was, “Did you make all
these? And did you do the drawings too?” It was really nice to receive their
positive feedback and every sale was like winning a bonus prize.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However foot traffic was sporadic and so there were many
moments when you could walk around and chat, take a few photos or do what I did - a little
knitting and drawing. I drew this pic of a girl with those fashionable
headphones. I was experimenting with using lots of carefully drawn lines to
create the hair. Think this could be a future card. You also had to be aware of the breeze which was mostly gentle but every now again a great gust would blow business or greeting cards cards right off the table. This was more an issue for me and Nsaa Nefertari than the others and thankfully it did not happen more than two or three times through the whole day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wJQuNMao_w/T8PhxSOonDI/AAAAAAAABzk/jn_20UmYRVw/s1600/1st_eastway_stall_05_2012cp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wJQuNMao_w/T8PhxSOonDI/AAAAAAAABzk/jn_20UmYRVw/s320/1st_eastway_stall_05_2012cp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eastway Market is new weekly market but if we don’t increase
the number of stallholders and visitors it may not be around for long. We are all doing what we can to help but of
course the decision is not wholly in our hands alone. Just as well we got some
big events happening in Hackney this summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRUBBFm0Gfc/T8Pi1YT7dKI/AAAAAAAABz0/znoqp4MWrBk/s1600/girl_headphones_05_2012cp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRUBBFm0Gfc/T8Pi1YT7dKI/AAAAAAAABz0/znoqp4MWrBk/s320/girl_headphones_05_2012cp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next weekend is Diamond Jubilee weekend and we’ve been warned that
much higher numbers of visitors are expected. We are sharing our location with
a Jubilee party. I've never actually been to or in the vicinity of a street party for any of the other royal events so this will be interesting. Should be fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a good week all and a great Jubilee Weekend everyone in the UK :) </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-32690702049407018562012-05-26T23:36:00.001+01:002012-05-26T23:36:42.189+01:00Eastway Market, Hackney Wick on Sunday<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://hackneywickcentre.co.uk/hackney_wick_baths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://hackneywickcentre.co.uk/hackney_wick_baths.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nefatericardsandgifts" target="_blank">Nsaa Nefetari, from Nefetari Cards and Gifts</a> updated her Facebook status to say that she was at Eastway Market with an
invitation to visit. Eastway is quite local and the day was lovely and sunny,
one of the first since the torrential rain of previous days.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-KSYLCQgs4/T8FYPKP6FII/AAAAAAAABy8/yWnrsMX1du8/s1600/IMG00078-20101217-0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-KSYLCQgs4/T8FYPKP6FII/AAAAAAAABy8/yWnrsMX1du8/s200/IMG00078-20101217-0832.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgeezer/4652984997/" target="_blank">Eastway is a main road</a> from which you can see the Olympic
Stadium in the distance from one end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The buses that terminate here at Hackney Wick or pass through on their
way to and from Bromley-by-Bow and Newham General make it easy to reach from
many parts of London. As I walked up Eastway I could hear loud music. I thought
at first it was coming from the line of traffic moving steadily down the road.
I like to try and see who is pumping out the tunes but as I walked towards Eastway
Market the music kept getting louder. Not one of the cars then. Maybe one of
the people living on the road decided that in the words of Bob Marley, “I’m
going to disturb my neighbour…” It was not until I almost reached the market
area, next to the new Cre8 Centre in the old swimming baths building, that I realised the music was coming from the market itself.</div>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/vt/data=Ay5GWBeob_WIPLDYoIWcfVXxvZu9XwJ55OX7Ag,cFvXcwZMcC_yMQtO31n53JnX8zMYbPrQshflt49PED_FcE-hrikAo16F6AEMaHm8ZARvb8yNEls5oaW9iFIBNOhsoMyT8acizelk6btW" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/vt/data=Ay5GWBeob_WIPLDYoIWcfVXxvZu9XwJ55OX7Ag,cFvXcwZMcC_yMQtO31n53JnX8zMYbPrQshflt49PED_FcE-hrikAo16F6AEMaHm8ZARvb8yNEls5oaW9iFIBNOhsoMyT8acizelk6btW" /></a></div>
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That was unexpected. </div>
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As I entered I nodded to the DJ situated near the entrance, no doubt to draw passers by in to see what is happening here. He greeted me the
same and then I saw the lady whose status update had got me out of the house in
the first place. </div>
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<a href="http://www.nefatericardsandgifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Nsaa-Nefateri-Black-Sophisticated-Card-Selection-Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.nefatericardsandgifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Nsaa-Nefateri-Black-Sophisticated-Card-Selection-Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nsaa Nefetari is a star in my eyes. She works so hard and
produces such wonderful work. She greeted me with such warmth I felt like an old friend and indeed this
is not the first time we’ve met. This was though, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the first time I’ve seen her work on display
as opposed to photos on her <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook
page. She explained that she’d had to put her jewellery away as the breeze kept
blowing her stands over. We chatted for a while about her current success in
working in Wathamstow market and how her status helped me learn about Eastway Market.
She pointed out to me the person I needed to speak to about the availability of
stalls. </div>
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That is how it all started…</div>
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Wandering around the market looking at the stalls and talking
to a couple of the stallholders I took in the atmosphere, imagining myself as
one of them. Could I do an outdoor market? While I was admiring Nsaa’s card
display on one of them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spinners, the
breeze blew a couple of her cards from another part of the display. The wind
had managed to blow them from the clips which were attached to lengths of
chains hanging from the roof poles of the stall. Working outdoors would create
new challenges for me too. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qv0OfiWOH8/T8FW4dwSdWI/AAAAAAAABy0/PFgZgmSoE_Y/s1600/bdaytriocp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qv0OfiWOH8/T8FW4dwSdWI/AAAAAAAABy0/PFgZgmSoE_Y/s320/bdaytriocp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Arts & Crafts Market (now sadly closed until further
notice) at Hackney City Farm was indoors and the tables were therefore very
different. The stalls in Eastway Market are real stalls. I liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The market has a welcoming and great feel
with the music from the DJ, the smell of jerk chicken cooking on a barbecue and
there is even a bouncy castle for added entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be silly not to go for it.</div>
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So tomorrow I will be working my first stall in the outdoors.
The weather promises to be lovely. I already have an idea how I am going to
deal with the breeze. I'll include my new printed cards including one which I am testing to see how it goes. It's a bit exclusive as it is not yet listed in<a href="http://folksy.com/shops/DCCreations" target="_blank"> my Folksy shop</a>. I’ll take pictures and let you know how it goes.</div>
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Have a great weekend <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1291801474855140088.post-38554159809103594222012-05-19T15:43:00.000+01:002012-05-28T23:42:11.871+01:00Versatile Blogging with Sunshine - Awards!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDzu4uv-FN0/T7aYAy0ZPyI/AAAAAAAABxw/BmpwUhX9Q5M/s1600/sunshine-blog-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDzu4uv-FN0/T7aYAy0ZPyI/AAAAAAAABxw/BmpwUhX9Q5M/s320/sunshine-blog-award.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many of the people I follow produce really high quality
work. They are doing well in their respective craft businessed, selling through online shops, craft fairs or through their local communities. Their work inspires me to keep on working and I follow their progress through various social
media networks as well as through their bloggage. I admire and aspire to be as unique
and productive as they are so when one of them nominated me for an award
earlier this week, well to quote a well known phrase, "You could have knocked me down with a feather!"</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img1-llalt.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.290063317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img1-llalt.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.290063317.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Starry Starry Night" by Stacey-Ann Cole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.creativesque.co.uk/" target="_blank">Creativesque</a> is the artist Stacey-Ann Cole, an active fan of
my Facebook page as I am on hers. Her work features people of colour and is very distinctive. She works with watercolours, a skill I admire much but foind quite frustrating to learn. However I do love art of any kind and in
fact it is through her work that demonstrated to me that I could use my own
drawing skills to create unique printed
cards to widen my range and add to the traditionally handmade cards. Getiing back to the point of this post you can tell that for me it
is extra special to be given these awards as I regard Stacey-Ann’s work of a
high quality I am still striving to reach.</div>
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The <b>Versatile Blogger Award</b> is the first award. I love that
title. Gives me a real ego boost. I am required to tell you seven things about myself. More about that
after I tell you the name of the second award .</div>
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<a href="http://memoriesofcaleb.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/versatileblogger11.png?w=200&h=200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://memoriesofcaleb.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/versatileblogger11.png?w=200&h=200" /></a></div>
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The <b>Sunshine Blog Award</b> is given to ‘bloggers who positively
and creatively inspire others’. Aw shucks!
I ain’t going to pretend I ain’t touched by that. This award
requires answers to some specific
questions so I will follow <a href="http://www.creativesque.co.uk/" target="_blank">Creativesque’s</a> example and combine the two:</div>
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<b>My favourite color is….. </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I like most colours if not all colours but my
favourite colour is blue. You probably could guess that looking at my current blog desin and so on.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>My favourite number is….</b> a favourite number? Mmm… I’ll
go for 7. Why? Seven days in a week is as good a reason as any. Lots of phrases come to mind - Seven Wonders of the World, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Sisters...<br />
<br />
<b> My favourite drink… </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">My favourite drink is also
my chosen drink for fighting off colds – lemon and ginger made with the fruit
and the root, not the herbal teabag</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>My favourite animal is…</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> any
member of the cat family but especially my cat who always greets me with a loud
miaow and sometimes follows me down the road when I go out.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>Facebook? or Twitter? </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Facebook because it’s put
me in touch with family around the globe and we can video chat</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>Getting or Giving </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I enjoy
giving gifts – it’s a good feeling to make others smile or surprise them with
something they appreciate. I like getting them too especially when a lot of thought is put into the gift.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>My Favourite day…</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I love Saturdays best as we approach the end of one
week and the promise of a new one.</span> </b><br />
<br />
<b> My Favourite flower… </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I love all kinds of
flowers. I thought of choosing a favourite flower for each season but that was
a very short thought. I do love poppies but so far I've failed to grow any in my garden. Really don't know what I'm doing wrong.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>My Passion…</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Being creative, I love making cards, drawing,
knitting, stitching, working in the garden…. I won’t go on. You get the picture.
</span> </b><br />
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<a href="http://nadinefeldman.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sunshine-award1.jpg?w=600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nadinefeldman.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/sunshine-award1.jpg?w=600" /></a></div>
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Now it is my happy resonsibility to pass on the honour to those bloggers I referred to at the start of this post. I would like to include Stacey-Ann in these nominations but not sure if that is allowed.<br />
<br />
I am nominating the following blogs for
both awards, some I've followed for a few years, other for less:</div>
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<a href="http://knitsofacto.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Knitsofacto</a></div>
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<a href="http://water-lily-wishes.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Water Lily Wishes</a></div>
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<a href="http://whenatthemacsx.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">When at the MacsX</a></div>
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<a href="http://iamafoodblog.com/" target="_blank">I am a food blog</a></div>
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<a href="http://juliesknitandsewcorner.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">My Life in Stitches</a></div>
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<a href="http://pensanddoodles.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pens and Doodles</a></div>
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<a href="http://essdeecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">SDCrafts</a></div>
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<a href="http://handknittedthings.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hand Knitted Things</a></div>
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<a href="http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">A girl and a glue gun</a></div>
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<a href="http://craftychai.typepad.com/" target="_blank">A crafty chai</a></div>
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<a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/" target="_blank">Planet Penny</a><br />
<br />
Thank you for reading and please do visit the above links.<br />
<br />
Bye for now :) </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Beautiful Cards Created With Care.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110248073947249703noreply@blogger.com5